Premier League transfer roundup: Chelsea want €500 million superstar as Eden Hazard replacement and more - October 18, 2018

Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer roundup for the day! The international break is coming to an end but the same can’t be said about the rumours in the transfer mill.

In fact, if anything the stories are just piling up with no sign of cessation. So, without further ado, we are going to start with the biggest reports of the day!

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#5 Pochettino

In the summer of this year, Tottenham Hotspur were linked with a number of players but weren’t able to sign a single new soul in the end. According to a recent report of a meeting between Daniel Levy and the Supporters Trust, it was revealed that manager Mauricio Pochettino isn’t a big fan of signing players for the sake of it.

When asked about his stance at how the window went for the North London outfit, he stated that it was “impossible” for the club to sign the players that they had targeted and it is not in his nature to pressurize the owners into buying the players that he wants while also adding that he is happy with his current squad.

"Look I told you from day one I am never going to charge the walls of my boss. He's my boss, he's the owner of the club,” he said.

"It was difficult to sign the players that we needed, that was impossible and I am happy with the squad that we have, 25 players, we have no regrets and we are happy.”

He then went on to mention as to how the Lilywhites were being praised for keeping their squad intact after they won the first three games, suggesting that the criticism only poured in once they began losing.

"When we started the season with three wins and we were top of the table I think people were talking in a different way and saying how clever Tottenham were to keep all their squad from last season.

#4 London and Bromwich

Dzeko linked to West Ham

The Hammers might not have had the best of starts under Manuel Pellegrini but he is showing signs of improvement with his team. Subsequently, with the January transfer window fast approaching, they have been linked to former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

However, Pellegrini has played down the rumours, claiming that the club aren’t thinking about acquiring the services of the Bosnian.

“You can talk about five, six or seven players that are linked with us. We must not talk about one player. I know him [Dzeko] well but we are not thinking about that at the moment,” he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, London Evening Standard have written a story that claims that Tottenham Hotspur are going to rival West Bromwich Albion to the signature of Championship star Bradley Dack, who is having a great season with Blackburn Rovers in the second division.

#3 Hazard to Madrid

Madrid bound?

This just won’t go away, will it? Just like how David De Gea to Madrid rumours only died when the Galacticos bought Courtois, it seems as though the Merengues will have to do something similar or sign the player itself to quieten down this section.

According to former Premier League defender Danny Higginbotham, it is really difficult for players to reject the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid and that the Belgian is tailor-made for the Blancos and would fit in without any complications.

“When Real Madrid or Barcelona come knocking especially with foreign players that have come over to the Premier League it is very difficult to turn them down,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are whether you are Coutinho, Suarez, Ronaldo to name just a few, Modric as well…. so obviously it’s going to be very difficult and he [Hazard] would fit in seamlessly at a club like Real Madrid, there’s no doubt about it, but it would be a real shame if he was to leave the Premier League.”

#2 Manchester madness

Shaw rewarded

After a stunning resurgence this season, Luke Shaw has finally won the hearts of the officials at Manchester United. There have been talks of him being awarded a new contract for his great work and it is now official.

The former Southampton starlet has signed a new contract with the Red Devils for five years.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was linked with a move to the Old Trafford but the Swede has played down those reports.

According to him, he is now focusing on getting back to his optimal fitness and is solely thinking about finishing his MLS season on a high and not about a move back to the Old Trafford.

‘I think I’m in a situation where I need to have a good balance between work and rest,’ Ibrahimovic said.

‘Because I came back from injury and because of my age and the load I’m putting in during training.

‘It’s not what I have been thinking about because we still have two games, hopefully we make the play-offs.

‘Any more on that I don’t know what to say because I haven’t focused on that, I haven’t put any thought on it.’

#1 Lukaku and Asensio

Chelsea want him

Apropos to the slide on Hazard to Real Madrid, there just can’t be a day where the Belgian is not linked to the Galacticos. As it turns out, it is good for business and that means this will continue for a long time.

According to Don Balon, Chelsea are aware of Madrid’s interest in their star player and also of Hazard’s love for the Galacticos. As a result, they are willing to let him go to the Santiago Bernabeu but only on one condition.

Apparently, the Blues are interested in signing Marco Asensio, who has a €500 million release clause, from the Merengues and will only consider negotiating for the former Lille star should the young Spaniard be allowed to go the other way.

Meanwhile, Madrid’s striker problems are apparent, which is why they have been linked with a plethora of players. According to this report from Don Balon, the Galacticos are now looking at Romelu Lukaku as a means to solve their forward crisis.