Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Time for another round of transfer gossip now as we approach the home straight in this month’s window, with the second half of proceedings usually the busier of the two the hope if not the expectation is that we see more business being completed. With that mind let’s wade through today’s gossip
As always – gossip in plain text, may views in bold
Arsenal are in talks to sign Borussia Dortmund and Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a replacement 29-year-old Chile forward Alexis Sanchez. (Mirror) Will Aubameyang deem Arsenal a big enough club with the Champions League possibly eluded them once again
The Gunners are pressing ahead with a £53m move for 28-year-old Aubameyang. (Mail) Also how would both he and Lacazette function in the same team?
And Jose Mourinho says he is “not confident but not unconfident” of bringing Sanchez to Manchester United. (Mirror) Well he certainly isn’t going to Manchester City is he
Chelsea have also entered the race for Sanchez but United are confident that offering Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 28, as part of the deal would make them favourites. (Telegraph) I think Chelsea have arrived to the party too late
Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 32, wants to return to Manchester United. (As.com – in Spanish) While Cristiano Ronaldo shouldn’t go back to Manchester United, he’ll never reach the heights of his first stint. Will a departure be on the cards this Summer though
Midfielder Emre Can, 24, says he has not signed an agreement to join Juventus in the summer and that he is still talking to Liverpool about extending his stay at Anfield. (Times – subscription required) Can they get him to put pen to paper?
Swansea City have held talks with Atletico Madrid over deals to bring 30-year-old France forward Kevin Gameiro and Argentina midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, 29, to south Wales during the January window. (Wales Online) These would be too very astute signings and give them some much needed attacking talent for the rest of the season
Everton are trying to complete a £20m deal for 28-year-old Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott this week. (Mirror) They certainly lacked vibrancy on Saturday after their defeat to Tottenham at Wembley
La Liga side Sevilla are confident of securing a loan move for 24-year-old Chelsea and Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi. (ESPN) Batshuyai will want minutes what with it being a World Cup yea, it is strange how Antonio Conte has never really taken to him.
A move to the Premier League would interest 25-year-old Marseille and Guinea midfielder Bouna Sarr, who is a target for Leicester. (L’Equipe – in French) Will Leicester make a Sarrious offer?
New Wales boss Ryan Giggs is weighing up an approach to make former Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes part of his backroom staff. (Mail) Give it Scholesy
West Ham fear their England striker Andy Carroll has had his head turned by the prospect of a loan move to Chelsea. (Mirror) I cannot understand why Chelsea would want him and why West Ham would let him go.
French football expert Julien Laurens is “convinced” Paris-St Germain’s 25-year-old Brazil forward Neymar and on-loan France striker Kylian Mbappe, 19, will one day become Real Madrid players. (BBC Radio 5 live) It’s not the most outrageous statement especially if winning Ligue 1 at a canter is the norm, they will need a new challenge eventually
Birmingham City are interested in signing Feyenoord’s 27-year-old Dutch left-back Miquel Nelom. (Mail) Twisting my Nelom man (look up the Stone Roses)
British financier Amanda Staveley is increasing her bid to buy out Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, with a new offer in excess of £300m. (Express) Still looks unlikely that the deal will be complete before the end of the month and with that Rafa Benitez will not get the funds he hopes for.
New Stoke manager Paul Lambert will earn a £1m bonus if the Potters avoid relegation from the Premier League. (Telegraph) So he won’t be getting a £1m bonus then.
Cardiff have held talks with Bournemouth over English striker Lewis Grabban, 30. (Bournemouth Echo) A smash and Grabban could be on the cards here
Hearts’ attempt to sign Go Ahead Eagles’ 26-year-old Dutch striker Leon de Kogel is on hold after the two clubs failed to agree terms. (Record) Hearts broken after failure to capture Dutch international.
Bologna and Italy forward Simone Verdi, 25, is expected to agree a move to Serie A rivals and leaders Napoli. (La Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian) An addition that could help them keep Juventus at arms length in the race for Serie A.
