Gossip: Ozil wants to leave; Camacho to Liverpool
OZIL WANTS OUT
We have a doozy of a rumour to kick off Saturday’s transfer gossip. Mesut Ozil wants to leave Arsenal and has refused to sign a new contract.
This news comes from Marca, who claim that Ozil has been left frustrated at Arsenal’s inability to win major trophies since he joined in summer 2013. Are two FA Cups not enough, Mesut?
Ozil currently has another two-and-a-half-years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, but the German was reportedly in line for a new, improved deal, one which the Spanish newspaper insists he has rejected.
Where is he off to, then? Well, Barcelona are interested. The Spanish club are struggling somewhat financially, so would have to sell before they buy, and Arsenal would demand a helluva lot for their best player. But Barca see this as a ‘unique market opportunity’.
Some slight issues, here:
* Ozil can ‘want to leave’ all he wants; Arsenal own his contract.
* His current deal runs for another two and a half years; Arsenal have no inclination to sell.
* Barcelona have no money, and would struggle to fund such a deal in an area where they are already over-stocked.
* Ozil and the Spanish press, Marca especially, did not enjoy the most healthy relationship during his time at Real Madrid. a) Why would he leak such news to them? And b) Why would he return?
Aside from that, he’s pretty much gone. #BienvenidoMesut.
CAMACHO, CAMACHO, MAN
When The Metro and the Daily Star are the only recognisable sources reporting a transfer rumour, you know it’s reliable. According to the Chuckle Brothers of football gossip, Liverpool are interested in Ignacio Camacho.
Both attribute the claims to website Read Liverpool, who report that Camacho visited Liverpool’s Melwood training ground this week.
Camacho is a one-cap Spanish international and a defensive midfielder for Malaga, the club where the 25-year-old has been for the past five years.
The author of the original Read Liverpool story, Ste Hoare, posted on Twitter that he has “no idea why [Camacho] was there,” and that “he might have been visiting a mate or something”. That does not stop The Metro or The Star reporting this as transfer news. Excellent work.
ICARDI: PLEASER
We finish with Manchester United, who will be STUNNED, SHOCKED and ROCKED by the news that Mauro Icardi shan’t be joining in the summer.
United were understood to have made a bid for the striker in January, but the Inter Milan captain has now told Corriere Dello Sport that he does not wish to leave Italy, even if United return in the summer.
“I heard something, but I want to stay at Inter,” Icardi said of reported interest. “My answer will always be the same: I want to stay here. If Manchester try again, it will not be the first club or the last that I refuse. I feel good in Milan and I will not leave. The club has a major project and is making big investments to get back to winning and I want to help out.”
Who cares when you’ve got Will Keane?
AND THE REST
Christian Eriksen is the latest player close to agreeing a new contract at Tottenham…Raphael Varane will not leave Real Madrid, despite Manchester United’s interest, claims Zinedine Zidane…Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin as a replacement for John Terry if he leaves at the end of the season…Arsene Wenger is lining up an £8m move for West Ham wonderkid Reece Oxford…Cheikhou Kouyate is the latest West Ham star set to commit his future to the club after being handed a four-year deal…Tottenham are plotting a move to beat London rivals West Ham United to their No 1 summer target, Michy Batshuayi.