By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Aguero Staying With Citizens
The Mirror tells us that Argentine goal-getter Sergio Aguero is staying put at the Etihad, despite interest from La Liga behemoths Real Madrid. The 27-year-old star is convinced he can win the Champions League with the Citizens, saying: “The only reason a player should leave a club is to achieve things, and I can achieve all I want to at City.” Also, one wonders if the former Atletico Madrid player would ever play for rivals Los Merengues.
Surely one of the best strikers to ever play in the Premier League, Aguero will once again be key to the Citizens’ hopes of silverware in 2015/16, once he doesn’t change his mind about staying in Manchester, that is.
Likelihood rating:
/5
Chelsea All Over Axel
Axel Witsel, he of one of the worst tackles in recent times, could be joining the Premier League’s burgeoning Belgian ranks, according to the Express. The midfielder is wanted by Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho eager to beek up his midfield ranks with Jon Obi Mikel headed for the Stanford Bridge exit door.
Zenit St Petersburg star Witsel will cost around £24million but at 26 years of age, he still has his best years ahead of him and his all-action style (hopefully minus the leg-breaking tackles) would certainly suit the Premier League.
Likelihood rating:/5
Liverpool In For Illarramendi
Liverpool look set to bag Real Madrid anchorman Asier Illarramendi, according to the Telegraph. The midfielder has struggled for playing time at the Bernabeu since his move from Real Sociedad in 2013 and is eager to move away.
Rated at £15million, the deep-lying midfielder would add some (top-quality) steel to Liverpool’s midfield as Brendan Rodgers tries to rebuild his squad ahead of the 2015/16 campaign/
Likelihood rating:/5
Ospina Off To Turkey
With Petr Cech’s rumoured move to Arsenal looking more and more likely, the Star tells us that current Gunners’ number one David Ospina is being eyed by Fenerbahce. The Turkish giants are eager to seal a deal for the Colombian, who is currently representing his country at the Copa America in Chile.
At 26 years old, Ospina is unlikely to accept being number two to Cech (if the Chelsea man does indeed move to Arsenal) and with Fener reported to have offered the former Lille glovesman a £1.5million per year deal, he may well opt for the chance for more regular football.
Likelihood rating:/5
Gunners Close In On Martinez
The Star are convinced Jackson Martinez is, finally, on his way to Arsenal. The £25million-rated Porto striker is quoted (via A Bola) as saying: “Arsenal are a great team, playing in one of the best leagues in the world. I’m still waiting to see what the future holds. It’s not known yet but it will be known soon.” Those words, according to the Star, are a clear indication (they’re not) that the 28-year-old is headed to the Emirates.
A proper, goal-scoring centre-forward, Martinez would definitely improve the Gunners and would certainly give them that oft lacking clinical edge in the big games.
Likelihood rating:/5
The best/worst of the rest:
Chelsea have put a £15million price-tag on Loic Remy, Arsenal are still keen on Julian Draxler while Mario Mandzukic is set for a move to Juventus.