By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Kondogbia Coming To Arsenal
With Morgan Schneiderlin apparently close to a move to Man Utd, Arsenal are looking at Geoffrey Kondogbia to sate sate their desire for a defensive midfielder. According to the Independent, the Gunners are ready to stump up £25million for the Monaco man who impressed when the two sides met in this season’s Champions League.
Still only 22-years-old, Kondogbia would give the Gunners extra physical presence in the heart of midfield and take the pressure off fellow Frenchman Francis Coquelin. Although Inter Milan are also thought to be eyeing the former Sevilla man.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Falcao Bugging Blues For Loan Move
We already know about Radamel Falcao’s potential move to Chelsea. Well now the Telegraph tells us that the injury-prone striker wants the move to happen before this summer’s Copa America, which kicks off on June 14.
Chelsea have already been in talks with Monaco over a loan deal for the 29-year-old, with the French club wanting a £5million fee. After a dismal season with Man Utd, Falcao will definitely have something to prove if he hangs around the Premier League.
Likelihood rating:/5
Blues Dig Douglas
Staying with Jose Mourunho’s Premier League champs, the Telegraph (via the Metro) also report that Shakhtar Donetsk’s Douglas Costa is edging towards a move to west London. The Brazilian attacking midfielder is available for £20million, a sum the Blues are willing to stump up.
Costa previously played with Chelsea man Willian at Shakhtar and with Juan Cuadrado set to leave Stamford Bridge, the 24-year-old would be an ideal replacement.
Likelihood rating:/5
Sampdoria Set On Zouma
The Metro brings another SHOCK scoop, announcing that Chelsea youngster Kurt Zouma is heading to Sampdoria. This rather tall tale quotes Samp president Massimo Ferrero, who said: “I have already signed Niklas Moisander from Ajax and I am trying to get Kurt Zouma, because they are very physical players.”
20-year-old Zouma made 26 appearances for the Blues in all competitions last season but obviously found it difficult to sedcure a regular starting berth ahead of John Terry and Gary Cahill. However, with the 34-year-old Terry well into the autumn of his career, the French defender is surely being readied to replace his captain in the long-term. Hogwash, I say!
Likelihood rating:/5
Nani Gets Nod For Nerazzurri
Portuguese wideboy Nani is finally set to leave Man Utd for good, according to the Independent, with Inter Milan the likely destination. The twinkled-toed attacker spent the 2014/15 season on loan with his old club Sporting Lisbon but rather than permanently stay in Portugal, the 28-year-old now looks set to join Roberto Mancini’s Inter ranks in a £7.3million deal.
The phrase “on his day” applies rather nicely to Nani, but he’s obviously not impressed Louis Van Gaal enough to secure a return to Old Trafford, with his flicks and tricks now likely to grace Serie A next season.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Man Utd are in talks with Karim Benzema‘s agent over a move for the French striker, Portuguese anchorman William Carvalho is talking up a move to Arsenal while Charlie Austin is keen to leave QPR.