RUMOURS: What the papers say – 12th December

The January transfer window is getting closer and the press are printing their various rumours, which in turn is linking the club with players from past transfer windows, linking new players to the club and before we get to January, we could have over 200 players that the club is apparently looking at, which is some scouting list. There will also be reports of players leaving the club either permanently or on loan. The rumours today were:

The Mirror - Chelsea to revive their interest in Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney

The 28-year-old’s contract is set to expire in just over 18 months, and with Chelsea’s failed pursuit last summer, they will reportedly step up their interest in the player. These rumours just don’t get old. United stuck by their guns in the summer and held onto the player. The club is not going to panic about offering him a new contract and no date has been set for discussions. Personally I don’t see any reason as to why the club would agree to sell him, until a contract has been offered and rejected. Until then Rooney is a United player. Credibility 4/10

The Express – Spurs to loan Erik Lamela to Atlético Madrid paving way for Koke to leave

Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing Erik Lamela could be loaned to La Liga club Atlético Madrid, which in turn could allow Spanish midfielder Koke to leave the Vicente Calderón next month. Manchester United, Liverpool and AC Milan have been targeting Koke this winter ahead of a possible move in January. United manager David Moyes watched the sides 2-0 victory over FC Porto last night and spoke to Atlético Madrid director José Luis Pérez Caminero, which he confirmed with Canal+, but gave not details about what was discussed between the pair. Koke would be a great signing for United. Credibility 5/10

Goal.com – Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder rules out move to Manchester United

Wesley Sneijder has been a name mentioned in every transfer window since the summer of 2010. He is always linked to Manchester United eventually, and whilst many supporters would accept him right now, as let’s face it he is a step up from the current crop of midfielders, it seems certain that he will now stay with Galatasaray after scoring the winning goal against Juventus yesterday. The goal effectively knocked the Italian side into the UEFA Europa League. Sneijder has played down the reports and with his side still being in the UEFA Champions League, and a move would bar him from the rest of the competition, a move is now unlikely. Credibility 9/10

The Mirror – Manchester United step up in their attempt to sign Carvalho

Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho has been on the Manchester United radar for some weeks now. The club has scouted the player for his last six matches, which shows how interested the cpu are in signing the player. Carvalho can play as a defensive midfielder, which is the kind of player United need right now, especially because central defender Phil Jones has been playing in that position, and is the clubs best midfielder right now. It shows the kind of problems the club face. Jones wants to play in defence and should be given that chance. Carvalho, who could be acquired for £20 million, is not cup tied in the UEFA Champions League and would strengthen the side considerably. United purchased both Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani from the Portuguese club. Credibility 7/10

Manchester Evening News – Everton hoping to ward off United interest in Baines and Barkley

Everton are looking into offering their star players new contracts hoping that it was ward of Manchester United in attempts to sign the players. Left-back Leighton Baines was a target for David Moyes in the summer, and for Sir Alex Ferguson the summer before. Speculation suggests that United will go back to the Goodison Park club for the player in January and with rumours of Patrice Evra being offered contracts by Paris St Germain and AS Monaco, a new left-back is something Moyes will need to find. With regards to Ross Barkley, United have been linked with the player and I believe he could step up to the way United play. With him being just 20-years-old, he has certainly come a long way and it is only a matter of time before he ends up at another club. On leaving Everton in the summer, Moyes did warn  chairman Bill Kenright that he would be back for some of their players. He could have been talking about Baines and Barkley, they are the two that United could do with right now and an increase in funds could give new manager Roberto Martinez a decent amount of money to create a team of his own, which could boost Everton with the funds needed for Martinez to build his own Everton side. Credibility 6/10