2014 Summer Transfer Rumours Mk. II

Barcelona have again turned their attention to Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, according to claims from Spain.

Sport says that Barca are attracted by the Denmark international’s experience, aerial strength, composure on the ball and that he is left-footed.

Barca have had scouts in England monitoring Agger, who they tried to sign last summer. With Carles Puyol leaving Camp Nou in the summer, it is felt Agger is more of a priority this year.

Agger was a target of Tito Vilanova after it was made clear that Paris Saint-Germain wouldn’t sell Thiago Silva, but Liverpool turned down Barca’s €17m offer.

When Vilanova stepped down due to ill health and was replaced by Tata Martino, the search for a new centre-back ceased on the orders of the Coach.

Agger is under contract at Anfield until 2016 and hasn’t always been first-choice under Brendan Rodgers this season. He has made 19 appearances in the Premier League, including 15 starts, a result of injuries and the manager’s selection decisions.

The 29-year-old is on a three-defender shortlist, with Chelsea’s David Luiz and Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao.

Fabio Coentrao will be offered a new Real Madrid contract, according to reports in the Spanish Press.

El Confidencial claim that Los Blancos have been suitably impressed by the Portugal international’s performances in recent weeks, and will attempt to keep the defender by offering him an extension.

The 26-year-old was thought to be one of the names leaving Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, with the likes of Juventus, Milan and Manchester United all interested.

But having performed admirably since Marcelo’s injury, Coach Carlo Ancelotti has backed the club to give Coentrao a new deal.

Negotiations are set to begin soon.

Edin Dzeko continues to be linked with a summer move to Inter, with suggestions this time claiming that the Nerazzurri have offered €20m.

The Bosnia international has been consistently rumoured to be on his way to the Beneamata at the end of the season, with President Erick Thohir making the goalscorer his top priority.

And Sport Mediaset claim on Friday that the San Siro outfit have in fact already tabled €20m to land the Manchester City man.

Dzeko has scored 12 times in the Premier League this term, and it is thought that the Etihad outfit may be reticent to let the 28-year-old leave for said amount.

The forward remains Inter’s number one target, however, they will also look to bring in Fernando Torres from Chelsea and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.

In an interview with Radio Marca, Mexican striker Carlos Vela spoke about his current situation and Real Sociedad, explaining that he’s content with life at the Basque club, but wouldn’t rule out the possibility of returning to Arsenal one day, given they retain an option to re-sign him for just €4 million.

“I’ve always said that I’m very happy and settled here, but we’ll have to see if there’s an agreement reached or not. I’ve good things there and here too. I’m in a place where I’m happy and at the moment, don’t have any intentions of moving on, but if the time comes to leave, I think I’m prepared to try other things. I’ve matured, I’ve changed my way of thinking and I’ve not closed my mind to anything.”

A return to the Premier League could be an attractive proposition, particularly if Arsenal do choose to activate their buyback clause, but Carlos Vela also pointed out that he’s aware of interest from elsewhere too.

“One possibility is my clause of €30 million, but there’s other options and we’re looking at that, to see what we can and can’t do. Arsenal can come back for me at €4 million at any time, which is €1 million more than Real Sociedad paid.

I look at things differently these days and I won’t close the door on Arsenal, or any team in England. I think I’m better prepared to play in another country now.”