The identity of Manchester United’s secret strike target has been unveiled as Fernando Llorente by the Mirror.
Manager Louis van Gaal had indicated he was happy with his current options in attack just days ago but like the riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma that he is the Dutchman then announced United were closing in on a target.
The Mirror believe they have worked out who van Gaal’s surprise signing will be though and claim Juventus have offered Llorente to United, but a move may not be totally straightforward for the Old Trafford outfit.
The towering Spanish striker is keen on a move away from Turin having struggled to cement a place in the side since his switch from Athletic Bilbao two years ago and he seems set to play second fiddle to Mario Mandzukic if he remains next season, as he has done to Carlos Tevez in the past.
However, Italian publication Tuttosport say the 30-year-old is holding out for a move to Real Madrid, who are also understood to be keen on the forward.
The report also suggests if Los Blancos do make a move for Llorente it will open up a switch to Arsenal for Frenchman Karim Benzema, who seems to be linked with a Bernabeu exit in every transfer window – with the Gunners more often than not the interested party.
Meanwhile, Marca claim United will demand both Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas, or £28million up front, in exchange for David de Gea, while fellow Spanish source AS say Ramos has already agreed personal terms with United.
Elsewhere, Leicester City will be seeking some midfield reinforcements now last season’s star man Esteban Cambiasso has confirmed he will not be signing a new deal with the Foxes.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Premier League has seen the last of the veteran Argentine however, as The Mirror believe he could join Slaven Bilic’s West Ham revolution as a free agent.
We’ll finish with some speculation from ESPN as they say their sources believe Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny could be heading to Roma on loan.
David Ospina had been expected to be the man who moved on following the arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea but it seems as if it is Szczesny who is actively pursuing an exit, possibly due to the Euro 2016 tournament next summer with his Poland side on course to qualify.
The report says a season-long loan with a view to a permanent transfer is the most likely scenario for Szczesny, who is apparently ready to call time on his stay with the Gunners after nearly a decade in north London.
