One of the rumours that has rumbled on over the summer in the background is the continuing possibility of Gareth Bale returning to the Premier League with Manchester United. Despite it going quiet over the last few weeks, it seems that The Sunday Express are unwilling to let it go, even though Madrid would be looking to get a world record £86 million for the Welsh international.
The talk of David De Gea going the other way also seemed to be over, but The Observer report that Van Gaal is going to tell the board to let the deal go through. That may free up some funds for the aforementioned Bale deal, but the manager is also hopeful of landing a deal for Pedro, whose mother confirmed that the Barcelona man would be headed to Old Trafford according to Spanish radio station Cadena SER. They may also be close to sealing a deal for one of their long term targets, Nicolas Gaitan of Benfica, as The Sunday Express claim it's almost complete.
Arsene Wenger has apparently been given the all clear to spend up to €65 million on securing the signature of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, according to Spanish paper AS, but there are still plenty of difficulties facing them, not least that the Frenchman signed a new deal with the club just last season.
Fernando Llorente looks set to leave Juventus this summer, and while there are a number of clubs interested in his signature, it looks like the Premier League is his likely destination. Stoke and Crystal Palace are rumoured to be interested in the player, who would cost around £8.5 million.
Roberto Soldado looks like he may finally leave White Hart Lane after having a disappointing time there since signing in 2013. Villareal are said to be interested, but Spurs want £12 million for their man, and may need to lower their asking price if they want to make the deal happen.
In other news, Liverpool have finally cut out the middleman and are battling with Southampton for the signature of Barcelona youngster Adam Traore, while Leicester are agreeing personal terms with club record signing Charles Aranguiz after sealing a £10.5 million deal for the Chilean. Saido Berahino is likely to be on the move, and while Spurs were the main club interested, it seems that Newcastle have also gotten involved, as have Manchester City. Charlie Austin is also on Newcastle's radar, but they now face competition from Everton to land the £15 million man. Yannick Bolasie wants Crystal Palace to lower their asking price, as the £25 million tag slapped on him is stalling his move to Spurs. Finally, Sunderland look to be close to a deal for Yann M'Vila, and are also believed to be offering former Milan striker Alexandre Pato (he's still only 25 years old) one last chance at European football with a £5 million deal.
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