Chelsea wonderkid on Bayern’s radar
Bayern Munchen are preparing a bid to sign Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta on free when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
The Blues have opened talks with the player’s representatives a month ago, but they’ve been unable to strike a deal and now face the prospect of losing the highly regarded youngster on free.
The 19-year-old will be free to talk with the potential suitors from January 1, with Bayern looking to take advantage of the situation.
Ever since making his debut last November, Kakuta has been regarded as an important player for the future and he even started two games this season, with Carlo Ancelotti praising the Frenchman on numerous occasions.
However, Bayern have been keeping tabs on the youngster for a few months now and they look set to act should Chelsea fail to tie the player down to a new contract.
After losing Michael Ballack and Joe Cole on free last summer, the Blues cannot allow something like that to happen again and they’ve got to do everything they can to convince Kakuta his future lies at Stamford Bridge.
[Source: Daily Mirror]
Napoli keeping tabs on Michel Bastos
According to latest reports from Italy, Napoli are readying a January bid for Lyon midfielder Michel Bastos.
The 27-year-old winger largely impressed at the World Cup, albeit playing as a left-back for Brazil and he was linked with a move to Serie A in the summer.
Italian giants Juventus, Inter and Milan were all interested but Lyon refused to sell their prized asset.
Nonetheless, it seems Napoli have emerged as surprise favourites for his signature after club president Aurelio De Laurentis reportedly met with his Lyon counterpart Jean-Michel Aulas.
Bastos is set to cost the Partnopei around 15 million euros and he would be deployed as a wide man in Walter Mazzari’s 3-5-2 formation.
After keeping hold of Lavezzi and Hamsik, and the capture of Cavani, it looks as though Napoli have set their minds on building a side capable of matching the best in Serie A, with their interest in player like Bastos the perfect proof of the new ambition.
[Source: Corriere della Sera]
Barcelona looking for a new keeper
Barcelona chiefs are set to start their search for the new keeper who would act as a back-up to untouchable Victor Valdez.
Jose Manuel Pinto has so far done an excellent job but since he will be 36 when his current contract runs out at the end of the season, the club are unlikely to offer him a new deal.
With Pep Guardiola having complete faith in Victor Valdez, the boss, together with Andoni Zubizareta and goalkeeping coach Carles Busquets, is looking for a goalie to play second fiddle to Valdez.
There are two candidates for the post at the moment, Gorka Iraizoz and Claudio Bravo, both of whom have a wealth of experience playing in La Liga, while being held in high regard in Spain because of their goalkeeping skills.
Barca are one of the host of teams interested in Atletico Madrid hotshot David De Gea, but since he would cost at least €20 million, the Catalans are likely to go with one of the aforementioned keepers, who would come much cheaper.
[Source: El Mundo Deportivo]
For more news about football transfers and rumours, visit our Transfer News section. To view all football transfers for 2010/11 season, visit our Soccer Transfers section.
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