Thursday Transfer Talk

Leighton Baines 

Manchester United are reportedly in for Baines again after their initial bid which was rejected. The Everton Left back remains Sir Alex Ferguson’s top priority to replace Patrice Evra on a long term.

Everton are ready to offer Baines an improved contract to keep hold of a player who manager David Moyes regards as vital to his plans. But any offer around £12 million would be hard to turn down for Everton.
The 27-year-old was named in the PFA Premier League team of the year following an outstanding 2011-12 campaign and Everton’s system is built around his raids from left-back. He is also the team’s set-piece specialist.

 Baines described United’s reported interest in him as a big compliment: “The United link is flattering. There is no harm in people talking about it because it is a great club. But I’m at a great club as well, a club that I love.”Would it be hard to turn United down? I’m not letting my focus shift to that while I am in camp [with England].

“I’m focused on what I’m doing at the moment. Would it be hard to leave Everton? Yes, obviously. You know what it means.

“I’ve been there for five years myself but also know first-hand what it means to a lot of people so, yes, it would be.”

So it is believed that any offer which matches Everton’s valuation of £12 million should bring the talented Left back to Old Trafford.

Julio Cesar

A very much Bizarre rumor to start off with, but reports from Italy say that Arsenal and their rivals are interested in Julio Cesar.The Inter Milan shot-stopper is no longer part of the plan at San Siro after the arrival of Samir Handanovic from Udinese. He had initially been linked with Roma, but the Capital club denied an interest in the Brazilian.

According to Sky Sport Italia, there is an English race to grab Julio Cesar this summer.

Arsenal who have Szczesny as their no 1 , who just had a brilliant season with the London club are supposedly in for Julio Cesar to bring in more competition for the Polish goal keeper.

Tottenham had already been suggested as a potential buyer, but Arsenal have now surged forward in their bid to get the Treble-winning goalkeeper.

 

Moses

Chelsea who just have completed the signing of Oscar have not closed their check books yet. They are still in market for another attacking player and are trying to sign Victor Moses from Wigan.

Wigan who have already rejected three bids from Chelsea would let him go if the fees is around £9million.

The Latics chairman, Dave Whelan, claims Moses won’t leave for a penny under £10million, but Chelsea’s latest offer must be tempting considering Moses has just 12 months left on his contract.

There is one other sticking point to the transfer, however, with Whelan demanding the cash up front, but Chelsea preferring part of the fee to be based on performance-related bonuses.

If this deal would go through then its a job well done for Chelsea and Roberto Di Matteo.

 Other News around the market

-Juventus could turn attentions to Dzeko.

-Frank Lampard has indicated that he is keen to finish his career at Chelsea, despite suggestions he could make a move to the MLS next year.

-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is keeping tight-lipped over the potential signing of Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie and insists “I am not in charge of these things”.

-Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez is currently holding talks with an unnamed Premier League club, his agent has confirmed after arriving in London.

-Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew remains keen to bring Andy Carroll back to the north-east, but only if the price is right.