Silly season is well underway following the official opening of the summer windowÂearlier this month, withÂtransfer rumours are flying in and outÂwithÂincredible velocity here at Football Fancast.So quickly, in fact, that we’re struggling to keep track of them all. You probably are too, and thusÂwe thought it would be a good idea to start compiling all the rumours involving the Premier League’s top clubs into one place, trimmed down into easily digestible chunks via a classic Three In, Three Out format.This is Football Fancast’s second edition regarding Manchester United – check out last week’s here – amid a window in which the Old Trafford outfit are expected to match their rather monolithic £150million spend from last summer.That saw the Red Devils smash the record for a single Premier League transfer fee on £59.7million man Angel Di Maria and the record for overall spend by an English club in a single window.So will we see more of the same this year? Check out this week’s edition to find out!

OUT – ROBIN VAN PERSIE

Football Fancast reported on Manchester United’s intentions to sell Robin van Persie in last week’s edition of Three in, Three Out and as far as we’re aware, the situation hasn’t changed.

Indeed, RVP boasts a more than respectable return of 57 goals in 105 appearances for the Red Devils, firing them to their last Premier League title during the 2012/13 campaign, but now 31 years of age, United are expected to trade him in for a younger model this summer.

Currently, the Old Trafford outfit are struggling to find a buyer. Rumoured suitors Lazio and Galatasaray both ruled themselves out of the race to sign the former Arsenal talisman last week.

Van Persie, however, has been surprisingly honest about his future at Carrington, telling reporters earlier this week that he could leave United to enhance his chances of making it into the Netherlands’ squad for Euro 2016.

“When I signed for United, I knew these kinds of [reports] would appear. Next year is the European Championship. That tournament is going to play a big role in the choice I will make,” the striker is quoted as saying by The Express.

“I have to be in my best form. But most important is the wish of my wife and children. Whatever I do Bouchra, Shaqueel and Dina Layla are the highest of my priorities. They have to be happy.”

IN – CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

Louis van Gaal’s lust for added firepower has reportedly thrust Manchester United towards Christian Benteke, who ended last season with a scintillating run of twelve goals in 13 appearances – including a Premier League hat-trick against QPR.

According to reports from talkSPORT on Monday, the Red Devils have launched an enquiry into the Belgium international’s availability, coinciding with claims from Sky Sports News that he’s rejected the chance to extend his Aston Villa contract past 2017:

Currently, however, Liverpool are proving the most proactive in courting the beastly 6 foot 3 front-man’s signature. According to reports from Mirror Football yesterday evening, they’re preparing a £25million-plus-incentives offer after seeing a prior £22million bid rejected.

The Villains, on the other hand, remain adamant any suitor must activate the 24 year-old’s £32.5million release clause.

OUT – Angel Di Maria

Despite arriving at Manchester United only last summer for a record-shattering £59.7million fee and finishing his first Premier League campaign with a by-no-means-unacceptable return of three goals and ten assists in 28 appearances, Angel Di Maria’s future at Old Trafford remains surprisingly ambiguous.

Louis van Gaal demoted the Argentina international to the bench for the latter portion of last season, which appears to have triggered interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG – who tried to sign him last summer until Financial Fair Play regulations stood in the way. Even four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has got involved, according to The Telegraph.

Di Maria, however, has vowed to stay on at Old Trafford despite links to Europe’s biggest clubs. As quoted by The Daily Mail, he told reporters earlier this week; “I came with an intention and end up on the bench. It’s hard to say how I feel there.

“I started well with goals and assists. I was having a good time, until I was out. It’s a little hard to explain why I do not play.

“No [I will not leave] because I’m not thinking like that. In Madrid there were times when I was whistled around the stadium but faced it and then it turned around. I like to deal with things.”

And the chances of a move away have been further reduced by news that Di Maria’s transfer from Real Madrid last summer included a clause that will only allow him to return to the Spanish top flight for £85.6million.

IN – Morgan Schneiderlin

On Wednesday, in-demand Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin made the audacious claim that he could leave the St. Mary’s outfit before pre-season training starts again next week.

