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Rumour Round-Up: January 9-16

This week on Rumour Round-Up, we talk big striker moves, elite young talent, and the ever illusive swap deal.

Rumour Round-Up: January 9-16

Michy Batshuayi to Sevilla

It looks like the young Belgian’s time at Chelsea is coming to a close, for now. Multiple outlets are reporting a loan deal will see Batshuayi head to sunny Seville in a bid to get much important minutes ahead of Russia 2018. He has shown flashes at Chelsea, but his weakness in holding the ball up has left him mostly rooted to the bench. Batshuayi is the prime example of a fox in the box and if he finds himself amongst the goals, Sevilla will be in for a treat. The deal looks set to go through once Chelsea find a replacement.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Alexis Sanchez Swap Deal

Manchester United’s interest in Alexis Sanchez has brought a host of news about potential transfer packages to bring the Chilean to Old Trafford. There was rumored interest in Anthony Martial, whom United unequivocally ruled out. The latest rumour is a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian has found himself out of favour with Jose Mourinho after a stop-start career in Manchester. But Arsenal might be the perfect venue to revive his undoubted talent.

 

This is one of the rare cases where a swap deal makes sense. Alexis is off somewhere. Mkhitaryan would cost more than a player with six months left under contract. A swap makes sense for both clubs. Sanchez would be a huge acquisition for Manchester United as they look to chase down leaders Manchester City.

Malcom, Aubameyang to Arsenal?

With the potential newfound wage space and a hole on the front line, Arsenal are looking to bolster in a big way. Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks the likely replacement after falling out with Dortmund. The player was dropped at the weekend for disciplinary reasons. An elite tier striker, he does not quite fit the Arsenal mould. However, his pace and clinical finishing offer another attacking threat for a faltering Gunners side.

Malcom is one of Europe’s most exciting prospects at the moment. A mercurial winger plying his trade at Bordeaux, he has been electric the first half of the Ligue 1 season. Bordeaux rejected offers for the Brazilian in the summer. His agent has been adding fuel to the fire on social media, but it may be a game of one or the other between him and Aubameyang. If Arsenal do not get this done in January, expect them to face stiff competition this summer.

 

 

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Kieran Doyle-Davis

Kieran Doyle-Davis

Kieran has been writing for LWOS since May 2017. He covers Chelsea, Toronto FC and any other football related topics that interest him. Growing up in Hamilton, he's supported Chelsea overseas since 7 years old. He attended his first competitive match in a 3-1 Chelsea win over Swansea in 2017, while attending nearly every TFC match. He has represented Ontario at the provincial level, and captained his university team at McMaster.

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