Barcelona linked to Ochoa
Spanish giants Barcelona have been offered a chance to sign Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa from Ajaccio, reports El Mundo Deportivo.
The Catalans have already recruited Marc-Andre ter Stegen as a replacement for Victor Valdes, but they plan to sign another shot-stopper as Jose Manuel Pinto is also set to quit Camp Nou.
And while Real Sociedad star Claudio Bravo is the number one player on club’s hit-list, El Mundo Deportivo understands that Ajaccio keeper Guillermo Ochoa is also in the mix.
The Mexican has plenty of experience at the highest level having spent last three seasons in French Ligue 1, while earning 57 Mexico caps.
Ochoa will be available on a free transfer since his contract at Ajaccio is due to expire, while the fact he is a real star in Mexico would provide Barcelona with a number of marketing opportunities.
The 28-year-old is vying with Jesus Corona for a regular starting berth at the 2014 World Cup, where Mexico are 11/10 to reach the Last 16 stage for the sixth time in a row.
Stoke to bid for Diego Capel
Portuguese daily newspaper A Bola has learned that Stoke City are readying bid for Sporting Lisbon winger Diego Capel.
The Premier League side have been keeping close tabs on the Spaniard for quite a while and they now look ready to step up their interest.
However, it remains to be seen if the Potters will be prepared to match Sporting’s €8 million asking price since they initially planned to offer between €4m and €5m.
The Lions plan to offload the 26-year-old this summer since he is one of club’s highest earners, but is no longer considered an automatic starter at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Diego Capel joined Sporting in a €3.5 million deal from Sevilla three years ago and has since scored 10 goals in 78 Primeira Liga appearances.
The winger has so far earned two Spain caps, but he last featured for La Furia Roja back in December 2008.
Galatasaray close on Mevlut Erding
Turkish Super Lig outfit Galatasaray are in advanced talks to sign Saint Etienne striker Mevlut Erding, according to the club president.
With Didier Drogba widely tipped to leave this summer, the Turkish giants seem to have made the Ligue 1 star their number one priority to replace the Ivorian.
And Galatasaray president has revealed they are trying to wrap up a deal that is going to cost them in excess of €5 million.
“Mevlut Erding spoke with our sporting director and we have an agreement in principle,” Unal Aysal told Turkish TV Kanal A Haber.
“AS Saint Etienne request €5 million plus various bonuses.”
Mevlut Erding, 27, has spent his entire career up to date in France, representing Sochaux, PSG, Rennes and Saint Etienne.
The Turkey international joined les Verts last summer from Rennes and went on to score 11 goals in 27 league outings.
For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2014/15 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.
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