Today's Transfer Gossip Column

 
Carlos Bacca is been targeted by Liverpool

Liverpool high on Bacca and Llorente but lose Benteke interest, Chelsea want Dembele, Schweinsteiger to complete £7.5m Man United move, Arsenal to offer Wilshere new deal.

 BENTEKE TO BACCA FOR REDS
It has seemed like one of the inevitable moves of this summer's transfer window, but is Christian Benteke to Liverpool off? According to the Sunday Telegraph, who report that the Reds are 'cooling' on the Belgian due to his mammoth £32.5m release clause, it is.

But that isn't all the Telegraph provide us on this lovely Sabbath. Not only will Liverpool relax on their bid to sign Benteke, but they have targeted two more players as a result. Juventus striker Fernando Llorente and Sevilla star Carlos Bacca.

The link to Llorente was almost certain to materialise eventually, particularly after the Turin club announced that they had agreed a deal to sign Mario Mandzukic. The Spaniard will reportedly cost £14.3m. Bacca, on the other hand, is also coveted by Manchester United, and is valued at £21.4m.

Bacca, 28, would likely be the more attractive proposition to Liverpool than 30-year-old Llorente, despite his higher price. The Colombian's agent has said "the market is unpredictable", which is hardly a 'he's not leaving'.


MOURINHO MULLS OVER MOUSA MOVE
Well, this is a bit weird. The Sun on Sunday's random team and player generator has gone into overdrive this week, and it has thrown up a 'Mousa Dembele to Chelsea' rumour.

According to our reliable friends, Jose Mourinho is searching for reinforcements with John Obi Mikel potentially leaving this summer. The Nigerian is a target for Fenerbahce, and Mourinho is wary of replacing a man who made a huge 13 starts last season.

The boss is a keen admirer of Dembele, who is hardly similar to Mikel in the first place. Not only that, but he'd cost a reported £12m. Still, the Belgian made 18 starts in all competitions last season, so he'd certainly be an upgrade.


ARSENAL TO JACK UP WILSHERE WAGE
After news of Manchester City making a £40m move for Jack Wilshere emerged yesterday, it appears that Arsenal are willing to fight for their midfielder. The Sunday Mirror claim the club are preparing to hand the 23-year-old a five-year-deal on £100,000-a-week, something they claim would 'double his money'. We're pretty sure that doesn't quite add up, but still.


SCHWEINI TO UNITED MOVES CLOSER
'Louis van Gaal has told negotiator Ed Woodward to sort a reunion' with Bastian Schweinsteiger, according to the Sunday Mirror. It evokes a lovely image of Woodward absolutely bricking himself while Van Gaal drunkenly shouts at him.

Moving on quickly, the Mirror, who have picked up the story from the Sunday People, claim that Man United are willing to fork out £7.5m to prise the 30-year-old midfielder away from Bayern Munich. It would be an excellent price for a player who would add experience and nous to that midfield. It would also be a surprise if Pep Guardiola let him go so easily.


BEST OF THE REST
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew is ready to wreck Newcastle's move for QPR striker Charlie Austin...Newcastle are ready to hijack Aston Villa's bid to land Tottenham winger Andros Townsend...Carl Jenkinson is poised to get a new Arsenal contract - before being loaned out...Tottenham are racing to complete a £12million deal for Lyon striker Clinton N'Jie...Newcastle boss Steve McClaren wants to talk Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford into an £8million move...Crystal Palace's bid to sign Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul could collapse because of the size of his wages...West Ham's bid for Genk's Senegalese centre-half Kara Mbodj has hit a work permit snag.

Nick Powell is heading for crisis talks over his career at Manchester United...Sevilla midfielder Gregorz Krychowiak will not push for a move to a Premier League club this summer..Tottenham will consider offers for right-back Kyle Walker...Newcastle boss Steve McClaren will delay a £15million move for QPR striker Charlie Austin...Manchester City will meet Liverpool's £50million asking price for Raheem Sterling...Newcastle are hoping to sign Schalke defender Joel Matip...Tottenham could step up their interest in PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot...West Brom want £30million for Saido Berahino...Manchester City and Chelsea are monitoring Pepe's situation at Real Madrid after negotiations on a contract extension were halted...QPR midfielder Leroy Fer is being chased by Sevilla...Watford and Middlesbrough are keen on Real Betis midfielder Xavi Torres...Everton are once again trying to sign Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann...Sunderland have offered £5million for Sam Byram - but Leeds want nearer £8million...Chelsea want to sign Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti.