Midfield maestro Thiago, who will go to the World Cup later this month with Spain, is one of four players that Bayern Munich will listen to offers for this summer, according to the Daily Mail, and he would be a perfect fit for Manchester United.

What’s the story, then?

The Mail report that the German champions are looking to trim their squad ahead of Niko Kovac’s first season in charge in Bavaria and that they are willing to countenance four departures.

They claim that along with Thiago, that quartet is rounded off by experienced central defender Jerome Boateng, combative midfielder Arturo Vidal and flying full-back Juan Bernat.

The report also says that the willingness to sell the aforementioned four also belies a desire to keep talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski.

Thiago is better than Pogba

Pogba has everything in his locker but Thiago is an artist, who has simply proved himself more capable of dominating elite games than the Frenchman.

He was brilliant as Bayern narrowly failed to qualify for the Champions League final despite a dominant performance in the second leg of their semi-final clash with eventual winners Real Madrid in April and has the class and technique United’s midfield is sorely lacking.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He is valued at £54m by Transfermarkt but given that Bayern are open to a sale, there may be wiggle room and in the current market, anything under £50m for a man who will travel to the World Cup this summer as one of the main playmakers in a team jam-packed with midfield talent.

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United fans are taking great joy in Liverpool’s failed move for Nabil Fekir, after Lyon announced he wouldn’t be joining the Reds this summer.

As reported by The Telegraph, a £53m move had been agreed between the two clubs, with his signing expected to be announced on Friday. The paper say personal terms were even agreed.

However, Lyon released a statement saying the deal was off on Saturday evening, leaving Liverpool fans gutted and their rival supporters in hysterics. The cause of the deal’s collapse is not yet known.

Fekir had a magical 2017/18 season, scoring 23 goals and contributing 9 assists in all competitions. He’s also set to star for France in the upcoming World Cup.

He could have caused serious damage to United and others in the English Premier League next season so it’s no surprise they are happy the deal is off.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Red Devils fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on it all…

Newcastle fans have been discussing a move for Jack Wilshere, after the Arsenal man officially announced he will leave North London this summer.

Newcastle are desperate for some quality reinforcements this summer to help build on their top ten finish, but fans simply cannot decide on a move for Wilshere.

The 26 year-old has been at Arsenal for nearly two decades, but will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

Wilshere has bags of ability, but his injury woes have plagued his career, and Unai Emery seemingly has no patience for the Englishman.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257236″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Five things we learned from England 21 Tunisia”]

Newcastle of course have Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey in midfield, but will definitely need to sign another central midfielder, as Diame turned 31 this month and Mikel Merino could leave the club.

Most fans would agree Wilshere has tremendous technical ability, and his passion for the game would certainly be a hit amongst the fans on Tyneside… if he could stay fit.

[ad_pod ]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The injury prone midfielder would be worth the risk to some, but others are praying they avoid the soon to be free agent.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Anthony Martial has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks, but the North London outfit may have to begin looking at other targets.

Over the weekend, Paris United reported that the Manchester United attacker is in advanced talks with Juventus regarding a move.

[ad_pod ]

The Frenchman has struggled for game time under manager Jose Mourinho over the past couple of seasons, and it appears that the ex-Monaco star is ready to move on.

Tottenham have not yet brought in any new players in this window, but they have been linked to numerous figures.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”Three reasons we love to hate… Brazil and Argentina”]

Mauricio Pochettino already has plenty of attacking talent at his fingertips, but in order to take that next step forward, he needs strength in depth.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

United were linked with a swoop for Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, but now that speculation is rife that Martial is on his way to Turin, some Spurs fans think that their defender will not be Old Trafford-bound.

Some are even convinced that former winger Gareth Bale will return to the club from Real Madrid.

According to a report by Italian media outlet Il Secolo XIX, West Ham United are in talks to sign Genoa centre-back Armando Izzo, and Irons fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.

[ad_pod ]

New Irons boss Manuel Pellegrini is keen to strengthen his options at the heart of the defence this summer following the departures of James Collins and Jose Fonte over the course of the last few months, and he has already added Issa Diop to his squad.

