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Real Madrid to offer Benzema plus cash for Suarez
Trending
Gossip: The Daily Star run with a huge piece titled ‘EXCLUSIVE’ claiming that Real Madrid are ready to do business with Liverpool in the upcoming January transfer window by offering £20 million plus Karim Benzema in exchange for the services of Uruguayan Luis Suarez.
Despite Liverpool’s impressive start to the season, and his own form which has seen him score 7 goals in 6 games, Suarez is said to be keen on a move away from Anfield. Arsenal too are said to be preparing a fresh bid, but Suarez’s inclination is said to be on a move to Madrid.
And Benzema seems to have fallen out of favour at Real with Carlo Ancelotti not impressed with the Frenchman’s efforts so far.
Keeda’s take: Suarez did make it pretty clear through his actions in the summer that he was indeed keen on a move to Real. Also, Madrid have the advantage of signing a player who will in no way be cup-tied in Europe as Liverpool are not involved in any of the competitions.
However, considering his blistering start to the season and Liverpool’s positioning in the top four, the striker may opt to leave at the end of the season rather than in January.
Jose Mourinho wants veteran Spanish pass master at Chelsea
Jose Mourinho pictured alongside Xabi Alonso (left) during his time at Real Madrid
Gossip: After having managed the Spaniard for three seasons, Mourinho is said to be interested in bringing Xabi Alonso to Chelsea, according to The Mirror.
Alonso has found himself marginalized at Madrid after the arrivals of Asier Illaramendi and Isco, with Illara and Sami Khedira donning the deep-lying midfield roles at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spaniard’s contract expires next summer and will be available on a free transfer.
Keeda’s take; Alonso, now 31, was a favourite of Mourinho’s during his time as manager of Madrid. Not only did he fit into the manager’s scheme of things acting as a vital pivot from a deep-lying role to facilitate Madrid’s lightning-quick counter-attacks.
Mourinho may want to bring in a midfielder who can control the game from midfield as the current lot he has, though talented, are more prone to venturing forward and interchanging roles. Plus if he’s available for a free, there is every reason why Chelsea would sign up Alonso as he could prove to be quite a valuable addition.
Chelsea also in for ‘Super Mario’
Mario Balotelli left Inter Milan after a fallout with Jose Mourinho who was the manager at the time
Gossip: There’s more Chelsea news in the offing with reports from The Express claiming that Mario Balotelli is keen on return to England from Italy where he is said to be uncomfortable with all the attention surrounding every move of his.
Balotelli’s agent earlier this week started it off saying that he felt he may have made a mistake in bringing his client back to Italy. And while the shift from Manchester City to AC Milan has resulted in a revival of sorts in the Italian’s career, his agent Mino Raiola believes a reunion with former boss Mourinho could happen.
“Balotelli and [Chelsea boss] Jose Mourinho could be reunited because they know each other and they didn’t leave each other with hate,” Raiola told Tika Taka on Italia 1.
“There was a not very nice incident between them, but they parted company on good terms.”
“That is for certain and he could perhaps be that at Chelsea. They have remained in contact and there is mutual respect.”, added Raiola.
“I know Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani will not agree, but Mario is a great striker. That is for certain and he could perhaps be that at Chelsea.”
Keeda’s take: Mourinho and Balotelli had a huge falling out during their time together at Inter Milan which saw the striker being sold to Manchester City. Mourinho had, if you remember, once termed the Italian “unmanageable”.
And while the possibility of landing Wayne Rooney, Mourinho’s preferred choice, still exists, it would seem naïve on ‘the Special One’s’ part to go in for a player who comes with plenty of extra baggage.
This just seems to an exercise in finding some new suitors for his client.
Southampton to unite Victor Wanyama with brother
McDonald Mariga
Gossip: Wanyama’s brother, McDonald Mariga is the subject of interest from Southampton, as they look to bolster their squad in an attempt to hold on to their hopes of Champions League qualification, according to The Mirror.
The Saints, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League have realistic ambitions of staying in the top four and see the recruitment of Mariga from Inter Milan as a step in the right direction. Mariga plays alongside Wanyama for the Kenyan national team.
Keeda’s take: It would be nice to have the brothers play together at club level too, but Southampton already have plenty in that defensive midfield department with Wanyama, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jack Cork, James Ward-Prowse already present.
