Transfer Gossip: What the papers say - November 15, 2013

Barcelona pursue Sergio Aguero on the back of Messi advice

Sergio Aguero to Barcelona?

Gossip: Spanish giants Barcelona are said to rekindle their interest in Manchester City’s Argentine striker Sergio Aguero on the back of some special advice from their lead man Lionel Messi. The Express reports that Messi is keen to reunite with Aguero as the two enjoyed a good partnership at the U-20 World Cup in 2005 as well as the 2008 Olympics. The Catalan club reportedly was very serious about taking Aguero, before signing Neymar from Santos.

The paper also claims that sources close to Aguero have revealed that the striker wants a move to Spain.

Keeda Take: This news seems to have come in the wake of Messi’s latest injury. Aguero does not really seem unhappy at Man City, as he has looked in good form and good spirits while scoring for the Sky Blues. Also City would be far from willing to let go of one of their prime players of their squad. Plus, with the capture of Neymar, you wonder if Tata Martino would be willing to bring another high-profile striker to the Camp Nou.

Arsenal ponder move for City’s Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko

Gossip: League leaders Arsenal need another striker and Dzeko wants more football in a World Cup year. Add both and you get the most easily arrived conclusion that Arsenal will try and make a move for City striker Dzeko in January.

The Bosnian striker admitted last week that he was unhappy at the lack of game time and The Mirror reports that Arsenal along with Inter Milan are keeping an eye on the unhappy Bosnian striker. Arsene Wenger wants to reduce the strain on Olivier Giroud and is keen to get some cover with Nicklas Bendtner the only backup striker at the moment.

Keeda Take: This would be a great signing for Arsenal. Dzeko has the experience of playing in the Premier League and his physical style of play is actually well suited to the demands of the Premier League. Dzeko has been the unfortunate victim of the arrivals of Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic and will be more than keen to move to another Premier League contender where he would definitely be assured of quality game time.

Arsenal also want to land Italian right-back

Ignazio Abate

Gossip: Apart from the hunt for another lethal striker, Arsene Wenger is said to be interested in getting AC Milan’s Italian right-back Ignazio Abate. The swashbuckling full-back who is a key component of Milan’s gameplan is wanted by Wenger as a replacement for Frenchman Bacary Sagna, who TalkSport reports will leave the Emirates at the end of the season.

And Milan are said to be looking at Davide Santon of Newcastle as Abate’s replacement. PSG are also said to be in the race.

Keeda Take: Reports of Sagna being at the end of his Arsenal tenure have been doing the rounds for a few seasons now. The French full-back’s performances have dropped a bit from the heights that it reached a few years ago and Inter Milan has long been touted as a possible destination.

If Sagna is to leave, then Abate would be more than an adequate replacement and should come at a cost that is affordable for Arsenal. Milan have been a selling club over the last couple of seasons and a good offer from the Gunners could do the trick. Abate is a solid defender and one who provides an added impetus in attack for both Milan and Italy.

Liverpool lining up move for German defender

Dennis Aogo

Gossip: Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo is said to be on Liverpool’s radar after the English club learning that Aogo could be theirs for as little as £2.5 million. German newspaper Bild is reporting that Aogo, who is currently on loan at Schalke, has failed to agree to a permanent move there, and is keen on a move overseas with Anfield being a preferred location.

The Reds are said to face competition from AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen for the defender.

Keeda Take: Jose Enrique and Aly Cissokho are the current left-backs at Liverpool, but Cissokho is on loan and will return to Valencia at the end of the season. And Aogo could be a decent addition to the Liverpool squad which has seen plenty of defenders come in this past summer with manager Brendan Rodgers keen of strengthening the defence.

And with the asking price not said to be too high, the Reds may well be in for the German.

Fulham attempt double Manchester United raid

Wilfried Zaha

Gossip: London club Fulham are looking at plotting a move for two United players in an attempt to improve their fortunes, reports the Metro. Young English winger Wilfried Zaha and Brazilian midfielder Anderson are said to be the targets for Fulham as the club looks to sign the duo on loan for the rest of the season.

And the club believes that the links of recent appointment Rene Meulensteen, former number 2 to Sir Alex Ferguson, as assistant to manager Martin Jol could help seal the deal.

Keeda Take: David Moyes has almost confirmed that Zaha will be going out on loan in January, it seems merely a question of where. As for Anderson, he has not featured even as a sub in games, something that he used to under Ferguson. The Brazilian’s time may very well be up at Old Trafford and with Moyes claiming that Zaha is not ready yet for top-flight football, the duo could make the move to Craven Cottage in January.

Demba Ba out, Jackson Martinez in

Jackson Martinez

Gossip: Chelsea are said to be stepping up their chase of Porto’s Colombian striker Jackson Martinez and the move could move Demba Ba moves out the exit door at Stamford Bridge. Senegalese striker Ba has been left out in the cold since Jose Mourinho returned as manager and he is said to be looking at joining Turkish giants Galatasaray in January.

Martinez is yet to agree a new contract with Porto, and Chelsea are hopeful of landing the Colombian.

Ba could also go out on loan to either of West Ham or Arsenal, reports the Standard.

Keeda Take: Chelsea manager Mourinho is travelling to watch Colombia play Belgium in a friendly on Friday night with a view to scouting Martinez. And Martinez fits the bill of a striker in the typical Mourinho mold, a strong physical athlete who is capable of making runs at the central defenders and hold his own in the air. Martinez scored 34 goals in 43 games last year for Porto and will be more than tempted to join Stamford Bridge.

Ba was the subject of interest from Arsenal in the summer, and if no loan offers come through for Ba in January, you can expect him to move leagues and go to Turkey.

New contract for Iniesta to ward off United interest

Andres Iniesta

Gossip: Talks between Andres Iniesta and Barcelona have been stalling for some time now with the midfielder yet to agree to a new deal. And with the future uncertain, it was reported that Manchester United were hovering around with a view to tempting the midfield genius away from the Camp Nou.

The Metro is now reporting that the Catalans are set to offer Iniesta a bumper new contract in a bid to keep United away and secure the services of Iniesta.

Keeda Take: Moyes is keen to sign reinforcements in January, but if United even had hope that they’d be able to land Iniesta, they were surely dreaming. Iniesta, a Barcelona veteran, even if unsatisfied with his earnings would not be keen to leave a regular Champions League contender for a club in England that is undergoing a transition under new management.