David de Gea closing on Real Madrid? All the latest news, gossip and done deals

But Man United are certain to play hardball over the fee for De Gea, believing his correct market value to be around £40million.

THE future’s of David de Gea and Iker Casillas are increasingly intertwined as the Manchester United stopper looks set to replace his compatriot at Real Madrid – it’s beginning to seem like a matter of when rather than if.

Swansea have made arguably the most astute signing of the window so far, taking free transfer Andre Ayew from Marseille, while Everton will be worried over the prospect of James McCarthy quitting.

Mourinho to show “the real Falcao”

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly declared that he could well be the man to try and get Radamel Falcao “firing again”.

The Colombian striker is on Copa America duty for the next three weeks, having suffered a miserable season in the Premier League with Manchester United – four goals in 26 games.

However, Chelsea are keen on the 29-year-old, although they won’t be matching his current £265,000-a-week Monaco salary.

Yet while Falcao’s reputation has suffered after his struggles at Old Trafford, Mourinho has reportedly said he hopes to show English football “the real Falcao”

“If I can help Falcao reach his level again, I will do it.

“It hurts me that people in England think that the real Falcao is the one we saw at Manchester United.”

Celtic to sign Odegaard?

Real Madrid are set to let 16-year-old wunderkind Martin Odegaard spend next season out on loan – And Celtic are at the front of the queue.

According to AS, the Norwegian has options in La Liga – Malaga, Villarreal and Real Betis to name three.

However, a reunion with compatriot Ronny Deila – also Odegaard’s coach at former club Stromsgodset – could see him gain both regular experience in the Scottish Premier League, but also a Champions League chance.

Bad news for Arsenal fans

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had been prepared to splash the cash on Porto striker Jackson Martinez this summer – but he may have been beaten to the punch.

The Colombian is set to leave Portugal this summer and his agent has been speaking in recent days about a deal being close. Now, according to la Gazzetta dello Sport, that deal has been agreed – with Martinez heading to AC Milan.

Rossoneri chief Adriano Galliani has reportedly found a deal with the player for a four-year deal on a €3.5million annual salary, with Milan set to embark on a new era with a £25million deal mooted (the player’s buyout clause).

Milan faltered in Serie A last season, well off the top three and the Champions League places. After a number of years of cutting their cloth, it appears they may be about to embark on another major spending spree.

Arsenal’s striker quest continues…

Bastian Schweinsteiger must ask Bayern to leave

Bastian Schweinsteiger will only be sold by Bayern Munich if he specifically ask to leave.

That was the message from the Bundesliga champions’ chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Schweinsteiger has been repeatedly linked with a move to Manchester United, where he could be reunited with former Bayern boss Louis van Gaal.

But Rummenigge insisted the Bavarians have no intention of selling the 31-year-old, and don’t believe he is interested in leaving.

“I don’t know if the story has weight,” told the Daily Mail. “But from our point of view it’s clear: we would only consider a transfer if Bastian were to confront us with a concrete wish. That’s not the case.”

Garry Monk delighted with Ayew signature

Swansea chief Garry Monk has expressed his delight at signing Ghanaian international Andre Ayew.

The 25-year-old has penned a four-year deal at the Liberty Stadium, and Monk is excited at the prospect of working with the former African Footballer of the Year.

“I’m extremely pleased we’ve been able to attract someone of Ayew’s quality to this football club,’’ declared Monk. “It highlights once again just how far this club has grown year on year, not just in Britain, but globally.

“I said when the season ended that I not only wanted to keep the quality we already had within the squad, but to add to it as well. We’ve certainly done that with Ayew’s arrival.

“He will add quality, experience and versatility – which I like – to the squad. The fans should be really excited about seeing him play.

“When I spoke to him recently he was very football motivated and felt Swansea was the right club for him at the moment to develop his game and progress his career.

“We also felt he was the right fit for this club, so both parties are more than happy.’’

Andre Ayew joins Swansea

Andre Ayew says that the “desire” of Swansea City helped him pick the Liberty Stadium over other offers.

Ayew was littered with contract offers following his decision to depart French giants Marseille at the end of his deal.

