Category Archives: News

Arsenal and Liverpool knocked back in chase for 24-year-old – reports

Arsenal and Liverpool have both been dealt a blow in their chase for Martin Montoya after the player’s agent denied speculation linking him with a January move to the Premier League.

His agent Juan Carrasco says there is no opportunity for a move in January, despite the fact that Montoya has not played a single league game while on a season-long loan at Inter Milan.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with moves for the 24-year-old on a permanent basis.

Carrasco told Mundo Deportivo: “He will stay at Inter until next June.”

Would it work?

Inter Milan are not exactly on top form in Serie A, although they are currently fourth in the table.

Given the relative standards of the Italian league and the Premier League, it would be weird for Montoya to struggle to get into Inter’s side and yet be a valuable option for either Liverpool or Arsenal.

Liverpool have Nathaniel Clyne to call upon, comfortably one of the better right-backs in the Premier League.

Arsenal have a huge selection of options at right-back, including first choice Hector Bellerin, former Newcastle United star Mathieu Debuchy and youngster Calum Chambers.

Neither side are clearly in need of a defender to play on the right side, and neither would benefit from an Inter cast-off.

It is difficult to see why a move for Montoya would work.

Rumour rater

Even beyond the simple fact that Montoya would not slot into either side, The Mirror recently reported that Jurgen Klopp is not interested.

That should be enough to kill this particular rumour dead, given only Liverpool should maybe consider signing him, possibly, as backup.

It seems like a complete non-starter, which it is in reality.

Montoya to Arsenal or Liverpool? This rumour’s dead.

Rumour rated: 0/5

 

Is Van Gaal casting aside £25m Man Utd buy Depay with January transfer plans?

Louis van Gaal has told the press that Manchester United need to sign “creative, speedy players in attack” in the January transfer window.

This could come as a hammer blow to Memphis Depay, who has been cast aside in recent weeks by his compatriot.

It seems as though Van Gaal has decided that Depay does not fit into his system – he has been dropped in favour of playing Anthony Martial on the left-wing, with Juan Mata operating on the right.

Martial is not a natural left-winger, and choosing him over Depay could suggest that Van Gaal has had enough of the Dutch winger.

This may be the case, given Depay’s last appearance was in the Old Trafford club’s staggering 3-0 collapse away from home against Arsenal.

Given Van Gaal is a systems based manager, preferring tactical understanding over individual brilliance, Depay, gifted and talented on the ball, would not get as much credit as with other bosses.

On Sunday, with Man Utd seeking a winner against Manchester City, Van Gaal put Jesse Lingard on rather than the former PSV Eindhoven man.

That would mean that Depay has been relegated to third choice left-winger.

It would also suggest that if Man Utd do sign “creative, speedy players” for their attack in January, it would only increase the competition for Depay.

Van Gaal has previous – while in charge of Barcelona, he dropped and then got rid of Rivaldo.

Even during his time at Old Trafford, he spent big money on Angel Di Maria, a player who barely featured after January.

This could all be taken as a worrying sign by Depay, who may start wondering where he will fit in after January.

Arsenal And Liverpool On Alert Over £35m Spanish Star – reports

Isco has decided that he wants to leave Real Madrid, with the Premier League thought to be his ideal destination.

This has put the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea on alert, with all three clubs believed to be interested in signing the Spanish star, according to Fichajes.net.

The 23-year-old has declared that he wants a “change in scenery”.

The signing of Mateo Kovacic in the summer from Inter Milan has left Isco finding it difficult to earn a place in the first team, and his form has suffered as a result.

Would it work?

This is probably the sort of question that keeps Arsene Wenger up at night – can he slot another attacking player into his side.

The reality is that the Gunners really do not need another option in that role.

However, the injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey may tempt Wenger into considering a bid for an attacking player in January.

While he can still call on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Ramsey has played a key role while operating from the right.

Given that Wenger now sees Theo Walcott as a striker, that leaves him with only Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the berth on the right wing while Ramsey is out.

With Arsenal now pushing for the title, Wenger may feel he needs another option.

In Liverpool’s case, Isco would be an excellent signing and immediately freshen up Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Given the German manager has had to pick a narrow and oddly creativity free midfield in his first few games, having a player like Isco available would only benefit the Anfield club.

Rumour rater

If Isco has genuinely requested a move, there is no reason why Arsenal or Liverpool could not bring him in.

However, as Premier League sides have learned (see: Arsenal/Karim Benzema, Man Utd/Sergio Ramos), players at Real often use English sides to earn bigger contracts.

This one could be that again, or could actually be a case of Isco seeking a route out of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Not out of the realms of possibility.

Rumour rated: 3/5