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Tottenham step-up chase for Barcelona star Andre Gomes while Manchester United keep tabs on Radja Nainggolan

David Cooper

09:47 18/09/2017

The transfer window may not open again until January 1 2018 but that hasn’t put an end to plenty of speculation throughout Europe.

Here, we take a look at three big stories dominating the headlines on Monday.

Will any of the following deals happen?

Let us know your thoughts.

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SPURS EYE MOVE FOR BARCA STAR

Tottenham are set to bid for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes in the January transfer window, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to strengthen his side.

The Portuguese star, who featured regularly for Blaugrana last term but is deemed surplus to requirements by Ernesto Valverde this season, is high on Spurs’ wishlist as they look at options to either secure his services on loan or weigh-up a bid in the region of £20m.

With the World Cup on the horizon next summer, Gomes needs to be playing regular football and a switch to the Premier League in four months’ time could reignite his spark.

While the north London club are also tracking Ross Barkley, it is thought, according to The Sun, that Gomes is Spurs’ first-choice target.

The former Benfica and Valencia man was brought in last summer as the new ‘Andres Iniesta’ but that hasn’t quite materialised, with it now being likely he won’t see out his five-year contract with the club.

RATING: 7/10

SPORT360 VERDICT
This move appears to be a definite go-er with Barcelona being happy to cash in on the 24-year-old and Spurs looking to bolster their strength in depth in midfield.

NAINGGOLAN ATTRACTING UNITED

Manchester United are targeting Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick, according to the Daily Star.

The Red Devils reportedly sent a scout to Roma’s 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last week to monitor the Belgian international.

Carrick, 36, is expected to retire at the end of the season.

RATING: 4/10

SPORT360 VERDICT
The 29-year-old snubbed an approach from United and Chelsea in the latest transfer window, citing he is happy in Roma.

Having recently penned a new long-term deal with the Serie A side until 2021, it looks unlikely that any big fee will lure him away from Stadio Olimpico.

Nainggolan is reportedly happy in Serie A.

BALE READY TO FIGHT FOR FUTURE

Following his superb solo goal in Real Madrid’s victory at Real Sociedad, Gareth Bale insists he is ready to banish the boo-boys and focus on his Los Blancos future.

The flying winger, who was widely tipped to move back to the Premier League and join Manchester United this summer, now seems to be back to his best.

After being jeered by his own fans in Madrid’s 3-0 Champions League win over APOEL Nicosia in midweek for an underwhelming start to the season, particularly in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence due to a five-game ban, Bale is insistent he will silence the doubters.

“It’s normal, it happens in football,” Bale told Spanish TV station Movistar of the criticism that has come his way.

“For me obviously I just have to try to keep my head down and keep working hard. That’s all I can do.

“I can’t control what goes on, I can only control how hard I work on the pitch.

“You go through ups and downs in your career, but it is how you bounce back.”

RATING: 2/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
Zinedine Zidane admitted post-match that Bale is still a key part of Madrid’s plans so don’t expect the ex-Spurs ace to move on anytime soon.

Getting back to his best: Bale.

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