FOOTBALL: TRANSFER RUMOURS

Klopp: Liverpool not in a ‘fantasy land’ like City

According to Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp, the club does not have strong financial muscles as their current rivals at the top of the Premier League worm pile. Liverpool have had a considerably quiet summer transfer window, and it looks unlikely that they will bring anyone else in before it closes in two weeks’ time. Meanwhile, City has already added former Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder, Rodri, to their squad as a replacement for Fernandinho, in a deal in the region of £69 million.

Dybala wants to stay and fight for Juve place

Juventus and Argentina ace, Paulo Dybala, has declared that he wants to remain with the Old Ladies and fight for a shirt. This is coming at the back of rumours of a potential exchange between Juventus and Manchester United for on-the-shelf striker Romelu Lukaku. At first it was thought that Inter Milan are leading the race to sign the big Belgian, though the two clubs have different valuations for the striker: Inter are offering to pay £52 million, whereas United want money in excess of the £75 million they paid to get him from Everton two seasons ago.

Solskjaer asks Woodward to get Maguire ‘urgently’

Rumours coming out of Manchester United are that manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, wants Executive Director Ed Woodward to get Leicester defender, Maguire, ‘urgently’. It is understood that the two clubs are only £10 million away from agreeing a deal. United are willing to pay £70 million, whereas Leicester City wants a world-record fee for a defender, more than the £75 million Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk. Maguire has come out publicly to say that Rio Ferdinand is his hero and that he would love to play for United, but he still has a contract with Leicester till 2022; the club is, therefore, under no pressure to sell. Besides, Leicester City coach, Roberto Martinez, has said that Maguire has been ‘very professional’. He is not going to try and push for a move, even though he wants to play for United. And so it seems that if Manchester United truly wants him, they’re going to have to cough up a world-record fee.

Arsenal sign Saint-Etiennne centre back, William Saliba

Arsenal has completed the signing of centre back William Saliba from Saint-Etienne on a long-term contract, in a deal thought to be worth £27 million. It is understood that Saliba, who is currently 18, will return to Saint-Etienne for the 2019/20 season ‘for more experience’, before returning to the Gunners for the 2020/21 campaign.

Arsenal gets Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos on loan

The Gunners have signed Spanish midfielder, Dani Ceballos, from Real Madrid on a one-year loan deal. Ceballos was one of the Spanish prospects signed by Madrid coach, Zidane, after he had an impressive U21-World Cup campaign. Ceballos has come out and said that Arsenal Coach, Unai Emery, is the major reason why he has come to Arsenal, plus the fact that he has an off-the-pitch relationship with Arsenal winger Bellerin. The midfielder was Arsenal’s second signing before William Saliba, following the arrival of 18-year-old winger Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano Clube Futebol, Brazil.