Gossip: Liverpool to pay £14m for Drinkwater?

Daniel Storey

ARSENAL WANT MANE
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up a swoop for Southampton forward Sadio Mane as a replacement for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Mane was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in January, and Chelsea have also reportedly interested in the 24-year-old.

Earlier this year it was suggested Southampton would be willing to sell the Senegal international this summer, after Mane made it clear he would not be signing a new deal at St Mary’s, and it is understood a bid of around £17million would be enough to secure his services.

Wenger has turned his attention to Mane as it has become increasingly likely Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the Emirates, while Danny Welbeck faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines, although Theo Walcott will not be allowed to leave the club.

It does make some sense, which is more that can be said of a lot of rumours we read.

 

UNITED AFTER KRYCHOWIAK
To The Sun now, and their claim that Manchester United are ‘homing in’ on the signing of Sevilla central midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. This one is an exclusive from Mike McGrath.

Now we’re not saying that McGrath isn’t full committing to the rumour, but the line ‘is seen as on their summer hitlist as a replacement’ doesn’t scream that he’s convinced. Surely Krychowiak is either on the list or not?

‘Krychowiak is expected to be ready for English football immediately, which he showed in the Europa League final against Liverpool,’ the piece continues. That’s true, but touting him as a ‘replacement’ for Morgan Schneiderlin is a heck of a leap.

 

LIVERPOOL WANT DRINKWATER?
I think we can safely say that this would be a shock move. In the Mirror, Steve Bates claims that Liverpool are aiming to sign Danny Drinkwater for £14m this summer. Hmmm.

The report claims that Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of Drinkwater, and ‘asked his analysts to compile stats’ on him. With Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Joe Allen and Emre Can already at Anfield, something would have to give. Can’t help thinking that Liverpool have bigger priorities than central midfield.

It’s also worth pointing out that none of the Merseyside-based journalists have a whiff of the story. We’re inclined to be more convinced when one of those confirms the interest.

 

AND THE REST
Liverpool are confident of completing a £20million deal to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze by the end of next week… Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 24, upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge… The agent of Martin Skrtel has revealed the Liverpool defender is considering offers from clubs in Turkey… Hector Bellerin remains committed to Arsenal despite reports linking the full-back with a return to Barcelona… Southampton are tracking 22-year-old Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet… Bolton have told Arsenal they will have to pay £7million for England Under-21 defender Rob Holding… Everton striker Romelu Lukaku says he has “made his decision” regarding whether he will stay at the Toffees or move elsewhere this summer.