Man Utd and City vie to lure Yacine Brahimi
Algerian ace prompts battle of the chequebooks in Manchester, while it's one step forward, one back for Arsenal

It's a day of mixed fortunes for the Gunners in the gossip columns with Arsenal said to be closing in on Fernando Llorente while losing out on Ezequiel Lavezzi. Meanwhile in Manchester, City and United are going head to head for the services of Yacine Brahimi
• Manchester is set for a battle royal this summer, according to Talksport, with City and United both circling Algerian ace Yacine Brahimi. The winger joined Porto from Granada in a £6m deal last summer after catching the eye for his country in the World Cup. But Talksport says "his pace and trickery from the left-flank" have so impressed Manchester City that the Sky Blues are readying a whopping £33m offer for him, just £7m shy of his buy-out clause. But United boss Louis van Gaal is also considering an offer and it's predicted a bidding war could break out at the end of the season.
• The Daily Mirror says that Manchester United are "weighing up" a summer move for Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, only recently returned from a long-term abdominal injury. Apparently Louis Van Gaal sees the signing of a right-back as a priority for next season and the Mirror says United have made "discreet enquiries" to Spurs about the possibility of doing a deal for the 24-year-old England defender.
Subscribe to 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.
• Arsenal and Manchester United are still in the hunt for Benedikt Howedes with the Daily Express stating that the Schalke defender has put the Premier League pair "on alert" following an interview with German rag Bild. Howedes has 18 months remaining on his current deal with the Bundesliga club and when asked about his future, replied: "In the future I could move on... I can imagine going abroad to gain a new experience and I think England is possibly my next destination."
• There's mixed news on other prospective Arsenal players, with reports suggesting that Ezequiel Lavezzi will head for Italy rather than the Emirates. On the other hand, Fernando Llorente could be on his way from Juventus to north London. Click here for full details of these rumours and other Arsenal transfer news.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Hotel La Duna Bianca, Resort & SPA Le Dune: all-inclusive indulgence in northern Sardinia
The Week Recommends Set among the sand dunes of Badesi, this sprawling retreat is less a resort and more a self-contained luxury village
-
6 smart, surprising food books to drag you through the summer months
The Week Recommends BBQ and why we consume the way we do are just two of the tackled topics
-
June 20 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Friday’s political cartoons include compliments to the chef, Juneteenth wishes from ICE, and the Ayatollah waiting for Signal leaks
-
How do new stadiums affect football clubs?
In the Spotlight Everton's decision to move its men's team out of Goodison Park could be a catalyst for vital change, but there are cautionary tales too
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?
Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
-
Where are all the English football managers?
Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
-
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 Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening