Obviously the move never went ahead as Messi put pen to paper at the La Liga club towards the end of last season to become the world’s highest paid player.
Even if the Gunners were serious about luring the Argentine, his $358m release clause would have provided a rather large stumbling block, while his annual wage of $29m would have made a mockery of Arsenal’s strict wage structure.
Still, the revelation will lead Arsenal fans to dream what could have been.
FALCAO IN NO RUSH
Radamel Falcao has poured cold water on reported interest from Real Madrid, insisting he believes in the “project” at AS Monaco.
The striker’s significant salary in France probably has a bit to do with that too.
James Rodriguez’s move to the Bernabeu intensified speculation the 28-year-old striker- who was the subject of Madrid’s interest last transfer window – could follow his club and country teammate to Spain, but that won’t happen for at least another season.
“I believe in Monaco’s project. I want to stay here and play Champions League football with Monaco,” Falcao said.
Instead, Falcao will be looking to return to full fitness and the dominant form that saw him become the world’s top striker before he succumbed to an untimely knee injury that forced him out of the World Cup.
MAN UNITED TALK THE TALK … WILL THEY WALK THE WALK?
Manchester United Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has responded to Rodriguez’s signing by claiming the club has the funds to buy any player in the world.
The Red Devils have already signed Luke Shaw ($54m) and Ander Herrera ($51m) this window – both astute signings - but there is pressure to sign a truly world class talent like Juventus midfield duo Arturo Vidal or Paul Pogba.
Woodward says should a player of their calibre become available, the funds would be made available to new boss Louis van Gaal.
“Of course it’s within our capabilities,” he said. “Are we afraid of doing that? No,” he said.
“The reality is that we’re not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market.
“I stand by what I said – there is no budget. We are in a very strong financial position. We can make big signings. [But] That doesn’t mean we go and throw money around.”
Woodward’s bullishness will go down well with United fans, now it’s time for him and the club to act on it.
RED DEVILS AND BARCA IN FIGHT FOR COLOMBIAN
Juan Cuadrado continues a Colombian-heavy edition of Rumour Mill, with the World Cup star being courted by Manchester United and Barcelona.
Spanish newspaper Sport claims the Fiorentina forward is being chased by the European duo on the back of a string of impressive performances in Brazil.
Speaking shortly after the tournament, Cuadrado said: ‘I don’t know yet what will happen”.
“At this moment I haven’t received any concrete offers from any club.”
United is said to have already put in a $50m bid, with Barca set to follow suit.
REUS SET TO SNUB LIVERPOOL
Marco Reus is set to snub Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea to instead follow Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich.
Bayern’s feeder club will be reluctant to sell yet another world class talent to the Bavarians, but $50m in the 2015 transfer window is expected to tempt their hand, according to reports in Germany.
The news comes as a blow for Liverpool, who is still looking for a superstar to replace Luis Suarez, following the Uruguayan’s summer move to Barcelona.
CLUBS QUEUE TO LOAN LUKAKU
Juventus will rival Everton for the loan signature of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.
Blues manager Jose Mourinho is still not sold on the Belgian, and with Diego Costa and Fernando Torres on the books and Didier Drogba set to sign, the 21-year-old could again find himself spending a season away from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea meanwhile are holding out for a $45m permanent transfer for a player who has scored 32 goals in two year-long loan spells for West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
REAL Madrid fans will be licking their lips at the star
names being linked to the club this transfer window – but European
rivals shouldn’t despair with a fire sale in the Spanish capital set to
follow to accommodate the spending.
Real president Florentino Perez has obviously been playing too much
Football Manager of late – and has already bought Germany World Cup
winner Toni Kroos for $36m while Colombia World Cup sensation James
Rodriguez is to follow from Monaco for $100m this week.Even for a club with Madrid’s wealth, those transfers would need to be funded by selling assets, and Brendan Rodgers, Arsene Wenger, Manuel Pellegrini and Louis van Gaal could be the beneficiaries.
Those most likely to find themselves on the Bernabeu chopping block are striker Karim Benzema, playmaker Isco, defensive midfielder Sami Khedira and winger Angel Di Maria – not bad for a group of rejects.
The Daily Mail claims Liverpool and Manchester City would pursue Isco should the Spaniard be transfer listed. Brendan Rodgers has cash to spend after the sale of Luis Suarez, while City boss Pellegrini worked with 22-year-old Isco during their time together at Malaga
Rodgers has strengthened his squad since Suarez’s departure to Barcelona, but the Reds manager is yet to sign a world class player. That could change if Real decides to cash in on Frenchman Benzema.
The hitman – who scored three goals at the World Cup – would command a hefty $73m transfer fee while Liverpool would need to shell out $360,000 on his weekly wages.
Arsenal has been in for $36m rated World Cup winner Khedira for some time, and the arrival of Kroos in the Spanish capital should only speed up the sale of a player in the final year of his contract.
Argentina international Di Maria has no shortage of suitors following an impressive tournament in Brazil, despite it being cut short by injury.
Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United was the early frontrunner before Liverpool entered the race for a player valued at $72m. The latest reports from The Express claim Paris Saint-Germain will approach the Spanish side to loan Di Maria, with a view to making the deal permanent in a year’s time.
Hummels close to Old Trafford
Van Gaal can’t replace the experience of departed Red Devils defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but he could do a lot worse than signing Germany centre half Mats Hummels.
And reports from Spain claim the new manager will do just that this week, with the 25-year-old to seal his move from Borussia Dortmund for $29m.
A day after claiming United would continue to spend, United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward left the club’s tour of America to conduct “general business” back in the United Kingdom.
Should he put pen to paper, Hummels would arrive in Manchester off the back of an impressive tournament in Brazil, scoring two goals and shutting Lionel Messi and Argentina out in the final.
Super Mario names his price
Arsenal is keen on signing colourful Mario Balotelli from AC Milan, and the Italian has named his price.
Arsene Wenger’s Gunners will need to shell out $9m annually on the striker’s wages, while a transfer fee of $29m would be enough to tempt the Serie A side to sell their attacker.
Currently on holidays with model girlfriend Fanny Neguesha, the pair posed for a photo in a Puma shop, coincidentally in front of an Arsenal sign.
If Wenger can curb the 23-year-old’s wild streak, he could prove a shrewd signing, while the Premier League neutrals will love having his colourful personality back on show in England.
Xavi to the Big Apple
David Villa has signed, Frank Lampard will join him, and now new MLS side New York City is chasing Barcelona midfield maestro Xavi.
Xavi – who came up through the club’s La Masia academy - looks to have played his last match for the Catalan side after 23 years of service.
Unfortunately for A-League fans, it is unlikely the Spanish World Cup and European Championship winner would follow Villa and Lampard for a stint with Melbourne City in the A-League.
Spurs chase French attacker
Tottenham failed to adequately replace Gareth Bale after the Welshman’s departure to Madrid last season, but new boss Mauricio Pochettino is confident he knows just the man.
Spurs have already lodged one bid for France World Cup winger Antoine Griezmann, but The Telegraph claims the EPL club will need to up their bid to $45m to convince Real Sociedad to sell.
Griezmann’s asking price isn’t the only stumbling block for Tottenham though, with Chelsea and Monaco also interested – with both clubs able to offer something Spurs can’t – Champions League football.
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