Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
The weekend is nearly upon us it is time to once again delve deep into my big sack of transfer gossip, things are starting to heat up so there is no point hanging around any longer as I now take a look at what is making the headlines today
As always – gossip in plain text, may views in bold
Manchester United have made a £25m bid to sign Arsenal’s 28-year-old Chile forward Alexis Sanchez. (Guardian) They may well be interested but there is not much if any chance that Alexis Sanchez chooses Old Trafford over the Etihad.
Sanchez would prefer to join Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have only bid £20m. (Independent) Manchester City are trying to low ball Arsenal but I imagine a figure nearer £30m would eventually do the job.
Manchester United have also made initial inquiries about two other forwards – Leicester’s 30-year-old England international Jamie Vardy and West Ham’s 29-year-old Mexican striker Javier Hernandez, who was at Old Trafford from 2010-2015. (Telegraph) The signing of Vardy could be an interesting one but not one that happens in January while I don’t think Javier Hernandez will be returning to Old Trafford anytime soon
New MLS side Los Angeles FC are also interested in signing Hernandez. (Talksport) This move for the Mexican seems more likely
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is likely to leave the club at the end of the season. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique are the leading contenders to replace him. (Mail) It seems all is not well at Stamford Bridge, but their usual policy of a managerial revolving door has not done them all that badly over the years so perhaps they will look to change personnel once again.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in signing Brazilian playmaker Arthur Melo, 21, from Gremio. (Star) Who aren’t Manchester United linked with as of late?
Liverpool are in talks with Leicester and Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez, but the 26-year-old would prefer to sign for Arsenal. (Express) Good news for Arsenal fans as they look for a replacement for Alexis Sanchez
Liverpool are in official contact with RB Leipzig as they attempt to bring forward Naby Keïta’s arrival as Philippe Coutinho’s replacement. A deal has already been agreed for the 22-year-old midfielder to join in July. (Times) I still cannot see this one happening in January
Liverpool are willing to sell their 28-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge, but they will demand £30m for the England international. (Liverpool Echo) That and the fact that he will be asking for £150k a week does not make him an all that attractive proposition, especially when you consider his injury record
Italian Carlo Ancelotti is the preferred candidate to take over from Arsene Wenger as Arsenal boss at the end of the season. The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain manager has agreed a four-year deal worth 40 million euros (£35.5m). (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian) I’ll believe it when I see it to be honest
Everton are set to make a £20m bid for Arsenal’s 28-year-old England forward Theo Walcott. (Telegraph) It seems as if talks are well underway with a move to Merseyside edging closer
Crystal Palace are targeting two new strikers. They have agreed a £12m fee for West Ham’s 28-year-old Senegalese striker Diafra Sakho and will bid £13m for Everton’s 27-year-old Senegalese forward Oumar Niasse. (Evening Standard) Niasse could be a good capture but the additional firepower will stand Palace in good stead for the rest of the season.
Claude Puel has confirmed striker Kelechi Iheanacho will not be leaving Leicester City in the January transfer window. The Foxes manager has urged the 20-year-old to improve in all areas. (Leicester Mercury) One of the biggest transfer flops of the season
West Ham have been dealt a blow by Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal who has stressed he is determined to keep defender Alfie Mawson, 23, suggesting the club would only consider selling him if they received an offer in the region of £50m. (Star) Swansea would be insane to sell him all honesty, especially if they have any hopes of beating the drop
Manchester United will match Liverpool’s interest in 19-year-old United States and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic if their Premier League rivals make a bid. (Independent) Could Pulisic be the USA’s first ever true global footballing superstar?
Manchester United are considering making a bid for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Fred, 24, who is also a target for Manchester City. (Record) Another chance to use my “Fred up” pun
Liverpool and Tottenham want to sign Norwich’s England U21 attacking midfielder James Maddison. (Mirror) Both clubs were interested in him before he decided to join Norwich, will they get him second time around?
Wolves are also interested in signing the 21-year-old from their Championship rivals. (Express and Star) Or will he join the Wolves revolution?
Inter Milan have made a loan offer for Barcelona and Brazil midfielder Rafinha, 24, with an option to buy him for £17.7m. (Sky Sport Italia – in Italian) Never quite reached the heights expected at Barcelona, then again there is a huge amount of talent in the queue ahead of him so perhaps the move will do him good.
Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires hopes to join Inter Milan this month. The 30-year-old Brazilian plays in China for Jiangsu Suning. (Sky Sport Italia) Another player who has had enough of the Chinese footballing revolution it seems.
Manchester City are set to send England U20 winger Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, 19, on loan to Oxford United after recalling him from FC Twente. (HITC) Another candidate for my double barreled England squad
Nottingham Forest’s new manager Aitor Karanka wants to sign Chelsea’s Belgian forward Charly Musonda, 21, on loan. (Telegraph) Well he will never get any game time at Stamford Bridge will he
Two Premier League clubs want to sign Changchun Yatai, Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo and the 28-year-old former Watford player says he is open to a Premier League return. (Sky Sports) And another one who has had enough of life in China
Manager Rafa Benitez is becoming increasingly frustrated at Newcastle United’s inaction in the transfer window. (Shields Gazette) Please just give the man some money
Newcastle are set to open talks with 17-year-old Young Boys striker Yannick Toure, who plays for Switzerland Under-17s, in the next 24 hours. (Mail) Not quite the business that Newcastle fans would have been hoping for
A second Middle East investor is looking to make an offer for Newcastle United. (Mail) Probably to late for the deal to be done this month though
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino wants permanent January deals rather than loan signings. (Daily Echo) Don’t we all Mauricio, don’t we all.
