Juventus to provide City escape route for Balotelli – Monday’s Rumour Round-up
Italian champions Juventus are preparing to launch a stunning swoop to bring Manchester City maverick Mario Balotelli back to his homeland in January. The Old Lady are desperate to strengthen their striking options in the new year and have earmarked the volatile 22-year-old as a possible target. Balotelli has found himself behind Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko in the pecking order, while his already prickly relationship with Roberto Mancini continues to fluctuate. Juventus are willing to spend £25 million to bring the Italy striker to Turin when the transfer window re-opens. CaughtOffside
Arsenal to rival Man City for Llorente – Arsenal will join Manchester City in the chase for much sought after Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente when the transfer window re-opens in January. The 27-year-old is out of contract next summer and has already hinted that he will look to leave the Spanish club before then with several of Europe’s top sides interested in signing him. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is still keen to bring a target man to the Emirates Stadium despite spending £12 million on Oliver Giroud and will rival City counterpart Roberto Mancini for Llorente’s signature. Bilbao are likely to cash in on their prized asset should he fail to sign a new deal before 2013 with Juventus and AC Milan also monitoring the 6ft 5ins Spain forward. Metro
Four Premier League clubs battling for Isco signature – Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are all in the running to sign Malaga star Isco. The 20-year-old Spaniard has caught the eye with some dazzling displays in La Liga and has also interested Italian champions Juventus. Liverpool and Spurs are set to make the first move, in what could turn into an almighty transfer saga, by trying to broke a cut-price deal with the cash-strapped La Liga side. Despite having a £16 million release clause it’s thought Malaga would be willing to negotiate a lower fee given their perilous financial situation. Daily Mirror
Arsenal to reignite Hangeland interest – Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is on red alert after it was revealed that Brede Hangeland has yet to sign a new contract at Fulham. The Norwegian defender has become a mainstay in the Cottagers back four since arriving from FC Copenhagen in 2008 but his current deal expires next summer. Wenger has always been a keen admirer of the 31-year-old and could make a swoop to bring him to the Emirates Stadium in January should his future remain unresolved. Metro
