The transfer window is a lot of things, but it’s never dull.
Today’s transfer rumours involve some serious business. As we edge closer to the January window, clubs are making the necessary arrangements for any deals they hope to make this winter.
Rumours are rumours at the end of the day, but today’s rumours range from genuinely intriguing to downright inconceivable. Let’s have a whip through them.
Manchester United linked with mega move for Eden Hazard
OK. The Sun claim that United manager Jose Mourinho wants to reunite with the brilliant Belgian as he tries to think of the best way to stop Manchester City from dominating English football for the next decade. Stranger things have happened, but this just seems highly unlikely. Firstly, Hazard seems perfectly happy at Chelsea and, if he were to move, the Blues would almost certainly sell him on to someone like Real Madrid or PSG, not a direct Premier League rival.
Hazard would cost United about €100m.
Eden Hazard to Man United 😂
For 90£M 😂😂
To work under Mourinho again 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/p7NEoS774H— Saul Ibarra (@SaulGattuso) December 20, 2017
Liverpool frontrunners for Monaco star Thomas Lemar
Hey, that rhymes! The Independent’s Miguel Delaney writes that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are poised to revive their interest in Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar in January. The Reds and Arsenal were linked with the France international in the summer and, while the Gunners remain interested, the 22-year-old favours a move to Anfield.
With Philippe Coutinho’s departure seeming more and more like an inevitability, Klopp is keen to secure a quality replacement for the Brazilian. Lemar fits the bill as a quick, dynamic and creative midfielder, who is comfortable operating either centrally or on the wing. This one makes a lot of sense. With Naby Keita already coming next summer, Liverpool may have a mightily tasty midfield by the start of next season.
Liverpool will go in for Lemar, with situation semi-tied to Coutinho https://t.co/31wyl9MjJv
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 20, 2017
Arsenal want PSV striker Hirving Lozano
Arsenal are making plans for life post-Sanchez and his successor in the Gunners line-up may come in the form of exciting Mexican Hirving Lozano. Everton are said to be interested in the PSV star’s signature, who is valued at €48m.
According to Mexican newspaper AM, Everton’s interest is more concrete but if Arsenal act on their interest, Lozano may favour a move to a club who can potentially offer Champions League football.
Lozano is on record as saying he would love a move to Manchester United, but they are not thought to be in the running. Throw this one in the maybe pile.
Newcastle want to take David Luiz on loan
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is keen on reuniting with centre-half David Luiz. The Brazilian has fallen out of favour at Chelsea following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Antonio Conte, and Benitez – who worked with the player at the Blues – believes he can capitalise on his situation at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle need defensive reinforcements after an alarming dip in form has seen them slip into the relegation zone. The word on the street (that street being the Daily Mail) is that Chelsea are willing to let Luiz go if they find a replacement. Despite the imminent takeover at Newcastle, Benitez does not have the budget to meet Chelsea’s asking price, so getting Luiz on loan would be a shrewd piece of business.
United may benefit from Barca’s tapping up of Griezmann
Barcelona want Antoine Griezmann. What Barcelona want, they usually get, but it looks as though they’ve shot themselves in the foot this time as Atletico Madrid have reportedly lodged an official complaint to FIFA against the Catalan club for tapping up the Frenchman.
Interesting. Not only does it plunge Griezmann’s Camp Nou switch into uncertainty, it potentially opens the door for long-time admirers Manchester United, according to the folks at The Mirror.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone admitted that Griezmann could leave if the price was right and, with their relationship soured with Barcelona, United may find themselves in the box seat.
