We may just be witnessing the best solution ever to being held at ransom for a player: buy someone else.
Granted, Jack Wilshere isn’t any kind of replacement for Raheem Sterling – not because he’s not better than him but because he’s not similar to him (as a player, they both seem like they enjoy a bit of controversy) – but Manchester City look set to spend the £40m they had put aside for the Liverpool attacker on Arsenal’s finest (sub) instead. Okay, it’s probably just another strap of cash they have lying around somewhere but reports this morning are that, if the Paul Pogba bid falls through, Manuel Pellegrini is going after Wilshere – so the next manager at the Etihad can use him. (Daily Star)
Manchester United are after a defender. Yes, we double-checked. But, for once, Louis van Gaal isn’t being linked with a surplus of strikers. Not yet anyway. Instead, they’re after 27-year-old, 21-cap Argentine centre back, Nicolas Otamendi. The Valencia defender is seemingly trying to force his way out of La Liga with suggestions that he is about to hand in a transfer request alongside the quotes, ‘the club know what I want.’ It’s not about what you want though, Nicolas. (ESPN)
Liverpool are chasing after another Brazilian – more Coutinho than Lucas, don’t worry – with news that they’re pursuing one of the brightest young things to come out of South America since Afonso Alves. Roberto Firmino isn’t expected to be at Hoffenheim after this summer and Brendan Rodgers is looking to hijack his move to, guess who, United. This would be a heck of a coup if they could get him though. (Daily Mirror)
Sound the Arsenal looking for a defensive midfielder klaxon. Francis Coquelin’s nose would’ve been out of joint this morning reading that Arsenal are after Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon. The 23-year-old has a release clause of around £35m so Gunners fans can safely forget about it. (The Sun)
Arsenal do look like they have got away with one though. Apparently Benedikt Howedes – the only weak link in the German World Cup-winning team – rejected a move to the Emirates – that’s right he rejected the move – so he could stay at Schalke. And a huge sigh of relief exhales around north London. (Evening Standard)
It turns out Jose Mourinho isn’t happy with Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Fabregas and Matic. So Chelsea are being linked with Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. They’ll probably get him, too. (Daily Express)
The Belgians are having a love-in. First up, Simon Mignolet has given new Liverpool striker Divock Origi a Simon Mignolet seal of approval – or, as well call it, a Mafia-like kiss of death. The Belgian is backing the Belgian to be a hit at Anfield. (LFC Magazine)
And Manchester City only came second this year so they’re after more blood, Vincent Kompany has turned to publicly serenading his Belgian team mate Kevin De Bruyne as a ‘phenomenal talent’ and links to the Etihad grow stronger by the adjective. (Goal)
If you’re an Aston Villa fan, look away now. Because Tim Sherwood is looking to get reunited with Spurs winger, Andros Townsend, at your club. Sorry… (Daily Mirror)
That’s about it.
Oh, an United are still after Gundogan.
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