Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Sunday, it is usually the day of rest for most people but not when it comes to transfer gossip and by extension that also means that I do not get a day off either. Unless that is I have a crippling hangover, thankfully though today is not one of those days so without further ado here is the latest serving of rumour debunking
Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, 31, has completed a medical before his anticipated return to boyhood club Everton. (Sky Sports) It will be just a matter of hours now until the move is finally completed and Rooney returns ‘home’ – EDIT: Move now completed
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, could be handed a new deal by United when he recovers from a knee injury. (Sunday Mirror) A short term deal in January could still be feasible but I reckon the smart money is on a move to the MLS
Manager Antonio Conte will return to Chelsea on Monday and immediately seek talks after the club failed to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku, 24, from Everton.(Sunday Express) Jose Mourinho gets one over his former employees and Conte is not best pleased, that said I don’t think it’s anything that will see him walk away to Stamford Bridge
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho sent a welcome message to Lukaku days before the striker opted to join the club. (Sun on Sunday) “U ok bbz? x”
Tottenham say midfielder Eric Dier, 23, is not for sale at any price after the England international was linked with a £50m move to Manchester United. (Mail on Sunday) Nope, not happening
Liverpool have been offered the chance to sign Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez, 25, but the Merseyside club are not willing to pay £66m. (Sport, via Metro) By the same token then they will not be paying £70m for Naby Keita
The Reds will not rush to sign players this summer, after manager Jurgen Klopp told the club that quality must come before quantity. (Sunday Mirror) Not great news for Liverpool fans
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, 28, will be allowed to join Paris St-Germain or Bayern Munich – but not Premier League rivals Manchester City. (Sunday Express) That does make sense but Bayern are already not prepared to match his wage demands so it may well be PSG or bust for the Chilean international
The Gunners have increased their offer for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, 21, to £40m after having a £35m bid rejected. (L’Equipe – in French) I’m running out of Lemar (the singer fron the early 2000’s puns) have I used 50/50 – I can’t remember to be honest
Newly promoted Newcastle United want Manchester City’s Fabian Delph, 27, but may have to contend with Stoke City for the midfielder’s signature. (Mail on Sunday) Stoke are reportedly highly interested and seem the favourites to acquire the services of Delph
New Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer wants to sign out-of-favour Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen. The 31-year-old Belgium international spent last season on loan at Roma. (Sunday Mirror) A player that does have knowledge of the Premier League and could fill the void that Mamadou Sahko left behind after his injury and then subsequent loan return to Liverpool
Paris St-Germain have convinced full-back Dani Alves, 34, to reject Manchester City and join them on a free transfer after leaving Juventus. (Record) If that does prove to be the case then expect Manchester City to step up their hunt for Kyle Walker but at the same time expect the price to go up also.
Newcastle have been in talks to sign Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore, 21, who could cost up to £20m. (Chronicle) £20m for a player who can run very fast, if he had a football brain also he would be very dangerous indeed
Former Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane, 37, is interested in a move to Championship side Birmingham. The striker is available on a free transfer after leaving MLS side LA Galaxy. (Sky Sports) Triffic
