Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
The transfer gossip comes thick and fast and the beauty of the BBC Gossip Column seemingly being updated twice a day is that you get to have all the gossip debunked twice as much, so without further delay I am going to run a fine tooth comb through all the afternoon gossip
Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold
Manchester United are “prepared to offer up to £40m” to sign 29-year-old Roma and Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan. (Gazzetta via Daily Mail) As I said yesterday, Manchester United do seem to be linked with just about everyone right now. A scattergun approach to targets leads to a scattergun approach to gossip, still unlikely in my opinion
Lyon’s president has confirmed that Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette still wants to leave the club, but insisted the 26-year-old France forward will not be sold until a suitable replacement is found. (Independent) Once Lacazette agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid there is no way he is prepared to stay at Lyon, definitely a case of not if he leaves OL. The comments coming from Lyon will slow down any potential move to The Emirates though
Chelsea have switched their focus to Southampton and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, 25, after Juventus closed the door on a move for 30-year-old Italy centre-back Leonardo Bonucci. (Standard) With Liverpool hesitant to try again in regards to Van Dijk, Chelsea could have a clear crack at the signature of the Dutch international. I reckon more chance of this than of Juventus selling Bonucci, put this is one in the maybe column
Burnley have made a £3m bid for Stoke and Republic of Ireland forward Jon Walters, 33, who is thought to be frustrated by his lack of playing time. (Daily Mail) How long can Mark Hughes keep relying on the likes of Jon Walters and Peter Crouch, it may be a move that suits all parties as Stoke need to freshen things up at the Bet 365
Lazio are close to agreeing a deal for Sunderland’s 26-year-old Italy forward Fabio Borini. (Sunderland Echo) A perfect escape route for Borini in regards to playing in the EFL Championship next season, for Sunderland will there last talented player to leave please turn out the lights
Watford could face competition to sign former Germany full-back Dennis Aogo, 30, from Schalke. (Hertfordshire Mercury) Wake me before you Aogo (sorry)
Former England striker Rickie Lambert’s future at Cardiff City could be in doubt after Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock said the 35-year-old may struggle for game time. (Southern Daily Echo) Remember when Lambert went to a World Cup?
Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, 24, could be closer to signing for Manchester United after the Spain international’s wife began following the club on Instagram. (Manchester Evening News) Well in that case it MUST be official then
Bayer Leverkusen winger and Liverpool target Julian Brandt, 21, has ruled out leaving the German club this summer. (TalkSport) This rumour has been SLAMMED SHUT
