Transfer talk: If Manchester United miss on Sergio Ramos, Louis van Gaal eyeing Stefan de Vrij – report

A Dutch newspaper is reporting on Wednesday that Louis van Gaal's backup plan should a Sergio Ramos deal fall through is Lazio's Netherlands defender Stefan de Vrij.

Netherlands defender Stefan de Vrij currently plays in Serie A with Lazio. Charlie Crowhurst / Getty Images

Manchester United

Manchester United are lining up fallback plans if their pursuit of Sergio Ramos falters, according to a Dutch report.

De Telegraaf of the Netherlands reports Louis van Gaal will dip back into the Dutch well in the event of a failed bid for Ramos, eyeing Lazio's Stefan de Vrij.

The same report indicates Van Gaal is eyeing Ajax keeper Jasper Cillessen if David de Gea completes a move to Madrid, as well. The former Netherlands manager has already brought Dutch rising star Memphis Depay to Old Trafford this summer, and signed Daley Blind last summer from Ajax for £14 million (Dh80.7m).

A Sky Sports report on Tuesday said United had launched a £28.6 million bid for defender Ramos.

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

Manchester City

Edin Dzeko “simply doesn’t want to leave” Manchester City, according to his agent Irfan Redzepagic.

Speaking to Italian radio's Rete Sport, Redzepagic said he was "surprised" by reports out of Italy suggesting Dzeko might be involved in disucssions to join Roma.

“I have had no contact with Roma, nor am I aware of any talks between the two clubs,” he said.

AS Monaco

Monaco have signed France Under-20 international Fares Bahlouli from Ligue 1 rivals Lyon on a five-year deal, the principality club announced on Tuesday.

The attacking midfielder, considered one of the brightest talents to come out of Lyon’s productive academy, moved for a fee of €3.5 million (Dh14.3m), according to sources close to the deal.

Bahlouli has made just nine top-flight appearances for Lyon but was part of the France U20 side that won the recent Toulon tournament.

* Agence France-Presse

Marseille

Marseille have reached a deal with Manchester City that will see Dutch international defender Karim Rekik move to the Stade Velodrome, the Ligue 1 side announced on Tuesday.

Marseille said the clubs had “found an agreement in principle for the permanent transfer of the Dutch international this Tuesday evening, pending a medical”.

Rekik, 20, joined City in 2011 but has hardly played for the English club and spent last season on loan at Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.

His arrival will provide a boost to Marseille, who have seen Andre-Pierre Gignac, Andre Ayew, Jeremy Morel and Dimitri Payet all leave the club so far this summer.

He will be the third new signing at the Velodrome, following the recruits of winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou from Nantes and goalkeeper Yohann Pele from Sochaux.

* Agence France-Presse

Saint-Etienne

Ivory Coast forward Max Gradel will only leave Saint-Etienne this summer if the price is right, his coach Christophe Galtier said on Tuesday.

Gradel was outstanding in the second half of last season for the club, scoring 13 goals in the last 13 games to help Saint-Etienne qualify for Europe after returning from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with his country.

The former Leeds United player later confirmed that he wanted to leave for pastures new, but Galtier said Gradel, 27, is expected back for pre-season training on July 13.

“Since I have been at the club, we have never prevented a player from leaving and going where he wants provided the conditions are right, both for the player and the club,” Galtier said.

“It will be the same for Max-Alain Gradel. We are not going to give away our leading scorer if he can’t find a club capable of putting on the table an offer that matches our valuation.

“If that is not the case, our leading scorer will stay at the club and I will be very happy.”

Saint-Etienne have already lost Franck Tabanou since the transfer window opened, with the left-sided player joining Swansea City for around €4.9 million.

However, they have signed the midfielder Vincent Pajot from Rennes and are on the brink of bringing in Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the Cameroon international formerly in England with Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers.

* Agence France-Presse

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