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03rd Jun 2014

Transfer Talk: A high price for Bony, the unexpected return of Mame Biram Diouf and lots more Cesc talk

The papers are dominated by yet more Cesc Fabregas talk, but there are a few juicy new names knocking about today's rumour mill too.

JOE

The papers are dominated by yet more Cesc Fabregas talk, but there are a few juicy new names knocking about today’s rumour mill too.

Last night the news about Frank Lampard officially leaving Chelsea was confirmed, handily opening up a midfield slot for Jose Mourinho to fill just as the Cesc Fabregas auction goes into top speed. The Telegraph take these two elements and make a story of it, saying that Chelsea will spend £30m to get the former Arsenal man to the Bridge.

Chelsea may be the only destination for the Barca man as, hot on the heels of former club Arsenal reportedly saying ‘thanks, but no thanks’ when offered the midfielder, today’s Sun says that Manchester City have also rejected a move for the 27-year-old. It is hard to fathom the lack of interest in such a talented player, but at least Cesc still has one fan in England.

Robbie Fowler has urged Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers to buy Fabregas in today’s Daily Express, but God’s plea may fall on deaf ears, as the same paper suggests that it is Manchester United who may be the team most likely to challenge Chelsea for Fabregas.

Away from all the Cesc talk, there is lots of other interesting stuff floating about.

Wilfried Bony, on the back of a cracking first season in the Premier League with Swansea, is a wanted man. Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham all want the Ivorian to boost their striking options but today’s Mirror suggests it will cost £19m to pry him from the Liberty, a huge fee for the 25-year-old.

In other meaty striker news from the same paper, Romelu Lukaku is being chased by Wolfsburg while, in stringy but brilliant keeper news, Thibaut Courtois has had talks with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, according to The Star. That’s him back at the Bridge next year so.

The most surprising news of the day comes from the Mail, who say that former Manchester United flop Mame Biram Diouf is on his way back to the Premier League, with Stoke after the striker. With eight goals for Hannover this season, it might just be worth a punt on the 26-year-old now, who only made three starts for the Red Devils between 2009 and 2012, all in the League Cup.

The biggest European transfer rumour of the day concerns two highly coveted players; Arturo Vidal and Alvaro Morata. The Express say that Juve are willing to swap the dynamic Vidal for the promising Morata, leaving the likes of United, Arsenal and Spurs fuming at missing out on the young Real Madrid striker.

Finally, in wooden defender joins appropriate team news, Joleon Lescott is being lined up by the Portland Timbers, according to the Mail.