This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/15/football-transfer-rumours

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Football transfer rumours: Mesut Özil to Bayern Munich? Football transfer rumours: Mesut Özil to Bayern Munich?
(about 1 hour later)
Despite their failure to sign Mats Hummels during the summer, Manchester United are expected to step up their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund’s World Cup-winning central defender in the new year. “He is going nowhere,” said the Bundesliga side’s manager Jürgen Klopp in August. “He is staying with us.” Dortmund managed to hold on to their new captain despite interest from United and Arsenal, among other clubs, but tabloid reports today suggest that United boss Louis van Gaal has ordered club bean-counters to hose the Westfalenstadion with cash until their German counterparts have no option but to relent and sell. Despite their failure to sign Mats Hummels during the summer, Manchester United are expected to step up their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund’s World Cup-winning central defender in the new year. “He is going nowhere,” said the Bundesliga side’s manager Jürgen Klopp in August. “He is staying with us.” Dortmund managed to hold on to their new captain despite interest from United and Arsenal, among other clubs, but tabloid reports on Monday suggest that the United boss Louis van Gaal has ordered club bean-counters to hose the Westfalenstadion with cash until their German counterparts have no option but to relent and sell.
Elsewhere in Germany, Bayern Munich are hoping to lure Arsenal’s record signing, the occasionally maligned midfielder Mesut Özil back to his homeland in January, with a price-tag of €40m being mentioned in conjunction with any mooted move. With Mathieu Debuchy facing a two months on the sidelines as he recovers from the severely sprained ankle he suffered in an awkward fall against Manchester City on Saturday, Arsenal are down to the bare bones in defence and may be forced to phone the Job Centre to see if they have any unemployed and out of contract job-seeking defenders available to provide cover at the Emirates. Elsewhere in Germany, Bayern Munich are hoping to lure Arsenal’s record signing, the occasionally maligned midfielder Mesut Özil back to his homeland in January, with a price-tag of €40m being mentioned in conjunction with any mooted move. With Mathieu Debuchy facing two months on the sidelines as he recovers from the severely sprained ankle he suffered in an awkward fall against Manchester City on Saturday, Arsenal are down to the bare bones in defence and may be forced to phone the Job Centre to see if they have any unemployed and out of contract job-seeking defenders available to provide cover at the Emirates.
The Gunners are also reported to be interested to be interested in securing the services of Valencia’s 21-year-old striker Paco Alcacer, who scored his side’s final goal in a 3-1 La Liga win over Espanyol on Sunday, but will face stiff competition from Chelsea, who are also sniffing around the young Spaniard. Alcacer made his international debut last week, scoring one and creating another in his country’s 5-1 win over Macedonia. The player’s contract runs until 2016 and has a £15m buy-out clause, so there should be no shortage of willing takers at what seems a bargain price for a goal-getting striker. The Gunners are also reported to be interested in securing the services of Valencia’s 21-year-old striker Paco Alcácer, who scored his side’s final goal in a 3-1 La Liga win over Espanyol on Sunday, but will face stiff competition from Chelsea, who are also sniffing around the young Spaniard. Alcácer made his international debut last week, scoring one and creating another in his country’s 5-1 win over Macedonia. The player’s contract runs until 2016 and has a £15m buy-out clause, so there should be no shortage of willing takers at what seems a bargain price for a goal-getting striker.
Southampton fans will be displeased to learn that, with Manchester City midfielder James Milner pondering his future and dithering over whether or not to sign a new contract, the Premier League champions have decided that James Ward-Prowse and Jay Rodriguez are both talented and home-grown enough to replace him.Southampton fans will be displeased to learn that, with Manchester City midfielder James Milner pondering his future and dithering over whether or not to sign a new contract, the Premier League champions have decided that James Ward-Prowse and Jay Rodriguez are both talented and home-grown enough to replace him.
Meanwhile in Liverpool, left-back Glen Johnson will spend the new year admiring the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and assorted other delights Rome have to offer the discerning visitor if Roma get their way. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and word has it that Liverpool might let him go in January for £2m rather than lose him for nothing come season’s end. Roma may also find themselves in possession of one Juan Mata, with the Manchester United midfielder likely to be offered to the Serie A side as part of any deal to bring Dutch enforcer Kevin Strootman to Old Trafford.Meanwhile in Liverpool, left-back Glen Johnson will spend the new year admiring the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and assorted other delights Rome have to offer the discerning visitor if Roma get their way. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and word has it that Liverpool might let him go in January for £2m rather than lose him for nothing come season’s end. Roma may also find themselves in possession of one Juan Mata, with the Manchester United midfielder likely to be offered to the Serie A side as part of any deal to bring Dutch enforcer Kevin Strootman to Old Trafford.
Despite the Guardian’s assertion that Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will not be fired this week, out-of-work managers David Moyes and Tony Pulis, Southampton boss Ronald Koeman and his Hull City counterpart Steve Bruce are all being mentioned as potential candidates to take over at St James’s Park, should Newcastle owner Mike Ashley decide to replace his current human shield. Supporter dissatisfaction with Pardew is at an all time high in Newcastle, although it’s long been obvious that his employer cares not two hoots for the opinions of Newcastle fans who would like nothing better than to see him sell up the club and get out of Dodge. Should Pardew get the boot, Ashley will almost certainly seek a replacement who can help the club avoid relegation but not qualify for the Europa League, a task that probably isn’t beyond the wit of any of the four candidates named above. Despite the Guardian’s assertion that Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will not be fired this week, out-of-work managers David Moyes and Tony Pulis, and Southampton boss Ronald Koeman and his Hull City counterpart Steve Bruce are all being mentioned as potential candidates to take over at St James’s Park, should Newcastle owner Mike Ashley decide to replace his current human shield. Supporter dissatisfaction with Pardew is at an all time high in Newcastle, although it’s long been obvious that his employer cares not two hoots for the opinions of Newcastle fans who would like nothing better than to see him sell up the club and get out of Dodge. Should Pardew get the boot, Ashley will almost certainly seek a replacement who can help the club avoid relegation but not qualify for the Europa League, a task that probably isn’t beyond the wit of any of the four candidates named above.
Back in Spain, Barcelona forward Pedro is miffed at the amount of time he’s being forced to spend on the bench and could try to force a January move elsewhere. Arsenal and Liverpool are monitoring his situation with interest.Back in Spain, Barcelona forward Pedro is miffed at the amount of time he’s being forced to spend on the bench and could try to force a January move elsewhere. Arsenal and Liverpool are monitoring his situation with interest.