Coral’s rumour Reel: Premier League clubs pounce for Pato
Published:
Lee Gormley | November 25th, 2015
Ronaldo, Icardi and Pato on the move?
The January transfer window isn’t far away, meaning clubs around Europe will be getting Christmas shopping lists ready early this year, in a bid to capture those desired players that can boost their squad for the remainder of this season.
Among the list of usual suspects like Cristiano Ronaldo, many other names have been highlighted as potential big-money movers next year, so read on to see who could be joining your club this season.
Pato causes Premier League transfer tussle
Since his promising days at AC Milan, former Rossoneri forward Alexandre Pato has been plying his trade in his homeland of Brazil, where he has once again caught the eye of several Premier League sides, after a revival in form.
Among those top-flight outfits reportedly vying for his signature are Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, who are 7/5 with Coral for a top four finish, with all three having been made aware that the Brazil international is available in January.
The 26-year-old is currently on loan with Sao Paulo from Corinthians, but this trio of top tier teams are set to swoop for his signature in January in a bid to bolster their attacking ranks for next year.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds already possess an abundance of Brazilian talents, including star men Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, a strong South American core that could help lure Pato to Anfield in the coming months.
Inter’s Icardi in-line for a San Siro departure
Inter Milan have rallied to the summit of Serie A this campaign, with plenty of help from their inspirational Argentine hitman Mauro Icardi, but Arsene Wenger is the latest Premier League boss to become intrigued by his goal scoring talents.
The San Siro striker struck an incredible 24 goals in all competitions last term as the Nerazzurri faltered but, with Icardi in form again and Inter returning to the summit of Italian football, the club would see it as a disaster to lose their main marksman.
Arsenal recently held on to a glimmer of Champions League hope with victory over Dinamo Zagreb, and a miraculous progression could be enough to help sway Icardi into joining them in north London, but the Argentine seems settled in his Milan surroundings.
Ronaldo or Robben for Red Devils?
Louis van Gaal is never shy to mention superstar names in his press conferences, when questioned about his possible transfer targets, and he made no exceptions recently as he outlined both Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben as possible arrivals.
In what could have been more hope than expectation, Van Gaal declared: “We are looking at all players, not just Ronaldo. But these players are mostly ungettable.
“With Ronaldo, let’s wait and hope. There is no trainer in the world that doesn’t like him.”
The Dutchman was also asked about potentially reuniting with compatriot Robben, who recently returned from injury at Bayern Munich.
“If I answer that question, then you are writing [United are trying to sign] Robben, what you have written about Ronaldo and that I didn’t say,” he continued.
“Still I need more balance in my selection. I want that we have also fast wingers and that is a better balance in the team.”
Rooney the new face of Chinese football?
Manchester United and England skipper Wayne Rooney has been outlined as an ambitious target by his former international coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who currently manages Shanghai SIPG, claiming the Red Devils forward would love it in Asia.
“Football is becoming huge here and they have very big ambitions for the Chinese Super League,” the 67-year-old said.
“Rooney is at another level”
“We already have famous players, but of course Rooney is at another level. He is top, top, top – in the same category as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Everybody in China knows the superstar players like him. Rooney would take this league to another level, I have no doubt about that.”
Rooney will be more focused on helping United clinch silverware success this term than a potential future move to China, and his current side are 4/1 to lift the Premier League title this season.
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