In the latest addition of the Playing for 90 transfer gossip column co-editor Kevin Kelly, including news on two Premier League after Karim Benzema, Dani Alves possibly moving to the Premier League, and more.
Benzema Target for Manchester United:
The Guardian last night reported that Karim Benzema has emerged as a target for Manchester United, who confirmed Ramadel Falcao would be returning to parent club Monaco for the following season. If Louis Van does decide to make a move for the striker, who would cost in the region of £40m, they may have to fight off interest from Arsenal.
The United goalkeeper David De Gea, who is valued at up to £30m, could well be used as a makeweight in any deal. Although Benzema signed a five-year contract last summer there is widespread uncertainty at Real now that Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked as head coach.
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Benzema, who scored 22 goals in 46 Real appearances this season and had 10 assists, is an established France international. At the Bernabéu he has won the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa Del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. At Lyon he also won four French titles.
Benitez Plans to Build Team around Bale:
The prospective new Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has informed Fiorentino Perez that he intends to build the team around Gareth Bale, the Daily Mirror reports. Benitez is understood to have impressed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez by telling him he sees 25-year-old Bale as being a central figure to his plans.
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Benitez is “99 per cent” certain to take over at the Bernabeu after Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal as Real Madrid coach. Benitez was on West Ham’s wish list to be their next manager after he left Napoli but the Spaniard played a clever waiting game to try and land the Real Madrid job. And his promises on Bale proved to be the aces up his sleeve as Perez is determined to make record £86m signing work.
Manchester United place Dani Alves on transfer shortlist:
Telegraph Sport last night reported that Louis Van Gaal has played Dani Alves on his summer transfer shortlist. Alves is set to leave Barcelona amidst a reported rift between himself and some directors at the club.
The Brazilian had been expected to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, but with the Spanish champions barred from signing players due to a FIFA-imposed transfer embargo, efforts have been made to hand Alves a contract extension.
The former Sevilla right-back, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain, admitted this week, however, that he has been left unimpressed by Barcelona’s attempts to keep him and United have been made aware of the player’s desire to move to the Premier League.
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Terry Reveals MLS Interest:
Speaking last night on Talksport John Terry revealed although he’d like to end his career at Chelsea, he has not ruled out a move to the MLS before the curtain closes on his illustrious career. The 34-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season, playing every minute for the Blues in the Premier League as they stormed to title glory.
He believes he can continue to play a key role for Chelsea beyond his current contract, which expires in 2016. But Terry has revealed he could be tempted to follow former teammate Frank Lampard to America should Jose Mourinho decide not to keep him on.
“I certainly don’t want to play for another club in the Premier League or England” – John Terry
“I certainly don’t want to play for another club in the Premier League or England. I don’t think you get that loyalty within football anymore.
“The likes of Lamps, Didier [Drogba], Rio [Ferdinand], Stevie [Gerrard], these guys have stayed at the very top at the best clubs in the world and managed to stay in the team, stay fit and stay hungry, and it is great thing to do, so I am hoping to finish my career at Chelsea.