Gossip column: Gabriel Barbosa keen on joining Man Utd, Claudio Bravo to fly into Manchester this week

Posted Wednesday, August 17, 2016 by squawka.com

Chelsea are considering a move for £20m-rated Jonas Hector. Antonio Conte is searching for a new left-back after letting Baba Rahman go on loan to Schalke and the Blues are not put off by the fact the Germany international, who was previously targeted by Liverpool, has recently signed a new contract with Koln. (Daily Mirror)

Gabriel Barbosa, after learning Man United are keen on signing him, has made it clear he wants to move to Old Trafford this summer. Man United are ready to push for a £30m deal for Brazilian wonder-kid Barbosa in the next two days. Leicester City, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich have shown interest and the Foxes thought they had their man, but Jose Mourinho will table a mammoth bid. (The Sun)

James Rodriguez's future is up in the air at Real Madrid and the Colombian attacking midfielder could leave for Chelsea. The Blues are willing to splash €90 million on Los Blancos' No.10. (Sport)

Manchester United target Jose Fonte has received an approach from Arsenal. The Southampton captain, who helped win Euro 2016 with Portugal in the summer, is a known target of Mourinho, but with United needing to make room before signing him and Arsenal's transfer for Shkodran Mustafi stalling, the Gunners have also enquired about Fonte. (ESPN FC)

In their ongoing pursuit of a centre-back, Arsenal have also been offered Aymen Abdennour. The Gunners prefer Mustafi, but Valencia are stalling on a deal and have instead suggested Abdennour, who is also a target for former Valencia manager Ronald Koeman at Everton. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham Hotspur could swap Clinton N'Jie for Georges-Kevin N'Koudou. With Marseille in turmoil, negotiations stalled in July over the £11m fee for N'Koudou but the player's agent has now opened talks again. The French club are keen on taking N'Jie and with a new president appointed could finish the deal. (London Evening Standard)

Spurs are interested in signing Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon. Both Arsenal and Liverpool have already made enquires about the 16-year-old and the Championship club are thought to want a larger fee than the £3 million that has already been discussed. Sessegnon has been developed by Huw Jennings, who worked with Gareth Bale at Southampton, prompting comparisons. (London Evening Standard)

Liverpool have rejected a £30m bid from Crystal Palace for Christian Benteke. Palace upped a previous bid of £25 million to one of £23 million up-front with a further £7 million in potential add-ons. Benteke wants to leave the club, but Liverpool are determined to recoup all of the £32.5 million they paid Aston Villa last summer for him. (BBC Sport)

Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian is wanted by both Roma and Napoli. The Italian defender joined United last summer from Torino, and although he made 28 Premier League appearances, he is not in Mourinho's plans for this season. Anthony Valencia's emergence at right-back has seen him fall in the pecking order and the Italian clubs think they can lure him back to Serie A. (Sky Sports)

Finally, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is expected to fly into Manchester this week to complete his transfer to Man City. Barcelona and the Citizens are close to agreeing a transfer worth £21m and once a fee has been agreed, the South American will be cleared to fly into the United Kingdom. (Independent)