Manchester United open to Hernandez exit as Valencia & Atletico Madrid circle

The Mexican striker, who is said to be unsettled at Old Trafford, is attracting interest from across Europe and the Premier League champions are prepared to let him go

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By Paul Clennam

Manchester United are willing to sell striker Javier Hernandez this summer, with Valencia and Atletico Madrid among those monitoring his situation.

Goal has learned that the Primera Division duo have identified the Mexican, who has struggled for first-team opportunities under David Moyes this season, as an attainable summer target.

Atletico are fearful that they could lose Diego Costa this summer, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho particularly keen to bring the Brazil-born Spain international to the Premier League.

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Hernandez had previously been open to the idea of a move to Russian club Rubin Kazan but United quickly ruled out a move for fear of leaving themselves short up front for the end-of-season run-in.

Valencia are expected to complete the sale of the club to a new owner in the coming weeks, whereupon they will move forward with their transfer plans.

Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim first expressed an interest in buying the Spanish club in December and, although he was targeting a quick deal, he is yet to reach an agreement. 

Despite being considered the leading candidate to purchase the club as recently as February, however, Lim is no longer seen as the forerunner.

Jorge Mendes, the agent who has helped broker a number of transfers at Old Trafford over the years, including those involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Bebe, will oversee Hernandez's sale.

Mendes also represents top-level names such as Radamel Falcao and Jose Mourinho and would prefer to do business with Lim should he assume control of Valencia.

Serie A club Inter have also been linked with a move for the striker, who joined the Red Devils in 2010, as new owner Erick Thohir continues his San Siro overhaul.

Hernandez has reportedly become disillusioned with life at Old Trafford under Moyes, chosen as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement at the end of the last campaign.

The Mexico international has started just 10 matches this season, including three in the Capital One Cup and once in the FA Cup.

Courtois laughs off Real Madrid links

The Belgium international, on loan from Chelsea, was rumoured to be considering joining los Blancos on a free transfer in the future but insists there is no truth to the reports

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has dismissed suggestions that he has agreed to join Real Madrid once his contract with Chelsea expires in 2016.

A recent report on El Larguero suggested the Belgium international had told Atletico CEO Angel Gil Marin that he would join the Santiago Bernabeu side in two years' time, but the 21-year-old has insisted the rumours are unfounded.

"These reports are completely false," Courtois told AS.

"I couldn't have said any such thing to Gil Marin because it isn't true.  Everyone knows I've got a contract with Chelsea and I'm happy at Atletico."

Courtois joined Chelsea from Genk in the summer of 2011 and was immediately sent out on loan to Atletico, where has spent the past three seasons.

The shot-stopper has made well over 100 appearances for the Vicente Calderon side so far, winning the Europa League, Copa del Rey and European Supercup in the process.

Arsenal forward Podolski plays down Draxler swap deal

While the 28-year-old spoke in glowing terms about his young compatriot and long-term Gunners target, he played down reports he would move to Schalke in exchange

Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski has dismissed reports of being involved in a swap deal for Schalke's Julian Draxler, though admits a player of his class will undoubtedly attract the interest of a side like the Gunners.

The north London club dispatched a team to negotiate a deal for the 20-year-old Germany international during the final week of the January transfer window, though the Bundesliga outfit blocked the transfer and refused to budge from their £37.2 million valuation.

Podolski is a big fan of Draxler, who has one goal in 17 league appearances this season, though he rejected suggestions he could be on his way to Gelsenkirchen in exchange for his young compatriot.

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“Every top player is interesting for Arsenal, Draxler is definitely one of them,” the 28-year-old, capped 111 times for Germany, told Bild.

“But what the management are planning, I cannot say. An exchange deal of Podolski for Draxler has has been described in some media but it was never an issue. I have contact with Julian, he's a good boy. But about a switch [to Arsenal] we have not yet spoken.”

Podolski and Arsenal take on reigning German and European champions Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in the Champions League and, buoyed by victory at the Allianz Arena last season, is hopeful of overturning a two-goal deficit.

“It is not easy, especially not after the 0-2 in the first leg. They are arguably the best club team in the world,” the former Bayern and FC Koln forward continued.

“But the first 15 minutes of the first leg (when Mesut Ozil missed a penalty) showed that they can be stopped. We need to put everything into the game, go in with the right aggressiveness and then score.”

Inter chief: No contact with Hernandez or Torres

Though confirming his admiration for the Manchester United forward, Erick Thohir denies that an approach has been made for either striker to join the Nerazzurri this summer

Inter owner Erick Thohir has denied that his team have been in talks with Javier Hernandez and Fernando Torres about luring the Premier League strikers to San Siro.

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Goal understands that Valencia and Atletico Madrid are one of several clubs interested in signing the Manchester United forward, with the Red Devils willing to sell, and theNerazzurri have been linked with the Mexico international as well.

Torres, who has often struggled since his £50 million move from Liverpool to Stamford Bridge, is also expected to leave in the summer but Thohir is adamant that neither men have been approached.

