Players could be busy with the ongoing European Championships and Copa America, but the transfer market never sleeps. Every club in the Premier League want to sign players for next season to strengthen their squad, and that’s not easy. Like always, media all over the world have rumours linking players to Premier League clubs, but the reality is only a very small fraction of those rumours turn out to be true.
We take a look at the rumours flying around on 21st June, and try to make some sense out of it.
Andros Townsend
According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in signing Newcastle star Andros Townsend. The 24-year-old was left out of Roy Hodgson’s Euros squad, but has a few suitors in the Premier League. Crystal Palace, Southampton, and West Ham United are also interested in signing him.
The former Tottenham star signed for Newcastle in a £12m deal in January, but the report in The Telegraph suggest he has a release clause of £10.5m, which can be activated following Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship.
Twitter says:
Experts say: Joe Rimmer of Liverpool Echo says the rumours can’t be confirmed yet, and that’s probably because everyone is finding a bit difficult to believe it.
Our take: It’s a bit difficult to see Liverpool and Manchester City being genuinely interested in Townsend, as he’d hardly make it to the starting XI of either of the mentioned teams. Interest from Manchester City will only make sense, if they want to sign English players to fill up their homegrown quota, but that’s also a bit unlikely. Liverpool already have a host of English players in their squad, and don’t really need to compromise on that. A move to Crystal Palace, Southampton, or West Ham United looks way more realistic, if he really has a release clause in his contract.
Chance of happening on 10: Liverpool – 2/10, Manchester City – 4/10, Crystal Palace, Southampton, or West Ham United – 8/10
Simone Zaza
Tuesday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy suggests Chelsea are monitoring the situation of Simone Zaza at Juventus. The 24-year-old has been rarely used by Massimiliano Allegri this season, but has always been a regular in Antonio Conte’s Italy national team. Gazzetta say Conte is a big fan of Zaza, and believes he could score 20 goals a season if played regularly.
Juventus are demanding €30m for Zaza, whilst Stoke City, West Ham, Southampton, Leicester, Borussia Dortmund, and Borussia Monchengladbach are also interested.
Twitter says:
Experts say: Zaza rumours are quite fresh, and experts are yet to make a comment on it. We’ll keep you updated, if and when they do.
Our take: We won’t be surprised if Chelsea are interested in Zaza, as the player has scored when he has played this season just that he has been used rarely. Gazzetta, however, in the recent days had so many different stories on the Italian international, and it seems they can’t decide for themselves.
In their report today, they suggest Zaza has fallen out with Allegri, and only a few days ago they reported the Juventus boss is keen on keeping him. This a transfer that could very well happen, if Chelsea are genuinely interested, but we should wait for more information on this.
Chance of happening on 10: At the moment 6/10, but definitely you should keep an eye on this one.
Andre Gomes
Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes has been repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester United in the last few months. Latest reports on Italian website Gazzetta dello Sport suggest Juventus are in the pole position to sign the Valencia star. It is reported a first bid of €30m from Juventus was rejected by Valencia, who want €60m for Gomes, but the Serie A giants are ready to submit a new offer of €40m including bonuses. Juventus are now optimistic about their chances, and that could be a blow for the Premier League giants.
Twitter says:
Experts say: Local website Manchester Evening news reckon Gomes is linked to Manchester United, because he is a client of Jorge Mendes, and they haven’t paid too much attention to this.
Our take: Italian media do like to link Premier League clubs to every rumoured Juventus transfer target, and we won’t be surprised if this is one of those case. The lack of Champions League football next season at Chelsea and Manchester United could also work in Juventus’ favour.
Chance of happening on 10: 5/10
