FST Daily Transfer News – Mon 30th July
Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
Danny Drinkwater – Crystal Palace & Southampton
Both Crystal Palace and Southampton have been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater. The 28-year old joined the Blues just last year but failed to make much of an impression during his 12 months at Stamford Bridge.
Drinkwater started just 5 Premier League matches for Chelsea last season and he is looking to resurrect his career elsewhere. (The Mirror)
Olivier Giroud – Marseille
World Cup winning centre forward Olivier Giroud could be in line for a return to France after he was linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille. Giroud has been at Chelsea for just 6 months after he crossed London to join the Blues from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Chelsea are reportedly making moves behind the scenes to sign a new starting centre forward, a transfer that’s likely to see Giroud’s time on the pitch cut significantly. The 31-year old has also been linked with Atletico Madrid in Spain. (L’Equipe)
Divock Origi – Watford
Belgian attacker Divock Origi has been targeted by Watford as they look to strengthen their forward options ahead of the 2018/19 season. Origi spent last year on loan to Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach and Watford would favour taking him on loan again this term before making any permanent move.
Origi has fallen down the pecking order at Liverpool following the Reds heavy summer outlay and the 23-year old is said to be exploring options that would guarantee him more playing time. (Sky Sports)
Salomon Rondon – Newcastle
Newcastle are in talks with West Brom to sign Venezuelan international striker Salomon Rondon. The 28-year old has a £16.5m release clause in his contract and the Magpies see him as the ideal replacement for wantaway forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Rondon scored 10 times last season for WBA who were eventually relegated from the Premier League. Rondon has played 66 times at senior level for his country, scoring 19 times. (Daily Express)
Mattia Caldara – Chelsea
Chelsea have reportedly turned their interest to Juventus defender Mattia Caldara after their negotiations to sign his teammate Daniele Rugani stalled. The 24-year old had been linked with a move to AC Milan, though Chelsea are said to be offering Caldara a better financial package.
Juventus signed Caldara in January 2017, though the defender has been on loan at Atlanta since then, impressing everyone with his dynamic performances. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Alfie Mawson – Fulham
Premier League new-boys Fulham have emerged as favourites to sign Swansea centre-half Alfie Mawson. The 24-year old had been linked with a whole host of other Premiership clubs, though the Cottagers have stolen a march on their rivals.
Mawson, who is expected to cost Fulham somewhere in the region of £25m, played in every Premier League game for Swansea City last season, though he couldn’t help the Swans in their bid to avoid the drop. (Sky Sports)
Christian Pulisic –Chelsea & Liverpool
USA international poster-boy Christian Pulisic has been linked with a sensational £65m transfer to the Premier League with Chelsea and Liverpool said to be battling it out for his signature. With Borussia Dortmund reportedly ready to cash in on Pulisic this summer, interest in the attacking midfielder is high.
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also said to be monitoring developments, though the only concrete enquiries are thought to have come from clubs in England. The 19-year old has already played 21 times for his country. (Daily Mail)
Thibaut Courtois & Willian – Real Madrid
Rumours suggest that Real Madrid are willing to part with £100m to take both Thibaut Courtois Willian from England to Spain. Real have been strongly linked with a move for goalkeeper Courtois for most of the summer, but now they are thought to be keen to bring Willian to La Liga with him.
Barcelona and Manchester United have also been linked with moves for Willian, though the Brazilian’s future has yet to be determined by new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri. (Talksport)
Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur
Mauricio Pochettino has poured cold water on fresh reports linking Gareth Bale with a return to his former club Tottenham Hotspur. Reports in Spain had linked Bale with a shock switch back to the club that helped him develop into a world class star, though Pochettino thinks the transfer wouldn’t be “realistic”.
Bale is thought to be relatively happy at Real Madrid, though he wants a much more prominent role in the team. The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer to Juventus could see Bale become Real’s new talisman however. (Sky Sports)
Yerry Mina – Manchester United
Having been knocked back in their attempts to sign Leicester City’s Harry Maguire and Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld, Manchester United are rumoured to be considering a bid for Colombian international Yerry Mina instead.
The 23-year Barcelona centre-back had been lined up by Everton, but United have sounded out his availability as they move down their list of defensive targets. Mina would cost anywhere between £25m and £40m. (Manchester Evening News)
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