Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Today it will be 11:11 on the 11th of January, a lot of one’s and it is fair to say that this is the number one gossip debunking column in the land. Anyone that is enough back slapping by yours truly, let’s not muck about and dive straight into the rumour mill
As always – gossip in plain text, may views in bold
Everton have joined the race to sign Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, 28. The Englishman is also wanted by his first club Southampton, with the Gunners set to ask for close to £30m. (Liverpool Echo) A number of clubs are in the race for Walcott’s services. It now remains to be seen if this is going to be a non-starter, this will be a test of the England international’s ambition. It would be easy for him to stay and collect a wage then opposed to moving to pastures new (or returning to Southampton)
RB Leipzig could let Guinean midfielder Naby Keita join Liverpool this month. The Reds have already agreed to sign the 22-year-old in the summer for £48m but may be able to take him in January for an additional 15-20m euros payment. (Bild – in German) I think we may well have to wait until the end of the window to see if Liverpool can get either Riyad Mahrez or Thomas Lemar, if not they will try and hurry this one along
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill was set to meet with Stoke City officials on Wednesday over the vacant managerial position, with assistant Roy Keane also expected to move if he takes the job. (Irish Independent) Is this to be one last crack at club management for O’Neill. I’m surprised that he will want to swap the serene world of international management for the weekly cut and thrust, maybe it is that desire to get back in the game though
Guangzhou Evergrande say they will not enter a bidding battle with fellow Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan for the services of 28-year-old Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (ESPN) What a waste of talent if he does end up going to China, still he would have seen Carlos Tevez pull off a great heist with the amount of money he was paid for little work, so you can hardly blame him can you.
Tottenham have begun informal discussions with midfielder Dele Alli. The club are said to be confident of agreeing a new deal with the 21-year-old England international. (Daily Mirror) Starting offer believed to be £100k basic but there will certainly be a lot of addons invloved in any potential deal.
Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan has said the club’s 17-year-old English left-back Ryan Sessegnon will not be sold this month, amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. (Daily Telegraph) It always seemed unlikely that this was going to be the case.
Manchester United will have to pay up to £27m to sign 22-year-old Belgian midfielder Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht in January. (Manchester Evening News) A repeat of a story from earlier in the week.
West Ham have been told that they will have to pay £15m for Bournemouth and Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter, 28. (Daily Mirror) Small amount of money really, will Bournemouth want to sell to what is a relegation rival?
Hearts are set to sign Manchester United left-back Demetri Mitchell on loan. The 20-year-old English defender would be the Scottish side’s first signing of the January transfer window. (Edinburgh Evening News) I think is a DONE DEAL
Barcelona’s Gerard Pique has warned Manchester United that fellow defender Samuel Umtiti will stay at the club for “many more years”. The 24-year-old Frenchman has a £55m release clause in his contract. (Metro) Just another player linked with Manchester United
Meanwhile, the Catalan club are about to sign Palmeiras defender Yerry Mina. The 23-year-old Colombian will sign a five-and-a-half-year contract. (Radio Catalunya – in Spanish) Third time this has been mentioned now
He is set to replace 33-year-old Barca and Argentina defender Javier Mascherano who is expected to join Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune. (Goal) Probably make a fortune there as well.
Germany and Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira, 30, says he is not keen to play in Major League Soccer and wants to stay in Turin when his contract expires in 2019. (Gazzetta dello Sport) USA is not OK for the German midfielder
Millwall have approached Aston Villa about signing 30-year-old defender Tommy Elphick on loan for the rest of the season. Villa manager Steve Bruce has refused to rule out the Englishman leaving the club this month. (Birmingham Mail) Looks like this could be a boon (you might not get that one, look up 80’s ITV drama’s)
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is expected to reiterate his appeal to owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley to get player signings completed before his self-imposed deadline of 20 January. (Newcastle Chronicle) Just give the poor man some money before he does something drastic
Wolves plan to make the loan deal for Porto’s 26-year-old French centre-half Willy Boly a permanent one should they win promotion this season. (Express & Star, Wolverhampton) So they will be making the deal permanent then
