Rumour Mill: Man Utd's massive Mata bid, the Phantom of Old Trafford and Wenger's mighty wallet

MAN United is on the verge of a record bid for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, while Arsene Wenger might unleash his wallet. It's Paper Talk!

MAN United is on the verge of a record bid for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, while Arsene Wenger might unleash his wallet. It's Paper Talk!

MATA TO MANCHESTER

It's all happening at Old Trafford! Or is it? Deals are definitely happening. No, they're not. And who's in charge and who's just 'helping out'? Stop the Rumour Mill, we want to get off!

OK, first things first: the Daily Mail says Manchester United is set to launch a record bid for Chelsea outcast Juan Mata and that Chelsea will sell - but United will have to pay $75 million for the out-of-favour Spanish midfielder.

The Mirror says United has denied making a bid but that Chelsea is girding its loins for a bumper bid in the next 48 hours, a claim backed up by the usually more reliable Guardian. That could mean we have an actual transfer on our hands. Hold on, people!

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The same paper reports that United could still snap up Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke before the transfer window slams shut on Moyes's white-knuckled fingers. The 22-year-old has recently signed a contract extension with the joint La Liga leader, with a reported release clause of $90m. But the word in Spain is that this means little as the Spanish club considers cashing in.

Also in Manchester, ghostly things are a-happening at the Theatre of Dreams, with reports of a shadowy spectral figure with an unnatural glowing nose, a powerful force that refuses to release its vice-like grip on its former life, footsteps following new manager David Moyes through the hallowed halls …

Like the Phantom of Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson has descended from the stands to put his dark mark back on United's failing transfer strategy. His target? Paris-Saint Germain's much sought-after striker Edison Cavani.

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The Daily Mail reports Fergie has called former United defender now PSG coach Laurent Blanc to discuss the Uruguayan's availability with a view to a big-money switch at the end of the season.

What all this would mean for Wayne Rooney remains unclear - all signs point to the Scouser leaving Old Trafford, with a new blue outfit from London's finest Russian tailor in his sights.

Meanwhile, Moyes is also expected to miss out on highly rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, with the 20-year-old on the verge of joining Juventus.

WENGER'S WALLET

Like the Ark of the Covenant or the one ring to rule them all, Arsene Wenger's wallet is an almost mythical item of unknown power. The Frenchman dare not release it from his pocket for fear it may forever corrupt his dogmatic financial morality.

But if the Arsenal manager were to unleash his power to the full this January, what could be achieved? Already leading the Premier League, what would happen if the Gunners bought one of the best strikers in Europe? Yes, it's Atletico's Diego Costa again. And Porto's Jackson Martinez.

Even with goals coming from across his squad, Wenger has finally admitted he is considering buying another forward to take some of the pressure of Olivier Giroud.

"Ideally if it's possible we'd like another [striker]. I give you my phone number, if you find an exceptional [player], you can call me over the weekend. Ideally, though we have not found anyone."

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CABAYE, SO LONG, AUF WEIDERSEHN ….

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is no fan of the Europa League and its effect on his domestic campaign. So the Toon have come up with a clever way to slow down their success this season - by selling their best player for a massive fee.

The Mirror says cash-heavy Ligue 1 leader PSG are reportedly set to offer $40m for French playmaker Yohan Cabaye, a tidy profit on a player who cost just $9m three years ago.

The Daily Mail reports Pardew will sign another Frenchman as his replacement, with an agreement for Montpellier's Remy Cabella already in place.

RUMOUR ROUND-UP

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers looks set to boost his midfield with the Reds boss being allowed to spend $15m on FC Basel's 21-year-old Egyptian attacker Mohamed Salah.

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It seems an exciting move but Rodgers' transfer dealings are somewhat spotty - for every Daniel Sturridge or Phillipe Coutinho, there is an Iago Aspas or Tiago Ilori - with the latter already on his way out of Anfield. With first-team opportunities limited, the 20-year-old defender will spend the rest of the season on loan at Spanish club Granada.

Across Stanley Park, Everton is hoping to tie up Monaco striker Lacina Traore on loan but is having some problems with top target Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, with his club Standard Liege holding out for a $13m fee in the European summer.

England U-21 star Ravel Morrison is adding to Sam Allardyce's headaches, with the 20-year-old striker considering leaving West Ham for a big-bucks move to Fulham and Rene Meulensteen, a former coach from his Manchester United days.

Allardyce reckons silly money and the madness of the transfer window is affecting the talented but raw Morrison: "This window creates a hysteria about the fact that people will tell you that somebody is going to come and get you. That could then turn your head - probably based on the money that people say you're going to make."