Gossip: Ozil, Sanchez, Fabregas, Jenkinson

Daniel Storey

OZIL AND SANCHEZ TALKS GOING “PRETTY GOOD”
Just what we all needed, another update (but not really an update) on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez’s contract talks. At least they come from someone close to the horses’ mouths, Arsenal general secretary David Miles.

“Of course, we know talks are ongoing with certain players and certain contracts,” Miles told BT Sport. “At the moment, things are looking pretty good in that way.”

Things that Miles could have said that would have been more interesting:
1) One or both of the players have signed.

2) One or both of the players have told Arsene Wenger to f**k off and got Tottenham tattoos.

3) In an administrative cock-up, Ozil and Sanchez have both been released but Sanchez’s two dogs are being paid £200,000 a week by Arsenal.

4) Literally anything else.

 

RUDIGER OR NAINGGOLAN FOR FABREGAS?
Exciting Chelsea news now, with a claim from the Daily Mirror about more Serie A interest.

Joe Mewis writes that Roma have registered their interest in Fabregas, and are prepared to include Antonio Rudiger or Radja Nainggolan as part of the deal. Surely Antonio Conte would be interested in Rudiger, with John Terry’s time at the club drawing to a close.

Now, we’re not saying Mewis’ story is light on detail, but this is all the evidence provided for Roma’s interest and possible swap deals:

‘Roma want to sign Cesc Fabregas in January – and are willing to throw Chelsea targets Antonio Rudiger or Radja Nainggolan into the deal. Antonio Conte insisted the Spaniard is an “important player” for the Blues after he came off the bench to set up Diego Costa’s winner against West Brom.’

Told you.

 

JENKINSON OFF TO VILLA
When you consider that Carl Jenkinson hasn’t played at a lower level than the Premier League since appearing for Charlton in League One in 2011, he might look back on his career and be thankful. It has been a good ride, despite never really proving to be good enough for the top flight.

It now looks like the Championship may be calling for the first time in his career. Jenkinson is unwanted at Arsenal, and the Premier League offers appear to have dried up. In their place stands Steve Bruce and Aston Villa, according to the Daily Mirror at least.

The paper reckon that Bruce is seeking to sign Jenkinson on loan in January, which given that Alan Hutton still play regularly makes all sorts of sense.

We did enjoy this line in Neil Moxley’s piece: ‘Wenger also believes that Jenkinson is a viable alternative to Hector Bellerin when fully fit.’ Does he really?

 

AND THE REST
Leicester City have moved swiftly to tie up the £14m capture of Wilfred Ndidi… Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is making a £10m move for Norwich City midfield Robbie Brady… Coventry City want to bring Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink back into management to save the club… Roberto Mancini could be on his way back into management with French giants Paris-Saint Germain… West Ham will make a January move for Sassuolo striker Gregoire Defrel… Jordan Rhodes is set to be sold by Middlesbrough amid Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa interest…