However, it appears the Chilean isn’t finished yet having been linked with Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson and now Izzo, who could be viewed as Collins’ replacement at the London Stadium.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”3 Reasons We Love To Hate… Brazil and Argentina”]

West Ham supporters, who have urged their club to sign an England international following his impressive World Cup display against Tunisia, took to social media to give their thoughts on the story, and while one said he is “better than Reid and Rice”, another disagreed and said they would be “gutted if it means no Mawson”.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Birmingham City are looking to offload high-earning players and will listen to offers for Cheikh Ndoye, according to The Birmingham Mail.

What’s the story?

Having only been appointed in March, this summer will be Garry Monk’s first transfer window in charge of Birmingham and the former Swansea manager will be looking to rebuild his squad in the hope that the Blues can better their 19th place finish in the Championship last season.

In order to free up funds to bring in his own players, Monk has already moved on a number of players including Robert Tesche and Cheick Keita. He has also told goalkeepers David Stockdale and Tomasz Kuszczak that they can leave the club.

Ndoye joined Birmingham on a free transfer from French Ligue 1 side SCO Angers last summer and played 40 games for the club in all competitions last season.

Reed on loan?

Birmingham will be hoping that having appeared, albeit briefly, in two games for Senegal at the World Cup, Ndoye’s asking price will have increased and they will be able to either sell the 32-year-old or loan him out.

Some of the money that this would free up on Monk’s wage budget could then be used to fund a loan deal for a player such as Southampton’s young central midfielder Harrison Reed.

The 23-year-old was on loan at Norwich last season so has experience of playing in the Championship. He featured in 39 league games for the Canaries, providing four assists and scoring one goal in a 2-0 win over QPR.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Reed would certainly be a sensible loan-signing for the Blues as they look ahead to next season and he would surely be willing to move away from Southampton in search of another season of regular football.

[brid playlist=”4766″ player=”12034″ title=”World Cup 2018″]

Ajantha Mendis has been omitted from Sri Lanka’s playing XI for the decisive third Test in Mumbai

Sa'adi Thawfeeq01-Dec-2009Ajantha Mendis will not play in Mumbai•AFP

Ajantha Mendis has been omitted from Sri Lanka’s playing XI for the decisive third Test in Mumbai, with the captain
Kumar Sangakkara backing a third seam bowler at the Brabourne Stadium. Mendis was included for the second Test in Kanpur as the management opted for a three-pronged spin attack, but after taking 2 for 162 he has been axed.”Mendis will have to sit out,” said Sangakkara. “We’ll probably go with an extra seamer than a spinner on this track, which doesn’t look as dull as the one at Ahmedabad or Kanpur.”Nuwan Kulasekara, who has returned to full fitness, appeared to have the edge over Dilhara Fernando for the third pace bowler’s spot. “In the last two to three series, [Nuwan] Kulasekara has been very consistent in both ODI and Test,” said Sangakkara. “So, quality-wise I think Kulasekara has an edge. Dilhara Fernando is coming into the side after a while but he is bowling well and with a lot of pace. It is a tough choice and we’ll have to make that tough choice today.”Sri Lanka’s bowling combination that has won them 10 of their last 19 Test matches comprised three seamers. They paid the price in Kanpur, opting for a spin trio, and were thrashed by an innings and 144 runs inside four days. Trailing 1-0 in the three-Test series, it is now a must win situation for the visitors, as they look to avoid their first series loss in the last eight encounters, since losing 2-0 in Australia in 2007-08.”We had a good one in the first Test, not a great game in the second,” said Sangakkara. “It’s a case of regrouping and keep doing the basics right. We have the side to beat any team in the world. This is another opportunity for us to do that.”We created quite a few chances with the new ball in both innings of the first Test, and the second innings of the second Test. Creating opportunities is one thing and taking those chances is another. Those are the things that can turn a game especially when the batsmen go on to make big runs. We’ve got to make sure that our disciplines are good and our catching is right on the mark from ball one.”Sangakkara defended his key spinner Muttiah Muralitharan on the poor form he had shown in the series so far. “Murali is a bowler who has done so much for Sri Lanka and can sometimes have an off day. That’s the way cricket goes. That doesn’t mean he is any worse a bowler, he is still our best spinner and in my view the best spinner in the world. When you have that quality in the side you have to back that quality and that ability it’s no different for tomorrow. Murali is still the spearhead of our attack and we back him 100% to turn it around and win a match for us.”

