Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
As long as every game is like the one we saw at The Emirates last night then I think this season might just be alright. The on pitch drama was fantastic the off pitch drama in regards to transfers continues to heat up, so with that in mind lets now take a look at Saturday’s gossip offerings. Not only that but it is a happy 60th birthday to this column
Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold
Barcelona are turning their attention to Tottenham and Denmark attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen, 25, because of Liverpool’s refusal to sell 25-year-old playmaker Philippe Coutinho. (Independent) This is a fall back option, ultimately they are still aiming to land Philippe Coutinho before the end of the month
Liverpool priced Brazil international Coutinho at 150m euros (£136.5m) during negotiations this week. (Daily Record) Nothing really surprises me anymore in regards to transfer fees
Borussia Dortmund and France forward Ousmane Dembele remains Barcelona’s top target, with the Spanish side set to return with an improved 140m euro (£127m) bid for the 20-year-old. (AS) Can they afford both him and Coutinho though, to be honest I’m not too sure
If Barcelona fail to sign Dembele or Coutinho, they could pursue 28-year-old Inter Milan and Croatia winger Ivan Perisic, who is a long-term target for Manchester United. (Sport Italia via Football Italia) Does anyone else not see the fuss when it comes to Ivan Perisic?
Paris St-Germain midfielder Angel di Maria, 29, has emerged as a surprise target for Barcelona as they seek to replace Neymar following his move to the French club. (Sport) Everyone seems to be a target post Neymar, the names are interchangeable but the story is the same
PSG have offered 18-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe an annual salary of 18m euros (£16.4m) over five years to convince him to leave Monaco. (L’Equipe – in French) Incredible! (said in a French accent)
Mbappe is keen on a move to PSG but no deal has been reached and the transfer may not happen this summer. (ESPN) If it does happen then we may as well just pack up and go home
Real Madrid have ended their interest in Mbappe and could turn to Chelsea and Belgium attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, 26. (Don Balon via Daily Star) Will they sign a player who is not fit until September, I guess it makes little difference in the grand scheme of things although Antonio Conte will be irate if he also leaves Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have yet to return with an improved bid for Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater, 27, after the Foxes rejected a £15m offer earlier this summer. (Telegraph) Could be a useful addition for Chelsea’s squad as Conte looks to pair up the two title winners from 2015/16
Midfielder Jack Colback, 27, is set to leave Newcastle after a training ground row with boss Rafael Benitez. (Daily Mail) Not in the 25 man squad this season, his time is up
Tottenham are in talks to sign Ajax centre-back Davinson Sanchez, 21, for £35m. (Mirror) Fires up Google….
