Gossip: Man Utd 'renew Fabregas interest', Ronaldo 'up for sale' in Real Madrid clearout, Man City 'want Kimmich'
Jose Mourinho and Cesc Fabregas have a complicated relationship, much like Sharon and Phil from EastEnders in many ways.
They’ve have had their ups and downs, for sure – such as when the Spanish midfielder was accused of leading a vicious plot overthrow the Special One prior to his sacking by Chelsea, which was kind of like the time Phil hired some heavies to trash Sharon’s new pub and they ended up putting her in a coma.
But love, or lust, always seems to bring them back together. And today, Mourinho is reportedly making moves to enact another passionate reunion.
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The Times reports on “renewed interest” from Old Trafford in the 30-year-old Fabregas, who United have already tried and failed to sign since Mourinho took the helm.
The Portuguese has apparently been “warned off” bidding for his former player, but Chelsea are only willing to offer Fabregas a one-year extension to his current contract, and the former Barcelona man is demanding two years.
Not for the first time, Cesc could decide that Mourinho is the only man who can give him what he wants. And as for the stuff about him leading a Chelsea revolt, that was apparently all a big misunderstanding, like the time Sharon thought Phil was cheating on her with another woman but he was actually just reconnecting with Kathy Beale on a platonic level.
Real Madrid ‘clearout’
Speaking of old flames, the Mirror is linking Arsenal with yet another bid for Karim Benzema. They just won’t let it go!
The Frenchman will apparently be made available at the end of the season as part of a massive Real Madrid “clearout” that could also see Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Toni Kroos and Luca Modric being put “on the market”.
This news has understandably “pricked up the ears” of Premier League clubs, although those players will probably all end up staying at the Bernabeu or going to Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester City latest’s full-back target is Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, according to the Sun, which says Pep Guardiola is ready to launch a £44m bid for the 22-year-old he previously managed at Bayern Munich.
There are a few teensy obstacles to the deal though. For one, Kimmich is also wanted by Barcelona. For two, Bayern value him at more than £44m. And for three, the Germans have absolutely “no interest” in selling him to anyone. Oh well.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are considering a January move for Napoli’s 25-year-old midfielder Jorginho (Star), Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez is a target for French side Marseille (Mundo Deportivo) and Everton are set to approach Burnley’s Sean Dyche about becoming their new manager “within the next 24 hours” (Sky Sports). Sam Allardyce might be prepared to fight him for it though, literally. They could make millions broadcasting that live on Pay Per View.
