Tottenham step-up chase for Barcelona star Andre Gomes while Manchester United keep tabs on Radja Nainggolan

David Cooper - Writer 09:47 18/09/2017
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  • Gomes is wanted by Tottenham.

    The transfer window may not open again until January 1 2018 but that hasn’t put an end to plenty of speculation throughout Europe.

    Here, we take a look at three big stories dominating the headlines on Monday.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Let us know your thoughts.

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    SPURS EYE MOVE FOR BARCA STAR

    Tottenham are set to bid for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes in the January transfer window, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to strengthen his side.

    The Portuguese star, who featured regularly for Blaugrana last term but is deemed surplus to requirements by Ernesto Valverde this season, is high on Spurs’ wishlist as they look at options to either secure his services on loan or weigh-up a bid in the region of £20m.

    With the World Cup on the horizon next summer, Gomes needs to be playing regular football and a switch to the Premier League in four months’ time could reignite his spark.

    While the north London club are also tracking Ross Barkley, it is thought, according to The Sun, that Gomes is Spurs’ first-choice target.

    The former Benfica and Valencia man was brought in last summer as the new ‘Andres Iniesta’ but that hasn’t quite materialised, with it now being likely he won’t see out his five-year contract with the club.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT
    This move appears to be a definite go-er with Barcelona being happy to cash in on the 24-year-old and Spurs looking to bolster their strength in depth in midfield.

    NAINGGOLAN ATTRACTING UNITED

    Manchester United are targeting Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick, according to the Daily Star.

    The Red Devils reportedly sent a scout to Roma’s 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last week to monitor the Belgian international.

    Carrick, 36, is expected to retire at the end of the season.

    RATING: 4/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT
    The 29-year-old snubbed an approach from United and Chelsea in the latest transfer window, citing he is happy in Roma.

    Having recently penned a new long-term deal with the Serie A side until 2021, it looks unlikely that any big fee will lure him away from Stadio Olimpico.

    ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma looks on during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Olimpico on September 16, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

    Nainggolan is reportedly happy in Serie A.

    BALE READY TO FIGHT FOR FUTURE

    Following his superb solo goal in Real Madrid’s victory at Real Sociedad, Gareth Bale insists he is ready to banish the boo-boys and focus on his Los Blancos future.

    The flying winger, who was widely tipped to move back to the Premier League and join Manchester United this summer, now seems to be back to his best.

    After being jeered by his own fans in Madrid’s 3-0 Champions League win over APOEL Nicosia in midweek for an underwhelming start to the season, particularly in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence due to a five-game ban, Bale is insistent he will silence the doubters.

    “It’s normal, it happens in football,” Bale told Spanish TV station Movistar of the criticism that has come his way.

    “For me obviously I just have to try to keep my head down and keep working hard. That’s all I can do.

    “I can’t control what goes on, I can only control how hard I work on the pitch.

    “You go through ups and downs in your career, but it is how you bounce back.”

    RATING: 2/10
    SPORT360 VERDICT
    Zinedine Zidane admitted post-match that Bale is still a key part of Madrid’s plans so don’t expect the ex-Spurs ace to move on anytime soon.

    SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF (C) celebrates with his team mates Borja Mayoral (L) and Carlos Enrique Casimiro after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at Anoeta stadium on September 17, 2017 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

    Getting back to his best: Bale.

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