With Jacques Kallis’ fitness for the opening Test against England at Centurion still uncertain, Mickey Arthur believes uncapped allrounder Ryan McLaren can play an important role with the ball

Cricinfo staff02-Dec-2009With Jacques Kallis’ fitness for the opening Test against England at Centurion still uncertain, Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, believes uncapped allrounder Ryan McLaren can play an important role with the ball, as South Africa strive to balance their side.Kallis was included in the 15-man Test squad despite missing the entire one-day series with a broken rib. It is uncertain whether he will be fit to bowl but could play as a specialist batsman, which could mean that McLaren, formerly with Kent, might play as a back-up seamer.”We’ve spent the last month or so having a look at potential allrounders – the one area we felt we were a little bit light on – and Ryan was the one guy that fitted the bill,” said Arthur. “We need a bowler to be able to really come on and do a holding job – and we think Ryan could do that.”Though McLaren has bowled with pace – touching 90mph – in the one-day series so far, he has taken just one wicket and conceded 102 runs from his 19 overs. He’s also struggled with that bat, collecting five runs from his three outings in the series.It emphasises the problem South Africa face because there is no alternative who could bat in the top six and provide quality back-up bowling. Arthur admitted replacing Kallis is difficult and opens up questions about the balance of the side.”You don’t replace him every day of the week, with 10,000 Test runs and [almost] 300 wickets. But obviously we’ve got Jacques’ injury, so we’ve gone for some cover in terms of giving ourselves options,” he said.”Not having him, you would have the dilemma of whether you went with five batsmen and an allrounder or still with the six batsmen. We’re having a look at making sure we’ve got every option. But he’s on track, he’s making good progress [and] we’re still hoping he’ll be fine.”Meanwhile the hosts are confident that Dale Steyn will be fit for the Test series, after he was withdrawn from the final ODI match, at Durban on Friday, with a hamstring strain. Though South Africa trail England 2-1 in the series, Steyn sits out as a precaution.

Bangladesh fast bowler Nazmul Hossain has been ruled out of the upcoming home tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka because of an injury

Cricinfo staff02-Jan-2010Bangladesh fast bowler Nazmul Hossain has been ruled out of the upcoming home tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka because of an injury. He has been replaced by Shahadat Hossain in the Bangladesh Squad.Nazmul injured his right quadriceps muscle during practice and is likely to be out of action for two weeks. The tri-series begins on January 4 with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur.

VVS Laxman will be returning to India from the two-Test series in Bangladesh after injuring his finger while dropping a catch in the first Test in Chittagong

Cricinfo staff21-Jan-2010VVS Laxman will be returning to India from the tour of Bangladesh after injuring his finger while dropping a catch in the first Test in Chittagong. But MS Dhoni, who missed the first Test due to a back strain, and Harbhajan Singh, who sat out due to a stiff neck, have recovered completely and are fit for the next game in Mirpur on January 24.”Laxman is returning home tomorrow. There will be no replacements,” Arshad Ayub, India’s team manager, said. Laxman dropped Bangladesh top-order batsman Shahriar Nafees on the fourth day and showed signs of pain when he tried to stop an outside edge that fell just short of him a few balls later. Laxman needed ten stitches on his left hand, and with India taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, the decision to send him back home was taken.However, India will be boosted by the recovery of Harbhajan and Dhoni. Harbhajan bowled a long spell to Rahul Dravid on the center pitch immediately after the game ended, and Dhoni, who looks likely to take over the reins from stand-in captain Virender Sehwag, has been batting in the nets from yesterday.Sreesanth, too, sustained an injury on the final day of the Test, straining his hamstring, and was forced to walk off the field in the middle of an over to get some medical attention. “Sreesanth has a light strain on the hamstring. It’s too early to say the damage,” Ayub said.