The tabloids remain fairly unanimous on the three clubs reportedly in for the France international – who averaged the second-most tackles per match, 3.7, of any Premier League player last season – namely Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.

But a lack of Champions League football has allegedly ruled Spurs out of the equation, whilst Arsene Wenger is reluctant to spend big on a holding player (Schneiderlin is reportedly valued at £24million by the Saints) following the meteoric emergence of Francis Coquelin at the end of last season.

That leaves the Red Devils as the only club left in the frame – leading Mirror Football to claim the 25 year-old will almost certainly be turning up at Old Trafford next week.

It coincides with quotes from Germany regarding another United target, Bastian Schweinsteiger. Mannschaft icon Franz Beckenbauer has advised the World Cup-winning midfielder to stay on at the Allianz Arena for a few more years before moving to the MLS.

OUT – DAVID DE GEA

It’s another transfer rumour Football Fancast reported on last week and it’s cropped up yet again – largely due to the fact David De Gea’s long awaited move to Real Madrid already seems to have passed the point of no return.

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Last week game news that Los Blancos had ramped up their interest in the PFA Player of the Year nominee due to Keylor Navas picking up a rather nasty Achilles injury at the Copa America which could see him sidelined for the next six months, whilst EuroSport claimed the 24 year-old is determined to ensure the seemingly immovable Iker Casillas will be booted out of the Bernabeu as soon as he signs on the dotted line.

Further updates on the lengthy transfer saga arrived this morning. According to The Daily Mail, United are demanding £35million for De Gea, which would make him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, smashing Gigi Buffon’s current record of £33million.

Real Madrid, however, intend to open bidding at just £13million – knowing that the Spain international won’t be extending his United contract past the end of next season, when he’ll be available on a free transfer.

IN – SERGIO RAMOS

It’s probably the biggest story of the week in both the Premier League and La Liga – the bizarre series of circumstances which have lead Manchester United to bid £35million for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

It follows claims from Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo last week, who alleges he was offered the decade-serving Blanco and 2010 World Cup winner as an ‘electoral asset’ in his campaign to become the top dog at the Nou Camp. The presidential election is on July 18th.

Those allegations, which appear to be true, have cast serious doubts over the 29 year-old’s future at the Bernabeu, whilst leading to revelations of his disillusionment over a current net salary of £4million per year.

He’d certainly address United’s need for an experienced centre-half with quality on the ball. But amid reports from ESPN claiming Real Madrid intend to block any bid for the Spain international, skeptics will wonder whether United are simply putting pressure on the La Liga outfit to get a better deal for David De Gea.

As reported by The Mirror, Southampton are interested in signing Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge on loan during this month’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

As 2018 arrives, with it comes all the drama and intrigue of the January transfer window as English Premier League clubs seek to leverage their wealth to add talent that can see their sides climb up the table.

For Southampton it’s a big opportunity to focus on key deficiencies in Mauricio Pellegrino’s squad, with their misfiring attacking options seen as a priority for supporters.

One man Saints are said to be interested in is Daniel Sturridge.

That’s according to The Mirror, who say the club are seeking a loan deal for the Liverpool striker.

There is a complication though, with the paper reporting that the player himself is worried his club will only let him leave on a permanent deal and the Reds rate him at £25m.

Can Southampton convince the Anfield club that giving the player regular football is in everyone’s best interest?

What Southampton need?

Southampton have scored a miserable 20 goals in 21 Premier League matches so far this season, not the kind of scoring record that propels a team into the top half of the table where supporters want to be.

Mauricio Pellegrino has taken a pragmatic approach to life at St Mary’s, but adding more talented attackers could persuade him to deploy more dynamic, attacking tactics.

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Daniel Sturridge, despite his injury issues, is a proven top-flight goalscorer at Anfield, netting 64 times in 133 appearances for his club. That kind of attacking contribution would go down a treat on the south coast, especially if he is motivated to force his way into England’s World Cup plans.

A loan move for the player seems like a no risk strategy from Southampton’s perspective and if they can convince Liverpool it’s a deal worth doing then it could work out perfectly for all involved.

