Friday’s transfer rumour roundup. Check in to Everton vs Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur will demand a transfer fee of £6.5 million for out-of-favour front man Jermain Defoe when the winter transfer window opens again for business in the new year, with both West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers said to be interested in the England international.
West Ham United want to sign Internacional striker Diego Forlan at the turn of the year as the Hammers look to add more firepower to their attack.
Recently appointed Sunderland head coach Gustavo Poyet has already had a major disagreement with his bosses at the Stadium of Light over the club’s transfer policy in the upcoming winter window.
AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli says that he is happy with life at San Siro and is not interested in a move to Chelsea in the new year.
Chelsea are set to go head to head with Spanish giants Real Madrid in the battle for the signature of prolific AS Monaco marksman Radamel Falcao in January.
Newcastle United are planning to return for Lyon front man Bafetimbi Gomis when the window reopens at the turn of the year after the Magpies just missed out on signing the Frenchman during the summer.
Vancouver Whitecaps striker Kenny Miller may re-sign for Glasgow Rangers for what would be the third time in the Scot’s career.
Liverpool midfield player Lucas Leiva says that he and Uruguay international Luis Suarez are best mates at Anfield.
In-form Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero says that he has no intention whatsoever of joining Real Madrid, with the Argentinian enjoying life at Eastlands too much.
Crystal Palace’s hopes of being able to name Tony Pulis as the successor to Ian Holloway in the dugout at Selhurst Park appear to be fading after talks between the Eagles and the Welshman broke down over the former Stoke City boss’ salary demands.
Everton are eyeing up a January swoop for Spartak Moscow wide man Aiden McGeady.
Gaston Ramires has sought face-to-face talks with Southampton’s bosses over his future at St Mary’s, with both Serie A giants Inter Milan and Napoli said to be interested in signing the player in the new year.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce is said to be worried that key midfield duo Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore could return to parent club Tottenham Hotspur in January.
FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi says that forward Dimitar Berbatov’s reported move from Fulham to Camp Nou in January is “impossible”.
West Ham United midfield player Mohamed Diame is enjoying his time at Upton Park so much that the Senegal international wants to extend his contract with the Hammers.
Napoli and Manchester United will go head to head in the new year for the signature of highly rated Benfica central defender Ezequiel Garay.
Southampton defender Jose Fonte is being targeted by Turkish giants Besiktas in the winter transfer window.
Manchester City starlet Abdisalam Ibrahim is set for face-to-face discussions with Manchester City this week after the youngster impressed greatly during his recent loan spell in Norway.
Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Michael Dawson says that he is still confident of forcing his way into England manager Roy Hodgson’s thoughts for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Football Association is understood to be concerned that England’s players may be suffering from burnout by the time that the World Cup gets under way in Brazil next summer due to a raft of end-of-season tours being planned by several Premier League clubs.
Any England internationals who could take part in next May’s Uefa Champions League final in Lisbon will then face a short turnaround before the Three Lions’ planned friendly international a few days later.
Full story: The Daily Telegraph
England wide man Andros Townsend claims that the Three Lions fringe players must all now forget about next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil if they wish to be on the plane to Rio.
Liverpool midfield player Philippe Coutinho may have only played one international previously for Brazil, however, the playmaker still hopes to be part of the five-time world champions’ squad at next summer’s tournament on home soil.