Man United Scout Four Defensive Targets Including Mats Hummels And Premier League Duo

With Manchester United having thrown enough money at their attack to make it work again, they are now looking to move on and improve their defence.

The Red Devils have been linked to a number of top names over the last month, with moves looking likely to happen in both January and the summer.


Here are four of the most heavily linked players to Old Trafford...

Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao



The French centre-back has been linked with the Old Trafford side by the Metro.

He would be available for £32 million pounds and at 20-years-old could be a long term option for the Red Devils. He would be an improvement on the current crop of centre-backs, with Phil Jones and Jonny Evans currently finding it hard to fit in to the new style of play being played by manager Louis van Gaal.

Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa



The Dutchman impressed at the World Cup, where he was working under the current Man Utd manager. He has since been rumoured to be a target.

At 29 he isn't getting any younger, but he would be cheaper than the other choices. He would also be used to Louis van Gaal's methods and management style.

Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund



The World Cup winner is apparently United's number one transfer target, according to the Metro.

Another centre back who could come in to shore up the leaky defence, Hummels is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. This would make him perfect for the playing style van Gaal is enforcing. At 25, he would be another long term option, and the Old Trafford hierarchy are willing to part with up to £40 million to get their man.

Winston Reid, West Ham



The New Zealander has shot to prominence after playing a key part in Sam Allardyce's West Ham revival. Due to this he has been linked to a number of clubs, including Manchester United.

With his current contract finishing at the end of the season and stalling on a new deal, the Hammers might be willing to let him go in January. However, they are still hopeful of getting him to sign on for a few more years before it come to that. Alongside Ron Vlaar, the 26-year-old could be another cheap option for the Red Devils.

Former Liverpool And England Goalkeeper David James Auctions Possessions After Being Declared Bankrupt

Having been declared bankrupt in May, David James is having to sell memorabilia to service his debts.

The former England goalkeeper split with his wife Tanya in 2005, and has since blown his £20 million fortune according to the Daily Mail.

James is auctioning off signed match worn shirts from his time with clubs such as Portsmouth, Liverpool and the national side, as well as other assorted items such as his collection of over 1800 vinyl records, a bicycle and a chainsaw.


James' goods will be available for the public to bid on through Kentauctioneer Hilco between November 6th -18th.

13 Massive Moves That Could Happen In the January Transfer Window Including Trio of Arsenal Targets, Massive Potential Liverpool Signing and Chelsea Coup

Marcos Reus (Borussia Dortmund to Liverpool)

The 25 year old has repeatedly linked with a move away from the Westfalenstadion and Liverpool are known to be interested and could well do with a fresh goal-scoring option. The fact that Borussia Dortmund are languishing near the foot of the Bundesliga should hasten his desparture.



Jay Rodriguez (Southampton to Tottenham)

Ronald Koeman has managed just fine without the England man, who is nearing full fitness after six months out injured, and as such a fresh move from former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino is more than likely to succeed. Tottenham need a new striker and Jay Rodriguez may be the ideal man for the job.



Andre-Pierre Gignac (Marseille to Arsenal)

The French international is the top scorer in Ligue 1 but is out of contract next summer and has been strongly linked with a summer exit and we can well see Arsene Wenger making his interest known. Gignac could be a cost effective option and would leave Arsenal able to cash-in on Lukas Podolski or Olivier Giroud.



Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC to QPR)

Veteran forward wants to move back to the Premier League and we can well see Harry Redknapp reuniting with his former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham charge as he seeks to strengthen his squad in January. Defoe could be the man to help the Loftus Road side pull clear of the relegation zone.



Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus to Arsenal)

Arsenal have had a wealth of injury concerns this term and long term injury to new signing Mathieu Debuchy leaves the door open to a move for the Swiss international who is well into the final year of his Juventus contract.



