Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
After the huge success of the series launch yesterday (of which there were some readers) it is time to throw ourselves into the Sunday back pages. The weekend always brings a heavy amount of gossip, so now it’s time to cut through the wheat from the chaff once more.
Gossip in normal text, my thoughts in bold
Juventus believe Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is open to a return to the Italian club and they are willing to sell striker Gonzalo Higuain, 30, midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 28, as well as defenders Daniele Rugani, 24, and Mattia Caldara, 24, to finance a deal for the 25-year-old. (Sunday Mirror) Well Juventus won’t need to sell all four of those players, Pogba stock has admittedly risen after winning the World Cup but with that said I believe he will be in United colours this season.
Manchester United would have to pay wages in the region of Alexis Sanchez’s £505,000 per week to sign Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, 29, from Bayern Munich. (Star on Sunday) Where does Lewandowski fit alongside Lukaku, I can’t see this one getting off the ground.
Real Madrid are set to abandon their pursuit of Eden Hazard after refusing to meet Chelsea’s £200m valuation of the 27-year-old Belgium international. (Sunday Express) Good news for Chelsea fans, although they cannot really relax until the end of the month.
Chelsea are ready to make a £30m move for Arsenal’s 27-year-old midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who has one year left on his contract with the Gunners. (Mail on Sunday) Chelsea are very heavily stocked in the centre of midfield, if (and it is a big if) they would have to sell some names first.
Borussia Dortmund are prepared to sell USA international Christian Pulisic this summer for £65m, with Chelsea and Liverpool among the clubs interested in the 19-year-old. (Mail on Sunday) If Dortmund sell Pulisic, could Wilfried Zaha be the ready made replacement?
Liverpool want to sell Belgium striker Divock Origi, who they value at £26m, on a permanent basis but Watford are only considering a year-long loan for the 23-year-old. (Sunday Mirror) Almost the forgotten man at Liverpool, especially when it seems as Daniel Sturridge is ahead of him in the pecking order. A case of when and not if he departs from Anfield.
West Ham are set to make an improved bid to sign Croatia centre-back Domagoj Vida from Turkish side Besiktas, with Monaco also interested in the 29-year-old. (Fanatik, via Sunday Express) The Hammers are not mucking about in this transfer window, although Fanatik is not the most reputable news source.
Everton have agreed a fee of up to £25m with Barcelona for France left-back Lucas Digne, 25. (Goal.com) It looks as if Leighton Baines will no longer be first choice at Everton should this move go ahead.
Arsenal target Steven Nzonzi, 29, the French former Blackburn and Stoke midfielder now with Sevilla, is close to joining Roma in a deal worth more than £29m. (Calciomercato, via Star) Truth be told, I don’t think Arsenal need him so no real loss to the Gunners.
Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic looks set for a permanent move to Fulham, where he spent part of last season on loan, after a £20m bid for the 23-year-old Serbia international was accepted by the Magpies. (Sky Sports) Just a matter of time before the deal is complete.
Newcastle say skipper Jamaal Lascelles will not be sold even if Leicester make a £35m bid for the 24-year-old defender. (Newcastle Chronicle) Newcastle don’t want to sell, but it all depends on other goings on in the market. Maybe Harry Maguire will set off a chain reaction of transfers.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 28, who had a loan spell at West Brom last season, says he regards his return to the Reds like a second chance with a girlfriend, insisting he still loves the club. (ESPN) Is this really news?
Claude Puel is confident Leicester will keep hold of England defender Harry Maguire, 25, and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 31. (Leicester Mercury) If Leicester lose these two then the Foxes may be in for a tough season.
Manager Neil Warnock has hinted that Cardiff may sign Liverpool’s Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic, 22, who played for the Bluebirds last term, and one other central midfielder before the transfer window shuts. (Wales Online) Will be interesting to see how Warnock fares in the Premier League. He’s great at getting teams to the promised land but once there it is a different story.
Aston Villa’s new owners will resist offers for Jack Grealish, 22, James Chester, 29, and Jonathan Kodjia, 28, manager Steve Bruce says. (Birmingham Mail) If they do resist offers it means that Tottenham may not sign anyone this Summer (Jack Grealish that is not James Chester)
Stoke manager Gary Rowett has dismissed speculation linking England goalkeeper Jack Butland, 25, with a summer move. (Talksport) This was literally yesterday’s news.
Brighton target Liam Moore, 25, who has handed in a transfer request, was left out of the Reading squad for their friendly at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. (Brighton Argus) Is this a a case of Reading between the lines?
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says the early closure of the Premier League transfer window will not help the club, but that there is no need to panic over the lack of new signings. (London Evening Standard) Tell that to Twitter
