FST's Daily Transfer News - Mon 23rd 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.
Joao Moutinho – Wolves
Wolves are on the verge of completing a deal for 31-year old midfielder Joao Moutinho. The Portuguese international has been deemed surplus to requirements by French side Monaco and Wolves have identified him as an ideal addition to their Premier League midfield.
Moutinho played 3 times for Portugal at the World Cup in Russia and counts Sporting CP and Porto among his former clubs. Moutinho made 44 appearances for Monaco last season, scoring once. (Express and Star)
Anthony Martial – Chelsea
Chelsea are the latest club to be linked with a big money move for Manchester United’s wantaway attacker Anthony Martial. The Frenchman is reportedly disillusioned with life under Jose Mourinho and is rumoured to be angling for a move away from Old Trafford.
United have put a value of close to £80m on Martial to try to put off any potential suitors, though the 22-year old’s insistence on a transfer could drive the price down to a significantly lower number. Chelsea could face competition from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for Martial’s signature however (SKY)
Miralem Pjanic – Manchester City
Manchester City have moved to distance themselves from reports linking them with a move for Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic. Having missed out on Jorginho, City are expected to sign an alternative to bolster their midfield ranks.
However, the 28-year old Bosnia and Herzegovina international is not thought to be on City’s radar. As we reported yesterday, Pjanic had been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad in the Italian press. (Manchester Evening News)
Dwight Gayle – West Brom
Newcastle United have rejected an offer from West Brom to take centre forward Dwight Gayle on loan to the Hawthorns. With the Magpies squad already looking worryingly thin, Rafa Benitez is said to have “quickly rebuffed” the Baggies offer.
Gayle made 37 appearances for Newcastle during the 2017/18 season, though the striker only managed to hit the net 6 times in total. (Newcastle Chronicle).
Matteo Darmian – Napoli
Napoli have reportedly moved to the front of the queue to sign Manchester United’s Italian international full-back Matteo Darmian. The 28-year old has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford since moving to Manchester from Torino in 2015.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed his interest in signing Darmian, though Serie A rivals Juventus have also been heavily linked with the versatile defender. Darmian played just 8 times in the Premier League last season. (The Sun)
Yann Sommer – Arsenal
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer according to reports. The Gunners have already signed one keeper this summer in Bernd Leno, though Unai Emery is said to be keen to add further depth to that area of his squad.
Both Petr Cech and David Ospina are expected to leave Arsenal before the season starts, leaving the Gunners with a couple of gaps to fill. Sommer, who is currently contracted to Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, was one of Switzerland’s best players at the 2018 World Cup. (Metro)
Jordan Pickford – Chelsea
With Thiabut Courtouis edging closer to the exit door at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are rumoured to be lining up Everton’s Jordan Pickford as a possible replacement for the Belgian. After his stunning World Cup performance for England, Pickford’s stock has never been higher and it would talk an enormous bid from Chelsea to prise him away from Everton.
Pickford moved to Goodison Park just last year, becoming the 3rd most expensive goalkeeper of all time when he made the switch to Merseyside from Sunderland. (Daily Mail)
Fabian Schar – Newcastle United
Newcastle United are rumoured to be weighing up a move for Swiss international centre half Fabian Schar. The 26-year old was relegated from La Liga last season with Deportivo La Coruna and is reportedly desperate to avoid playing in Spain’s second tier in 2018/19.
Schar played just 25 games in the Spanish top flight last year, though a move to the Premier League would be a chance at a fresh start for the 42-times capped defender. (Newcastle Chronicle)
Jack Grealish – Tottenham
The race for Jack Grealish’s signature seems to be hotting up. With Fulham and Crystal Palace already having registered an interest in the Aston Villa schemer, Spurs have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring too.
Grealish enjoyed a fine season for Aston Villa in the Championship last season and the 22-year old is keen to test himself at Premier League level next season. Aston Villa value Grealish at around the £30m mark, though it remains to be seen if his admirers would be willing to part with that much for the youngster. (Independent)
Alex Sandro – Manchester United
According to reports today, Manchester United have no standing interest in signing Juventus left-back Alex Sandro. The Brazilian had been heavily linked with a move to United, though Jose Mourinho is said to have cooled his interest in the Juve star.
Elsewhere, United have also dismissed rumours linking them with a move for Tottenham Hotspur centre-half Toby Alderweireld. The Belgian is entering the last year of his contract at Spurs, though Daniel Levy’s insistence on United paying close to £80m for Alderweireld looks to have scared United off a move. (The National)
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