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BBC Gossip Column Debunked – Issue 71

This article is usually out before you have had your breakfast, well today it can accompany your lunch instead. It’s time for some afternoon transfer gossip

Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold

Chelsea have identified former Borussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel as the man they want to succeed Antonio Conte amid reports of tension between the Italian and the Blues’ hierarchy. (Bild – in German) If anything it is Chelsea identifying for the future, I don’t think it is a case of Tuchel being installed within the next couple of weeks. All major clubs go through this procedure at one time or another

Reports say Barcelona’s fourth bid for the Brazilian will total £138m, with £101m up front and an additional £37m in bonuses. (Mail) So much for the deadline that Barcelona were meant to be giving Liverpool at the end of last week

Chelsea are closing in on a £30m deal for England and Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater, 27. The Premier League champions are also targeting Inter Milan’s Italy midfielder Antonio Candreva, 30, who has been told he can leave for £25m. (Mirror) These links refuse to die down, they could be useful additions to the squad but simply nothing more

The Blues are also considering a shock bid for 30-year-old Leicester and England striker Jamie Vardy. (Mirror) That’s not happening

And the Premier League champions are still interested in Torino’s 23-year-old Italy international striker Andrea Belotti. (Star) That could happen but would Belotti want to be a sub at Chelsea

Paris St-Germain will pay Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe 15m euros (£13.8m) a year in wages – more than double the salary Real Madrid were offering the 18-year-old. (Marca) May as well rename it ‘Le SPFL’

A Monaco supporters’ group has released a statement criticising Mbappe and his advisers for their conduct during the transfer window. (Guardian) I’m not surprised, winning the league last season was almost the worst thing they could have done

England left-back Danny Rose, 27, will hold talks with Tottenham this week, amid ongoing interest from Chelsea and Manchester United. ((Independent) Not sure exactly what will be discussed in those talks, what can they really say to Rose bar what has already been said.

Spurs are still hoping to sign right-back Serge Aurier, 24, from Paris St-Germain and are also keen on 19-year-old Estudiantes defender Juan Foyth. (Sky Sports) The latter would be a good addition, is the former really needed.

Barcelona have made a second offer of 130m euros (£119m) for France forward Ousmane Dembele, 20, but Borussia Dortmund are holding out for at least 150m euros (£138m). (Sky Deutschland, via AS) Game’s gone mad

Manchester City are preparing a second bid for West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans, 29, after a £18m offer was rejected last week. (ESPN) Game’s gone mad…..again

Manchester United have been in talks with Inter Milan over a potential deal for midfielder Ivan Perisic, 28, since the end of last season, but the Croatia international is expected to sign a new contract. (Star) I don’t care anymore

Crystal Palace will make a £15m bid for RB Leipzig and Scotland winger Oliver Burke, 20, who played under new sporting director Dougie Freedman at Nottingham Forest. (Guardian) Champions League football or the Premier League?

Marseille have confirmed they are interested in exiled Chelsea striker Diego Costa, 28, if the Spain international’s move back to Atletico Madrid falls through. (Telegraph) That could be a sensational capture should Newcastle be able to pull it off

Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez, 26, who made just 12 La Liga starts under Zinedine Zidane last season, is reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. (Don Balon, via Daily Express) On the fringes at Real Madrid, what can he offer Premier League outfits that they don’t already have

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has no interest in leaving Stamford Bridge to join Lille, who have been linked with a £36m bid for the 23-year-old Belgium international striker. (London Evening Standard) I cannot say that comes as any real surprise

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is keen to sign Schalke and Germany defender Benedikt Howedes, 29, for £18m. (DW Sports, via Express) Is that the defensive leader that Liverpool have been looking for all summer

Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, 24, has reportedly told Barcelona he wants to leave the Nou Camp, amid speculation Manchester United are interested in making him their fourth signing of the summer. (Manchester Evening News) I think Manchester United can do better in all honesty, dare I say do they really need him?

Former Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong, 31, is training with Birmingham with a view to securing a permanent deal. (Mail) Triffic

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