Paper Talk: Spurs hesitant over Martinez; United eye duo

Ramires, Jack Butland & Jackson Martinez linked with moves

Ramires, Jack Butland & Jackson Martinez linked with moves

Tottenham are weighing up an offer to sign Jackson Martinez, Manchester United want Jack Butland and Ryan Bertrand, while Ramires is set to leave Chelsea, according to Saturday’s newspapers.

SPURS OFFERED MARTINEZ TRANSFER

Tottenham have been offered Jackson Martinez as their search for a new striker drags on – but there is major reservation at White Hart Lane about a swoop for the the Colombian.

Mauricio Pochettino is on the look out for a new centre forward as he looks to take the goalscoring burden off Harry Kane.

A proposal to sign Martinez’s, via intermediaries, has landed on Daniel Levy’s desk, according to the Daily Mail.

However, there is a hesitancy to follow through with the offer within the corridors of power at White Hart Lane.

At 29, Martinez does not fit the profile of player Pochettino is targeting. The Argentine wants energetic players under the age of 27.

The cost of signing the Atletico Madrid striker is also likely to surpass the £20million mark; which, given his age, Spurs chiefs feel does not represent good value.

The proposal remains on the table, and Spurs may revisit it later in the window if they do not progress with their primary targets.

UNITED WANT BUTLAND AND BERTRAND

Manchester United want to sign Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand before the January transfer window closes, according to reports.

United have been rocked by the news that Ashley Young will be out of action for some time with a serious groin injury, leaving them desperately short of cover in the full-back positions.

And according to the Daily Star, Louis van Gaal wants to rectify that situation by bringing the 26-year-old to Old Trafford this month.

It’s claimed that United may need to stump up to £20million to have any chance of getting a deal done before the deadline, while Southampton will likely be extremely reluctant to sell another one of their key players.

Meanwhile, United are being linked with a move for Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland should Real Madrid make another move for David de Gea.

Real Madrid’s pending transfer ban has cast doubt on the Spanish giants’ long-term interest in United’s current No 1 David De Gea.

Nevertheless, United are keeping tabs on a host of goalkeepers ahead of any possible departure for their Spanish star, reports the Daily Mail.

And Butland is understood to be a prominent name on the Old Trafford club’s potential list of replacements for De Gea.

The former Birmingham man has been in sensational form this season; virtually guaranteeing his place in England’s Euro 2016 squad as Joe Hart’s understudy.

And his performances have not gone unnoticed by United as they consider a contingency plan for De Gea’s possible exit.

 

RAMIRES CLOSES ON CHELSEA EXIT

Chelsea are closing to selling midfielder Ramires in this transfer window, with Bayern Munich and PSG interested in the 28-year-old.

The 52 cap midfielder has attracted interest from the European heavyweights, according to the Daily Mail, but there is also interest from further afield, with clubs in China also reported to be keen.

Chelsea paid around £18million when signing the 28-year-old from Benfica and his powerhouse performances have made him popular at Stamford Bridge.

Ramires has won multiple trophies at Stamford Bridge and scored important goals.

He signed a new four-year deal in October, but that hasn’t stopped other clubs from showing interest and Chelsea listening.

It is expected any sale would free up more transfer funds for the deposed champions as they set about a rebuilding programme.

 

AND THE REST

  • Chelsea have made Massimiliano Allegri their top target to take over as manager next summer. It is understood the London club contacted the Juventus coach and his representatives at the start of this month (The Sun)
  • Manchester City are confident they have Pep Guardiola in the bag and are unruffled about the prospect of a late move from neighbours United (The Sun)
  • Arsene Wenger will commit his future to Arsenal – after designing their new scouting structure. The Gunners boss has 18 months left on his contract at the Emirates (The Sun)
  • Mauricio Pochettino will refuse to sign a bad apple for Tottenham after learning from mistakes at Southampton, when he signed Dani Osvaldo for £15m in 2013 (The Sun)
  • Norwich are hoping to beat Everton and Southampton to the signing of £2.2m Palermo midfielder Oscar Hiljemark (Daily Star)
  • Remi Garde says he won’t moan if Aston Villa fail to land new signings this month (Daily Star)
  • Manchester United have moved closer to signing Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches after further talks in London on Friday (Daily Mail)
  • Southampton’s Ronald Koeman wants Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink to recommend him as the Blues’ next manager (Daily Mirror)
  • Newcastle are closing in on Tottenham outcast Andros Townsend with Steve McClaren confident of getting a £10m deal done before the end of the month (Daily Mirror)
  • Arsenal have made a new transfer bid for Leicester’s in-demand starlet Ben Chilwell (Daily Mirror)
  • Louis van Gaal has told his Manchester United players to continue arguing with each other – as long as they keep winning (Daily Mirror)
  • Guus Hiddink has told striker Diego Costa to carry on fighting ahead of the Super Sunday clash with Arsenal (Daily Mirror)
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has been ‘banned from Morocco trips by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’, according to Spanish outlet Sport (Daily Mirror)
  • Manchester United are prepared to pay around £48m to sign Edinson Cavani, according to reports in Italy
  • Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is close to agreeing a two-year contract extension until 2019 (Daily Express)
  • Chelsea have made an approach to Thiago Silva’s representatives. The Brazilian defender has a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2018 (Daily Express)
  • The influence of Sir Alex Ferguson shines at Leicester, with Leicester defender Danny Simpson saying his club are benefitting from the winning mentality bred by the former Manchester United boss (The Guardian)