With Brazilian centre-back Marquinhos reportedly unhappy with his current situation at PSG, Arsenal FC have joined the race to sign the defender, according to reports from France.
Chelesea FC, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all said to be monitoring Marquinhos’s situation in the French capital. However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been impressed with the 21-year-old Brazilian, and might be looking at him as an option to bolster his defence, according to L’Equipe.
Marquinhos, who can play both as a centre-back and as a right back and has an average pass accuracy of 93 percent, has had to play second fiddle to the defensive pairing of David Luiz and Thiago Silva at PSG and reportedly wants a move away from Paris. Arsene Wenger is on the lookout for a defender having dropped experienced German Per Mertesacker in the team’s most recent matches.
Gotze going nowhere, insists Rummenigge
According to media reports, Mario Gotze has not been too happy at Bayern Munich and wants a move away from the Bavarian club. The 2014 World Cup winner has failed to impress with his performances at the club after his move from Borussia Dortmund.
However, Gotze is said to believe that his former boss Jurgen Klopp can resurrect his career at Liverpool. But Germany legend and Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has dispelled all rumours, saying the 23-year-old is welcome to hold contract talks after the end of the season. Gotze will have one year left on his contract in the summer of 2016.
“We are in the important weeks of the season, so we concentrate on the here and now,” Rummenigge was quoted saying on German newspaper Schwabische Zeitung. “This is all that counts. When all the games are done, Mario is invited to come to my office and speak with Bayern on his future.
“Everything else is speculative. Neither Mario nor his agent has expressed themselves about this subject.”
Chelsea to buy a goalkeeper in the summer
Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper reportedly wants a move back to Madrid, with the Los Blancos showing some interest in the Belgian. While Manchester United’s David De Gea is said to be their prime target, the relations between the two clubs has not been exactly great and that could push Real Madrid towards a Courtois move.
Courtois had enjoyed three successful years in the Spanish capital with Atletico Madrid. He has three years left on his current Chelsea contract, and has expressed his doubts over his long term future at the club in the recent weeks. According to The Guardian, Chelsea might have to look for a replacement for Courtois in the summer, although incoming boss Antonio Conte wants to retain the goalkeeper.
What makes it all the more imperative for the Blues to make a move for a goalkeeper is that No.2 Asmir Begovic has also become frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities at the club.
Guardiola sets sights on Laporte
The Spanish coach, who will take over as manager of Manchester City at the start of the next season, is already said to have outlined a number of transfer targets for the club with Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte among the top players on his wish list. In fact, Manchester City have already agreed on a £35 million move for Laporte, according to the Mirror.
The Sky Blues have been leaking goals at the back in the absence of captain Vincent Kompany and Guardiola wants a quality centre-back in order to plug the gaps.
Manchester City to beat Liverpool to Gundogan?
There has been a lot of talk about Gundogan’s possible reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but according to Liverpool Echo, it is one move that will not be happening as Manchester City are set to step in for the player with a £28 million offer.
As mentioned earlier, incoming City boss Guardiola has outlined the players he wants at the club when he takes over, and Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan is one of them.