Benedikt Howedes (Schalke to Man United)

Adaptable defender is a player Louis van Gaal is known to be tracking and the World Cup winner is keen on a fresh challenge and has spoken of his desire to play overseas and would surely be tempted by a move to Old Trafford. The German international can play at left-back and centre-back.



Gerard Pique (Barcelona to Chelsea)

Spaniard is apparently a player Luis Enrique is willing to sell and Jose Mourinho sees the Nou Camp star as a potential long term replacement for John Terry. In previous seasons the 27 year old has been a regular but has started just five of Barcelona's ten La Liga fixtures this term. Barcelona's transfer ban may of course be an issue.



Winston Reid (West Ham to Liverpool)

Brendan Rodgers has seen his defence struggle this term and New Zealand international Reid would be a relatively cheap and effective way to remedy the situation. The 26 year old is out of contract next summer and is keen on a move to a 'bigger' club and a move to Anfield may be a perfect fit both player and club.



Saido Berahino (West Brom to Tottenham)

West Brom want £25m but that may not prove too steep a price for a Tottenham side who have spent bigger sums on failed forwards, Roberto Soldado being a recent example. The England Under 21 international has already bagged seven Premier League goals this term and is a player with a very bright future.



Sami Khedira (Real Madrid to Arsenal)

German is not part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans and is now suffering the indignity of training with the reserve with a January exit seeming more and more likely. Khedira would be a superb signing for Arsene Wenger to pursue, offering Arsenal genuine steel and guile in the centre of the park.



Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund to Man United)

Another Borussia Dortmund star who could look to move on in January in view of his side's horrific Bundesliga form and Man United could well be the side that benefits. Louis van Gaal urgently needs a central defensive leader and the German international, though not cheap, would be the best option to pursue.



Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa to Man United)

Another possible defensive option for van Gaal to consider, Vlaar being a player the Man United boss knows well from his time in charge of the Dutch national team. The 29 year old would be far cheaper than Hummels as he is in the last year of his Aston Villa contract so a lot could depend on just what sort of budget he is handed to invest in his squad.



Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich to Tottenham)

The Swiss international is criminally underused at the Allianz Arena and the 23 year old will not want to warm the bench much long and Tottenham are known to be keen on bringing in the winger on a loan deal. Such a move makes good sense for all parties and Mauricio Pochettino may feel Shaqiri can provide some added quality in the final third as he looks to secure a top four finish.

Arsenal Star Insists Players Are to Blame for Champions League Draw With Anderlecht

Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain thinks that it was the players fault that the team let slip a three goal lead on Tuesday night, reports the Metro.

The winger believes that he and his teammates became complacent and didn't focus for the full ninety minutes. They should have closed down the Anderlecht wingers before they were able to deliver the crosses that led to to the Belgian team's three goals.

The England international also says that a lesson has been learnt, and that they have to make sure that it doesn't happen again. He claims that they should have known better having been in a similar position when they came back from a goal down to beat Anderlecht last week.

"They were simple goals, we need to stop crosses... It is hard to put our finger on what went wrong, maybe a bit of complacency there. When you are 3-0 up you cant afford to have any complacency at this level because you get punished.

"We were at Anderlecht a couple of weeks ago in a similar position to what they are now so we should know better than anyone that the game is not over until the final whistle."

"This is a hard lesson that we cant be complacent and we have to go into those games with full focus for the 90 minutes and get the job done."

The Gunners will be hoping for a reaction when they face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium next Sunday. Manager Arsene Wenger will be hoping for a win so that his team stay in the top four over the international break.

Tottenham Plot Ambitious January Bayern Munich Raid

White Hart Lane side chase Swiss international.

Tottenham are planning a loan for underused Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri according to the Daily Star.

The 23 year old Swiss international, who netted a hat-trick at the 2014 World Cup finals, has struggled to retain a foothold in Pep Guardiola's first team set-up and may be ready to quit the Bundesliga side in pursuit of regular action.