"At the end of the season we will evaluate everything, both the young players and the more experienced ones, because we want to build a strong squad for the future with a view not just to next season but to the next three," he told the press.

"I think Hernandez is a good player but we haven't spoken to either him or Fernando Torres."

Inter have already secured the signature of veteran centre-back Nemanja Vidic from United, with the Serbian heading to Serie A upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.

I am happy here' - Eto'o hints at Chelsea stay

The Cameroonian, who is out of contract with the Blues in the summer, says he is loving life at Stamford Bridge and is convinced his experience could prove invaluable to the club

Samuel Eto'o has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet and has hinted he may extend his stay atChelsea beyond this season.

The 33-year-old netted his ninth goal of the season in Chelsea's 4-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday, with the striker, whose deal with the club expires in the summer, evidently enjoying life at Stamford Bridge.

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His effort on 56 minutes came after a mistake from Jan Vertonghen in the Spurs defence and was the 300th club goal of Eto'o's distinguished career.

It also made the Cameroon international the highest scoring frontman in Jose Mourinho's squad this season, and he insists his experience can be crucial in their quest for the Premier League title.

"I am happy here," he is quoted as saying in The Evening Standard. "My age is not important.

"I work the same as Oscar or Eden Hazard. I have more experience and this is good for the team.

"It is an amazing thing (to score 300 club goals) but I have maybe two or three years more (in my career).  I think I am going to score more goals."

Eto'o signed a one-year contract at Chelsea in August having left Anzhi Makhachkala, and has been linked with a move to the United States and former club Real Mallorca if he departs England.

Revealed: Van Persie has exit trigger clause in Manchester United contract

The Dutchman has a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to other clubs and quit Old Trafford if the Premier League champions finish outside the top four this season

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Robin van Persie has a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to other clubs should Manchester United miss out out on a top-four Premier League finish, Goal understands.

This could pave the way for Van Persie to move this summer, with the player expected to push for a transfer overseas should the league champions fail to reduce the nine-point deficit to fourth position by the end of the season.

Any potential move would still have to be sanctioned by the United board, and a fee would have to be agreed with the buyer, but the get-out option increases the likelihood that the Dutchman will not be at Old Trafford next season.

The striker was a picture of frustration during United's 3-0 weekend win at West Brom before being substituted by manager David Moyes.

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After shooting United to the title last season, Van Persie's second season at Old Trafford has been disrupted by injury, mixed form and a series of behind-the-scenes clashes with Moyes.

The forward's concerns about the training methods and tactics of Moyes and his staff were revealed by Goal last October, and he went public with some of his misgivings following United's calamitous recent defeat to Olympiakos by citing the positional play of his team-mates as a reason for his own dip in form.

Van Persie will turn 31 in August and is now willing to explore the possibility of one final pay day abroad.

Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and Monaco are among the Continental clubs closely monitoring the potential availability of the prolific Dutchman.

At this stage, it is considered unlikely that he would remain in England if he leaves United. 

Arsene Wenger has no desire to take the former Arsenal star back to Emirates Stadium, while his age and wages would put off Liverpool's owners. The only realistic English avenues would appear to be Chelsea or Manchester City.

Any suitor would have to match the salary of Van Persie, who has two years remaining on a £250,000-a-week contract that runs until June 2016.

In turn, Moyes might believe that it is an appropriate time to cash in on the No.9, who was a £24 million signing from Arsenal in 2012, and grant him a swift exit.

The United boss has already begun the process of sourcing a new front man as he prepares to spend a summer transfer kitty worth at least £120m.

United intermediaries met with Edinson Cavani's camp in January, although Paris Saint-Germain are ready to resist any bids for the Uruguay international in the next window.

Reed holds on to win WGC event

Reed finished at four under 284 to beat runner-ups Welshman Jamie Donaldson and American Bubba Watson. PHOTO: REUTERS

MIAMI: Patrick Reed says beating a star-studded field to capture the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday shows he is among the top five players in the world.

The 23-year-old American said his impressive amateur resume combined with his three wins on the PGA Tour in seven months puts him in elite company.

“I’ve worked so hard,” said Reed. “I won a lot in junior career, did great things in amateur career, was 6-0 in match play at NCAA’s, won NCAA’s two years in a row … and now I have three wins out here on the PGA Tour.”

While Reed basks in the glow of his latest victory, Woods is left to pick up the pieces after one of the worst Sundays of his career.

Woods stumbled to the finish with six-over 78. He played through the pain of a nagging bad back.

Reed finished at four under 284 to beat runner-ups Welshman Jamie Donaldson and American Bubba Watson.

Donaldson shot a two-under 70 to grab a share of second along with Watson, who had a four-under 68 in the $9 million tournament.

South Africa’s Richard Sterne (71) and American Dustin Johnson (72) tied for fourth at even-par 288. Stephen Gallacher (69), Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (68) and Bill Haas (71) were one stroke back at plus-one.

Woods and Jim Furyk were the only two players without a birdie in the final round