FOOTBALL SHORTS
CRYSTAL PALACE are set to make a new £31.5million bid for Christian Benteke. Liverpool want to recoup the £32.5m they paid Aston Villa for the Belgian striker last summer and Palace are confident their offer — £27m up front with addons — will be accepted.
LEICESTER CITY will complete the £18m transfer of Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow this week. The Nigeria international, a target for the Premier League champions since January, will fly to England today to finalise the deal.
WEST HAM and Crystal Palace are among the Premier League clubs to have been offered former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie. The 32-year-old is on a big salary, which may prove a stumbling block. ÷ CHELSEA have made contact with Graziano Pelle’s representatives though remain keen to sign Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid. Southampton striker Pelle has interest from Everton, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and AC Milan. ÷
JUVENTUS are still keen on Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante, who has a £20m release clause in his contract, despite Chelsea being considered favourites for the France international. ÷ LIVERPOOL midfielder Joe Allen is attracting interest with his performances for Wales in France. Inter Milan and Sevilla are among the clubs to have taken note of the £14m-rated midfielder.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION are closing on a £5.5m deal for QPR winger Matty Phillips. The clubs have agreed the fee and Phillips is expected to agree terms. ÷ MIDDLESBROUGH last night confirmed the signing of Atalanta’s Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon, 25.