The transfer window has only just creaked open, but the rumours knocking around today are of the very highest quality. Doesn’t mean they are correct but…
New year, new hope and a sexy new raft of transfer rumours. In fairness, most of these may be as clapped out as a 1974 Datsun Sunny by the end of the month but for now, these gems shine like the rock Rory McIlroy just stuck on Caroline Wozniaki’s finger.
The big juicy one concerns Arsenal, and the hunt for an extra striker. With Olivier Giroud starting to come apart at him immaculately tailored seams, and Nicklas Bendtner’s self-inflicted injury, it is expected that Arsene Wenger will make a move this month to bolster his strikeforce.
The Star reckon that he will splash £32million on Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa. The Brazilian/Spaniard only just signed a new deal for the La Liga club and those in the know reckon there is no chance of him leaving in this window. He would be a great addition for the Gunners but we suspect this one may not have much truth to it. Anyway, there is always Dimitar Berbatov, right Arsene? Or, as the Mirror suggests, Mirko Vucinic from Juve.
The other big name floating around this morning is Juan Mata. Clearly less welcome at Chelsea than the Financial Fair Play auditors, the diminutive schemer looks to be on his way out this month. Question is, where?
The Mirror list of his potential suitors today. Napoli, Juventus, Inter Milan, Paris St-Germain, Manchester United and Liverpool all get a mention but the paper states that Chelsea will not sell to a Premier League rival. Insert joke about United not being a rival here.
In other Chelsea misfit news, the Telegraph believe that £25m will prise Kevin de Bruyne from Stamford Bridge to Wolfsburg. The Belgium winger, who has started only twice for the Blues in the league this season, may also end up in Spain, where Atletico Madrid want to sign him on loan.
Elsewhere, loads of potential switches are in the offing. The Mail claim that Hull and Celtic are after injury-prone Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher, Joleon Lescott may be off to Newcastle or Spurs on loan from Manchester City and the Times reckon Liverpool will let Raheem Sterling go on loan to Swansea so he can get some playing time.
Finally, the Telegraph reckon that Southampton’s talented defender Luke Shaw won’t be going anywhere in January, a blow to suitors like Manchester United and Chelsea.
