Premier League Transfer Gossip – Benitez eyes Sterling
By Kevin Kelly
In another edition of Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you all the latest transfer news, gossip and confirmed stories from around the Premier League, with some news from abroad too. Today there’s news of Benitez confirming his Napoli future, Spurs’ bid for Danny Ings, and much more.
Benitez to Leave Napoli and buy Sterling for Madrid:
Amidst reports that Rafa Benitez is set to become Real Madrid’s new manager today he confirmed that he leaving Napoli at the end of the season. The former Madrid player and coach joined Napoli in the summer of 2013, winning the Coppa Italia, and reached the quarter-finals of the 2014/15 Europa League.
The Daily Mirror report that when appointed Madrid manager he will look to buy Raheem Sterling from Liverpool. Bad boy Sterling won’t sign a new contract and has two years left on his £35,000 per week deal with the Reds. Liverpool have priced Sterling at £50m, but Madrid believe a compromise can be made on such a deal.
More from La Liga
- Jude Bellingham will carry on Real Madrid’s No. 5 jersey legacy
- A night of farewells for Barcelona against Mallorca
- Barcelona manager backs Vinicius Jr. following racist abuse
- Barcelona all but seal LaLiga title with win over Osasuna
- Barcelona look to edge closer to LaLiga title
Spurs bid for Ings but has heart set on Liverpool:
Sky Sports report that Tottenham have bid £12m for Danny Ings, despite the strikers contract running out imminently. Interest in Danny Ings is obviously high – it’s not often a player of his age (22) and calibre becomes available on a free transfer. He has just scored 11 Premier League goals – all the more impressive when you consider it was for a relegated team in his debut season at this level.
Nevertheless The London Daily Standard say Ings has his heart set on Liverpool, who tried to sign the striker in January. Liverpool would have to pay a tribunal fee of about £4m when the strikers contract runs out due to his age.
Mario Balotelli has no intention of leaving Liverpool, says agent:
Mario Balotelli’s agent has placed a potential obstacle in the way of Liverpool’s transfer plans by insisting the striker will not be leaving Anfield this summer, although the club remain determined to cut their losses on the Italy forward, reports Guardian Sport.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
The 24-year-old endured a miserable season on Merseyside following his £16m arrival from Milan last August, starting only 14 games in all competitions, scoring four goals and being publicly criticised several times by his manager, Brendan Rodgers. The forward was also hindered by injury and illness and did not feature in any of Liverpool’s last four match-day squads.
“Mario did [adapt]. I can’t talk for Brendan, that is a question for him, but Mario did and I spoke various times to the club and they were happy with Mario as a professional. I am confident it will happen next year,” said Mino Raiola.
Live Feed
PSG Post
West Ham take Bielsa blow:
West Ham United could face another blow in their bid to find a big-name replacement for Sam Allardyce as Marseille try to tie Marcelo Bielsa down to a new two‑year contract, report Telegraph Sport.
contacted by West Ham, but the French club hope to agree a new deal with the Argentine.
Despite the fact Bielsa hinted recently he may be ready to leave Marseille, French sources are confident negotiations are progressing well between the two parties.
Bielsa, 59, has a CV that has impressed the West Ham co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, but the former Argentina and Chile manager’s inability to speak English is seen as a problem.