Arsenal set for Brozovic talks as Man Utd line up Vlaar move
Gunners one of several English teams after Croatian midfielder, and they are also after striker Emenike
The agent of Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has come clean and admitted that Arsenal are among "several English teams" ready to do a deal for the Croatian firecracker.
According to an 'exclusive' in website Goal.com, the 21-year-old has attracted interest from a number of teams after a string of eye-catching performances for club and country, and in conversation with Goal.com, Brozovic's man, Miroslav Bicanic, did what all self-respecting agents should in these situations and let it be known he would welcome interest from Premier League clubs when Croatia come to England for a pointless international friendly next month.
"Croatia play USA in November in London and during our stay there we will hold meetings and negotiate with several English teams," explained Bicanic. Asked if the Gunners were on his 'to see' list, he replied: "Yes, I can confirm Arsenal are one of them."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, Metro says that the specialists in finishing fourth are "scouting powerful Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike" with a view to a £15m offer in the new year.
In recent weeks rumours have been growing that the 27-year-old Emenike could be on his way from Turkey to England (with Chelsea suggested as a possible destination) but Metro says Arsenal are now the "front runners for his signature". Taking Turkish rag Millivet as its source, Metro adds that Arsene Wenger has told his scouts to watch Emenike closely, while at the same time presumably telling his physio staff to clear some space on the treatment table.
Still with Arsenal, who are currently the subject of more rumours than Kim Jong-un, and the Daily Mail reports that they "are on the trail" of Marseille defender Stephane Sparagna. Apparently they are keen to do a deal for the 19-year-old centre back (who is also able to slot in as a defensive midfielder) in January, though they will have to first see off competition from Rennes and Udinese for the France Under-20 international.
Finally the Daily Star reports that Manchester United are winning the race to sign Ron Vlaar from Aston Villa. The 29-year-old Dutch defender knows Louis van Gaal well from his time working under the United boss with the Netherlands. The Star says that Vlaar is "not among the high earners at Villa Park" and United are aware his contract expires at the end of the season.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Vlaar joined Villa from Feyenoord just over two years ago and boss Paul Lambert is desperate to keep hold of the strapping defender. To that end he will ask the Villa board to put together a new contract that would see Vlaar earn a "potential £50,000-a-week" but the Star speculates that still won't be enough to stop the Dutchman moving to Old Trafford. The paper says a "£4m bid should be enough to clinch a deal", although Tottenham, Everton and Roma are also said to be monitoring the situation.
-
Ryanair/SpaceX: could Musk really buy the airline?Talking Point Irish budget carrier has become embroiled in unlikely feud with the world’s wealthiest man
-
Claudette Colvin: teenage activist who paved the way for Rosa ParksIn The Spotlight Inspired by the example of 19th century abolitionists, 15-year-old Colvin refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus
-
5 contentious cartoons about Donald Trump at DavosCartoons Artists take on weaponized tariffs, a cheeky offering, and more
-
Who is to blame for Maccabi Tel Aviv fan-ban blunder?Today’s Big Question MPs call for resignation of West Midlands Police chief constable over ‘dodgy’ justification of ban from Aston Villa match, but role of Birmingham Safety Advisory Group also under scrutiny
-
Amorim follows Maresca out of Premier League after ‘awful’ seasonIn the Spotlight Manchester United head coach sacked after dismal results and outburst against leadership, echoing comments by Chelsea boss when he quit last week
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten HagTalking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium earlyTalking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictionsfeature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad