Football transfer rumours: Hugo Lloris to Manchester United?
"It's not true that the deal is done," said Mendes. "I am negotiating his contract renewal but we haven't signed anything yet. As of this moment, we will see what happens. We're holding talks and at this moment, it seems he could continue with United, but as I say, we haven't signed anything yet." In other goalkeeping news, that headband-wearing green blob flinging itself around the radars of Arsenal and Liverpool is Mexican stopper Guillermo Ochoa. The subject of multiple internet memes after his World Cup heroics against Brazil last summer, the 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at La Liga side Málaga, where his appearnaces are being restricted to cup competitions. Ochoa had been tipped to move to Anfield in January, but the deal didn't happen, Kazinform quotes the Guardian. Liverpool are also hoping to secure the services of Benfica's Argentinian wingerEduardo Salvio this summer, while Arsenal want 21-year-old Lyon midfielderNabil Fekir, but may have to fight off interest in the France U-21 international from Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all like the cut of Inter striker Mauro Icardi's jib, but it is the Premier League leaders who are believed to have begun negotiations with the agent of a player who is believed to be valued at £1m for every one of the 18 goals he's scored so far this season. Chelsea's £35m pursuit of Real Madrid central defender Raphaël Varanealso continues apace, despite their failure to bring him to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window. Dayot Upomecano is 16 years old, French, half-decent at football and therefore a transfer target for Arsenal. Expect him to sign up for the Gunners, make a four-minute substitute appearance in the Capital One Cup and then find himself unceremoniously farmed out on loan to Concord Rangers or FC Twente. After falling out with team-mates at every club he's played for, Southampton striker Pablo Osvaldo will take his unique brand of winning people skills to Boca Juniors this week, after a disastrous loan spell at Inter. Having played for Manchester United's U-21s against their Chelsea counterparts in a 2-1 win on Monday night, Nick Powell is wanted on loan by new Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman, who previously tried to sign the midfielder for Bolton. The 20-year-old had been at Leicester City on a season long loan deal, which was ended prematurely in January. Nigel Pearson is believed to have expressed reservations about the player's attitude and timekeeping during a four-month spell at the King Power Stadium when he got just 42 minutes of playing time, but presumably did manage to escape without being throttled. And despite also failing to impress Pearson at his local drinker on Sunday night, Canadian folk singer Dennis Ellsworth will overcome what we can only presume is his bemusement at becoming unwittingly embroiled in English football's latest controversy by continuing his UK tour with shows at The Institute, Kelvedon (13 February), The Gala Theatre, Nottingham (18th), The Greystones, Sheffield (20th), Howard Assembley, Leeds (21st), Loves Cafe, Weston Super Mare (25th), Warwick Arts Centre (26th) and St Philips Church, Manchester (27th). While the Mill would rather gnaw its own arm off than attend a folk gig, it suggests you go along and lend him your support and ears if he happens to be at a venue near you.
