Barcelona stepping up interest in Gareth Bale; Ajax boss hints at Chivu deal

Barcelona stepping up interest in Gareth Bale

Barcelona are ready to reignite their interest in Tottenham full-back Gareth Bale, The Mirror reports.

Boss Pep Guardiola sent his chief scout Albert Valentine to check on the promising winger in Tottenham’s 3:1 victory over Fulham.

Bale continued his rich vein of form by scoring a goal at Craven Cottage and setting up another one, so there are no doubts that the Barca scout was happy with the player’s contribution against Fulham.

The Barcelona coach is eager to make a move on the Welshman in January, with Tottenham facing a real battle to keep hold of their star player.

The 22-year-old has four years left on his deal at White Hart Lane, but it is believed that Spurs would not be able to resist a big money offer.

Guardiola is desperate to sign a new left-back seeing that Eric Abidal’s contract is set to expire and that Maxwell and Adriano lack the required quality to play at the highest level.

The Catalans could, however, face a stiff competition from Real Madrid, Inter and Milan, who are also keen.

Ajax boss hints at Chivu deal

Ajax coach Frank de Boer admits he is interested in signing Inter defender Cristian Chivu.

The Romanian defender is currently playing his fifth season for the Neroazzurri and could decide to look for a new challenge in January.

Chivu’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he will be available at a cut-back price in the winter.

Ajax are bracing themselves for the departure of Jan Vertonghen and Frank de Boer sees Chivu as a perfect replacement.

“Last summer we were looking for a possible replacement for Jan Vertonghen, who was the subject of heavy interest at the time,” De Boer told De Telegraaf.

“Joris Mathijsen would have been the option in January, but he chose Malaga. Then the choice fell on Cristian (Chivu).

”He is a good alternative with great experience at the highest level and a top professional, and Ajax will always follow him. We will never forget him.”

Chivu spent four very successful years at Ajax before moving to Roma in 2003 and he is reportedly interested in a return to Amsterdam ArenA.

Christian Eriksen dreams about Barcelona move

Ajax highly rated midfielder Christian Eriksen admits that he would choose Barcelona over Manchester United and Chelsea.

The 19-year-old playmaker has attracted a lot of attention with his performances for Ajax and is widely tipped to leave Amsterdam ArenA in the near future.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have been showing interest in the youngster, but he says that Barcelona is his preferred destination.

“I think most footballers dream of Barcelona,” Eriksen was quoted as saying in Daily Mail.

“We’ll see what happens when the time comes to leave Ajax. Barcelona’s style speaks to me very much.

“A transfer to Barcelona would be great, but I have enough challenges with Ajax. I am patient and I’m in absolutely no hurry.”

Eriksen is already considered a key player for Denmark and he was the youngest player at the 2010 World Cup.

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