Man City close on Raheem Sterling; Radamel Falcao agrees Chelsea move

City eye cheaper deal for Sterling

Raheem Sterling and his agent, Aidy Ward, have made it abundantly clear that the England international will not consider a contract renewal at Anfield this summer, which in effect leaves Liverpool with the simple task of either keeping the forward until 2017 or selling him to the highest bidder.
The Daily Mail reports that Manchester City are increasingly confident that they can chip away at Liverpool's £50 million valuation of the 20-year-old and land Sterling for closer to £40 million, given a lack of genuine interest from elsewhere.
Arsenal and Chelsea are thought to have other priorities this summer, while the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are understandably unlikely to pay anything close to the Reds' asking price given Sterling's lack of experience.
A bidding war would suit Liverpool, but at this rate it seems that City -- who the Manchester Evening News reports will go ahead with their summer spending spree despite fears of being hit with more financial fair play sanctions by UEFA -- are the only side going all-in for the contract rebel.

Manchester City believe that they can sign Raheem Sterling for £40 million instead of Liverpool's £50 million asking price.

There's better news for Liverpool fans as the Express reports that the Reds have entered the race to sign Chartlon "wonderkid" Joe Gomez, and will battle Man City and Arsenal to land the 18-year-old England youth defender for a financial package worth about £8 million.
Meanwhile, the race for Nathaniel Clyne continues in earnest with the Southampton right-back in high demand at both Liverpool and Manchester United.
The 24-year-old is increasingly likely to leave St. Mary's this summer with just 12 months left to run on his Saints contract, and the Mirror reports that Liverpool will return with a renewed bid for the England international having seen an initial offer of £10 million rejected.
Brendan Rodgers needs a new right-sided defensive recruit with Glen Johnson out of contract, but United are also after the same targets with Dani Alves signing a two-year extension at Barcelona .

Falcao agrees Stamford Bridge switch

The wait to discover who will be replacing Didier Drogba at Chelsea back-up striker appears to be over, with the Mirror reporting that Radamel Falcao has agreed to personal terms with the Blues.

The ESPN FC crew react to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's comments about Radamel Falcao and his poor form at Manchester United.

The paper suggests that while the 29-year-old Colombia international has wrapped up his side of the move, Chelsea are still in discussions with Monaco over the nature of the deal.
Jose Mourinho's side reportedly want to take the striker on loan for a year with no fixed deal at the end of the season, although Monaco want to see a permanent agreement of some sort having watched Falcao's loan to Manchester United end in abject disappointment.

Man United closing in on Anderson

Man United are set to step up their chase for Lazio star Felipe Anderson, with The Sun reporting that Louis van Gaal has asked the club to make a £30 million move for the Brazilian midfielder.
Anderson has impressed in Serie A since moving from Santos in 2013, and has earned a big reputation at just 22 years of age with Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Barcelona all linked with his signature.
But United seem determined to move ahead in the race for the midfielder as Van Gaal looks for reinforcements with a potential Champions League campaign laying ahead, with money no object for the Red Devils.

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Further up the field, Robin van Persie is ready to fight for his Old Trafford future but has warned United that he will not be a bit-part player next season.
The Mirror quotes the 31-year-old striker as rather fantastically saying: "I'm totally relaxed. I have a contract with this club until 2016. Things could change now, but that all depends on Manchester United not me. Believe me, I'm relaxed -- I'm not going to be part of a puppet show."
But if United want Carlos Bacca to replace Van Persie next season, the Sevilla star's agent says it is not money, but faith, that may ultimately see the forward snub United and Arsenal for Roma.
The 28-year-old Colombian's agent Sergio Barila told Corriere dello Sport: "Carlo is deeply religious. And in Rome, there is the pope. And apart from that we are talking about one of the best clubs [Roma]."

Real starlet a no-go for Chelsea and United

Raphael Varane is an intriguing proposition for a number of clubs, with the France international struggling to impose himself as first choice at Real Madrid despite his undoubted talent.
While sources told ESPN FC in January that Man United and Chelsea would test Real's resolve over the 22-year-old this summer, Zinedine Zidane -- the man who interrupted Varane's exam revision in 2011 to convince him to move to the Bernabeu -- is confident the centre-back will stay.

Raphael Varane has been tipped to remain at Real Madrid by B-team manager Zinedine Zidane.

The Star reports Zidane as telling RTL: "He is the best French defender, he is the player of the future for France and Real."

Bartra clause to spark transfer battle

One Clasico youngster who may be departing this summer is Marc Bartra, with the Barcelona defender confirming earlier this week that his release clause has now dropped from €25 million to just €12 million after making only 14 La Liga appearances last season.
Spanish newspaper Sport reports that the 24-year-old is a big target for both Bayern Munich and Man City, while Liverpool, Tottenham, Inter and Borussia Dortmund are all in contention for the centre-back's signature given his desire to play more-regular football.
Bartra cryptically said on Saturday regarding a transfer: "We'll see how the situation develops." If that's not a quote to spark a clamour for his services, then we don't know what is.

Tap-ins

- Bas Dost showed his prowess in the Bundesliga for Wolfsburg last season with 16 strikes -- 14 of which came in just nine games -- and the Mirror reports that Newcastle are closing in on the Dutch striker for around £9 million.
AS reports that Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic -- recently linked with Man United -- could replace Dost at Wolfsburg. Not a bad move for either side.
- Leicester are planning for another season in the Premier League after their great escape last term, with Stoke centre-back Robert Huth a £2.5 million target according to the Mirror.
- Tom Huddlestone didn't enjoy the best of run-ins in the Hull midfield as the Tigers were relegated last term, but the Mirror reports that Aston Villa are still interested in the midfielder for a fee of around £5.5 million.
- The list of clubs who want QPR striker Charlie Austin is growing ever longer, with the Evening Standard adding West Ham to Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool and Newcastle among the £15 million-rated forward's suitors.