Hearts confirmed on Thursday afternoon that they have completed the loan signing of former Rangers star Steven Naismith from English Championship side Norwich City.

The Scotland international will join Craig Levein’s outfit until the end of the season and will provide a major boost to the squad at Tynecastle.

Rated at £3.6m by Transfermarkt, signing Naismith could be seen as a coup for the Jam Tarts, especially given reports that Rangers themselves were his preferred destination.

Rangers fans though aren’t fussed he’s made the move to Edinburgh instead of Glasgow, believing that if Graeme Murty truly wanted him at Ibrox then he would be at the club right now.

Naismith enjoyed a successful spell at Rangers, winning trophies before leaving the club amidst financial meltdown in 2012. That exit left a bitter taste with supporters and many are happy he won’t be returning.

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Fans took to Twitter this week to share their thoughts on his arrival at Hearts…

In the last few seasons, there has been little to celebrate for Arsenal.Even recent FA Cup glory has failed to listen the mood of the supporters, many of whom are keen for a change in management.Arsene Wenger has been in charge for the past two decades and has had a glittering career transforming the North London outfit into a Premier League force.However, the team have not mounted a serious title challenge for years, and this season they are currently eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.Not to mention, the Gunners are a mammoth 23 points adrift of leaders Manchester City, who suffered their first league defeat of the season in a 4-3 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.The next few weeks could be crucial with regards to how Arsenal’s season pans out.According toÂThe Guardian, the Gunners’ star player Alexis Sanchez is on the verge of joining Manchester United, which would mean that the club have strengthened a direct rival, much like they did in 2012 by selling Robin van Persie to the Red Devils.Numerous first-team players, including Mesut Ozil, are out of contract in the summer and will be eligible to leave the club for free at the end of the season.On top of that, Arsenal’s winless league run extended to three matches on Sunday when the team were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.Kevin Campbell, who played for the Gunners between 1988 and 1995, tweeted a very honest view of the team’s current state.

Manchester United have scrapped plans to move for Tottenham Hotspur left-back Danny Rose, according to The Independent.

What’s the word?

The England international has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford for some time.

The 27-year-old seemed destined to leave Tottenham after heavily criticising the club prior to the start of the season.

In the end, the left-back stayed but rumours have constantly been rumbling over his long-term future at the North London outfit.

One club who will not swoop for Rose this month is United, according to The Independent.

The publication claims that Jose Mourinho has scrapped plans to sign a new left-back as he has been impressed with the form of Luke Shaw.

The former Southampton star was banished in the early stages of the season, but in his last six outings in all competitions, the 22-year-old has played the full 90 minutes.

What does this mean for Rose?

It seems that Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has no issue with the left-back, as he has insisted as much publicly.

However, some of the fans have not forgiven Rose for his outburst, in which he slammed the club’s transfer policy and wage structure.

Since recovering from a long-term knee injury, the full-back has made nine appearances in all competitions.

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He has not featured, though, since Tottenham’s 5-2 win over Southampton on Boxing Day due to injury, but he is expected to return soon.

As far as his future at the club goes, the England international still possesses the ability to perform well, but in his absence, Ben Davies stepped up to the plate and has proven that Tottenham can survive without Rose.

According to German media publication Sport Bild, Manchester United are ready to battle Premier League rivals Liverpool and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for the signing of Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic, whose market value is €45m (£40m) according to the report.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Sport Bild says that the 19-year-old is viewed as the biggest gem in the squad, and Dortmund manager Michael Zorc wants him to stay at least until the end of his contract in 2020, and after that too with plans to extend his current deal.

However, Sport Bild says that their resolve may be tested by United, Jurgen Klopp’s men and Bayern, who see the teenager as a long-term replacement for 34-year-old duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

Red Devils boss Mourinho suggested earlier this week, via the Daily Mail, that he wouldn’t be looking to bring any attacking players to the club in the summer.

How has Pulisic done this season?

