Gossip: Koeman, Yarmolenko, Valdes, Jorginho

Daniel Storey

Yarmolenko to everyone, Koeman to Netherlands, Valdes to Toon, Jorginho to United…

 

JORGINHO TO UNITED
Only yesterday the Daily Express were telling us that Napoli playmaker Jorginho was on Jurgen Klopp’s ‘wishlist’ at Liverpool, but now Calciomercato.com (or footballtransfers.co.uk) reckon it’s Manchester United who want the Brazilian-born Italian.

We very much enjoy the work of Google translate in these kind of situations, so fire up the computer!

‘The national coach Conte would take it to the Europeans, but also many clubs are taking an interest in him,’ the story begins. ‘A director of quality is always scope, both in Italy and in Europe. Juventus and AC Milan, in Italy, put him in the crosshairs.’ All seems a bit serious to literally poach him.

‘But also in Europe Jorginho has found admirers. PSG in France and Manchester United in England follow him. Van Gaal, however, has had positive relationships on him by the emissaries who worked for the deal Darmian, and that for the turin observed Jorginho had to bring it to the court of Ventura . Napoli blocked him, but the report remained positive.’

All sounds like it’s bob on to us. Jorginho will be saved from the crosshairs by Van Gaal. A £10m fee is also mentioned.

 

EVERYONE TARGETS YARMOLENKO
Andriy Yarmolenko’s agent deserves a whacking great pay rise for the way in which he manages to keep his client being linked to England’s biggest clubs. The Daily Star are reporting that Arsenal are interested in signing the winger, although they get the information from Tuttomercatoweb.

Spanish publication AS also get in on the act, claiming that Jose Mourinho was watching Yarmolenko on Monday night as Ukraine played Spain.

The Star’s story then also mentions Liverpool, Tottenham, Lazio and Barcelona as potential suitors. Some of us have hardly seen Yarmolenko have a great game.

 

VALDES TO SOLVE TOON CRISIS
As soon as Tim Krul was ruled out for the season, Steve McClaren must have looked at the list of third and fourth-choice Premier League goalkeepers. The name of Victor Valdes will have stuck out like a glorious oasis in the desert. An emergency loan who is potentially better than any of your existing goalkeepers? Yes please.

The Daily Star make the link that Newcastle sign Valdes, but don’t discuss the format of any deal. Logically, they could loan Valdes for three months, until the January transfer window opens. That would give time for reserve goalkeeper Karl Darlow to recover from a foot injury and prove his worth in Krul’s absence.

 

ARSENAL EYE UP AJAX KID
It’s mentioned in a few places (most notably the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror), so it’s likely to have some value. The claim is that Arsenal are tracking Ajax’s Riechedly Bazoer, the 19-year-old already playing for the Netherlands Under-21 team and called up to the senior squad.

Bazoer joined Ajax from PSV three years ago, with Wenger showing interest in the then 16-year-old. He is a central midfielder (cue applause from Arsenal supporters), and basically looks the business at such a young age.

The midfielder has so far made 33 starts for Ajax, scoring his first goal for the club against FC Twente last season.

 

KOEMAN TO GO DUTCH?
Southampton supporters will be cheering on Iceland tonight more fervently than Kerry Katona’s bank manager (that joke doesn’t work any more). That’s because if they beat Turkey and Netherlands beat the Czech Republic, the Dutch will qualify for the Euro 2016 play-offs. The odds are not in their favour.

It’s important for Southampton because reports on Tuesday again link Ronald Koeman with the potentially vacant managerial job. Danny Blind is unlikely to keep the gig should the Dutch miss out on a 24-team European Championships. It’s quite the effort to miss out.

Southampton will hope that Koeman can resist the temptation to manage his country, but you couldn’t blame him for taking the chance.

 

AND THE REST
Peter Reid is the favourite to be named as Sam Allardyce’s assistant manager at Sunderland, although Southend manager Phil Brown is also in the frame… Although he has spoken of his admiration for the Premier League, Carlo Ancelotti could be named as Pep Guardiola’s replacement at Bayern Munich… Arsenal will offer Alexis Sanchez a new contract… Jose Mourinho is interested in signing Koke from Atletico Madrid in January… Reports in Spain are linking West Brom with a move for Malaga midfielder Ignacio Camacho.