Gossip: Ramsey, Lukaku, Pochettino, Rabiot

Daniel Storey

LUKAKU WANTS PSG OR REAL OVER UNITED
Well, well. The Sun has given it both barrels on Sunday, claiming that Romelu Lukaku has ‘snubbed’ a move to Manchester United in preference of Paris St Germain or Real Madrid.

‘Snubbed’ indicates that an offer from United has already been forthcoming, for which we have very little evidence.

The Sun’s story says that Lukaku would like to move away from the Premier League rather than to a club in England, but would also like to return to Chelsea at some point in his career. The Belgian feels that he has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge.

 

BARCA WANT RAMSEY AND STONES
To the finest bastions of transfer rumour accuracy in this green and pleasant land, the Daily Express. This one’s an ‘exclusive’, because of course.

The big claim is that Barcelona want to sign Aaron Ramsey and John Stones in the summer. They have already got quite a few midfielders, mind. The story says that they are making up for lost time after being banned from signing players, which isn’t true. They were only banned from registering those players.

‘Boss Luis Enrique is a big fan of Ramsey – and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is well aware of it,’ the story says. ‘The Catalan club are preparing a huge bid in the summer of around £50 million to try and tempt Arsenal and will also join the clubs circling Everton’s England star Stones.’

The Express also mention £50m for Stones. Hmmm.

 

ARSENAL TO SIGN XHAKA AND RABIOT
Back to January now, and the Daily Star’s claim that Arsenal are close to spending £52million on Granit Xhaka and Adrien Rabiot. Wow.

Of course it’s an ‘exclusive’, because we thought Rabiot had gone right off the Arsenal radar.

The Star say that Arsene Wenger has decided to act after missing out on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Because when you miss out on a striker, the obvious thing to do is buy two midfielders.

Not a lot else to say, other than we’ll believe it when we see it.

 

UNITED CONSIDERING POCHETTINO
It was only a matter of time until Mauricio Pochettino was linked with the Manchester United job. If Jose Mourinho is being overlooked, there really aren’t many other options.

The Mirror say that Pochettino is high on United’s wanted list, with his ‘his calmness, dignity and coaching ability’. Can’t doubt him on any of those fronts.

The other name mentioned is Laurent Blanc, who has guided Paris St Germain on a wonderful run of domestic and continental form. That said, there isn’t an awful lot of competition in France, and we can’t see Blanc being a popular choice.

For those that care, the odds on Pochettino and Blanc are 40/1. The bookies aren’t convinced.

 

AND THE REST
Swansea will offer striker Wilfried Bony, 27, the chance to return to the Liberty Stadium… Tottenham are poised to make another bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino… Everton are preparing a £21m bid for Dynamo Kiev winger Andriy Yarmolenko… Tottenham are looking to sign Chelsea striker Loic Remy on loan… Manchester United want £24 million for Marouane Fellaini… Swansea will offer Burnley a club record transfer fee of £12.5 million for striker Andre Gray… Chelsea are keen on AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca.