We start at Arsenal and the impending signing of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. If the transfer goes through and at this point it looks like it will, Arsenal look to make Higuain the highest paid player at the Emirates. Though Arsenal and Real Madrid are still discussing terms, Arsenal wanting to pay £20m while Madrid are holding out for £25m, it looks to be settled in a matter of days. The Argentinean has been offered upwards of £125,000 per week which will put him above the £90,000 that they were paying Andrey Arshavin.
Manchester City looks to complete a deal for Malaga midfielder Isco before the close of the weekend. Though there is interest from Real Madrid, Isco looks to reunite with manager Manuel Pellegrini. Isco resent said; “I prefer not to comment about my future but the matter could be closed this Sunday.” The deal is to be worth in the neighbor hood of £21m.
Yesterday it was reported that there were tensions between Jose Mourinho and Juan Mata. Today the Chelsea manager has got out in front of rumors and said Mata is going nowhere. As stated yesterday, this rumor did not feel right, mainly because who in their right mind would want to get rid of a talent like Mata. All the talk about Mourinho blocking a pay raise due to the Spanish midfielder is absolute rubbish and this was nothing more than the Spanish media trying to unsettle Mata.
We finish will Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel. It was rumored a couple of weeks back that Skrtel, who had lost his starting spot at Liverpool, was on the move to join former manager and new Napoli boss Rafa Benitez. Skrtel has not submitted a transfer request and it looks like this rumor was born out of the defenders disappointment and frustration over the past year. Skrtel looks to be committed to Liverpool and the Reds have yet to put an asking price on his head. Funnier things have happen in the transfer market, but look for Skrtel to be patrolling the back line at Anfield this coming season.
Source: DSG
