HERE ARE THE good, the bad, and the unlikely football moves being talked about today…
Barcelona sent a delegation to Merseyside this week to negotiate a deal for Philippe Coutinho, report the Mirror.
The Catalans are flushed with cash following the €222 million sale of Neymar to PSG and are looking to sign a replacement immediately.
Despite Liverpool already rejecting a £72 million bid for the playmaker, the La Liga club want to wrap up a £120 million deal by the end of this week.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Arsenal future remains uncertain, with champions Chelsea joining a host of clubs looking for the wing-back’s signature.
The Daily Mail claim claim that the 23-year-old is a target of Antonio Conte’s and that the Blues have made a £25 million offer.
With just one year remaining on his contract Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could be forced to let his player join a rival, or face letting him leave for free in 12 months’ time.
The Mirror also claim that Inter Milan are giving Roma stiff competition for Riyad Mahrez, who Leicester have priced at £50 million.
The Serie A side have already had a £32 million bid rejected and with the future of Ivan Perisic uncertain, the Algerian could also act as a suitable replacement for Inter should the Croatian winger depart San Siro.
Gareth Bale will definitely be playing his football at the Bernabéu next season, according to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
In a statement released this week Perez reaffirmed that the Champions League holders had no intention of selling the Welsh winger, despite persistent speculation linking the forward with a move to Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho has expressed a keen interest in the player all summer and with the possibility of Kylian Mbappé landing at Madrid, Bale may have looked for an exit from the Spanish capital.
Perez, however, said no deal would be done. “Bale? I don’t plan on selling him,” he said speaking after yesterday’s Uefa Super Cup win over United.
Finally, the Manchester Evening News report that Pep Guardiola is considering re-uniting with Sergio Busquets at the Etihad.
The pair won 14 trophies, including two Champions Leagues, together at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.
Following the sale of Fernando to Galatasaray the Blues are a man down in midfield and are considering a shock move for the Spanish international, who has been at Barcelona since 2007.
However with the sale of Neymar to PSG last week the Catalans are unlikely to sell another prized asset, with City also linked with 25-year-old team-mate Sergi Roberto.
Retro Deal of the Day: James McClean to Derry City
On this day in 2011 James McClean joined Sunderland from Derry City.
The tricky winger had established himself playing in the Brandywell for three years, having made his debut for the League of Ireland club in August 2008, aged 19.
McClean joined the newly established Derry side along with Shane and Patrick McEleney, scoring 18 goals in 78 appearances.
McClean had a brief stay at Lincoln before returning home to the Candystripes due to homesickness, with Everton boss David Moyes also keen on the young player before he was snatched up by Sunderland.
He joined for a fee of £350,000 in August 2011, making his competitive debut for the Black Cats under current Ireland boss Martin O’Neill in a 2-1 win over Blackburn.
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