It would pretty much sum up just how silly this silly season has been if the three main players involved end up going nowhere, a live possibility if this morning’s papers are to be believed.
If recent transfer windows have been a triumph for the mega-rich clubs like PSG, Monaco, Manchester City et al, who shamelessly flash their money around and pick up superstars to beat the band, then this is the one when somebody decided it was time to shout ‘Stop’.
The words ‘not for sale’ have proved pretty meaningless in the past but a lot of clubs mean business this time around, particularly Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, who all seem pretty determined to hold onto some of their prized assets, despite the intentions of all said assets to move onto pastures new.
John Henry is all over this morning’s papers after his insistence that Luis Suarez will not be sold to Arsenal or to any other club this close to the new season, although Liverpool fans reassured by such a stance should remember that he said something similar about Fernando Torres before offloading him to Chelsea a couple of years back.
Henry’s defiance hasn’t stopped the Daily Star from suggesting that Arsenal will return with a £51 million bid for the want-away Uruguayan, who mightn’t even play with Liverpool if he does hang around until he offers a public apology for his actions in recent weeks.
Speaking of not for sale, Manchester United have also been pretty adamant that they will not be getting rid of Wayne Rooney to Chelsea, despite reports in the Daily Mail that Jose Mourinho will ‘fight until the last day’ to get his man and the word in The Guardian is that Chelsea will make a third bid for their primary transfer target in the coming days.
Incidentally, Chelsea players have been banned by Roy Hodgson from talking to Rooney about any potential move whilst on England duty next week, a situation akin to the ban on speaking English at the Gaeltacht; as long as you’re not doing it in front of anyone who matters, you’ll probably get away with it.
The problem with United’s defiance on the Rooney situation is that, also according to The Guardian, Everton are taking a similar approach and will rebuff any attempts by David Moyes to raid his old club for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, players who must feel as if they are being plucked from the bargain bin after United’s pursuit of more high-profile targets has gone cold.
One such high-profile target, Cesc Fabregas, appeared to put an end to United’s interest by declaring his happiness and his intention to stay at Barcelona yesterday, yet The Daily Star still think that United will make a final £40million bid for the former Arsenal man.
Over at Spurs, meanwhile, Daniel Levy’s infamous reputation as a tough negotiator could have borne fruit after suggestions from ESPN and the Daily Mirror that Real Madrid have balked at the ludicrous price Spurs are looking for Gareth Bale’s signature, while the Mirror and the Telegraph say that Levy refused to meet Real Madrid officials to discuss Bale this week.
Staying with Spurs, the Metro say that Carlton Cole could be an unlikely arrival at White Hart Lane after playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly for AVB’s men, while Harry Redknapp has admitted making a move for Jermaine Defoe (The Mirror), although the prospect of a reunion with the England striker is unlikely.
Elsewhere, Paul Lambert will have to stump up £10million if he wants to bring in Hiroshi Kiyotake from Nuremberg (The Star), West Brom are trying to secure a loan move for out-of-favour Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair (The Express), Paolo Di Canio wants to take Tom Huddlestone off Spurs’ hands (The Star) and having already snapped up Adel Taarabt on loan from QPR, Fulham could pounce to take Esteban Granero from their London rivals (Daily Mail).
