With the World Cup now in our rearview mirrors, the always exciting, increasingly expensive transfer period is going to pick up some steam. With overseas leagues starting in just over a month, we here at the18 are bringing back Monday Murmurs to keep you up to speed on the latest rumors and transfers ahead of the 2014/2015 campaign.
Arturo Vidal to Manchester United
Louis Van Gaal will now focus on new job as Manchester United boss after earning Holland a third place medal at the World Cup. His first order of business looks to be securing Chilean/Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. According to Express, the Red Devils are offering Juventus £32 million for Vidal and over the weekend he commented on how special it would be to play for Man U.
Manchester United Move For Arturo Vidal Has Gone In Advance Stages. Personal Terms Not Agreed Yet. #Confirmed #MUFC
— The Agent Sam™ (@TheAgentSam) July 14, 2014
The James Rodriguez Sweepstakes
With Angel Di Maria likely on the move, Real Madrid already found a replacement in Toni Kroos. But Los Blancos are also in a battle for 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez with La Liga rival Barcelona. According to reports from El Confidencial, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has offered AS Monaco €90 million for the 23 year-old midfielder. Marca reported yesterday that Real Madrid has met with Monaco to try and get Rodriguez, but it seems safe to say that the Colombian star will end up in La Liga with one of these two teams. Marca also reported Rodriguez saying it would be a dream to play for Real Madrid. “It'd be a privilege to play alongside so many stars,” Rodriguez said. “If it happened, I'd enjoy it to the max. It's really flattering to know that a club of Real Madrid's stature is interested in me. It'd be a dream to join the club of my dreams.”
Real Madrid and Monaco have met to discuss the transfer of James Rodriguez to Real Madrid, the 2 sides are close to an €85m deal. [Marca]
— FootballFacts101 (@FootballFact101) July 13, 2014
Where is Angel Di Maria going?
It was being reported that Paris St Germain was on the verge of signing Di Maria, but now Marca is reporting that PSG’s violation of the Financial Fair Play last season could halt the move for the brilliant midfielder. It was said that Di Maria wanted to go to the Premier League and Louis van Gaal is big on the Argentina international, but Di Maria wants to play Champions League football which hurts the Red Devils chances. If United were to get Vidal and convince Di Maria to go one season without Champions League, then the Red Devils would be well on their way back to the top of the Premier League. We’re going to have to wait and see how this one plays out.
Angel Di Maria playing against Manchester United in the Champions League two years ago. Will Man U's failure to qualify for the 2014 UCL burn them in their pursuit of Di Maria? (Photo:@beINSPORTSUSA | Twitter)
Edinson Cavani wants move to the EPL
Sky Sources: Edinson Cavani asks agent to investigate potential move to Premier League. #SSN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 14, 2014
The Uruguayan is apparently frustrated by his secondary role to Zlatan Imbrahimovic, and Chelsea and Manchester United could be the favorites to land him. Jonathan Johnson, a Ligue 1 journalist for ESPN FC and beIN network said that Cavani, along with Lucas Moura, Marco Verratti and Thiago Silva were all unsellable. But it was said that PSG would want around £40 million for the striker, which to us here at the18 is not worth it for Cavani. Transfer wages for players are getting unreasonably out of hand and this move would only show how egregious the market has become.
Liverpool’s Suarez replacement
Following Luis Suarez’s move to Barcelona, Brendan Rodgers must now figure out how to spend the £75 million that the club received for the Uruguayan striker. A couple names that are reportedly close to signing with Liverpool are Belgium striker Divock Origi and Benfica stoker Lazar Markovic. Along with those two names, Rodgers is also targeting Swansea striker Wilfried Bony and it has been said that the Reds could try and swoop Romelu Lukaku, due to his high shot accuracy. There was rumors about a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus but those rumors were put to rest by Tony Barrett.
Liverpool baffled by reports linking them with Marco Reus and insist they've shown no interest in him despite suggestions to the contrary.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes) July 14, 2014