Liverpool had been keen on signing the former FC Basel man over the summer but Shaqiri opted to fight for his place at Bayern Munich, a fight that now looks a little futile.

Shaqiri started 13 Bundesliga fixtures in his first season at the club and this reduced to just ten last term and thus far this campaign he has managed just three starts and was subbed on two of thos occasions.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino could well do with fresh effective options in the final third as he looks to secure a top four finish and Shaqiri may see a short term move as a good shop window for his services with Juventus and Galatasaray also said to be tracking the wide-man.

UEFA Champions league results

Juventus3 - 2 Olympiakos
Malmo FF0 - 2 Atletico Madrid
Basel4 - 0 PFC Ludogorets Razgrad
Real Madrid1 - 0 Liverpool
Zenit St. Petersburg1 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen
Benfica1 - 0 Monaco
Arsenal3 - 3 Anderlecht
Borussia Dortmund4 - 1 Galatasaray

Liverpool Club Legend Offered Insulting New Contract On Slashed Wages

Liverpool's owners have made their initial contract offer to their captain.

The contract battle between Steven Gerrard and Liverpool began in earnest last week, with the midfielder telling the press he was keen to stay at Anfield, and was just waiting to be offered a new deal.

Liverpool's American owners have now responded with a low-ball bid that will see the star's current £180,000-per-week deal significantly slashed.

According to the Daily Star, Gerrard will be offered a two-year deal, earning £90,000-per-week in its first year, then £60,000-per-week in its second.

The deal puts the ball back in the club legend's court: does he take the lower offer and prove his love for the club runs deeper than the money, or does he leave for potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere?

The Merseyside club's offer also includes a clause which would allow Gerrard to take up a coaching role when the playing part of the contract expires in 2017.

The Daily Star's report on the situation suggests that the Liverpool skipper is looking for wages closer to his current weekly salary, and thus won't be happy with the offer on the table.

Gerrard has been linked with a variety of moves once his contract expires, with pundits speculating about a move to the MLS or to Italy.

The former England midfielder has had an up-and-down season, with some good performances overshadowed by his sides' troubles.

50 Best Players Of The 21st Century: Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi Alongside Arsenal, Man United & Chelsea Legends

In no particular order, 50 modern greats of the game: the best footballers in the world since the start of the 21st century...

50) Fernando Torres

49) Yaya Toure

48) Rio Ferdinand

47) Robin van Persie

46) Michael Ballack

45) Karim Benzema

44) Neymar

43) David Beckham

42) Luis Figo

41) Petr Cech

40) Bastian Schweinsteiger

39) Angel Di Maria

38) Paolo Maldini

37) Paul Scholes

36) Xabi Alonso

35) John Terry

34) Ashley Cole

33) Kaka

32) Dennis Bergkamp

31) Didier Drogba

30) Sergio Ramos

29) Steven Gerrard

28) Wayne Rooney

27) Frank Lampard

26) Carles Puyol

25) Fabio Cannavaro

24) Gareth Bale

23) Clarence Seedorf

22) Luis Suarez

21) Philipp Lahm

20) Ronaldo

19) Alessandro Del Piero

18) Francesco Totti

17) Deco

16) David Villa

15) Samuel Eto'o

14) Ryan Giggs

13) Patrick Vieira

12) Iker Casillas

11) Zlatan Ibrahimovic

10) Gianluigi Buffon

9) Andrea Pirlo

8) Raul

7) Ronaldinho

6) Andres Iniesta

5) Xavi

4) Thierry Henry

3) Zindeine Zidane

2) Cristiano Ronaldo

1) Lionel Messi

Chelsea Captain John Terry Bravely Vows To Try And Lower Ticket Prices

This is in the same week that Jose Mourinho complained about the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea captain John Terry has promised to lobby the club's board on ticket prices, reports the Telegraph.

The former England skipper also added that his teammates, and manager Jose Mourinho will help him to put pressure on the club hierarchy to change its pricing policy.

