HERE’S YOUR DAILY dose of transfer gossip as the madness of the summer transfer window continues and who better to guide us through the latest wheelin’ and dealin’s than ‘Arry himself.
Just don’t use the words wheelin’ or dealin’, alright?
Welcome party: A rumour that started just yesterday has us a little excited. Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri is a target for Stoke, and it appears that he could sign for the Potters soon. Stoke have agreed a €17 million deal with Inter Milan according to the Daily Mirror, and they will butter the player up by offering him €85,000 per week. Peter Crouch even took to Twitter last night to welcome the former Basel winger.
Blocked: Sticking with the Daily Mirror, and they have an ‘exclusive’ on the future of Loic Remy. The French striker’s exit from Chelsea is being blocked by Jose Mourinho who apparently wants to keep Remy while Radamel Falcao settles into life at the Bridge. The 28-year-old is a €21 million target for West Ham, Crystal Palace and Swansea, but his wages may prove a stumbling block for those clubs.
Got your Gueye: In a move that will delight tabloid headline writers, Sky Sports report that Aston Villa have agreed a €12.5 million deal for Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye. The Senegalese destroyer is due in the Midlands today to undergo a medical. He’s made 130 appearances for the French club since making his debut in 2010.
Options: It’s time for a little bit of managerial gossip, and we’ll head to Leicester where they are looking for a replacement for Nigel Pearson. Neil Lennon is the frontrunner for the vacant position, but Sam Alladyce and Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill are also among the favourites. It’s worth noting that Lennon led Bolton Wanderers to just four wins in 22 games since January in the Championship.
Pack your bags: Former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk is adamant that Robin Van Persie is on his way out of Manchester United, with the club putting him up for sale behind his back. The Sun run the line that Besiktas will make a move for the striker, but Van Persie would rather remain in Manchester and fight for his place.
Holding out: It seems that Manchester United are being a bit fussy over the fee they wish to receive for unwanted winger Nani. Fenerbache have offered €5 million, but the Old Trafford side are holding out for €7.5 million according to the Daily Telegraph. Nani still has three years remaining on his current deal, meaning the Red Devils would have to pay out more than €24 million in wages to the player if they fail to offload him.
Coming home: This would be a slightly surprising move if it happened, but Fernando Llorente is being linked with a move back to Spain with Real Madrid. The Spanish striker has two years left on his Juventus contract, and with the signings of Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala, he may find himself as fourth-choice striker at the Old Lady next season if he stays. La Sexta do not speculate on a fee however.
Battle: Inter Milan have been busy in the transfer market this summer, and they are continuing their recruitment drive with the pursuit of Manchester City outcast Stevan Jovetic. They will face competition from Juventus and AC Milan for the Montenegro striker, but are hopeful of securing a €3 million loan deal for a player who has scored just eight times in two seasons for City.
Bell time: A rumour that makes little sense now. Manchester City have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen attacker Karim Bellarabi. The German international would cost them €35 million, a hefty fee for a player that has yet to prove he’s a top class international at the age of 25. He’s an alternative to Kevin De Bruyne and Marek Hamsik according to The Sun.