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Hot Football Transfer Gossip: Higuain wants Liverpool, Barca want Mata, Man Utd want anyone

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Isn’t it always the way that the people you fancy don’t fancy you back, whereas you aren’t remotely interested the ones who actually want to snog you. Turns out that’s Gonzalo Higuain’s problem.

The Napoli striker is a man in demand after scoring 36 goals in 35 league games last season, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all reportedly queuing up to sign him. But Gonzalo apparently only has eyes for their less-attractive mate, Liverpool.

The Mirror reports that the 28-year-old Argentine is trying to forcing an exit from Napoli and wants to move to Anfield even though the Reds failed to qualify for Europe - mainly because he wants to play under Jurgen Klopp. Essentially, it’s the equivalent of fancying a girl who is nothing special to look at but has a good personality. It’s quite sweet actually.

But despite offers flooding in from elsewhere, Higuain’s camp’s are said to be “surprised Liverpool have yet to show any interest”.

Napoli don’t want to let their top scorer go, but the Mirror adds that they would aim to replace him with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku if he does leave.

The latest expensive La Liga star linked with Man Utd is Valencia’s Andre Gomes, with the Star claiming the Red Devils are prepared to meet the 22-year-old midfielder’s £30m asking price. Gomes is represented by Jose Mourinho’s (super) agent Jorge Mendes, as are quite a lot of the players United have been linked with recently.

The Express says Mourinho wants to have at least one signing confirmed by next Sunday, when he takes charge at Old Trafford for the first time since his appointment (albeit in a Soccer Aid charity match).

It seems that Ed Woodward is therefore scrabbling around to buy someone quickly in order to please the Special One before the weekend, with vast amounts of money being hurled at bids for Karim Benzema, Saul Niguez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to name a few.

Although maybe Mourinho will be satisfied if United just sell someone by Sunday, especially if it’s Juan Mata. The Express says Barcelona are ready to make a £25.9m bid for the Spanish midfielder and Mourinho would happily accept it.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign highly rated River Plate defender, Emanuel Mammana, 20, for £8m (Goal), West Ham have had an £11.4m bid for Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra rejected (Tuttosport), Besiktas want to buy Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina for £3m (Mirror) and new Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will refuse to pay “big money” to sign Joe Allen (Daily Record). Even Brendan wouldn’t make that mistake again.

@darlingkevin