HERE ARE THE good, the bad and unlikely football moves being talked about today.
Mark Hughes is ready to add to the Irish contingent at the bet365 stadium by signing highly-rated Irish defender Ryan Sweeney from AFC Wimbledon. The Ireland U18 international would cost the Potters in the region of £250,000, according to local reports.
Christian Benteke’s future at Liverpool is far from certain however, and Sunderland manager David Moyes is eyeing up the Belgian international as his first potential signing at the Stadium of Light. But he may need to beat his old club Everton to his signature.
The 25-year-old is expected to command a fee in the region of £30 million, or alternatively could be sent on a season-long loan – depending on who you believe.
But the Benteke rumours to Everton will intensify if his international teammate Romelu Lukaku was to leave Goodison Park. The 23-year-old continues to be linked with a return to Chelsea.
West Ham are on the lookout for a striker with the golden touch to light up their new Olympic Stadium, but they may need to offer AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca the prospect of European football in order to entice him away from the San Siro, in a deal that would cost the Hammers £26 million.
Diafra Sakho on the other hand, should complete his move to West Brom later today.
Another striker that could be making the move to the Premier League is Sevilla forward Fernando Llorente, who is in contract negotiations with Swansea, according to the Daily Star.
Ross McCormack his joined Aston Villa from fellow Championship side Fulham in a deal worth £12 million.
Although it looks as if somebody at Villa Park didn’t get the memo about the transfer fee not being made public:
Finally, The Times are reporting that Arsene Wenger has been told by the Arsenal board, that they are willing to spend big on some of his main targets.
Defender Shkodran Mustafi, wingers Julian Draxler and Riyad Mahrez, plus Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette are reportedly top of the Arsenal manager’s list.
Retro deal of the day: Phil Neville to Everton (2005)
The former Manchester United defender won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one Champions League at Old Trafford, before joining Everton for a fee in the region of £3.5 million.
Neville, who won 59 caps for England, decided to leave United in the search of regular first-team football, and slowly won over the Goodison Park faithful.
Neville, who now works as a pundit after rather unsuccesful coaching spells with Manchester United and Valencia, went on to captain the Toffees during his eight-year spell on Merseyside.
As the clip below shows he didn’t hold back when he faced his former club.
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