Today's Transfer Gossip

 

Chelsea and Manchester United are in for £49.6m Gotze, Spurs want £15m for West Ham target Townsend, City confident of Sterling deal, United close on Italy defender...

  
GOTZE A PREMIER TARGET
After his agent criticised Bayern Munich for their lack of "support", could World Cup winner Mario Gotze be on the brink of a Bundesliga exit? According to the Daily Express, yes, yes he could.
They claim that Gotze, who hasn't enjoyed the best of times at Bayern, could exit the German champions with the relationship between the two parties at breaking point. Chelsea and Manchester United are credited with an interest.
But hold on, what's that I hear? Why, it's transfer overlord Jamie Sanderson. Of course the Metro have picked up on the story, and of course they've slotted in a lovely little SEO-friendly link to Arsenal, as well. They claim Bayern will settle for £49.6million for the 23-year-old.

TOWNSEND IN AND AROUND WEST HAM?
What next for full-time England winger and part-time Spurs star Andros Townsend? 23 starts for the 23-year-old last season hardly give hope to the idea that he has a place in Mauricio Pochettino's plans at White Hart Lane. Surely he's off.
Aston Villa, Newcastle, Sunderland and Swansea are those thought to be interested in the winger, but could West Ham nip to the head of the queue? According to the Daily Mirror, 'bad blood' between the two clubs will prevent a deal.
West Ham should thank their lucky stars, mind. Spurs' asking price is reportedly £15million. Fifteen. Million. Bloody. Pounds.

CITY CONFIDENT OF STERLING DEAL
Yes, we know. Raheem Sterling, Manchester City, blah, blah, blah. Don't worry, because reports have emerged on Tuesday morning that the deal will go through sooner rather than later.
The Daily Star are reporting that while City are unlikely to wrap up the deal before they depart for their tour of Australia on Thursday, they are hopeful that the winger will join up with them after signing 'before the end of the week'.
Two offers of up to £40million have already been rejected by Liverpool of course, who are holding out for the full £50million valuation. The impasse is likely to be a short one, as City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is willing to meet the price, although it may come in the form of an initial £45million with an extra £5million in clauses.

UNITED CLOSE ON DEFENDER
Remember when 'tapping up' players was a thing? Players and clubs were even punished for it back in the day, just ask Ashley Cole and Chelsea. This is 2015 however, and such laws and restrictions are flagrantly flouted.
The reason we broach the idea of 'tapping up' comes as Manchester United close in on a right-back, according to reports in Italy. Turin newspaper Tuttosport have claimed that the club have agreed a £48k-a-week wage with Torino defender Matteo Darmian. Only the small stumbling block of having a chat with the Italian club remains.
With such a relatively low wage, United have a bit more freedom with the fee. The Italian outlet claims that while Torino want around £14.1million for their international star, the Red Devils are hopeful of completing the transfer for closer to £8.5million initially, with an additional £2million in clauses. That's a bit of a difference...

SPURS TO DO BUSINESS WITH EVERTON
Over to White Hart Lane now, where Tottenham are reportedly putting transfer moves into motion. The man at the top of their list? Everton midfielder James McCarthy.
According to the Daily Mirror, Spurs are eyeing a deal for 24-year-old McCarthy and have made him their priority signing of the summer. After having only just penned a new contract, you wonder what Nabil Bentaleb would think of that. Of course, with Paulinho gone, there is a not so considerable space to fill in the centre.
What is likely to scupper any potential deal is the fee. Although Spurs are open to including Aaron Lennon - who had a successful loan spell at Goodison Park last season - in any transfer, the Toffees will supposedly want more than the £20million they are willing to produce in cash.
The Irish midfielder may have three years remaining on his contract, but something tells us Spurs won't splash out such a huge fee.

IKER EAGER FOR MOVE
As the uncertainty surrounding the future of David De Gea rages on, that of Iker Casillas simmers in the background. The Spanish veteran has a choice if Real Madrid sign De Gea: Stick around and play second-fiddle, or end your 25-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu. A difficult decision, but one he has seemingly made.
It had previously been believed that Casillas was open to challenging his compatriot for the No 1 jersey at Real, but how quickly things can change. "We hope Madrid facilitate his departure," his agent Carlo Cutropia told Portuguese outlet Record. Why's he chatting to anyone in Portugal? "Iker is interested in Porto and Porto are interested in Iker," his agent continues.
Spanish newspaper AS claim that Porto's first approach for the 34-year-old has been rejected, however. The club expect Real to cover Casillas' wages in full, which is where the disagreement between the two clubs lies. Still, a deal looks likely.
So what does it mean for De Gea and Manchester United? The Sun believe that Real's willingness to part with their club captain brings their move for De Gea "a big step closer"...

BEST OF THE REST
Everton are to make an £11m bid for Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna...Leeds are set to sign former Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull, 30, from Barnsley...Aston Villa are to seal a £9m deal for Nice left-back Jordan Amavi...PAOK midfielder Ergys Kace is on Steve McClaren's radar as he looks to make his first signing as Newcastle boss...Crystal Palace will listen to offers for Fraizer Campbell, with Fulham amongst the clubs pondering a bid...QPR are targeting a £3m move for Middlesbrough winger Albert Adomah as they bid to replace West Brom-bound Matt Phillips...Reading are chasing £3.5m-rated Rapid Vienna striker Robert Beric...Pedro will disappoint Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal by telling Luis Enrique he wants to fight for his place at Barcelona...Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has finally signed a new contract...Man City striker Edin Dzeko is wanted by Europa League winners Sevilla...Roma have entered the race to sign Man City and Chelsea target Abdul Baba Rahman...Stoke want free agent Ali Al Habsi as goalkeeping cover...Southampton have launched a £2m bid for FC Twente defender Cuco Martina...Villarreal want Spurs striker Roberto Soldado...Man City's bid to sign Kevin De Bruyne could be hindered by PSG's interest in the Wolfsburg midfielder.

Source: Football365