Gossip: Giroud to replace Chelsea-bound Aubameyang

Ian Watson

ALL ABOARD THE STRIKER MERRY-GO-ROUND
Yesterday it was Liverpool, now it is Chelsea who are supposedly close to bringing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Premier League.

With Diego Costa’s future elsewhere, The Mirror claims the Blues are “closing in on a £65million deal” to sign the Gabon striker after being custard pie-d by Romelu Lukaku and finding Real Madrid in no mood to allow Alvaro Morata to stroll out of the Bernabeu. Not least until someone turns up with a few truckloads of cash.

Borussia Dortmund are resigned to losing Aubameyang, who has hasn’t tried very hard to hide his desire to move up a level. After fluttering his eyelashes at Real for the past year or two, it seems he might have to settle for Chelsea.

Any move for Aubameyang could have repercussions for Arsenal, with the Mirror’s story claiming that Dortmund have now entered formal talks with the Gunners over a deal for Olivier Giroud.

The France striker could cost around half the price of Aubameyang, with Arsenal reported to be wanting around £35million for Giroud.

 

REDS CLOSE IN ON DEFENDER. FINALLY.
Aubameyang to Liverpool was never a go-er, but it seems the Reds are finally about to complete a deal for Andrew Robertson.

The Hull left-back has been linked with a move to Anfield for around a year and, according to The Guardian, the Scotland international may finally be on his way.

“It is believed that negotiations between the two clubs are all but completed,” according to the latest report, with around £8million expected to change hands for the 23-year-old who has only a year remaining on his contract at the KC Stadium.

 

MARTIAL AWE IN MILAN
The Ivan Perisic saga continues to rumble on, with the latest reports suggesting Anthony Martial may be dragged into it.

Inter are reluctant to keep a player against his will, apparently, but according to The Telegraph, the Nerazzurri may demand Martial on loan for the season to replace the Croatia winger.

United have so far resisted any enquires for Martial who, along with his agent, required more than one arse-kicking from Jose Mourinho last  season.

On Perisic, the Telegraph says he “cut a glum figure” during Inter’s pre-season camp this week “and wants to work with Mourinho and play Champions League football”.

 

AND THE REST
Harry Redknapp has made a sensational move to bring LA Galaxy defender Ashley Cole to Birmingham…Arsene Wenger has been texting Alexis Sanchez in an effort to get the forward to stay at Arsenal…Reading have snapped up Wolves striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in a £750,000 deal…Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out a reunion with Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic at Manchester United…Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s hopes of joining Manchester United are growing as Real Madrid plot a fresh David De Gea bid…Everton boss Ronald Koeman admits Ross Barkley’s future ‘is not a clear situation’…Jack Wilshere has been warned he will face the biggest “fight” of his career to win back his Arsenal place.

Arsene Wenger has revealed it was “obvious” he was always going to stay on as Arsenal manager. He said: “I stayed because I love the club and always want to give my all.”…Luke Shaw has been told he is embarking on a critical season at Manchester United…Rafa Benitez is set to get his transfer bandwagon rolling again with the recruitment of Norwich midfielder Jacob Murphy…Juventus are set to make a £40m bid for unsettled Chelsea star Nemanja Matic…Manchester City’s new £50m man Kyle Walker launched a thinly-veiled dig at Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino yesterday by claiming Pep Guardiola could take him to the next level…Everton are closing in on Newcastle starlet Lewis Gibson as manager Ronald Koeman continues his recruitment drive.

Manchester City hope to have Benjamin Mendy aboard their plane to their plane to the USA after sealing a record £54m deal for Tottenham and England right-back Kyle Walker on Friday…Kari Arnason has clinched a return to Aberdeen after signing a one-year deal with the club…Leicester have blocked an effort by St Etienne to take midfielder Papy Mendy on loan…Huddersfield and Southampton are locked in a £6m battle to land Werder Bremen midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic…LA Galaxy have played down reports they could sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, following his exit from Manchester United.