HERE ARE THE good, the bad, and the unlikely football moves being talked about today.
Everton are closing in on a new striker. Reports today suggest a deal could be imminent to bring Crystal Palace attacker Yannick Bolasie to Goodison Park. With persistent rumours surrounding the future of Romelu Lukaku, the Toffees do need options up front and the speedy forward could make the switch for around £28m.
Along with Swansea captain Ashley Williams, Koeman is also linked to another centre-back: Sunderland’s Lamine Kone. But the latest word is that the 27-year-old may now turn down the move.
So, if Bolasie goes to Merseyside, that obviously means Alan Pardew is on the look-out for a replacement at Palace and he’s honing in on Liverpool outcast Christian Benteke. The Reds hope to conclude a deal worth around 32m.
Juventus are still keen on Chelsea’s midfielder Nemanja Matic and because of the lack of movement in a potential deal, they’re now hoping that by including Simone Zaza as part of the deal, there could be some progress.
You remember him from Euro 2016, don’t you?
http://vine.co/v/5zlpqUzEWrd
Reigning Premier League champions Leicester (it still feels weird writing that) have made an offer for Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa.
He’s currently in action in Rio so that’s what has been holding up a potential agreement between the Foxes and Santos. Juventus and Inter are also in the race for his signature but Claudio Ranieri is keen to land him, particularly with rumours still swirling about Riyad Mahrez’s future.
A lot has been made of Jose Mourinho’s lack of love for young players. And he seems completely disinterested in distancing himself from the stereotype. 21-year-old pair Paddy McNair and Donald Love are set for moves to Sunderland, reuniting them with David Moyes.
McNair is a utility player and was part of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad for Euro 2016. His preferred position is in central midfield though he’s been used primarily as a defender with United.
Meanwhile, Love is a specialist right-back and the double-deal is expected to cost around £6m.
Retro Deal of the Day
Following his exploits for Belgium at the 1994 World Cup, Philippe Albert signed for Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United.
After an encouraging debut season in the Premier League, the Magpies were tipped to be dark horses for the title though they fell away during Albert’s first campaign and finished sixth.
But he was a key part of Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ – the manager turning the side from Second Division strugglers to Premier League contenders.
Albert will always be remembered for the role he played in Newcastle’s demolition of Manchester United in October 1996.
The defender, as he was prone to do, popped up on the edge of the United box before deftly chipping Peter Schmeichel for the final goal in a famous 5-0 victory.
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