Paper Talk: Benitez exit opens door for Man Utd to sign Bale

Rob Conlon
Gareth Bale: Forward heading for Real Madrid exit?

Gareth Bale: Forward heading for Real Madrid exit?

Manchester United are on alert with Gareth Bale considering his Real Madrid future, Arsenal are eyeing a shock move for Troy Deeney and Andy Carroll could be on his way out of West Ham, according to today’s papers.

 

BALE CONSIDERS MADRID FUTURE

On Monday night Real Madrid sacked manager Rafa Benitez and replaced the Spaniard with icon Zinedine Zidane in a hugely popular move with the club’s supporters.

However, according to numerous reports on Tuesday, one person the decision is not popular with is Gareth Bale.

The Times suggest that Bale is “intensely disappointed” by Benitez’s exit as the former Tottenham man – the world’s most expensive player – was understood to have enjoyed a good working relationship with the former Liverpool boss.

In addition, the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror also report that Zidane’s first job as manager will be to try and persuade Bale to stay at the Bernabeu amid continued interest from Manchester United.

The Old Trafford outfit are long-term suitors of the 26-year-old and The Times suggest Ed Woodward has spent the last few weeks attempting to “establish a framework” for a transfer should Bale become available.

 

GUNNERS PLOT SHOCK DEENEY SWOOP

Despite currently sitting atop of the Premier League, Arsenal are still in need of reinforcements with the squad having been ravaged by injury at times this season.

Midfield is an obvious area of concern but up front manager Arsene Wenger only has Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott to rely on.

And according to the Daily Star Wenger is eyeing a surprise move for Watford captain Troy Deeney.

Deeney and strike partner Odion Ighalo have taken to life in the top flight like ducks to water, scoring 20 of the Hornets’ 25 league goals.

Quique Sanchez Flores would be desperate to keep hold of his leader, but the report suggests Wenger could tempt Watford into selling with a bid of £20million.

 

WEST HAM WILLING TO OFFLOAD CARROLL

Slaven Bilic may have described Andy Carroll as “brilliant” after the striker scored a thumping header in West Ham’s 2-0 victory over his former club Liverpool, but according to the Daily Mirror, the Hammers are prepared to allow the England international to depart Upton Park this January.

West Ham need to sell before they can buy in this transfer window and would significantly lower their wage bill if Carroll – who earns £90,000 a week – were to leave.

Former club Newcastle are interested, alongside north east rivals Sunderland, although the 26-year-old would prefer a move to the Magpies.

Carroll is the Hammers’ record signing after they paid Liverpool £15million to sign him in 2013 and they would want £18million to let him go.

 

AND THE REST

Sadio Mane is trying to force a move from Southampton with Chelsea and Bayern Munich joining Manchester United in the race to sign the Senegal international (Daily Mirror)

Cardiff have slapped a £10million price tag on goalkeeper David Marshall to ward off interest from Everton (Daily Star)

Crystal Palace are willing to pay £7.5million to sign QPR striker Charlie Austin (The Sun)

Claudio Ranieri wants to bring AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong to Leicester in a £2million move (Daily Mirror)

However Ranieri has pulled out of a deal to sign Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic (Daily Mail)

Remi Garde has targeted out-of-favour Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy to boost his Aston Villa defence (The Sun)

Ronald Koeman is lining up FC Utrecht forward Sebastien Haller as a replacement for Saido Mane (Daily Star)

West Brom could pave the way for Saido Berahino to leave by signing Gent striker Laurent Depoitre (Daily Mirror)

Norwich City will make a second bid for York starley Ben Godfrey (Daily Mirror)

Swansea are considering a loan move for Fiorentina forward, Giuseppe Rossi but could lose Jonjo Shelvey to Crystal Palace (Daily Express)