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Heres a look at top 5 most anticipated football transfer speculations from todays newspapers.
#1 Kaka on brink of Orlando City move
AC Milan attacking midfielder Kaka is on the verge of completing his move to Orlando City in January. The Brazilian is expected to return to the Serie A side on loan until the Major Soccer League season begins at the start of next year.
On Friday, Orlando released an official statement confirming that they were in ‘advanced discussions with Kaká’. Orlando City is one of two teams who will enter Major League Soccer in 2015, with David Villa’s new club New York City FC being the second.
Kaka, who won the Football of the Year award in 2007, rejoined AC Milan last summer after a disappointing four year stay at Real Madrid.
#2 Arsenal\'s Vermaelen denies Man United switch
Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen has denied rumours that he has agreed to join rivals Manchester United next season. Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal is reportedly keen to sign the 28-year-old to bolster his defensive options.
“I know there has been a lot of talk and a lot of rumours but the only thing I can say is that it’s not true,” The Belgian International said. “Everybody understands my situation at Arsenal and that I have one year left.”
However, Vermaelen confirmed that he has held talks with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to discuss his future at the club.
“We (Vermaelen and Wenger) talk a lot when I am at Arsenal but it’s not what I am going to discuss here, it is something you are going to have to ask him,” he added.
#3 AC Milan ready to sell 29m Arsenal target Balotelli
Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli’s proposed move to Arsenal has edged closer following news that AC Milan have agreed to sell him for £29 million. Balotelli is reportedly Arsene Wenger’s top target this summer.
Italian TV station Sky Italia claim that the controversial striker’s agent Mino Raiola met with Milan chief Adriano Galliani yesterday to reach an agreement over Balotelli’s departure this transfer window. The 23-year-old is believed to be frustrated by Serie A fan’s racist chants on several occasions last season.
Arsenal have reportedly offered Balotelli £180,000-a-week contract to join the Emirates next season. The Gunners have also been linked with Bayern’s Mario Mandzukic and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.
#4 Premier League clubs set to miss out on Bayern\'s Mandzukic
Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all set to miss out on Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic this summer. The 28-year-old is reportedly close to join his former club Wolfsburg after confirming that he will leave the Bundesliga champions this transfer window.
Chelsea, who are on the brink of completing £32 million move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, are also said to be interested in Mandzukic to boost their attacking options while Arsenal are considering the Croatian international as alternative if move for AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli falls apart.
The two times Croatian Football of the year was Bayern’s top scorer last season netting 21 league goals. However, Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowksi is set to join the Bavarian club next season on a free transfer, opening the door for Mandzukic to leave.
#5 Kroos wants Real Madrid move
Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos is said to have decided his future and wants a move to Real Madrid next summer. The unsettled German international has been reported to be a transfer target for Manchester United and Chelsea as well.
Kroos has been stalling talks over his contract extension after the Bundesliga champions told him they cannot meet the midfielder’s wage demands. Real Madrid now is in pole position to land the 24-year-old, eyeing Kroos as the long term replacement for the aging Xavi Alonso’s.
Kroos is valued around £25 million by interested clubs but with one year left on his contract with Bayern Munich, he is expected to see out his contract and leave his boyhood club for free at the end of next season.
