Gossip: Hazard, Rodriguez, Mignolet blow, Stones

HAZARD FOR JAMES
‘Chelsea ready to swap Eden Hazard for James Rodriguez transfer – report’ is the headline from The Metro’s Jamie Sanderson on Tuesday morning. Does that even make sense? Chelsea are ready to swap Eden Hazard for James Rodriguez transfer? Is the word ‘transfer’ necessary? SEO-tastic.

Anyway, this claim comes from Spanish website Don Balon, who report that Jose Mourinho is willing to let Eden Hazard leave for Real Madrid, providing the Blues receive cash and James Rodriguez in return. Because that will definitely happen. Don Balon make no claim on the valuation of Rodriguez, making the Metro’s crowbarring in of £58million rather bizarre, particularly considering the Colombian joined Real last summer for £5million more than that.

Simply put, there are far too many variables to consider such a transfer viable. Why would Rodriguez leave Real to join Chelsea? Why would Real part with cash and player for Hazard? Why would Chelsea sanction such a deal? Why are Don Balon, a random Spanish website – not the now defunct magazine – a trusted source? And, of course, it’s time for our regular transfer window reminder: swap deals barely ever happen.

LIVERPOOL DEALT MIGNOLET BLOW
That’s right, this is bad, bad news for Liverpool; Simon Mignolet is on the verge of signing a new contract.

Mignolet is currently on £60,000-a-week terms, and still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal, but Jurgen Klopp is thought to be keen to extend the Belgian’s stay despite his recent mistakes.

The keeper, criticised for yet more error-strewn performances this season, is set to sign a new long-term deal with the Reds ‘before the end of the month,’ according to The Guardian. Their man Andy Hunter adds that ‘talks have progressed swiftly and a resolution is close’. Commiserations to the Kop.

HAVE YOU GOT THE STONES?
The Daily Express are claiming this as an EXCLUSIVE, but it feels like we’ve been hearing this transfer line for the past year or so. Apparently, Chelsea are willing to bid £40million to beat Manchester United to John Stones. Again, how is that an EXCLUSIVE? Christ.

It’s not exactly a groundbreaking claim, considering Chelsea had 427 bids rejected for Stones in the summer, the highest of which was thought to be around £36million. According to the Express, Chelsea feel that Stones ‘could be pivotal in getting Chelsea out of the Premier League hole that they’re in’. Frankly, no one player is capable of that.

This all avoids the most pertinent point: why on Earth would John Stones leave Everton for Chelsea? The Toffees have been something of a disappointment so far this season, and sit 10th with 23 points, six away from fifth-placed Spurs. ‘Disappointment’ doesn’t quite cover Chelsea, who are in 16th, just one point above the relegation zone.

AND THE REST
Chelsea are the favourites to sign Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva with the French team understood to be open to selling the 21-year-old, providing their £21.6m price-tag is met…Manchester United have joined the race for Benfica youngster Goncalo Guedes who’s been scouted by Arsenal and Chelsea…Arsenal are likely to intensify their search for a holding midfielder in January after being drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League, with William Carvalho, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Ruben Neves among those under consideration…Swansea have started the process of interviewing candidates to take over and former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has become the latest name to enter the fray…Arsenal are weighing up a move for Barcelona’s 20-year-old defender Alex Grimaldo…West Brom will consider handing Kerim Frei a Premier League return if they miss out on QPR’s Matt Phillips.