But it was announced on Wednesday that he had agreed to sign for Swansea, after completing a medical in south Wales.

“The project that the club has for the future is very exciting, and when I spoke to the chairman and manager I felt this was the right place for me.

“I felt that my desire to play in the Premier League and wanting to grow as a player meant that Swansea was the best solution for me in every way.

“Seeing the honesty and desire of the club made me feel that they really wanted me to come. They have proved that in all ways.”

Arsenal transfer round up

Abou Diaby could remain at Arsenal next season despite being released by the club.

According to the Times, the Gunners are considering offering the injury ravaged Frenchman a pay-as-you play contract.

Arsene Wenger is a big fan of the 28-year-old but his injury record means Arsenal didn’t offer him a new deal when his current one expired.

He has played just 22 times in the last four seasons.

Up at the Toon…McClaren wants character

Steve McClaren has demanded that chief scout Graham Carr lands top quality “characters” on Newcastle’s summer spending spree.

With at least £40million to invest in up to six players, the Toon are on the hunt for quality new recruits from the domestic and European market.

New boss McClaren said: “There is expectation here, and 52,000 fans demand a performance. To do that we need characters.

“I’ve had a long chat with Graham. Top of the formula in terms of recruitment is character. Everything starts with that.

“I’ve worked abroad and with foreign players, and I had foreigners at Middlesbrough [when he was manager there a decade ago]. It doesn’t matter where they are from if they have character. That’s what we have to recruit.

“We can’t stand still in football. We can’t just say we’ll make these players better. If you stand still you go backwards.”

Read more from McClaren on targeting trophies, wanting the team and crowd together, and appointed to Newcastle board.

Speaking of Man City..

Manchester City are facing a battle to land summer transfer target Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg.

City have identified the former Chelsea midfielder as one of their three prime targets this summer, along with Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Juventus star Paul Pogba.

De Bruyne admits there has been “informal contact” with City, but Wolfsburg are reluctant to lose the 23-year-old, who was voted the Bundesliga Player of the Year last season.

The German club, who last season finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich and won the German Cup, have offered De Bruyne a new five-year deal worth up to £150,000 a week.

De Bruyne will decide next week whether to accept that new deal, which will also include a buy-out clause of between £45-50million, which can only be activated in 2016.

Manchester City set to splash the cash

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has promised to build a squad that will take the club “to the next level”.

Deposed champions City ended last season empty-handed, with the club set to embark on a £100m-plus spending spree this summer to see them compete for trophies again.

Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne are three of City’s major transfer targets and Khaldoon has promised to attract the quality needed to recapture the title and make a big impression in the Champions League.

“We’ve created a nucleus and we want to preserve that nucleus,” said Khaldoon.

“But at the same time, we want to go to the next level with a squad that has the capability and quality to win the Premier League and compete in and win the Champions League and go all the way in two cup comps in England.

“You will see some changes. Some players who have served us well, but they will move on to the next challenges, while you will see us in the market bringing high quality individuals to fit in with what we are aspiring to become in this summer.

Time’s up for Iker in Madrid

David De Gea’s move to Real Madrid has moved a step closer, with Iker Casillas set to quit the Spanish giants.

Reports from Spain are claiming Real skipper Casillas will leave the 10-time European Cup winners this summer, ahead of the arrival of Manchester Unitedkeeper De Gea.

According to Spanish TV station RTVE, the 34-year-old legend is ready to end his illustrious association with Real, clearing the way for De Gea to take on the mantle of No.1 at the Bernabeu giants.

Real are expected to table a formal bid of around £25million for De Gea in the coming days.

Sources in Spain claim the 24-year-old, who has been at Old Trafford for four years since joining from Real’s Madrid neighbours Atletico, could be unveiled as early as next week.

But Man United are certain to play hardball over the fee for De Gea, believing his correct market value to be around £40million, despite the fact he has just one year left on his current contract.

Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers has been the most active manager in the market so far, securing deals both Danny Ings and James Milner, but where will he cast his eye next?

Gonzalo Higuain remains a target for numerous European clubs, with both Chelsea and Arsenal rumoured to be interested in making a bid for the former Real Madrid striker. – Mirror.co.uk