Over the last few days, we’ve been analyzing some of the best transfer rumours doing the rounds. Premier League clubs are expected to break some transfer records this summer, and that means more players getting linked to them.
Today, we talk about the future of Bartosz Kapustka, Kostas Manolas and Riayd Mahrez. We have done an in-depth analysis on the English Premier League transfer rumours of 23rd July.
Bartosz Kapustka to Leicester City
The 19-year-old starlet impressed a number of scouts with his performances for Poland in the 2016 UEFA Euros and Leicester City have reportedly made a £6.25 million bid for the youngster.
Experts say: Simon Jones of the Daily Mail broke the news, with his recent track record being rather accurate, and he is of the opinion that the Foxes’ keenness to complete the deal will see them beat off comeptition from Everton, Southampton, FC Koln and Ajax.
Our take: Kapustka recently signed with agent Bartolomej Bolek, who was involved in Liverpool’s chase of Piotr Zielinski. It seems like the 19 year old has his heart set on a move to the Premier League, having employed an agent who has dealt with English clubs. The youngster can play down the wings or just behind the striker, which sounds eerily close to a certain Riayd Mahrez, rumoured to leave the Foxes for Arsenal. Signing Kapustka, who has the potential to explode into a major star, for just £6.25 million seems exactly like the shrewd business Leicester have come to be known for. This move seems rather likely to happen, even if Mahrez stays with Leicester.
Chances of it happening: 7/10
Kostas Manolas to Chelsea
Kostas Manolas is a wanted man, with his agent Ioannis Evangelopoulos claiming that EPL giants like Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all interested in the Roma central defender.
Experts say: Italian media have reported that Chelsea are willing to pay Roma’s asking fee of €44 million, with the widesporead reports lending some credence to this rumour.
Our take: Having failed in his bid to lure Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan to Chelsea, Antonio Conte has turned his eyes onto Manolas. Conte favours a 3-5-2 system and Chelsea are woefully short of centre-backs, with the Greek star impressing in the last couple of seasons in Serie A. However with United and City also interested, it seems Chelsea might find themselves in a bidding war, which might see them priced out. With the Blues far more interested in Koulibaly, we do not see them paying upwards of €50 million that might be necessariy to pry Manolas away from the Italian capital. This could go either way, since Manolas himself is keen to move and improve his €2 million annual salary.
Chances of it happening: 5/10
Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal
Arsenal are after another Leicester City attacker, and this time it is Riyad Mahrez. The winger has long been subject of rumours of a move away from the Foxes, with the Mirror reporting that Arsenal have made their interest clear with a concrete £41.8m bid.
Experts say: The British media are widely reporting this as a likely deal, with French journalists with sources in Mahrez’s camp also noting that the Foxes’ star wants to leave. Here is a Twitter translation of the usually reliable Mohamed Bouhafsi’s most recent tweets on the subject
Our take: Claudio Ranieri already worked his charm in convincing Jamie Vardy to stay, however Mahrez might take much more convincing, as Arsene Wenger has made his admiration of the Algerian winger clear. Arsenal might offset their failed pursuits of strikers with a goal-scoring winger, although Ranieri’s insistence that Mahrez will stay throughout the summer might mean that the Gunners will fail in another high-profile pursuit due to their characteristic parsimony and Leicester holding all the cards.
Chances of it happening: 4/10
