Manchester United plan double swoop for amazing Serie A superstars? Tuesday’s transfer gossip column
Manchester United manager David Moyes is planning a double swoop on Italian side Juventus, aiming to bring midfielders Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal to Old Trafford. Pogba left United in 2012, but could be set for a big money return to Old Trafford alongside clubmate Vidal. Moyes was spotted in the crowd during Juve’s 4-1 win over Cagliari on Sunday, with Pogba and Vidal his reported targets. During that game, the pair made seven tackles and created three chances between them. [Daily Mail]
Paul Pogba Shot Map (63% Shot Accuracy)
Schalke a lining up a shock swoop to bring Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtbyback to the club on loan. The midfielder has been on the periphery of the Spurs team this season and is eager for first team football in order to secure his place in Germany’s World Cup squad. Holtby has completed just one full Premier League game since his January move from Schalke last season. [TalkSPORT]
Chelsea have told Barcelona that they will have to part with €35 million (£29 million) if they want defender David Luiz. Jose Mourinho is not ruling out selling the Brazilian, and expects a big fee should be decide to. Luiz’s average pass length this season is 25m – the highest of any outfield player at the club. [Marca]
David Luiz Duels Won
West Ham’s loan move for Roma striker Marco Borriello looks to have collapsed, as the striker has changed his mind about a move to the Upton Park side. The Hammers are desperately searching for forward reinforcements this transfer window, with Andy Carroll only just returning from injury, Carlton Cole out of contract and Modibo Maiga yet to convince. Borriello has scored just one goal in 11 appearances in Serie A this season. [Express]
Aston Villa are eyeing a shock move to bring Wigan striker Grant Holt back to the Premier League. The former Norwich City man has scored just twice for the Championship side this season, but Lambert sparked talk of a loan move by praising his experience and calling him a “proper man.” Holt ‘achieved’ a pass accuracy of just 41% in his last Wigan game. [SkySports]
Arsenal are set to renew contract talks with Bacary Sagna, but could see negotiations continue right up until the expiration of his contract. The player and club are at loggerheads, with the club currently refusing to budge on a two year extension to his current deal, with Sagna wanting a longer term deal or a pay rise. Sagna has won 64% of his headed duels this season. [Telegraph]
Bacary Sagna Duels Won
Tottenham are mulling over a £7.5 million bid for midfielder Etienne Capoue. The 25 year old only joined the club in the summer from Toulouse in the summer, but could be set to leave after just six Premier League starts. [Sky Italia]
Tottenham received a 9m€ bid from Napoli for Capoue, according to Sky Italy
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) January 13, 2014
Manchester City are interested in a move for Barcelona midfielder Xavi – but not for their Premier League side and not until 2015. City’s MLS franchise New York City FC – a joint venture with US baseball side New York Yankees – will take up their place in the league in 2015 and the club are believed to have targeted Xavi as their marquee signing. The Spaniard has made 1307 passes in La Liga this season. [Telegraph]
Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set to rival Fulham for the signature of West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison. The former Manchester United man has been strongly linked with a move to Fulham, but Cardiff are said to be keen on hijacking the deal. Morrison has three goals and three assists this season, meaning that no West Ham player has been involved in more goals than him. [The Guardian]