By DAN KARELL
Manchester United could be on the verge of splashing some serious cash this summer.
With the signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona looking ever more unlikely, reports in England state that Man United could enter the race to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham. The Welsh midfielder has made his feelings known about wanting to leave White Hart Lane, with Real Madrid the only bidder so far for Bale’s services.
However, the 24-year-old English Premier League Player of the Year could end up at Old Trafford, and with three weeks to go in the summer transfer window, Man United manager David Moyes is weighing up his options. The report states that Man United are willing to meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s demands of over £100 million and could include forward Javier Hernandez in the deal as well.
Man United opened their season on a strong note on Sunday, winning their 20th FA Community Shield title, 2-0, over Wigan Athletic.
Here are some more stories to get your Monday kicked off:
ARSENAL CLOSER TO LUIZ GUSTAVO SIGNING
With just six days to go before the start of the 2013/2014 English Premier League season, Arsenal have still yet to spend a pound on a new player, having made just one signing on a free transfer this summer.
But that may soon be changing. Reports in England and Germany have Arsenal in the lead for reserve Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo, with a bid of £14 million ($21.67 million) having been accepted. The Brazilian Gustavo has lost his place in the squad after the signing of Thiago Alcantara, and Bayern have been actively shopping him for a move away from the Allianz Arena.
Napoli are rumored to be battling with Arsenal again for another transfer target, though according to reports, they have yet to make an official bid for Gustavo. Napoli signed Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid last month despite Arsenal having been so close to signing the Argentine.
GÖTZE SCORES IN FRIENDLY ON BAYERN DEBUT
Finally free of a long spell on the training table, Bayern Munich’s new midfielder Mario Götze opened his unofficial Bayern career with two goals in a friendly victory.
Even though Bayern began the Bundesliga season on Friday, the team scheduled a friendly match against Hungarian side Gyor on Sunday, and won, 4-1, at Gyor’s ground. Götze, who entered the match in the 60th minute, scored his side’s second and fourth goals, his first coming just three minutes after entering and his second in stoppage time.
The German international was acquired for €37 million this summer from Borussia Dortmund, though due to a thigh injury suffered at the end of last season, he has been held out of all preseason activities until now.
QUICK KICKS
Sunderland are interested in signing Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella if Stephane Sessegnon decides to make a reported move to a club in the Middle East. (REPORT)
Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan has pledged to stay with the Spanish club this season. (REPORT)
German starlet Julian Draxler has been ruled out of Germany’s friendly match against Paraguay due to suffering a minor leg injury last Saturday. (REPORT)
The LFP, Spain’s football league body, has decided against investigating allegations of match-fixing between Racing and Hercules, but has recommended the allegations on a match between Girona and Racing go to a prosecutor. (REPORT)
Ashley Young has been ruled out of England’s friendly on Wednesday vs. Scotland. (REPORT)
Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem has decided that they won’t play home games on the Sabbath (Saturday in Israel) anymore. (REPORT)
————-
What do you think of these reports? Do you see Man United being able to afford Bale’s fee? Do you believe Arsenal could sign Gustavo? Do you see Götze returning to the first team soon?
Share your thoughts below.