The holy trinity of football transfer rumours are all front and centre again today.
When word came through yesterday evening that Wayne Rooney had twanged his hammy and was heading home from Manchester United’s Asian tour before a ball was kicked, the conspiracy theories started.
That the striker was headed home to negotiate a deal with Chelsea was the most popular theory and the Star say he still wants that move. However, the Mail say that his position remains ‘uncertain’ while the Express say that Rooney is ‘distraught’ at the injury news. One of them is probably right. Most of the papers also tie in the Rooney injury with the news that reported United target Thiago Alcantara is headed to Bayern. The first of many tough days at the office for David Moyes then.
Elsewhere the Luis Suarez story still meanders along. The Telegraph report that Arsenal plan to increase their bid for the Uruguayan but the Sun say that Liverpool will only listen to offers north of £40million. Arsenal fans may or may not be thrilled with that news but we’re sure all Gunners are delighted to hear that Nicklas Bendtner’s move to Eintracht Frankfurt is close to collapsing (Express).
In slightly better news for Arsenal, the Mail report that Arsenal are in for Valencia’s Geoffrey Kondogbia and Swansea’s Ashley Williams.
And after the trail going a bit cold the Star report, rather ominously, that Real Madrid have refused to give up chasing for Gareth Bale.
Over at Man City, the proposed Alvaro Negredo deal has hit a snag as the player after the striker claimed he wanted to stay in Seville (Mail) but don’t despair City fans, as the Times report the club almost have much coveted Fiorentina man Stefan Jovetic in the bag.
Turning to Liverpool The Independent carry some Brendan Rodgers quotes where he says he is now targeting “marquee signings” while the Mirror say that defender Sebastian Coates may be out the Anfield exit to Fulham.
One player almost certainly on the move is highly rated Sporting Lisbon winger Bruma. In a bid to make him stay it is reported in the Mail that the 18-year-old was subjected to an attempted kidnapping by a supporters group. Understandably, Bruma and his agent have now decided it is time to leave Portugal and Chelsea, Galatasaray and Manchester United are reported to be interested.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa are eyeing up Demba Ba if they lose Christian Benteke (Star), The Sun report that Trabzonspor and Galatasaray are after another Chelsea player, John Obi Mikel and Edinson Cavani’s move from Napoli to PSG for £54m is almost complete (Indo).
Finally, in what must be some sort of record, Peter Crouch could be about the play for Harry Redknapp for a fifth time at a fourth different club. After two spells together at Portsmouth, plus one at Southampton and one at Spurs, the big fella could be QPR bound if the Mirror is to be believed.
