Gossip: Lindelof, Clement, Ghoulam, Jimenez

Daniel Storey

LINDELOF MOVE BACK ON. SIGH
It’s not my fault. Don’t blame me. I’m under orders to bring you transfer news and updates, and this is an update. I’m as bored as you are of the whole thing.

Moving on from that mini breakdown, there has been another update on the future of Victor Lindelof, whose move to Manchester United has been an extended football hokey-cokey.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola, presumably leaked information by Benfica, uses the following line on Lindelof’s move: ‘Benfica remains convinced that the transfer of Lindelof to Manchester United will really advance.’

So now you know, and we can all get on with our lives.

 

CLEMENT TO GET SWANSEA GIG
You knew it was coming and I knew it was coming, but it looks like Paul Clement might finally be announced as the new Swansea City manager. Have to say that it is a slightly surprising call from Swansea, given that Clement has no managerial experience in the Premier League.

The Sun report that Clement will be given a sizeable transfer budget to spend in January in a bid to try and escape relegation. Bob Bradley hardly impressed during his 11 games, but never got a transfer window in which to bring in players who would help the squad.

There’s no doubt that Swansea need Clement to hit the ground running. The likelihood is that, after a fairytale journey, Swansea will be heading back to the Championship.

 

CHELSEA WANT GHOULAM
The story is from The Sun’s website, and claims that Chelsea want Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam to compete with Marcos Alonso for a spot at left wing-back. It doesn’t mention when the move will happen, but says that Antonio Conte wants increased squad depth ahead of a return to the Champions League. Fair enough.

The piece is sketchy on details, but does read like it was written by a child:

‘Conte looked at the defender last season when arrived but the club prioritised deals for David Luiz, Alonso and N’Golo Kante.’

‘Ghoulam has just 18 months of his contract in Italy remaining so would not break bank of Roman Abramovich.’

‘…they’re destined to return to the competition next season when they will been a couple of stars in each position.’

‘Blues have benefited from a settled XI that a lack of European football has allowed them to do.’

Weird.

 

LIVERPOOL IN FOR JIMENEZ
Our last rumour comes from Squawka, who claim an exclusive on the news that Liverpool will try to sign Benfica forward Raul Jimenez next summer. In fairness, he’s a name that has been hanging around for a while, popping up from time to time.

The story claims that Benfica are not prepared to let the Mexican leave in January, but would sanction a £22m move next summer. That would lead to Daniel Sturridge leaving Anfield, they say.

Both claims in the story are supplemented with the words ‘could’ and ‘understand’, so you’ll forgive us for not getting too excited about this one just yet.

 

AND THE REST
Everton could miss out on Axel Witsel after he was offered huge money to move to China… Slaven Bilic is targeting Stoke right-back Glen Johnson… Jack Wilshere will be offered his new contract by Arsenal this month despite still being on loan at Bournemouth… Stoke are set to land goalkeeper Lee Grant for £1m from Derby