Welcome back to Football Transfer News.
The transfer rumour mill is a fast-paced smattering of elements of truth mixed up with a whole lot of smoke. Nonetheless, sifting through the mess can be fruitful (sometimes), so let’s take a look at the transfer turnstile that was today.
Transfer Turnstile: Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata, Eric Dier
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Bakayoko to Chelsea Once Again in the Works.
Tiemoue Bakayoko has once again been heavily linked with Chelsea in the press. This will be reassuring for fans of the league champions, as the Frenchman had recently been linked with a move to Manchester United. With United already beating Chelsea to the signing of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Conte will be hoping that Bakayoko can be wrapped up before his squad leaves for Singapore next week. With Conte reportedly unhappy with the side’s lack of transfer activity, Abramovich will be looking at the Monaco midfielder as a way to further appease the defending manager of the year following the signing of centre-back Antonio Rudiger.
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Manchester United Close in on Perisic
Ivan Perisic is close to leaving the San Siro for Old Trafford as his move from Inter Milan moves closer, according to the independent. The versatile attacking midfielder has been a long term target of Manchester United’s, and the Croat has reportedly finally agreed personal terms with the English giants. It seems as though the only thing stopping the move is Inter’s unwillingness to waver from their £50m valuation of the player. Although those closer to the Manchester side believe the deal will be ironed out before the end of the week. As Paul Pogba accepted a slightly deeper role in the United midfield this season, signing Perisic make’s perfect sense for Jose Mourinho. As someone perfectly capable on each flank or through the middle, he will likely prove to be one of the better players in United’s rotation in 2016/17.
3. Chelsea Eye Costa Alternative
Alvaro Morata has been shortlisted as the number one target to replace seemingly outgoing striker Diego Costa. Having missed out on Romelu Lukaku, Conte has quickly turned his attention to underutilised Real Madrid forward Morata. The Spaniard has a remarkable goals per game record, and will be looking to find himself regular first team football, be that in the Spanish capital or elsewhere. This move makes perfect sense for Chelsea, who will still be looking a bit red in the face following the Lukaku fiasco. A young, talented and productive striker who will be able to sell shirts and score goals as the spearhead of the league’s best team.
4. Mourinho Wants Eric Dier
According to the Mirror, Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United to make an official bid for Spurs midfielder Eric Dier. Ed Woodward has been asked to submit a mammoth £60m bid for the young Englishman, who can play as either a holding midfielder or in defense. Looking to keep their foot on the gas following the addition of Romelu Lukaku, Mourinho is looking to add further reinforcements to the squad, with a defender and centre forward already added this summer. With Michael Carrick signing a one year extension, it is likely that the brass at Old Trafford see Dier as a long term fixture in their side.
5. Kelechi Iheanacho to Leicester on the Horizon
According to Sky Sources, a deal between Leicester and Manchester City for Kelechi Iheanacho is all but completed. The proposed fee for the young striker is around £25m, with the addition of a buy back clause in his contract. It seems as though Iheanacho is keen on the move as he seeks more opportunities at first team football. There is a question as to whether or not he will immediately see the field however, with Jamie Vardy dominating rotation in the final third at the East-Midlands club.
6. Marko Arnautovic Transfer Request Hammers Home at Stoke
Austrian wide-man Marko Arnautovic has handed in a transfer request, making his desire to leave Stoke City before the beginning of the season public. With Robert Snodgrass reportedly in talks with Sunderland, West Ham United have already had a preliminary bid of £15m rejected. Arnautovic has seen interest from both AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, which means that if Slaven Bilic is genuinely interest in the Austrian then he may have to pay over the odds to secure his services.
