The money being bandied about over Gareth Bale’s proposed move to Real Madrid is getting a little silly, while Man United are set to go all-in in one last bid to lure Cesc Fabregas to the club.
Daniel Levy has earned a reputation as something of an astute negotiator over the years – rumour has it he helped Seth Johnson negotiate his ridiculously overinflated wages with Leeds a few years back - but surely there must come a time when even he himself realises that he is taking the p*ss just a little bit.
As far as we’re concerned, that hallelujah moment should really have arrived when, according to The Guardian, he requested that not only should Real Madrid pay a world record €100million fee for the services of Gareth Bale, but that they should also throw 20-year old striker Alvaro Morata into the mix.
Morata, if you weren’t already aware, is not just any old squad player, but is considered an excellent prospect by those in the know at the Bernabeu and was the top scorer in the recent Under-21 European Championships as part of an all conquering Spanish side featuring the likes of Thiago Alcantara, David de Gea and Isco.
If their coverage of the saga yesterday is anything to go by, expect Sky Sports News to have plenty of news on the latest developments again today, including Bale losing half of a Rich Tea biscuit after dunking it into his mug for too long during his first tea break and the exact time of his first visit to the jacks.
If and when Bale does go – and the prospect is looking increasingly likely at this stage – his car parking space at Spurs Lodge will soon be occupied by Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, who hasn’t gone on the Spanish side’s pre-season tour of the United States and is expected to complete a switch to North London within days.
Anglo-Spanish negotiations aren’t going quite as smoothly between Manchester United and Barcelona, who have rejected two bids for Cesc Fabregas and have indicated that they will also rebuff any further offers the Premier League Champions might make.
The Daily Mirror reckon that Barca’s stance hasn’t put off United, who will return with a club record bid, most likely in the region of £35million, in a final, ‘take it or leave it’ attempt to add yet another former Arsenal legend to their ranks.
Speaking of Arsenal, talk of another potential bid for Luis Suarez has gone quiet in recent days and Reds skipper Steven Gerrard is hoping it stays that way, with the Liverpool striker being quoted in a number of papers saying that the club’s success this season could depend on whether Suarez leaves or stays and that he should only depart Anfield if Real Madrid or Barcelona come calling. Stevie G might regret that last bit if Los Blancos’ bid for Gareth Bale ends up falling through considering their links with Suarez in the recent past.
In other transfer news, the Daily Mirror think that Fulham are going to bid £5million for Sunderland captain and card-magnet Lee Cattermole, while The Sun think that they have moved ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.
Magpies fans shouldn’t be too distraught at missing out on a man they used to boo from on high when he was in Sunderland colours, however, because the Daily Mail think that they could snap up yet another Frenchman by signing Loic Remy on loan from QPR.
Finally, journeyman Jermaine Jenas could be offered a Premier League lifeline by new boys Hull City (The Mirror) West Brom could be about to dine out on some PSG leftovers by taking on veteran defender Diego Lugano (Daily Mail) and the future of David Luiz at Chelsea remains in some doubt amid reports in the Mirror that Barcelona are going to return with a £40million for the Sideshow Bob lookalike.
