Transfer News: Hernandez to make a Old Trafford return?

Could Benzema be set for a Bernabeu exit?

Due to the poor form of Mario Balotelli and the absence of Daniel Sturridge, it looks like Liverpool could be set to bolster their attack. According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool are set to place a £38m bid for Real Madrid forward, Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has been in great form for Madrid this season, with 14 goals under his belt and several assists. Considering that Benzema moved to Real for £30m back in 2009, and Liverpool are in desperate need of a striker, I think that Real will demand more than the £38m offer for the French international. This is also because Benzema is Real Madrid's only natural striker apart from Javier Hernandez, and with him being set for a Old Trafford return, Madrid will certainly not want to offload their main striker for a cheap price. I think that the signing of Benzema could be a turning point in Liverpool's season. What they have lacked is a consistent, reliable forward that can not only score goals, but create them too, and the signing of Benzema will fulfill these aspects.

Reports from the Daily Express show that Chelsea have offered £23m for Fiorentina's Jean Cuadrado. Although Jose Mourinho has recently said that he is 'happy' with his current Chelsea squad, it is understood that the Blues have shown great interest in the Fiorentina winger. Cuadrado, who shone in in last years World Cup for Colombia is a tricky, pacey and versatile winger. There are rumours that if Cuadrado does join Chelsea, then Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella will leave the club. This shows how influental Cuadrado is for Fiorentina, which may mean that Chelsea may have to up their bids if they really want the creative Colombian. Chelsea have turned to Shakhtar Dontesk's Douglas Costa as a backup plan if this deal does not go through, but that deal also looks wayward as Donetsk demand £30m where as Chelsea have only offered £20m.

Premier League Preview: Champions Manchester City take on Arsenal.

Match Preview: With these two teams having a bit of tense history between each other, this fixture will certainly be a belter. Arsenal will be heavily relying on their star man of the season, Alexis Sanchez, to do the deeds against the Champions. The Chilean maestro has been involved in more Premier League goals then any other player this season, 19. Racking up a total of 12 goals and 7 assists. In comes City's genius though, David Silva, who has been prolific for City whilst their main strikers have all been absent in their previous matches. It will be throughly entertaining to watch these two magicians work their magic tommorow.

Alexis Sanchez has been in outstanding form for Arsenal this season.

Although it is obvious that both teams can put the ball in the back of the net, it is also quite evident that they are condeding goals too. Both Arsenal and City have only had one clean sheet in their last five matches, which shows that tommorow's fixture could be a goal fest. The chance of this is also enhanced by the return of Sergio Aguero, who now looks to be fully fit so this means he could feature from the start tommorow. The Argentinian has been out for 6 weeks, but he is still 2nd top goalscorer in the Premier League. This just shows how lethal Aguero is infront of goal and he could really cause Arsenal some problems tommorow, like he did in this fixture last year when Arsenal were humilated 6-2 by the Champions.

Prediciton: Don't get me wrong, Sanchez has been single-handly winning Arsenal games all season, but I don't think that this will be the case tommorow. Yes, City's defence may not as been as strong as it has been in previous times, but what they don't have in defensive power, they make up for in the attack. Unbeaten in their last 12 matches, City certainly look the favourites for this match up. I think that Aguero and Silva will have too much pace and skill for the somewhat 'dodgy' Mertesacker and this will be the downfall to Arsenal's loss. I am going for a 3-1 win to City in this fixture, which is only a fraction to what the result was last year!

Manchester City's Possible Ins and Outs

According to the Daily Express, City are competing against their fierce rivals, Manchester United to sign Barcelona's midfield maestro, Ivan Rakitic. Shifting the 26 year old Croatian playmaker to England will not be a cheap job though, as the Spanish giants have set a £20m price tag on Rakitic. Spanish newspapers have reported that the Croatian midfielder is unhappy at the club, as he constantly plays second best to the long serving Xavi.

Looking back to before Rakitic signed for the Catalan, it is obvious that United had interest in him, as they tried to sign him but unfortunately for United he chose Barcelona. Now would be a perfect time for the Red Devils to land this transfer, as Rakitic is unhappy at the club and United need more creativity in their midfield. It won't be that easy though, as Manchester City look for a replacement for midfielder Frank Lampard, who is heading off to the America to play for New York City FC, as his loan deal has expired.

Wilfried Bony has completed his £28m move to Man City

Now that the consistent goalscorer Wilfired Bony has completed his £28m pound move to City, it looks like a exit for Stevan Jovetic could be on the cards. Jovetic, who may of not had as much first team football as he would of liked, has been linked with a move to Italian giants Juventus. The Daily Express reports that Juventus that will make a bid of around £22m, but City will not pay any intrest in the offer for Jovetic, as they have no intrest in sellling the 25 year old. The Montenegrin forward has had frequent injuries this season, could return back to Serie A and partner Carlos Tevez in Juve's attack. I think that this would be a good move for Jovetic, as he is familiar with Italian football, and he will certainly get more playing time at Juve, then he will now at City, due to the arrival of Ivorian Wilfried Bony.

Potential Arrival at White Hart Lane

Although Spurs are sitting in a respectable 6th place in the Barclays Premier League, it is still clearly evident that they need to sign a striker. With up and coming youngster Harry Kane leading the front line by himself, it shows how much Totttenham are relying on an in-experienced forward to score their goals.
In fairness to Kane, he has proven himself throughout the season with his endless running and his deadly eye for goal. However, as shown on Saturday at Selhurst Park, it is clear that the 21 year old needs some support up top.

With Aston Villla being the lowest scoring team in the league and also having a poor season, it is the perfect opportunity to snatch up their star man, Christian Benteke. The Belgian international has proven to people that he can perform at the top level, but being at Aston Villa, it is quite clear that he is not getting the support that he needs to be a clinical striker.

Nacer Chadli has been in great form recently for Tottenham

However, the Lily Whites are not the only team with their eyes on the 24 year old. It is reported that Liverpool are intrested in Benteke too due to the poor form of Mario Balotelli this season. I think that this would be a key signing for Spurs, someone that Kane can learn from and establish a good partnership with. It is also evident that Benteke will get the support that he requires with Nacer Chadli playing extremely well at the moment, along with Andros Townsend.

This means that Tottenham could revert back to the standard 4-4-2 formation of Kane and Benteke leading the front line. For this transfer to happen, it is reported that Aston Villa have set a £15m price tag on the Aston Villa striker