The transfer rumour mill is a fast-paced smattering of elements of truth mixed up with a whole lot of smoke. Nonetheless, sifting through the mess can be fruitful (sometimes), so let’s take a look at the transfer turnstile that was today.
Transfer Turnstile: Moussa Dembele, David Luiz, Mario Balotelli, Mesut Ozil,
A move away for Moussa Dembele?
The January transfer window won’t just effect our favourite English teams but might massively effect its smaller brother across the border.
There has been big rumours this past week that Celtics star Frenchman, Moussa Dembele, may be off to the Premier League with new comers Brighton the favourites to sign the U21 international. A supposed £18 million bid has been accepted by Celtic according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
This transfer will massively effect both teams. With Celtic crashing out of the Champions League, they will be looking to progress well in the Europa League and Dembele could be key to that. However I don’t feel this transfer will effect the title race as Celtic have enough quality in their side to fly to yet another Scottish Premiership title, without the Frenchman.
As Brighton will hope to continue their great start to the Premier League campaign and comfortably remain in the top tier of English Football a striker that scored 32 goals in all competitions last season may be the key to their survival and maybe even a mid table push.
Breaking… Celtic accept bid from Brighton for striker Moussa Dembélé. Two clubs have reached agreement on transfer fee of £18 million
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) December 25, 2017
@liamednie
Luiz speculation continues
Under Mike Ashley, Newcastle have had a strict wage structure and strict no superstars policy. Ashley since 2007 has prevented Newcastle from moving for so-called stars on big salaries . Having seen the difficulty with offloading the likes of Owen, Duff and Alan Smith the Sports Direct tycoon has been operating a strict wage structure and has never deviated from it. During the summer, the Magpies were unable to afford Tammy Abraham’s modest Premier League wages and so saying we are going to afford David Luiz’s astronomical wages is clearly misinformed. Luiz would be a fantastic addition for Newcastle and the Benitez link may carry weight, however, it seems much more likely that he will be signed by Real Madrid who need to improve their lack of depth in defensive positions.
https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-consider-audacious-loan-move-for-34m-chelsea-star-1-8916326
@andrewaziz2688
Back to Spain for Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil could make a return to La Liga. Only this time he is likely to be wearing the shirt of the biggest rivals of the team he previously represented. Barcelona look set to try and sign the talented German reports Spanish paper Marca. The Camp Nou side are said to be preparing a £350,000 monthly wage for the current Arsenal number 11. Ozil’s future at Arsenal beyond the current season seems less likely with each passing week. Negotiations to keep the player in London have been ongoing for almost one year and have failed to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome. The player’s contract is up in June. Considering the lack of results concerning contract talks, it looks likely that Arsenal could consider selling Ozil at a much lower price before his contract has ended. Barcelona is not the only club to take an interest in Ozil. Premier League rivals Manchester United have recently expressed their intent to pursue signing the attacking midfielder. United manager Jose Mourinho has a good working relationship with Ozil, from their time representing Real Madrid. Serie A side Inter Milan is also said to have inquired about the possibility of signing the German midfielder.
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil tops Barcelona’s five-man January transfer shopping list
Back home Balotelli!
Mario Balotelli has recently declared his love for Manchester City and has stated he would return to the club to play for free. City do lack striking options with only Gabriel Jesus and Aguero able to lead the line for the Etihad outfit. Balotelli has experienced a renaissance at Nice and has scored 15 goals this year for the Ligue 1 Outfit. However, Pep Guardiola likes his team to press with intensity and hunger which Balotelli has always lacked. He also suffers no fools and struggled to handle the ego of the mature Zlatan so Guardiola would not want to have to deal with immature Balotelli. Balotelli has underachieved considering his talent when you think back to him destroying Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final. Playing for a moderate size Ligue 1 club when on his day he could easily lead a European giant. It is his lack of application and disciplinary issues which have held him back and clubs are not willing to take a risk now on the Italian.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/22/football-transfer-rumours-mario-balotelli-to-return-to-manchester-city
@andrewaziz2688
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