The United States international has really established himself as a key first-team player this term, scoring four goals and providing a further two assists in 26 appearances in all competitions, including five in the Champions League, as per Transfermarkt.

The versatile wide man has played on both flanks on many occasions during the current campaign, and according to WhoScored.com he has successfully completed 76 of the 168 dribbles he has attempted in 24 matches in the Bundesliga and in Europe.

Would he be a good signing for United?

As one for the future he certainly would be, but given the options Jose Mourinho has available to him at the moment in the form of the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, he would be mad to make a move unless any of those aforementioned players are to leave the club in the near future.

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The American starlet does have the skill and ability to go on and become a star at a club like United, but it certainly would be a surprise if a move happened in the summer given the Red Devils’ current attacking depth and the fact that Dortmund are desperate to keep hold of one of their best players.

Liverpool moved up into 2nd place in the English Premier League on Saturday after a dominant 4-1 win over West Ham United at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s attacking outfit were at their blistering best against a defensively minded Hammers side, with top stars like Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all getting on the scoresheet.

The visitors were powerless to resist, leaving the home supporters absolutely delighted with the performance.

While it’s the Reds’ attacking players that will steal the headlines, there was only one player on the lips of every Liverpool fan and that was left-back Andrew Robertson.

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The Scotland international has burst onto the Anfield scene as one of the most exciting defenders at the club in recent years, going a long way to making the left-back slot his own with hard working performances and a fearless attitude.

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Fans can’t believe quite how good he has been, with some predicting he’ll be a mainstay of the Liverpool team for years.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the 23-year-old…

The national stadium dolled up and resplendent. The fans, the passion, the occasion. The floodlights (this time). The shot at glory.

It’s the mythical Wembley days that Spurs are supposed to live for.

As a club, they are known for their classiness and perhaps that’s why Wembley suits them. The big stage has often been good to Tottenham: mythical performances in the ground are what they’re known for.

As a club, Spurs have won the league only twice, but they have won 15 cup competitions – three in Europe. Eight FA Cups and four League Cups have been won at Wembley and there have been many stories written along the way.

This season, there have been plenty, too. This is a different example, of course, a one-off where the national stadium plays home to the club for one season and one season only, but if their Champions League history in the ground is anything to go by, Spurs could be in for yet another magical night.

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Both Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have been dispatched at Wembley this season as Mauricio Pochettino’s team have grown into the stadium. They’ve become used to it and accustomed to its charms, so much so that Juventus probably doesn’t scare them.

Madrid and Dortmund haven’t had vintage seasons, in fairness, and with hindsight Tottenham definitely should have been beating both sides at home. But that’s hardly the point: what matters is the myth.

Indeed, myth was incredibly important when analysing Tottenham’s chances of competing this season when we looked at it in the summer. The problem that everyone foresaw was Spurs’ Wembley record and how they’d only won one game in the ground since 2008. After the first two months of the season, the same stats were still being talked about.

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At the time, it was right to ignore history. You couldn’t say that Tottenham would be fine at Wembley because they won there in 1991 when Paul Gascoigne’s thunderous, era-defining free-kick beat Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, or when Ricky Villa danced through the Manchester City defence in 1981. What mattered then was the current players, and how they felt about the ground.

But now, that history does matter. It matters now because there is no Wembley hoodoo, no mental block. Instead, there is only glory to shoot for, for these players to have their names etched into club history just as Gazza and Villa did years ago. Perhaps on an even grander scale if they go onto Champions League glory – the only major club competition Spurs haven’t yet won.

Against Juventus, history and glory come together for Spurs in another Wembley night. And mythical performances at the national stadium have often been the club’s stock in trade. Why not on Wednesday night?

Despite plenty of criticism for the way his team set up against Manchester City in December, it seems fairly likely that Rafa Benitez will opt for similar tactics at Anfield on Saturday, but who should be the outlet on the left wing?

Benitez’s shrewd decision to basically play for goal difference against City could be a difference maker in keeping the Magpies up, but he’ll feel slightly more confident about grabbing a goal or two at Anfield. Liverpool have improved defensively since Christmas, but still have a tendency to give up flurries of chances. If the visitors do sit deep, the outlets up front will be vitally important.

