Top Five Transfer Rumours of the Day: May 22

With the summer transfer window little over a week away, here are the top five transfer rumors from todays papers.

#1 Robben to join Kroos at Old Trafford?

With Toni Kroos’ £20m move to Manchester United all but done, the Red Devils are out to pillage Bayern Munich again. This time, for 30-year-old Dutch winger Arjen Robben, who has been linked with a move back to England, for the first time since he left Chelsea back in 2007.

Louis Van Gaal, who signed him from Real Madrid during his time at Munich, has reportedly been given the go ahead to sign the Dutch winger, who is out of contract next year. If the deal does go through, then Robben will reunite with his national team coach and captain and will likely slot into the right flank, which has remained an area of concern for the Red Devils.

#2 Barcelona and Manchester City set to fight for Romas Benatia

With Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala preferring a move to Chelsea instead of Manchester, City have now turned their eyes towards Roma’s Moroccan center back Mehdi Benatia. The 27-year-old has been one of the mainstays of the Roma defense since his arrival in Rome and Pellegrini is looking at him to shore up the shaky City defense.

City are set to face tough competition from Barcelona, who are reeling from one of their worst seasons in recent memory and are looking at an experienced center back to fill the void left by Carlos Puyol. Although coach Rudi Garcia has confirmed that he is unlikely to leave Rome this summer, the looming presence of both City and Barca might just change the player’s mind.

#3 Pedro ready to quit Catalonia for Merseyside?

It is set to be a summer of mass clear out in Catalonia as new coach Luis Enrique looks set to stamp his authority on the job. With that being the case, Fabregas has already been linked with long-time admirers Manchester United and now it looks as though Pedro might just join him out of the door as the club have not idea of keeping the World Cup winner amidst their ranks.

The Spaniard might be on his way to Merseyside, as Brendan Rodgers looks set to make Pedro, his first summer signing and add some reinforcements in attack, and provide some cover for Suarez and Sturridge. Still only 26, the forward’s versatility and finishing prowess means that Liverpool are keen on adding him to their ranks as the Reds look to compete on both domestic and European fronts.

#4 Manchester City prepared to let Edin Dzeko go to Valencia

Although he was one of the main reasons why Manchester City won the league for the second time in three seasons, it looks as though Edin Dzeko has become surplus to requirements at the Etihad. With three different and equally World Class forwards in Aguero, Negredo and Jovetic amidst their ranks, it looks like the Bosnian who is out of contract next year will move this summer.

His destination? Spain. With Valencia looking to lure the talismanic striker to the Mestalla, where they hope the striker will fire the club into the Champions League next season. Although the price tag of £20m might prove to be too much for the Spanish club, they are confident of sealing the Bosnian’s signature this summer.

#5 Newcastle inch closer to signing Gomis

After enduring a disastrous end to their Premier League campaign, it look as though this summer is set to make or break Alan Pardews reign. The Magpies looked short on goals and Alan Pardew is looking to address just that this summer. With Tenerife striker Ayoze Prez set to be their first permanent signing for 18 months, things are starting to look up for the Magpies.

And news that Newcastle can finally secure the services of their long-time target Bafetimbi Gomis will be just what the fans would have wanted to hear. Although the out-of-contract striker is demanding around 100,000 per week and the club are only offering 85,000 per week, it is only a matter of times before things are sorted and the club get a strike force that can finally score enough goals to secure a European place.