This is following fan uproar about comments from manager Jose Mourinho claiming that the supporters don't give his team enough backing at their home ground. The fans responded with accusations that ordinary followers had been priced out of attending games.

One young supporter, Joe Davies, went as far as to send a message to Terry on Instagram. To his surprise the 33-year-old responded asking for his phone number, and then rang him to say that he would see what he could do.

Davies was complaining after he used to be able to get a ticket for £15, but now that he is an adult the price has sky rocketed.

He told the Telegraph, "Now I'm 18, I'm expected to pay £50 for a game against Hull, even though I'm only on an apprenticeship at the moment." He says that the Chelsea legend agreed that it was "ridiculous."

Liverpool Predicted XI V Newcastle: Fabio Borini To Start Up Top With Mario Balotelli

Here's how we think Brendan Rodgers will line his Liverpool side up for the away trip to St. James' Park on Saturday lunchtime...

Following two goals in the final five minutes of the League Cup win against Swansea using the diamond formation, Rodgers could play two up top from the beginning against the Magpies.

GK) Simon Mignolet

The Belgian goalkeeper is certain to replace Brad Jones between the sticks for the Premier League tie.



DR) Javier Manquillo

The young Spaniard is outperforming Glen Johnson at right-back right now, and could earn the nod once again.



DL) Alberto Moreno

Moreno was rested midweek, but should return to start starting lineup, and provide pace and thrust down the left flank.



DC) Martin Skrtel

The Slovakian will be desperate to improve on his relationship with Lovren at the back, and keep back-to-back clean-sheets for the first time this Premier League season.



DC) Dejan Lovren

With Mamadou Sakho injured, Lovren will continue at the heart of defence. He's played every Premier League minute so far.



DMC) Steven Gerrard

The skipper, barring late injury, will play at the base of the diamond, with young German Emre Can available from the bench.



MC) Jordan Henderson

The engine of the side, Henderson provides a defensive and offensive contribution in the centre.



MC) Coutinho

Rodgers would be mad to leave the Brazilian magician out, who's been easily Liverpool's best player in recent weeks.



AMC) Raheem Sterling

Sterling was rested for the League Cup tie, and should return to the starting lineup - possibly in his favoured no.10 position.



FC) Mario Balotelli

The Italian scored midweek, and will be delighted with a strike partner to play alongside if Rodgers grants him one.



FC) Fabio Borini

Borini's work-rate and enthusiasm is greater than Lambert's, and following his promising performance against Swansea, he could get his second Premier League start of the campaign.

Newcastle Boss Alan Pardew Terrified Of Liverpool Striker Balotelli

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is extremely wary of the threat posed by Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli when the two teams meet this lunchtime, report the Express, despite the fact that the Italian is yet to score a Premier League goal for the club since signing from AC Milan this summer.

The Magpies are looking for a third straight victory after successive shock results on the road at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, but under fire manager Pardew is concerned about the threat posed by Balotelli after he bagged his first goal in domestic football in the League Cup against Swansea City this week:

"When I've seen the really, really big games come along, he has delivered for Italy and Manchester City."

"Big games turn him on a little bit. It's the other games that you really need to focus on and that's probably an area he needs to improve."

"We're a big game. We are on the television and he's under a lot of pressure, so I'm very wary of him because he can deliver on those days."

Man United Manager Van Gaal Says City Look Vulnerable Ahead Of Manchester Derby

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has suggested that local rivals City could be there for the taking on Sunday, report the Daily Star, as the build up continues ahead of what is sure to be a tense and thrilling Manchester derby.

City have endured a frustrating week, with successive shock defeats against West Ham United in the Premier League and Newcastle United in the League Cup leaving manager Manuel Pellegrini under a degree of pressure - and van Gaal believes that City are vulerable, replying thus when asked:

"It looks like it in the last few games."

"But they are also in a process like Manchester United. But maybe they were also a little bit unlucky in these last three games."