Gossip: Matic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aubameyang
MATIC TO MAN UNITED MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A THING
Not gonna lie, we worried a little about Jose Mourinho when he reportedly rejected the chance to pursue the signing of Fabinho from Monaco because he preferred Eric Dier or Nemanja Matic. Yet that does indeed appear to be true.
Having signed Matic for Chelsea, Mourinho is now reportedly ready to pay plenty to take him to Old Trafford as their replacement for the ageing Michael Carrick. It’s worth pointing out that Matic turns 29 before the season starts, so he is hardly the long-term option.
What’s more, Tuesday brings news that Matic is quite up for the move too. The Sun say that Matic believes that Antonio Conte wants to move him out of Chelsea in his summer transfer shake-up, with the Serbian telling ‘pals’ that he is afraid for his place.
That leaves him likely to push for a move to United should Mourinho follow up on his interest, and leaves us a bit confused. Wasn’t Matic basically Jose’s fall guy during their disastrous 2015/16 season?
ADD CHELSEA TO THE LIST OF THE OX’S SUITORS
Any collector knows the joy of completing a collection, so it’s with great cheer that we bring you news of reported Chelsea interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. That means Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton, West Ham and Chelsea have all now been credited with an interest.
In the Daily Mirror, Darren Lewis writes that Chelsea are ‘poised to enter the race’ for Oxlade-Chamberlain. Surely they have either entered the race or not? If they actually want him, they’re in the hunt.
We’ll say what we’ve said a hundred times before: Oxlade-Chamberlain’s agent deserves a rise. This is a player who is struggling for first-team opportunities at Arsenal and has said he might leave to search for first-team football, and he’s being linked with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. Good luck, fella.
MAN CITY TO BID FOR AUBAMEYANG
‘Manchester City are closely monitoring Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Sky sources,’ reads the headline on Skysports.com, and it’s a phrase that really gets our goat.
‘Closely monitoring’ is essentially meaningless, isn’t it? Of course if it becomes clear that Aubameyang wants to move to City than the club would be alerted. It’s hardly news that one of the richest clubs in the world might be aware of the existence of one of the best strikers in the world.
‘Pep Guardiola is understood to be an admirer of the Gabon international,’ the story continues, only adding to the vagueness rather than providing any clarity.
Still, it’s only 12 months since Sky Sports reported that City were in talks with Aubameyang over a transfer. These things sure do take time.
AND THE REST
Newcastle are close to completing the £8.7million signing of Florian Lejeune… Swansea have held discussions with John Terry… Swansea are interested in signing Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham… Willy Caballero has edged closer to sealing his move to Chelsea after passing a medical… Tony Adams is the name behind a consortium bidding to buy Sunderland… Liverpool have had a £36.7m swoop for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly snubbed… Rafa Benitez is closing in on a deal for Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar.