21st August, 2015
Things are really shaping up for Chelsea fans as the week comes to a close. The club made things official with the signing of Barcelona’s Pedro, who snubbed rivals Manchester United for Stamford Bridge.
Now, according to the Daily Express, Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich have set their sights on a new target: Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
The France international has been out of the transfer pages for a while, but he looks set to step back into the spotlight in a mooted deal involving another long-time Blues target in John Stones.
The Daily Star says that the Everton centre-back will be part of a £100 million double move for both Stones and Pogba, as the England international is ready to put in a transfer request to try and force a move to the Premier League title holders.
Tottenham to up bid for Berahino?
A resolute West Bromwich Albion and Tony Pulis may be tested further on said resolve to keep Saido Berahino at the club for the 2015-16 season. The Independent reports that Tottenham are prepared to up their bid to £20m to help Harry Kane in Spurs’ front line.
Mauricio Pochettino says he remains confident that they’ll be able to bring in another offensive player, but he wouldn’t name names at this point. Berahino (or whatever forward Spurs bring in) will be key to the club’s plans to play a 4-4-2 formation more often this season, as opposed to the 4-2-3-1 they largely employed in 2014-15.
Liverpool moving to lock down Sakho
Sources have told ESPN FC that Liverpool have offered Mamadou Sakho a new long-term contract to stay at Anfield. Former Merseysider Steve Nicol explains why Brendan Rodgers won’t sell the French defender this summer.
De Gea to Real Madrid not dead yet
Super-agent Jorge Mendes is in Manchester to finalise details on one of his client’s big moves, that of Nicolas Otamendi joining Man City. However, it seems he might steal a trip across town to Old Trafford to chat up the future of another one of his A-listers, according to The Sun.
David De Gea is currently withering away on Louis van Gaal’s bench, but he could soon make his dream move to Real Madrid if the outlet’s sources are to be believed. They quote an unnamed source who says that De Gea will play at the Santiago Bernabeu this season as things gather pace on a move away from Man United.
Details are predictably fuzzy, but the nuts and bolts appear to include roughly £30m and Keylor Navas. Certainly one to watch.
TAP-INS
– If things fall through for Tottenham on the aforementioned Berahino front, Yannick Bolasie could be the mystery man to join forces with Spurs, according to the Daily Mail. The paper suggests the 26-year-old winger is dragging his heels on signing a new contract at Crystal Palace, while boss Alan Pardew said the Congolese would be unwise to ignore Tottenham’s interest.
– Despite reports (and rumours) to the contrary, Ronald Koeman insists that Manchester United have not bid for Southampton’s Sadio Mane and that no Saints players will be sold for the duration of the transfer window.
– Roma have confirmed the sale of 24-year-old Mattia Destro to Bologna for €6.5m. That fee could go as high as €11.5m with add-ons for the striker who scored 29 goals in 68 appearances for Roma since joining the club in 2012.
– Everton are preparing to offer Dynamo Kiev in the neighborhood of £15m for attacking midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko, according to ESPN FC sources. Tottenham and Stoke are also interested in the 25-year-old, but it’s Roberto Martinez and Co. in pole position for now.
– United States’ defender Tim Ream made it official with Fulham, signing a four-year deal to join the Championship club. QPR lodged a bid for Ream, who had previously been with Bolton Wanderers, but Fulham quickly matched the offer to secure the 27-year-old’s services.
Culled from ESPN Sports