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Gossip Column Inches – Part 4

If yesterday’s edition of gossip column inches was late, then this one is early. Truth be told who knows at what time I’ll write this column, if I remember at all. It’s all part of the adventure which is my life to be honest. Anyway enough about me, there’s a whole host of news to wade through this morning

Gossip in normal font, my thoughts in bold

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s mood during the club’s tour of the USA is exhausting his players and unsettling staff. (Mail) Are we seeing the final steps of a Mourinho three year cycle?

Real Madrid have no interest in Chelsea’s Brazil midfielder Willian, 29, but do want the Blues’ Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 26. (Marca) I don’t get all this interest in Willian, what are the big clubs seeing that I’m not

Leicester boss Claude Puel has reiterated his belief 25-year-old England defender Harry Maguire – linked with Manchester United – will stay with the Foxes for the new season. (Sky Sports) It seems that this is the hope than the expectation for Puel, it will be important for him to hang on to these two defensive bedrocks.

Maguire is set to be offered a new deal by Leicester, increasing his weekly wage from £50,000 to £95,000. (Mirror) Something that could be strengthened if the England international does sign a new contract, my prediction is that he signs the deal and leaves next season.

Tottenham may not make any signings before the transfer window shuts, says manager Mauricio Pochettino. (Mail) The news that Tottenham fans would not have wanted to wake up to but perhaps not that much of a surprise either.

Burnley are ready to move for Southampton’s England goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 30, if his 26-year-old compatriot Nick Pope is ruled out for the majority of the season. (Express) Forster has become the forgotten man in between Southampton’s sticks, third choice at St Mary’s a move to Burnley could at least give him the chance of game time.

Liverpool are confident Senegal forward Sadio Mane, 26, will sign a new long-term contract in the coming weeks. (Mirror) Mane, mane, mane.

Chelsea have opened talks with Inter Milan about Uruguay midfielder Matias Vecino, 26, and offered Juventus £35.5m for 24-year-old Italy defender Mattia Caldara. (London Evening Standard) Maurizio Sarri can’t buy any more Napoli players but it seems as if he will be relying on Serie A for new faces.

Chelsea are also considering a £30m bid for Arsenal’s Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 27. (Telegraph) This one came about the other day, it’s not THAT outrageous but Chelsea do seem overstocked in the middle of the park.

Newcastle have an interest in Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico but an £8m fee and the 25-year-old’s agent’s demands may be beyond Magpies boss Rafael Benitez’s budget. (Newcastle Chronicle) Just give the poor bloke some money

Brighton have agreed to sell 29-year-old English striker Sam Baldock to Reading. (Argus) A decent Championship level forward, but not quite what Brighton need going forward

Leicester will accept £18m for Algeria forward Islam Slimani, but the 30-year-old’s future may not be decided until the end of August, when the international transfer window closes. (Leicester Mercury) I reckon a move away from the Premier League seems the most likely

Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has refused to be drawn on speculation linking the club with a move for Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante, 27. (Talksport) Chelsea need to keep hold of their crown jewels between now and the end of next month. Kante being one of them.

Chelsea have offered Kante a new contract worth £290,000 a week, which would make him the club’s best-paid player. (Times – subscription required) That’s the way to do it.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have rejected a bid from Premier League newcomers Wolves for 22-year-old Spanish winger Adama Traore. (Express & Star) Wolves in non Portuguese player bid shocker!!

Morocco midfielder Younes Belhanda, linked with Crystal Palace, has ruled out a move to England. The 28-year-old says he is happy at Turkish side Galatasaray. (Football.London) Istanbul or Croydon, you decide

Paris St-Germain’s French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, 23, is close to signing a new deal with the Ligue 1 champions. (ESPN) Often linked with Tottenham, nothing happening there then.

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