Transfer Gossip – Sterling Ordered Back to Anfield

Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column brings you all the latest news and rumours of ins and outs from the Premier League and abroad, including news on Raheem Sterling’s order to return to pre-season training, brought to you by co-editor Kevin Kelly.

Sterling back in Melwood as Man City yet to make new bid

Raheem Sterling was ordered back to Melwood for the first day of pre-season training today for Liverpool, report the Independent. Sterling has been subject to two rejected bids from Manchester City this summer, with Liverpool holding out for a fee of £50m before letting go of their star winger.

The England international has two years left on his current deal, and The Telegraph have reported that City will lodge a higher bid for the 20-year-old this week – with the Reds holding out for £50m for the player.

While he will report for training on Monday, his participation in the club’s pre-season tour of Bangkok is in serious doubt. The club depart for Thailand next Sunday, with City hoping to have an offer accepted for him before then.

Meanwhile the Express report that Liverpool will meet Christian Benteke’s £32.5m release clause to prise the striker from Aston Villa. Benteke, 24, has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances since arriving at Villa Park from Genk for £7m almost three years ago.

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He has since emerged as a target for Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool – who are set to win the race with Benteke setting his heart on a move to Merseyside. Liverpool have struggled to replace Luis Suarez since he moved to Barcelona last summer and Rodgers believes Benteke could provide the goals they’ve lacked since then.

Begovic becomes Man United target

Mirror Football report that Asmir Begovic has become a surprise target for Manchester United to replace the outgoing David De Gea. In a deal which would cost around £8m Begovic would likely be a notable downgrade in quality of goalkeeper at Man United.

Chelsea have been in negotiations with Stoke over a transfer fee, but the Blues now fear that Begovic’s head could be turned by potential interest from United.United are on the lookout for a new No 1 at Old Trafford, with David De Gea likely to join Real Madrid this summer.

That gives the Red Devils a huge advantage over Chelsea, who will only be able to offer Begovic a backup role behind first choice stopper Thibaut Courtois. Chelsea have already had a £6m offer for Begovic rejected with the club pondering over a fresh £8m bid.

Arsenal Target Pedro

Arsenal have made initial contact with Pedro’s representatives over a move for the Barcelona winger, according to reports in Spain (via the Independent.

Reports claim that the Gunners are closely monitoring the 27-year-old, who scored six league goals for Barca last season in their La Liga-winning campaign.While he made 35 appearances in the league, 20 of those came as a substitute from the bench as he found himself behind the attacking triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Pedro, who has won 51 caps for Spain, has been at Barca for his entire career. Liverpool are also reportedly interested in the 27-year-old, who was part of the Spain squads to win the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.

The player has a mammoth £110m buy-out clause, as agreed in the Barca contract which expires in 2019, but that price is just there to strengthen the club’s position over his fee when he is sold. Reports suggest that he could be available for £15m.

Sunderland chief Lee Congerton sets sights on winger signing

Sunderland are ready to go on the attack – by adding a couple of creative players to their ranks after bolstering their defence., according to the Sunderland Echo.

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The Black Cats completed the signing of Celtic full-back Adam Matthews at the weekend, the Welshman becoming their second signing of the summer after Sebastian Coates joined last week.

The capture of the duo has strengthened Dick Advocaat’s rearguard, while Sunderland also remain in talks with Zenit St Petersburg over the transfer of Belgian centre-half Nicolas Lombaerts.

However, director of football Lee Congerton will also focus this week on adding to Advocaat’s attacking options, with a winger at the top of his priorities. Sunderland retain a strong interest in Stewart Downing and will continue talks with West Ham United over the England star.

Downing remains their No 1 choice and the Black Cats are confident the Teessider wants a return to the North East. But they have a number of other options should there be no movement on that front, including Dynamo Kiev forward Jeremain Lens.