Manchester United Transfer News: Sneijder, Gundogan, Rooney And Koke Discussed In Latest Speculation getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Manchester United Transfer News: Sneijder, Gundogan, Rooney And Koke Discussed In Latest Speculation

Wesley Sneijder says he is not concerned about renewed speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United, but would not rule out a transfer. A deal was close to take the Dutch star to Old Trafford in the summer of 2011, before he eventually left Internazionale for Galatasaray in January after a pay dispute.

Sneijder repaid a chunk of his hefty salary on Wednesday by scoring the only goal against Juventus that sent Galatasaray into the last 16 of the Champions League. Afterward, he explained that recent rumors were nothing new.

“I know nothing,” he reportedly told Dutch paper NOS. “I know only as much as you do just the reports in the newspapers, which seem to come out every time the transfer window is about to reopen.

“It’s pretty annoying when you’re playing in Turkey. The people here are very emotional and passionate about it all. I have no desire to have to justify myself to the people every time my name is in the media. I’m fine here and enjoying myself, and the fact that we progressed in the Champions League is great.

“I am happy here, but you never know for certain what will happen in football.”

While United manager David Moyes badly needs all the quality he can get his hands on in midfield, a deal for Sneijder is unlikely to be the answer. The former Real Madrid man will command a hefty salary, will turn 30 next June and would be cup-tied for the Champions League.

Still, unavailability for the Champions League does not appear to be a deterrence for Moyes in his interest in whoever it was he was watching at Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Porto this week. The widely held belief, espoused by the Daily Mirror among others, is that Moyes was taking a look at Atletico midfielder Koke, with whom he has previously been linked.

The 21-year-old has impressed playing all across the midfield this season in helping Atletico to finish top of their Champions League group, while also sitting on equal points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Atletico will be loathed to lose the promising Spain international, but he is thought to have a €24 million (£20.2m) release clause in his contract.

By virtue of injury, Manchester United would not encounter a problem with Champions-League ineligibility if they were to pursue their long-mooted interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan. The 23-year-old has made just one appearance this season because of a back injury. Citing stories in Spain, the Daily Mail reports that the Germany international’s father has met with members of Barcelona’s hierarchy to discuss a transfer. It is not the first time that Gundogan has been linked with Barcelona, while Real Madrid are also thought to be lining up a move for next summer.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror -- perhaps merely as a justification to once roll out their photoshopped image of him in a Chelsea shirt -- have reported that Chelsea are set to make another bid for Wayne Rooney next summer. Chelsea had two bids rejected for the forward in the most recent transfer window, with Manchester United refusing to consider selling him to a Premier League rival.

After reportedly wanting to leave Old Trafford, Rooney has responded by beginning the season in fine fashion. The 28-year-old’s future remains undecided, however, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2015 and Moyes recently commenting that he is in no panic to tie him down to a longer deal.

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Manchester United Transfer News: Sneijder, Gundogan, Rooney And Koke Discussed In Latest Speculation

Arsenal Transfer News: Benteke, Gundogan, Pato And Reid Linked In Latest Rumors getdiscountz.blogspot.com

getdiscountz.blogspot.com ® Arsenal Transfer News: Benteke, Gundogan, Pato And Reid Linked In Latest Rumors

Corinthians have revealed that they would be prepared to sell forward Alexandre Pato in January should a significant offer arrive from reported suitors Arsenal and Tottenham. After five-and-a-half injury-plagued years at Milan, Pato moved back to Brazil in January, but has already been the subject of interest from Europe once more. The 24-year-old recently revealed that he rejected an approach from Tottenham in the summer. But, with Arsenal also said to be considering an approach, Corinthians director Roberto de Andrade believes a transfer could happen.

"Considering his value, I think it's hard that he moves to another Brazilian club," De Andrade told Radio Bandeirantes, according to Sky Sports. "If those two clubs [Arsenal and Tottenham] are interested in Pato, we don't rule out selling him in the winter transfer market."

Talk of Pato moving to a major European club comes at a somewhat odd time given that he has far from set the world alight since returning to his homeland. Despite his €15 million (£12.7m) transfer fee and former wunderkind status, Pato has not been an automatic first choice. And, while he has largely remained fit, his performances have attracted the ire of Corinthians’ fans. A recent botched Panenka penalty summed up his current plight.

Still, while it may not be Pato, a new forward is likely to be on the agenda for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in January. Nicklas Bendtner appears an unreliable deputy for Olivier Giroud, while doubts resurfaced about whether the Frenchman warrants a place in the top strata of the world’s strikers by missing a gilt-edged chance against Liverpool.

Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke has long been linked with the Gunners and, according to the Daily Mail, an Arsenal scout was in attendance when Villa took on West Ham on Saturday to run the rule over the powerful Belgian front man. After putting in a transfer request in the summer, Benteke had a change of mind and elected to sign a new contract.

A January move for the 22-year-old would have the advantage of him not being cup-tied for the Champions League -- should Arsenal still be involved. He would not come cheap, however, with Villa likely to demand around £25 million.

According to the Mail, Benteke was not the only focus of the Arsenal’s scout’s attention at Upton Park. It is claimed that West Ham defender Winston Reid was also being assessed. The 25-year-old New Zealand international, whose footballing education came in Denmark, has been an ever present at the heart of a defense that has conceded just eight goals in 10 Premier League matches this season.

Arsenal currently have just three established center-backs at their disposal, with one of them, Thomas Vermaelen, recently conceding that he would have to consider his options in January if he cannot force his way back into the first team.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star has again put forward a long-standing rumor about Arsenal’s interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. The 23-year-old, who was pivotal in Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final last season and has also been linked to Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. There looks set to be fierce competition for his signature next summer, with Dortmund likely to seek in excess of £25 million should they reluctantly decide to part with the Germany international.

Follow Jason Le Miere on Twitter

Arsenal Transfer News: Benteke, Gundogan, Pato And Reid Linked In Latest Rumors