Friday’s Transfer Rumor Roundup: Reus to Manchester United, Montoya to Liverpool

By Joe Prince-WrightNov 29, 2013, 9:40 AM EST

Manchester United are set to make a shock move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus as the German international could arrive at Old Trafford in January. Reus, 24, is just the type of attacking midfielder United need to help fire their Premier League season and make a charge for the title. Former Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa, who has failed to settle at United, is apparently being offered as part of the deal as David Moyes sent his trusted scouts to watch Reus in action for Dortmund in midweek.

Liverpool are close to signing FC Barcelona defender Martin Montoya, as the 22-year-old Spaniard could arrive at Anfield in January. Montoya can operate at either left or right back and will provide Brendan Rodgers with welcome competition in either full back spot. Regular left back Jose Enrique has missed most of the campaign and Aly Cissokho, on loan from Valencia, has failed to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League. Montoya will be out of contract at the end of the season, so Barca are keen to cash in and grab whatever they can for the full back.

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Dundee United youngster Ryan Gauld, the 17-year-old dubbed as “the Scottish Messi” who we’ve previously mentioned in this column. Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton have also been monitoring Gauld but Arsenal’s scouts will be in place to watch Gauld on Friday night against Kilmarnock. The Tannadice club are said to want $8 million for the teenager after he’s surged into the spotlight in recent weeks with some eye-catching displays in the Scottish Premiership.

Following the news that Andy Carroll is still nowhere near match fitness, West Ham United have switched their search for a new striker to France as Andre-Pierre Gignac is on their wishlist. The powerful Marseille striker has scored six times this season in Ligue 1, that’s just three less than the Hammers total number of goals, and would suit their direct style superbly. The French international, 27, could be snapped in January as he’s on a list of 20 strikers who could arrive at Upton Park. The Hammers are serious about adding more firepower as they aim to surge back up the table after an alarming drop-off that’s seen them not score in five games.

Dimitar Berbatov could be on his way out of Craven Cottage as Turkish side Trabzonspor have inquired about the 32-year-old Bulgarian’s availability. Berbatov has come under criticism from many Fulham fans after several lackluster performances for the Lilywhites this season and move to the Turkish league could be in the cards for the former Tottenham, Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen strike. Would Fulham miss Berba? Who else have they got up front?

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Extra-time golazo lifts River over Boca in Copa Libertadores final

Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

By Andy EdwardsDec 9, 2018, 5:18 PM EST

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For all of the negativity surrounding the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors — from the bus attack, to postponing the game, to moving it to Madrid — the 90 120 minutes of actual soccer delivered on the pre-final hype of a first-ever Superclasico to crown a South American champion.

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Tied 2-2 after the first leg nearly a month ago now, Sunday’s second leg — played at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu — saw River Plate top their bitter Buenos Aires rivals 3-1 (5-3 on aggregate) in extra time.

Dario Benedetto put Boca ahead with the game’s opening goal just before halftime. While the finish was certainly clinical, it’s the through ball from Nahitan Nandez that stole the show, and rightly so. Nandez split two defenders with his inch-perfect pass into space, sending Benedetto in for a straightforward one-on-one chance which he slotted away with ease.

#CopaLibertadores ¡Se rompe el cero! @PipaBenedetto no perdona y pone el primero para @BocaJrsOficial pic.twitter.com/oFYDbB9Lj5

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018

But River fought back with an exceptionally worked equalizer in the 68th minute. Ignacio Fernandez cut the ball back for Lucas Pratto who swept it home from near the penalty spot.

#CopaLibertadores ¡Se empató el partido! Lucas Pratto a sangre fría iguala el marcador para @CARPoficial pic.twitter.com/zLXLzpXpCi

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018

Juan Quintero hammered home the winning goal from outside the penalty area after 109 minutes. Quintero’s left-footed strike departed his foot like a missile and crashed off the underside of the crossbar.

#CopaLibertadores ¡Imparable! Golazo de @juanferquinte10 que pone a @CARPoficial más cerca del título. pic.twitter.com/S4e3Vl5du1

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018

River put the exclamation point on, and added insult to heartbreak, with a stoppage-time, empty-netter to make it 3-1. Gonzalo Martinez raced toward the end of the stadium full of blue and yellow-clad supporters and rolled the ball home with the last meaningful kick of the game.

#CopaLibertadores ¡El gol que pone la cereza al pastel! Gonzalo Martínez la mandar guardar y celebra @CARPoficial pic.twitter.com/Y9gIVnPpvV

— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) December 9, 2018

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La Liga: Bale scores as Real Madrid get by tiny Huesca

AP Photo/Andrea Comas

Associated PressDec 9, 2018, 3:57 PM EST

Benitez crushes refs for Yedlin red after loss to Wolves

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By Kyle BonnDec 9, 2018, 2:40 PM EST

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DeAndre Yedlin‘s controversial red card near the hour mark of Newcastle’s eventual home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers proved deadly, and left Magpies boss Rafa Benitez fuming.

Benitez was so mad, he let the officials hear it on the field, and then after the match didn’t hold back, calling for VAR to be instituted immediately.

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“We need the VAR, now. I think we need the VAR,” Benitez told Sky Sports. “You can guarantee to me that the player in the corner of the box can score in the top corner every time? It cannot be a red card [on Yedlin]. We have lost three points today and we deserve to win.”

Yedlin was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but the controversial decision was made by referee Mike Dean despite the presence of a pair of Newcastle defenders in the area and charging, with Jamaal Lascelles the closest. “The ball was far away and he [Lascelles] was close, close enough at least to see that it was not a clear chance.”

Benitez was also furious about an incident where Ayoze Perez took an elbow from Willy Boly in the penalty area with 10 minutes to go. “It’s so obvious. You see the red card [on Yedlin] and you see the elbow in the face of Ayoze. We need the VAR, right now.”

“I think the team was doing well in the game, but it is very difficult in these situations,” Benitez said. “I don’t need to talk too much because you talk well about the referees, and their decisions that are wrong. Just watch the images, that’s it. It is so clear.”

VAR has recently been confirmed for use in the Premier League starting next season. The league voted this summer on instituting the technology for this season, but instead voted to postpone the system’s installment.

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Watch Live: Boca Juniors and River Plate in Copa Libertadores final

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By Kyle BonnDec 9, 2018, 1:42 PM EST