Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
It might be running incredibly late but this due to the consequence of having quite a heavy night last night, with the hangover all but settled now it is time to wade through the multitude of gossip and I’m not going to lie there is loads of it. So here goes.
As always – gossip in plain text, my views in bold
Former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is being lined up to replace Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager in the summer, with former Blues defender Juliano Belletti as his director of football. (Star) An interesting guest article on this topic
And Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is the prime target for Paris St-Germain. (Mirror) It seems as if it is winning the Champions League or bust for current Unai Emery, even that might not be enough to keep him in the job.
Tottenham are expected to beat Arsenal to the signing of Bordeaux’s 20-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Malcom. (Telegraph) The pendulum has swung back in Tottenham’s direction, after they reportedly cooled their interest.
It may not be a done deal yet but Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has congratulated Manchester United on the signing of Arsenal’s Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, 29. (Talksport) I’m just a bit bored of this really
Manchester City pulled out of the deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal as they feared it would have an impact on the financial stability of the club. (Times – subscription required) As if Manchester City have to worry about financial issues.
Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan bid a tearful farewell to his Manchester United team-mates after what could be the 28-year-old’s last training session before joining Arsenal. (Mail) It just seems a matter of time now that the two players will be swapping clubs.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has refused to commit his future to Newcastle United as he waits for the club to make three or four January signings. (Guardian) You can hardly blame him either to be honest.
Liverpool were weighing up a £40m move for Stoke keeper Jack Butland but have been told the 24-year-old is not for sale. (Express) Not something that takes place in January, the Summer maybe especially if does go on to be England’s no.1 at the World Cup
There will be no Manchester United return for West Ham’s Javier Hernandez as Besiktas close in on a £7.5m (8.5m euro) deal for the Mexico striker, 29. (Goal) Whether this in addition to a potential Islam Slimani bid remains to be seen.
Crystal Palace have bid £9.75m for 31-year-old Italy striker Eder, who plays for Inter Milan. (Corriere dello Sport, via Croydon Advertiser) Not to be confused with the Eder who once played for Swansea
Everton are interested in Lille defender Adama Soumaoro, 25, but have yet to make a move for the player. (Liverpool Echo) Nothing else to report here really
Rangers’ Portuguese defender Bruno Alves, 36, has emerged as a target for Italian side Benevento. (Sky Italia – in Italian) Can he help Benevento beat the drop fro Serie A.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has said the club did “everything” to try to bring Theo Walcott back to the Saints, before the 28-year-old winger moved from Arsenal to Everton. (Southampton Echo) Walcott obviously doesn’t fancy being in a relegation scrap.
Chelsea will hold more talks with Roma over deals for 23-year-old Brazilian left-back Emerson Palmieri and Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, 31, next week. (Telegraph) This is a repeat of the story that broke earlier in the week.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has stopped looking for a new left-back after changing his mind about Luke Shaw, 22. (Mail) It looks as if the Danny Rose flirting could be at an end now.
Swansea have turned to ‘super-agent’ Jorge Mendes to help them make some January signings. (Telegraph) They need some quality that is for sure, Mendes certainly has the contacts.
Arsenal are ready to throw in French striker Olivier Giroud, 31, as part of the deal to sign Borussia Dortmund’s 28-year-old Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Independent) Would Dortmund want him though?
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp doubts Manchester City ended their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez because of money. (Independent) They were never really in the race though were they
Derby County are prepared to let their 29-year-old Scotland striker Chris Martin join Sunderland on loan. (Newcastle Chronicle) Insert Coldplay pun here
Atlanta United have signed 18-year-old Argentine defender Ezequiel Barco from Independiente in a record MLS deal. (Goal) No doubt Barco’s arrival to Atlanta will come with a lot of hype.
A move to an Italian club could give 28-year-old Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge’s career a boost, says former Reds captain Jamie Redknapp. (Liverpool Echo) He needs a move to revive his career, simple as that.
Sam Allardyce planned to spend the new year in Dubai before going on safari in South Africa but cut short his retirement plans because he “just had to” take the Everton job. (Times – subscription required) This is news
