Fergie’s Chewing Gum – June 10
Future teammates? Diego Costa & John Terry
England
Diego Costa’s move to Chelsea is all but sealed and it may even be confirmed by the time that you’re reading this. Costa himself basically said so in a TV interview, with a £32m deal in the pipeline. Despite his recent injury troubles, he’s already passed a medical (and should be fine for the World Cup). That’s the major striker that the club were after, no word on what that means for Romelu Lukaku who is drawing a lot of interest across the continent and has said personally that he wants out. Chelsea seem favourites for Cesc Fabregas too which is one to keep an eye out. Not a bad replacement for Frank Lampard if that’s the case…
Arsenal are still keen on Loic Remy, while rumours that they’re in on Brazilian forward Hulk emerged this week too. Swansea confirmed that they haven’t yet had any offers form Arsenal (or Liverpool) for Wilfried Bony. Olly Giroud is a lonely man up front for the Gunners but it sounds like Arsene is a man on a mission to find him a buddy. For some reason Wenger also wants to strengthen his midfield even further, and Morgan Schneiderlein and Clement Grenier are on the shortlist. However the man dubbed the ‘Italian Messi’ (Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne) is probably out of their price range.
Mixed reports on Liverpool’s pursuit of Sevilla defender Alberto Moreno. One paper suggests a deal is imminent with the Spaniard flying into Liverpool today, another saying the deal is about to be called off as the Reds have become increasingly frustrated with the bargaining process.
Aston Villa have made the nice safe signing of Philippe Senderos on a free just before the former Gunner shipped off for the World Cup with Switzerland. The 29 year old was released by relegated Fulham and is the first signing of the summer (Sounds like Joe Cole could be #2) for Paul Lambert who faces a tough task in improving his team after a very poor season last time out. Brede Hangeland was also released by Fulham and Stoke are well keen. Speaking of which, Steve Sidwell will join Stoke on a 2 year contract after leaving the Cottagers too. The other major confirmed deal is Jack Colback leaving Sunderland for arch rivals Newcastle. There’s a brave boy.
Manchester United’s expected move for Luke Shaw may have broken down as Louis Van Gaal explores his options for Barcelona’s Jordi Alba. Southampton rejected United’s last £27m bid for Shaw and the Red Devils may not want to go any higher. The Saints are pretty desperate not to let anyone else out the door following Ricky Lambert’s trail even though Shaw, a boyhood Chelsea fan, apparently told the club he wanted to move to Man U.
Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal all want Antoine Greizmann from Real Sociedad. Aston Villa want Rio Ferdinand but he only wants to play in London or America (QPR are preparing an offer). City are finalising a big extension for Samir Nasri and have hopes of working new deals with a few others after the World Cup too – though not James Milner who wants more first team footy.
Spain
Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo seems to be getting a little testy over their relationship with Chelsea. Specifically, he’s upset at the lack of communication over Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois who has been on loan at the Liga champs and they are keen to get him again for next year – if not permanently. Chelsea have been rumoured with a number of Atletico players, and the Spaniards want something in return as they try to consolidate their most successful season in years amidst the threat of much richer clubs. Diego Costa and David Villa are on their way out so they’ll surely need some more help up front, though President Enrique Cerezo shot down speculation regarding Roberto Soldado or Alvaro Negredo. Maybe a loan deal for Romelu Lukaku would repair the bridge some? Atletico have already captured Granada fullback Guilherme Siqueira which suggests that Filipe Luis may be headed out the door. Luis is meant to be Jose Mourinho’s first priority to replace David Luiz.
Across town, Real striker Karim Benzema has gotten a little sassy towards Luis Suarez as Madrid are apparently ready to pay a lot of money for him. Benzy says you need more than one good season to make it work and vows to hold his starting spot regardless of what happens. Harsh.
Real are also fishing for Chelsea winger Ramires even if Jose Mourinho is reluctant to sell. Jose has his eyes on a few Real players so maybe a mutual back-scratching deal will be reached.
And Barcelona are poised to announce a deal for Croatian international Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla, while also announcing Javier Mascherano has signed a 4 year extension.
Italy
Juventus may be willing to listen to offers for French sensation Paul Pogba, though nothing under £60m. A number of teams will be queuing up if they can stump up the funds. Pogba himself is open to moving back to England to be nearer to his younger brother who is on the books at Crewe. Before his move to Juventus, he had a controversial time of it in the Manchester United academy. His initial signing was investigated and his time there was a mix of brilliance and petulance, eventually leaving because Sir Alex Ferguson refused to make him a first team regular at 18 years old. Still, United are one of the teams that keep being mentioned as possibilities. PSG too.
In a transfer that will rank up there with the best ‘didn’t-see-that-coming’ moves in football, Jermaine Pennant is nearing an agreement with Napoli where he’ll reunite with former boss Rafa Benitez. Yeah, the same Rafa Benitez who shipped Pennant off on loan to Portsmouth before selling him to Real Zaragoza. Pennant most recently played for Stoke City.
Germany
Mario Mandzukic has officially asked out of Bayern Munich. The Croatian striker has been starved of game time with the German champs and when he has played he’s struggled with the Pep Guardiola style of play. The club had offered him an extension but he declined it. No word on where he’ll end up. Expect rumours from all over. Toni Kroos meanwhile has ‘been offered’ to Real Madrid and Manchester United. Weird that, being as Man U already dropped out of a deal for the German.
Poor old Marco Reus is out of the World Cup with injury, and the Dortmund star is still expected to be sold this summer. Barcelona appear favourites with rumours of a verbal agreement in place with the player, and a £28m offer being prepared. Dortmund are very much against selling their star however.