GRIEZ LIGHTNING
The latest in a long series of ‘exclusive’ updates about Antoine Griezmann comes on the back page of The Sun, who claim that the Frenchman has agreed personal terms of £280,000 a week with Manchester United, who will meet his £89m buy-out clause.
The report even suggests that Atletico Madrid will target Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette as his replacements.
So why are we cynical? Well, because the report is attributed to Carl Long, who does not exist. Alex Terrell exists and he wrote the original online story but he has absolutely no track record of breaking big transfer stories. Hmmm. It’s almost like they just wanted the back-page headline to work…
— Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) May 3, 2017
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail claim that ‘Manchester United have made the first move in the race to sign Andrea Belotti from Torino’, while The Guardian bizarrely recycle this gossip about a £72m move for Kylian Mbappe being turned down.
COSTA ON A £76M BOAT TO CHINA
Well, well. According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Diego Costa has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian. Obviously, he really enjoyed Alex Pato’s company at Chelsea last season. The contract will be worth a cool £25.4m a year to Costa. And yes, that is about £500,000 a week.
Well, well. According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Diego Costa has signed a pre-contract agreement with Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian. Obviously, he really enjoyed Alex Pato’s company at Chelsea last season. The contract will be worth a cool £25.4m a year to Costa. And yes, that is about £500,000 a week.
As for Chelsea, they could use the money (said to be around £76m) to buy Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Though they could get Romelu Lukaku for roughly the same price.
WILLIAN, IT WAS REALLY NOTHING
He has been usurped somewhat by Pedro this season and it seems Willian could be the player sacrificed by Chelsea this summer to raise more funds. Manchester United have of course been linked as he was a Jose Mourinho favourite at Stamford Bridge.
He has been usurped somewhat by Pedro this season and it seems Willian could be the player sacrificed by Chelsea this summer to raise more funds. Manchester United have of course been linked as he was a Jose Mourinho favourite at Stamford Bridge.
The Sun claim that Willian’s replacement will be West Ham’s Michail Antonio, while The Times suggest that Moaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is one of Antonio Conte’s big targets this summer.
AND THE REST
Tottenham and Arsenal are interested in Nice’s 25-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri…Hull boss Marco Silva could be approached by Watford, Southampton and West Ham United if he manages to steer his Premier League side clear of relegation…Jose Mourinho has identified Joe Hart, 30, as his first option to replace David de Gea…Liverpool and Chelsea are ready to bid for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand…Chelsea are planning to loan out centre-back Kurt Zouma next season…West Ham keeper Adrian is a target for La Liga side Malaga.
Tottenham and Arsenal are interested in Nice’s 25-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri…Hull boss Marco Silva could be approached by Watford, Southampton and West Ham United if he manages to steer his Premier League side clear of relegation…Jose Mourinho has identified Joe Hart, 30, as his first option to replace David de Gea…Liverpool and Chelsea are ready to bid for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand…Chelsea are planning to loan out centre-back Kurt Zouma next season…West Ham keeper Adrian is a target for La Liga side Malaga.
