BBC Gossip Column Debunked – Issue 54

The football season has officially started in England and although we may have to wait another five days for the Premier League to resume the amount of transfer gossip has not got any less, in fact it has probably increased over the past few days as clubs look to make their final pieces of business. With that in mind lets now take a look at Sunday’s portion of rumours

Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold

Barcelona are preparing to make a bid for England and Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli, 21, after selling Neymar for £198m. (Sunday Express) Here we go then, is this the Neymar domino effect now in full effect. I think both Liverpool and Tottenham fans are going to be sitting somewhat uneasy over the next few weeks in regards to the futures of both Philippe Coutinho and Dele Alli

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona want to sign Monaco’s 21-year-old France winger Thomas Lemar. (Sunday Mirror) Have Arsenal dallied too long and let other clubs into the race for Lemar, if that is the case then you would have to say that they are no longer the favourites to sign him

Everton will move for Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, 26, if they cannot persuade his French team-mate Olivier Giroud, 30, to leave the Emirates. (Sunday People) Everton still need to add reinforcements up front this summer, these two names are not game changing signings but what else is available right now?

Real Madrid have assured Wales midfielder Gareth Bale, 28, he is “the future of the club”, in a move that will disappoint Manchester United. (Observer) If Kylian Mbapped does join Real Madrid questions will be asked about the long term future of Gareth Bale, more importantly how will they both fit in the starting eleven and how will they finance the move for the French teenager

Chelsea still hope to beat Liverpool to the signature of Southampton’s 26-year-old Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk. (Evening Standard) Liverpool have no chance of signing him unless van Dijk formally asks to leave, Chelsea are in the box seat right now

But Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has told Chelsea they have “no chance” of signing Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro, 26. (ESPN FC) The hunt for a new left back has been fruitless for Chelsea so far this summer, it looks as if Antonio Conte will now have to look at other options

Swansea City must pay £13m if they want to re-sign striker Wilfried Bony from Manchester City. (Sunday Mirror) Should never have left the Liberty Stadium in the first place really

Borussia Dortmund manager Peter Bosz says he is not worried about losing France forward Ousmane Dembele, 20. (Metro) Played last night in the German Supercup as Bayern Munich won on penalties, decent game to watch in all honesty

Barcelona want Nice’s Ivory Coast midfielder Jean-Michael Seri, 26, who is also being pursued by Arsenal. (Mundo Deportivo via Metro) Seri will not move until Nice’s Champions League play off matches have taken place

Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of 27-year-old Rennes midfielder Benjamin Andre. (Sunday Express) So this one is a non starter then

Newcastle are targeting West Ham goalkeeper Adrian, 30, to bolster their goalkeeping options. (Sky Sports) Newcastle already have Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot on the books, Adrian is now second fiddle at West Ham after Joe Hart’s arrival this one could make sense

A mystery ­Chinese buyer has expressed an ­interest in buying out some of Manchester United’s shareholders. (Sunday Times – subscription required) Good for him

Stoke City are closing in on Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, 28, who is a free agent after leaving German club Schalke. (Sentinel) Stoke need to start the season well or the pressure will be on Mark Hughes

West Bromwich Albion will not sell Belgian winger Nacer Chadli, 28, to Swansea City, despite strong interest from the Welsh club. (Express & Star) Swansea seem to be trying to plan for life after Gylfi Sigurdsson

Baggies boss Tony Pulis is set to offer Everton’s Gareth Barry, 36, a two-year deal to replace Darren Fletcher, who moved to Stoke this summer. (Mail on Sunday) A solid if not spectacular potential signing for The Baggies

Manchester United’s Uruguay defender Guillermo Varela, 24, is set to re-join Penarol four years after leaving to move to Old Trafford. (Manchester Evening News) Never really made an impact at Old Trafford, makes sense to go back home

Premier League newcomers Brighton want a forward and a goalkeeper before the transfer window closes. (The Argus) Don’t we all Brighton, don’t we all

Aston Villa’s French defender Jordan Amavi, 25, is wanted by Marseille on loan with a view to a permanent move. (Birmingham Mail) Looked good for about one game when he joined Villa, an exit from the Midlands will come as no real surprise

Everton’s 19-year-old forward Ademola Lookman is wanted by Derby County on loan. (Mail on Sunday) Highly rated by Ronald Koeman but a raft of new signings may see his game time diminished, a loan move could be a sensible decision

Switzerland defender Johan Djourou’s move to Sheffield Wednesday has collapsed despite the former Arsenal player passing a medical.(Sheffield Star) Bad news for the Swiss defender there, whether Owls fans will shed a tear I’m not too sure

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has played down suggestions that Saints are about to complete a £16m deal for Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina, 23. (Daily Echo) File that in the recycle bin then