BBC Gossip Column Debunked – Issue 27

Tuesday has reared it’s head once again, thankfully it does not seem as hot today as this weather is absolutely killing my ability to sleep right now. So as I type out this column with my eyes pretty much stuck together it is now time for another breakfast sized helping of transfer rumour debunking.

Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold

Chelsea are closing in on Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 22, and he may sign in time to travel with his new team to China and Singapore on Monday. (Sky Sports) This one was meant to be completed last week, not quite sure what the hold up is really…..

Or, Manchester United are set to outbid Chelsea, with the Old Trafford club prepared to pay more than £40million for the in-demand midfielder. (Daily Mail) Maybe this is the hold up….

United manager Jose Mourinho also wants the club to make a £60m bid for Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier, 23. (Mirror) Not happening

United will not offer striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, a new contract despite allowing him to continue his recovery from knee surgery at their Carrington training base. (Star) Smart money would be on a move to the MLS for Ibrahimovic when he recovers

And the club are yet to meet Inter Milan’s asking price for Croatia winger Ivan Perisic, 28, but a deal – for a fee of between £45m and £50m – is expected to be completed in the next week. (Independent) So it’s back off again after being on yesterday, still an unlikely move for me

Arsenal are reportedly confident of keeping hold of midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 23-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his current contract. (Daily Mail) Almost the forgotten contract issue at Arsenal what with all the focus on Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, will Liverpool test Arsene Wenger’s resolve?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also determined to keep forward Alexis Sanchez, 28, who is yet to sign a new deal and is thought to want a move to Manchester City. (Independent) Reports suggest that the club will not allow the player to move to Manchester, who will blink first?

And Wenger is refusing to sell France striker Olivier Giroud, 30, until the futures of Sanchez and Monaco’s Thomas Lemar are resolved. (Daily Telegraph) This is logical as they do not want to leave themselves short in attack

Chelsea are prioritising the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, 24, as it looks increasingly unlikely Spain forward Diego Costa, 28, will stay with the Premier League champions. (Guardian) With Morata not moving to Manchester then it was only really a matter of time before Chelsea come calling

Or, Costa is reportedly ready to play for the Blues again and make peace with manager Antonio Conte. (Star) I think this depends on whether Morata is signed by the Premier League champions, if they then run out of options then Costa is their man

Roma are keen to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, 21, on a season-long loan deal, but the Red Devils are unlikely to sanction it. (Mirror) Maybe a permanent deal but certainly not a loan one, Martial needs to kick on this season in my opinion

Manchester City are one of four top European clubs ready to pay the £27m release clause in the contract of Real Sociedad centre-back Inigo Martinez, 26. (Marca, via Manchester Evening News) The player has long been admired by Pep Guardiola, will he finally get his man?

Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare has held talks with winger Demarai Gray, 21, over his future and wants the winger to stay at the club amid interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton. (Sky Sports) The England Under 21 is looking for regular first team football but who is to say he would get that if he moved from The King Power Stadium, a tricky decision for the player

Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer, 24, has revealed he wants to quit the club in search of regular first-team football elsewhere. (Mirror) Comes as no real surprise, this is an area which the club needs to improve anyway

Leicester City have agreed a deal in principle with Manchester City for the signing of striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 20. (Sky Sports) This will be a good signing for Leicester and the Iheanacho, should there be a buy back clause then it’s a good move for City also

James Rodriguez wants his future sorted out quickly after being offered to some of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea. Real Madrid are said to want £62m for the 25-year-old Colombia forward. (Mail) Is there room for him at either United or Chelsea then again there does not seem to be room for him at Real Madrid either

Tottenham will hold talks with Estudiantes this week as they consider a bid for 19-year-old defender Juan Foyth. (London Evening Standard) Whether this in addition to Kevin Wimmer or viewed as a potential replacement remains to be seen

Deportivo La Coruna think they are unlikely to re-sign Arsenal striker Lucas Perez, 28, this summer. (FourFourTwo) Not really news this one

Burnley are looking to re-sign 28-year-old Swansea City midfielder Jack Cork, but they will not move for Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan, 33. (Lancashire Telegraph) Out of the two I think Jack Cork would be the better signing

Newcastle United are considering a move for Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, 24. (France Football, via Get French Football News) The quest for Rafa Benitez to sign a goalkeeper continues

The Magpies are set to miss out on Manchester City winger Jesus Navas, as the 31-year-old is nearing a return to Sevilla. (Marca, via Talksport) A return home for Navas should come as no real surprise

Rafa Benitez has demanded Newcastle United make an improved bid for Norwich City winger Jacob Murphy, 22. (Daily Telegraph) More frustration for Rafa

Paris St-Germain are expected to find out on Tuesday if they have succeeded in hijacking 34-year-old right-back Dani Alves’ move to Manchester City on a free transfer. (Daily Mail) You can read about my theory on what happens next should Alves move to PSG

Chelsea midfielder Izzy Brown, 20, is one of the players Brighton are looking at as they prepare for their first Premier League season. (Brighton and Hove Independent  I’m surprised that Huddersfield have not looked to bring him back for another loan spell, again though it’s another Chelsea youngster having to ply their trade elsewhere