Transfer Gossip – Reds Eye Bacca and Rondon

By Kevin Kelly | Jun 22, 2015

In another edition of the transfer gossip column co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you up to date with all the news of ins and outs from the Premier League and abroad, including news of Liverpool’s striker search now going toward Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca.

Liverpool monitor Bacca and Rondon

The Liverpool Echo report that Liverpool have switched their attention from Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke to Carlos Bacca of Sevilla and Salomon Rondon of Zenit St. Petersburg. The Liverpool hierarchy believe Aston Villa’s valuation of Benteke at £32m to be way too high, therefore widening their search for a striker.

Bacca has a release clause of £21.5m, while Rondon would cost closer to £15m. Both strikers are currently in action at the Copa America. Interest in Brazil’s Roberto Firmino remains high, yet whether Liverpool bid for the player remains to be seen.

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The Daily Star believe Liverpool will actually buy all three players, in a deal which would amount to £75m. Meanwhile Spanish daily Marca report that Liverpool are eyeing Assier Illaramendi, and are willing to pay £16m for the young midfielder, with Madrid likely to accept such an offer.

Mackems Ponder Townsend Move

The Chronicle report that Andros Townsend has become a surprise target for Sunderland. The England winger has become increasingly marginalised under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, with the North London likely to sell the player.

Townsend came through the ranks at White Hart Lane, but has spent much of his career out on loan, having had spells at Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Ipswich Town, Watford, Millwall, Leeds United and QPR.

He stayed at Spurs for the whole of last season, but made only 10 starts, prompting speculation that he could be on the move. Townsend can play on either flank, and that could provide Sunderland with a solution to their problems on the left.

West Ham Confident on Payet Deal

Guardian Football report that West Ham are confident their improved bid of £14m will be enough to lure Dimitri Payet. The Marseille forward is understood to be keen to leave the Stade Vélodrome for a new challenge in the Premier League.

The club’s second offer amounts to around £14m for a player capped 15 times by France; an initial bid nearer £12m was rejected. The French club’s squad are undergoing something of a revamp after failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League; this failure prompted an automatic wage drop for players with Payet, 28, due to lose around £12,000 a week.

André Ayew and André-Pierre Gignac have left for Swansea and the Mexican club Tigres respectively under freedom of contract while the midfielder Giannelli Imbula is attracting interest from Italy. The Marseille coach, Marcelo Bielsa, had hoped Payet’s deal would be renegotiated but the temptation of a move to England – after Everton had previously shown interest – is believed to have turned his head.

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Cech Deal Edges Closer

Arsenal’s attempts to sign Petr Cech have edged closer, with personal terms now agreed, report Sky Sports. The two clubs are still not close to agreeing a fee and negotiations will continue this week.

The transfer fee is unknown but it will be a cash only deal, with Chelsea’s request to receive a home-grown player as part of the proposed transfer no longer being considered.

The Czech Republic goalkeeper has one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but is searching for a new employer after spending much of last season as second choice behind Thibaut Courtois.

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