Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
This latest bundle of transfer gossip is running incredibly late compared to the others. But who cares about the time in which you read it, just as long as you do. I’m not going to pad this opening paragraph out any further, let’s wade straight into the news.
Gossip in normal font, my thoughts in bold
England defender Harry Maguire, 25, is keen on a £65m move to Manchester United but will not force his departure, and Leicester are reluctant to sell. (Mirror) So all things added up, it looks less than likely that a move will take place.
Jordan Pickford is set to be offered a new contract at Everton as they look to secure the long-term future of the 24-year-old England goalkeeper, who has been linked with Chelsea. (Times – subscription required) A contract will add value to Pickford but will that be enough to stop a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Brazil defender David Luiz, 31, wants to stay at Stamford Bridge following the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as manager. (Telegraph) He may well want to stay but ultimately will he feature in the long term plans of Chelsea’s new manager?
AC Milan are ready to offer former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte a £5.5m-a-year deal to take over from Gennaro Gattuso as manager. (Express) AC Milan have new owners and have identified Conte as the man to take them back to the summit of Italian football. Could this be a quick return to management?
Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac says 29-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid, is staying with the German club. (Bild, via Express) I can’t see United being a logical move what with Romelu Lukaku among their ranks, Real Madrid is arguably more plausible but they will possibly opt for younger targets.
Napoli are interested in signing Manchester United’s Italy defender Matteo Darmian, 28, on loan with the option to buy at the end of next season. (Radio Kiss Kiss, via Manchester Evening News) United are prepared to sell as long as the eventual price is right.
Real Madrid have made Chelsea an opening offer of £100m for Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 26, and Brazil midfielder Willian, 29. (Mail) £35m for Courtois and £65m for Willian, how the Brazilian international is worth that much I’m not too sure.
Chelsea could move for Juventus’ Italian defender Mattia Caldara, 24, rather than their Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, 30, who has been linked with the Blues. (Corriere della Sera – in Italian) Does not make a lot of sense, opt for an attacking threat then move for a defender instead.
Chelsea are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a possible move for 19-year-old America winger Christian Pulisic, who would be available for £65m. (Mirror) Talks but nothing more at this stage.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has played down suggestions of Spurs re-signing Wales forward Gareth Bale, 29, from Real Madrid, but says he is aware of the importance of new arrivals. (Sky Sports) As much I would love to see it, I just don’t think it will happen.
Aston Villa have made a bid for Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn on loan, with the 18-year-old Wales forward set to be withdrawn from a training camp in France. (Telegraph) This is a good move for Woodburn at an important phase of hisn career.
Chelsea’s France striker Olivier Giroud, 31, plans to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge, despite holding talks with Marseille. (Mail) He will have some use for Chelsea, but just how much of a role he plays we will have to wait and see.
Newcastle are in talks with West Brom to sign Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon, 28. (Sky Sports) With Alexsandar Mitrovic leaving for Fulham, Newcastle have the funds and will need attacking reinforcement. This move would make a lot of sense.
Middlesbrough striker Patrick Bamford, 24, will have a medical at Leeds on Monday before a possible £10m move. (Mail)
£10m in the Championship is small change these days, Bamford is decent at that level but you get the feeling he will never kick on from this.
Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Pedro Chirivella, 21, is set to seal a £3.5m move to Norwegian side Rosenborg. (Liverpool Echo) NOR-WAY
Fulham are close to signing 24-year-old English defender Alfie Mawson from Swansea, with talks between the clubs at an advanced stage. (Sky Sports) This would be a shrewd signing for Fulham. I’m surprised teams higher up the Premier League table haven’t gone in for him.
Aston Villa want West Ham’s 30-year-old winger Robert Snodgrass on another loan deal, having secured the Scotland midfielder’s services for much of last season. (Birmingham Mail) Imagine a really niche audio series about the Scottish international. Yes that’s right it’s a Robert Sndocast
Nottingham Forest’s Scottish winger Barrie McKay, 23, is set to join Swansea in a deal worth £500,000. (Mail) There are not enough professional footballers called Barry are there.
