Mourinho bust-up? Just a Mata of time

Posted by ESPN Staff

Has Jose Mourinho encountered his first bust-up since returning to Chelsea? The Daily Mirror reports Barcelona could be the club to profit from a wage dispute between the Portuguese tactician and Juan Mata. The Spain international is alleged to have fallen out with Mourinho, and is ready to walk out on the club once he returns from Confederations Cup duty in Brazil. Mata has reportedly sought a pay rise after an impressive season, but was disappointed by Mourinho and the club's response. Barcelona are set to step in with a GBP;30 million offer.

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Reds demand transfer request from Suarez

Posted by ESPN staff

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been ordered to hand in a transfer request if he is serious about leaving Merseyside next season. According to the Sun, the Daily Mail and the Mirror, the club has grown tired of the Uruguay international's comments about his desired exit, moving to resolve the matter as quickly as possible by ordering the 26-year-old to commit his future - one way or the other. Meanwhile, Liverpool are locked in a battle with Arsenal for promising 14-year-old Yan Dhanda. The Daily Mail is reporting both clubs have taken an interest in the wonderkid and want to steal him from under the nose of parent club, West Bromwich Albion.

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PSG line up Bale bid to acquire AVB

Posted by ESPN staff

Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their bid to lure Gareth Bale away from Tottenham, with the Daily Mirror reporting the Ligue 1 heavyweights are willing to spend GBP;85 million on the Welshman. It is claimed the big-money offer is part of an attempt to procure the services of Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, who they have been linked to heavily in recent weeks. Villas-Boas is understood to be the favourite to take over at PSG, after Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink turned down the opportunity to work in the French capital.

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City prepare bumper bid for Lewandowski

Posted by ESPN Staff

Robert Lewandowski is quickly becoming the toast of Manchester, with City adding their name to the list of potential suitors for the Borussia Dortmund striker, opening up a bidding war with rivals United. The Sun reports City will offer as much as GBP;25.5 million to the German side, with a mammoth wage of GBP;200,000-a-week on offer for the Poland international if he agrees on a move to the Etihad Stadium. Bayern Munich still appear the frontrunners for Lewandowski's signature, but Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of the 24-year-old and City's interest is likely to ramp up his value.

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Fergie the mastermind behind Ronaldo return

Posted by ESPN Staff

Rumours concerning a summer swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo from his former employer Manchester United continue to gather momentum, with the British press claiming Sir Alex Ferguson is playing a considerable role in the potential transfer. Ferguson retired as United boss at the end of last season, but the close relationship he shares with Ronaldo following their union at Old Trafford before the Portugal international moved to Real Madrid is well known. The Sun and the Daily Mail both report Ferguson's role as a director at the club may help lure Ronaldo back to the Premier League.

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Bid for Ronaldo, settle for Bale

Posted by ESPN staff

Manchester United have nothing to prove after cruising to the Premier League title last season, but the Red Devils are ready to make a statement by signing either of the world's two most in-demand players. According to the Sun, United are ready to break the bank for Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale in a bid to get the David Moyes era off to a flying start. Ronaldo tweeted "all the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false" on Thursday, responding to claims from president Florentino Perez that the winger is likely to finish his career at the Bernabeu.

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United wait as PSG, Madrid battle for Bale

Posted by ESPN staff and Kevin Palmer

Gareth Bale's rumoured transfer to Real Madrid could have some serious implications with the Sun reporting that the Tottenham's move could open the way for Cristiano Ronaldo's homecoming to Manchester United. United officials are hoping Madrid will come up with the reported GBP;85 million transfer to snare the Welsh winger, and then be more open to their offer for Ronaldo. Ronaldo has yet to sign a new contract in the Spanish capital and has long remembered his days at Old Trafford as some of the best in his career.

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Au revoir Spurs for AVB?

Posted by ESPN Staff

The media across Europe has latched onto rumours of Paris Saint-Germain's interest in luring Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas to Paris next season. With Carlo Ancelotti tipped to take up the top job at Real Madrid, his potentially vacant position has already seen a number of candidates drop in and out of contention. The latest appears to be Villas-Boas, with the English press - including the Daily Mail, the Sun and the Mirror - reporting AVB could line up talks with the French champions this week.

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United handed shot at Lewandowski

Posted by ESPN Staff

Manchester United's hopes of signing Robert Lewandowski remain alive, according to widespread reports in the British media. The Sun claims Lewandowski's current club, Borussia Dortmund, would be willing to accept an offer in the region of GBP;25.5 million for the striker, after rejecting any inference he would be sold to rivals Bayern Munich in the summer. However, will United will part with such a sum after reportedly being offered the Poland international for GBP;18 million 12 months ago? Similarly, the Daily Mirror states Dortmund are hoping United come to the party, but the Bundesliga club are also willing to hold Lewandowski to the final year of his current deal if a suitable transfer fee cannot be arranged.

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Juve to battle Gunners for Higuain

Posted by ESPN Staff

Juventus have not yet given up hope of signing Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid, with the Sun reporting that the Serie A giants are prepared to battle Arsenal to the bitter end for the striker. Higuain has confirmed his desire to depart Madrid recently, and it is believed that Arsene Wenger leads the way to capture the Argentina international. However, it is now claimed Juventus officials met with Higuain whilst in Madrid for a legends match on Sunday to discuss the possibility of luring him to Italy this summer.

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Heavens above as City add Angel to Jesus

Posted by ESPN Staff

Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria could be the next high profile player to join Manchester City, with the Sunday People reporting incoming manager Manuel Pellegrini has asked the club's board to make a play for the winger. It is believed Di Maria would command around GBP;30 million and would take City's summer spending well over the GBP;80m mark following the acquisitions of Jesus Navas and and Fernandinho. Although Di Maria is still an important part of Real Madrid's plans, he may be given permission to talk with other clubs for the right fee and City may be ready to pounce on that later this week.

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Higuain nears Arsenal move

Posted by ESPN Staff

Arsenal are moving closer to securing the services of Gonzalo Higuain, with the Mirror reporting Arsene Wenger has met with the player and his father Jorge as discussions enter the final stages. The Gunners are tipped to fend off Juventus' interest in Higuain with a GBP;20 million bid for the Real Madrid striker. Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis is ready to fork out the money for Higuain's capture and the GBP;130,000-a-week salary he is currently earning at the Bernabeu. Arsenal and Manchester United are prepared to begin a battle for GBP;40 million-rated Cesc Fabregas.

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