Just when you thought the Gareth Bale saga had drawn to a stalemate and the papers had run out of stories to spin, the Independent report that Manchester United have re-entered the race. Having failed to make a big money signing so far this summer, with Barcelona not willing to let Cesc Fabregas leave and no progress over Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, David Moyes has decided to make the biggest money signing of all. It is believed that Moyes, after listening to Gary Neville describe United as a crossing club, wants to fit Bale into his revolutionary new system, which will see eight players deployed on the wings.
Daniel Levy's ransom for Bale seems to go up by £10 million for every week that nobody buys him and it is now at £110 million (€128 million), for which United could probably sign Fabregas, Fellaini and Baines with no arguments from Barcelona or Everton and still have £20-30 million leftover. However, Tottenham are attracted to the prospect of taking Javier Hernandez as part of a deal for Bale. Pity for United they don't have Levy to tell Spurs that Chicharito is worth £50 million.
Speaking of clubs that have failed to make any major additions this summer, Arsenal are closing on £15 million Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, according to several reports, but, in a familiar turn of events, could be beaten to his signature by Napoli, according to the Express.
West Ham are about to pull off a coup, by signing a player once valued at £15 million plus Gareth Bale. Stewart Downing is set to undergo a medical ahead of a £5 million move from Liverpool.
Downing could be joined by Raheem Sterling according to the Star while the Guardian reports that Barcelona will improve on a rejected £14.6 million (€17 million) bid for Daniel Agger. Further bad news for Liverpool, Tottenham have joined the race for Ajax midfielder Christian Erikson reports the Express. Both clubs are also in for fellow Ajax player Toby Alderweireld, for whom Everton have already made a £5 million bid, according to the Mail.
Finally, Kevin Doyle could be heading back to the Premier League, with Hull willing to pay £3 million for the Wexfordman according to the Mirror, while Celtic are also still interested. However, Hull want him to take a massive wage cut from his reported £40k/week. The Tigers are already this season's 'Irish' team, with Paul McShane, Robbie Brady, David Meyler and Stephen Quinn at the club. They are also favourites to be relegated.
(Photos: Zimbio)
