Coral’s rumour reel: Red Devils keen on Madrid marksman

Manchester United managed to secure a top four finish this season (and are 5/1 with Coral to win the 2015/16 PL title) under the guidance of Louis van Gaal, and they will now reportedly look to bolster their attacking force with the capture of Real Madrid marksman and France international striker Karim Benzema.

With the Galacticos in hot pursuit of the Red Devils’ in-form Spanish number one David de Gea, Benzema could therefore be used in a possible deal, leaving the door wide open for the superb goal guard to depart Old Trafford.

Keeping with the red half of Manchester, and Dutch boss Van Gaal is apparently readying a £50m swoop for sublime Spurs sharpshooter Harry Kane, as well. Adnan Januzaj is a potential superstar at Old Trafford, but the demanding coach has grown frustrated with the Belgian’s attempts to break into the first team and he could be offloaded as part of the deal.

Across to United’s city rivals, and the Sky Blues are hoping they can lure Bayer Leverkusen’s midfield anchor Lars Bender to the Etihad. The Germany international enforcer could be a suitable midfield boost, if a high-profile bid for Juventus’ Paul Pogba fails this summer, having recently lost the Champions League final to Barcelona.

Liverpool have already captured former Manchester City midfielder James Milner on a free transfer this summer, and the Reds could be closing in on their second summer swoop, as Inter Milan’s Mateo Kovacic looks set to join the Anfield outfit.

Meanwhile, ahead of the international friendly encounter between the Republic of Ireland and England, skipper Wayne Rooney has urged Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish to declare for the Boys in Green. The sought-after West Midlands wideman is yet to announce which country he will play for at senior level, but England captain Rooney, who has Irish grandparents, has urged Grealish to play for Martin O’Neill’s men.