With the World Cup done and dusted there is now nothing to stop football gossips indulging in an all-out orgy of transfer speculation, as attention focuses on the Premier League transfer window.
And right on cue, as Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal rides into Old Trafford, the fallen champions have been linked with a string of new signings. According to the Daily Express, the Dutchman is keen on moves for Angel Di Maria and Germany's Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, who missed his nation's successful World Cup campaign through injury.
The new manager, who will be formally unveiled this week, has also declared on Dutch television that Arjen Robben, so often the star of his Dutch side, would be very welcome to follow his path to United. However, the Daily Telegraph reports that the winger will decline the offer.
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But one player who is keen on a move to Manchester is Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, who was reportedly told his current club, Paris Saint-Germain, that he wants out and intends to move to the Premier League.
The Independent says that although the striker is up for a move to Old Trafford he does not want to kick his heels on the bench, which could mean trouble for Wayne Rooney. Robin van Persie is a favourite of Louis van Gaal and if the Dutchman brings in Cavani it could leave Rooney isolated. However, says the paper, "the Parisians could offer a fix to that problem by taking Rooney as part of an exchange deal for Cavani".
Meanwhile, United's local rivals Manchester City are in talks with Porto over the signing of Eliaquim Mangala, according to Sky Sports. The 23-year-old defender has long been a target for City. The coaching staff believe the French international would be the ideal player to slot in alongside captain Vincent Kompany at the heart of the defence.
After failing to land his signature in January, City are determined to grab him this summer. Reports in Portugal suggest Mangala is now poised to head to Manchester for his medical with a deal possible by the end of the week.
Further south, Arsenal hope to tie up the £3m signing of Colombian keeper David Ospina this week, according to Metro. Arsene Wenger is keen to buy a new custodian to provide provide competition and back-up for first choice Wojciech Szczesny, following the summer departure of Lukasz Fabianski, says the paper.
Metro states that while Wenger also considered Cardiff's David Marshall, Reading's Alex McCarthy and Espanyol keeper Kiko Casilla, he has finally decided to make Ospina his priority and looks set to capture his man. The Gunners could also finalise the deal for Newcastle United right-back Matieu Debuchy this week.
And Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre is planning to fly Spain to clinch the £18m transfer of Sevilla left back Alberto Moreno, says The Mirror.
With the proceeds of the Luis Suarez transfer bulging in his pocket, Ayre is headed for talks with the La Liga outfit and Moreno's agents. With the player wanting a move and Sevilla experiencing financial problems, the chances of a deal are high.
The Anfield club are also tempted by the services of Swansea's Ben Davies. However, Liverpool's bid for another Swansea City player may fail. The Welsh side's supremo Huw Jenkins wants more than the £19m Liverpool were expecting to splash for Wilfried Bony.