Kenedy has enjoyed some great performances since his loan move to Tyneside, registering an assist on his debut and looking troublesome down the left flank. However, the 22 year-old Brazilian’s inexperience could cost Benitez’s men at Anfield, where they will need to be completely switched on to come away with a point.

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Christian Atsu has been in and out of the team this season, playing various positions across the attack and registering two goals and two assists in the league. The 42-cap Ghanaian international has electric pace and could be the outlet the visitors need on Saturday. If Atsu can use his speed to get in behind the Liverpool defence he can cause the hosts all sorts of problems.

Kenedy offers more defensive contribution, and his ability to whip in dangerous set pieces could be a key factor, but don’t be surprised to see Rafa Benitez opt for experience in such a difficult game.

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Newcastle fans, who do you think should start at left wing against Liverpool? Let us know by voting below…

According to an exclusive report in The Telegraph, Southampton have made Mark Hughes the leading candidate to replace Mauricio Pellegrino after the Argentine was sacked on Monday night.

The 46-year-old was relieved of his duties following a disastrous run of just one win in 17 Premier League matches that has left Saints just one point above the relegation zone and in real danger of going down to the Championship.

The final nail in the coffin came in the 3-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday, where they found themselves behind with little over a minute on the clock and where some players looked as though they had given up in the closing stages, leaving the supporters in no doubt that they wanted Pellegrino gone.

Former Stoke City boss Hughes could be the man called upon to get Saints out of the predicament they currently find themselves in, and it will certainly be no easy task given they face Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City in their final eight top flight matches this term.

The Welshman will be looking to make his mark on the lowly south coast outfit, and will know that he may have to make changes to the side in order to get the results that they need. There will definitely be a number of underperforming players that will be fearing for their spot in the starting XI in the coming weeks if the 54-year-old does arrive at St Mary’s.

Here are three Southampton stars that should be really worried about the potential appointment of Hughes…

McCarthy deservedly came into the side to make his Premier League debut for Southampton in their goalless draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on December 30, following another horror show from Fraser Forster in the 5-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.

The decision from Mauricio Pellegrino had been a long time coming and the England international hasn’t played a single minute since then, with McCarthy conceding 14 goals in his 10 Premier League appearances.

Three of those came in the 3-0 defeat against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday however, and if Hughes comes in now he may feel that Forster has had his time out of the XI and now deserves another opportunity.

Considering the top flight experience that he has and the fact that he has six England caps, Hughes may prefer to have the 29-year-old between the sticks during the run-in.

The Serbia international performed brilliantly when he was playing alongside the likes of Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane in his first two seasons with the club, but he has been far less impressive since the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign.

The 29-year-old has largely disappointed under Claude Puel and now Mauricio Pellegrino, with six goals and nine assists in his last 61 Premier League appearances, and those statistics haven’t gone unnoticed by the fans.

Considering he has started most of those matches either on the wing or behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 system, that clearly isn’t good enough.

With the likes of Sofiane Boufal, Nathan Redmond and even Manolo Gabbiadini potentially able to play in that position in the centre, Tadic should be fearing for his spot if Hughes arrives, and if the Welshman changes to a formation with two strikers it would likely see the Serbian drop to the substitutes’ bench.

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Considering he’s an Argentine and worked with Mauricio Pellegrino during the duo’s spell with Estudiantes, you have to feel that Carrillo was the former Southampton manager’s signing during the January transfer window.

It may have been one last throw of the dice and show of support for Pellegrino by the board, but it hasn’t really worked out with the £19.2m club-record buy failing to score in his opening eight appearances for the club and the fans demanding more from him.

Not particularly mobile and sometimes struggling in the air despite his tall frame, Hughes may choose to bring someone like Gabbiadini or Shane Long into the XI if he does take over at St Mary’s, with the injured Charlie Austin also closing in on a return to action.

That would be bad news for Carrillo, but with Saints and Hughes not being in a position to accommodate a striker that is getting used to the Premier League, he would have to understand.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.