Transfer Balls: Arsenal Splurge £21m On Vidal, Liverpool Claim Clyne, Juventus Ogle Oscar

Alan Duffy

29th, June 2015

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By Alan Duffy

Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…

Gunners Splurge £21million On Vidal

With Morgan Schneiderlin apparently headed for Old Trafford, Arsenal have turned their attention to Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. The Independent (and pretty much every outlet) is convinced that the Chile star is headed for the Emirates in a £21million deal.

With Francis Coquelin blossoming last season, Arsene Wenger looks to have switched his priorities from a traditional defensive midfielder to the all-action, combative Vidal. Although one wonders where that leaves the likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey ahead of the new season.

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Saints In For Imbula

With yet another summer of rebuilding ahead, Southampton have identified French U21 international Giannelli Imbula as the man to replace the departing Morgan Schneiderlin. The Mirror tells us that Ronald Koeman is keen to bring the 22-year-old ball-winner to St. Mary’s, although he’ll cost around £15million.

Imbula was one of Marseille’s star performers in 14/15 and would form a fine central midfielder partnership with Victor Wanyama. However, a number of clubs, including Inter Milan are also eyeing a move for the Belgium-born youngster.

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Old Lady Ogle Oscar

The Evening Standard reports that Juventus are interested in Chelsea playmaker Oscar. The Brazilian found himself pushed down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge in the second half of last season, but has previously stated that he’s happy in west London. Still, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has name-checked the 22-year-old as the kind of No.10 he wants to add to the Serie A champs’ squad this summer.

One doubts if Jose Mourinho would be keen on letting Oscar go, although if the price is right, who knows.

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Liverpool Claim Clyne

Linked with a move to Liverpool for quite some time, Nathaniel Clyne now does look set to finally make the move to Anfield. Sky Sports, via their ‘Sky Sources’ (ie Twitter), tells us that the Southampton right-back will sign a five-year-deal with the Reds, once he passes a medical.

Liverpool will pay the Saints £12.5million initially, but the fee could add up to £15million. Which all seems quite reasonable.

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Magpies Make Move For Downing

Newcastle are eyeing a move for Stewart Downing, according to the Express. West Ham have apparently put the midfielder up for sale, with £7million the magic number for potential buyers. Downing enjoyed a good season with the east Londoners in 14/15 but the 30-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements by new Hammers boss Slaven Bilic.

New Magpies’ manager Steve McClaren is desperate to strengthen his squad, and while Downing would hardly be a marquee signing, his experience and creativity would prove useful.

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The best/worst of the rest:

Liverpool target Carlos Bacca is joining AC Milan, Jeffrey Schlupp has penned a new deal with Leicester City while Tottenham will need to cough up £16million for Monaco’s Yannick Ferreira Carrasco.