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The January transfer window rarely brings the kind of excitement found in the summer, but that doesn’t mean the rumors slow down.
The fun is already in full swing. Some clubs are making new signings and others are setting their sights on potential summer acquisitions, opening the door for a whole host of lines to make their way into the gossip column.
Here’s our take on six of the rumors currently circulating.
This rumor
Barcelona Sporting director Deco is meeting with the agents of Aston Villa striker John Duran. Sport in Spain. He could be available for up to £60m in the summer.
Our Lie
Will Barcelona ever learn their lesson? Sure, they’ve gone back to La Liga’s 1:1 spending rules, but they’ve only done it by triggering every lever in a 50-mile radius. They have done Rush to register Was a big-money signing last summer but seems happy to take more risks to sign Duran.
This is no knock on Duran, who has established himself as a real attacking powerhouse this season with Villa. He is good enough for a club like Barcelona, but the price of winning this race is likely to send the Blaugrana back into financial uncertainty.
This rumor
Relief Claim to be speaking to Virgil van Dijk’s agents Real Madrid Regarding blockbuster free transfers during the summer, only the Spanish side could be denied the chance to seal the deal.
Our Lie
A strange one, this. First, the fact Liverpool Letting Van Dijk’s contract go down to the point that he can talk to Madrid in the first place is psychological, but so is Los Blancos’ reluctance to do a deal.
Sure, at 33, Van Dijk is coming on a bit. It’s clearly a short-term fix to a problem situation, but is that such a bad thing? Carlo Ancelotti has been dealing with a fit senior centre-back for what seems like an eternity, so why not take a year or two of Van Dijk while you find a long-term solution?
The rumor
Rumors of ArmoryInterest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is nothing new, but the fact that he hasn’t gone away since the Swede was valued at £150m is notable. Football Insider Continue to describe Isaac as a “prime target.”
Our Lie
Let’s get this straight. There is no footballer on the planet worth 150m, so can we just stop with stupid transfer fees?
Isak is great and that’s what Arsenal need – someone who can actually score from open play – but the Gunners aren’t just going to spend £150m anyone In the current PSR climate that has every club in England’s top flight scrambling to loosen the purse strings.
That said, if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League again and Issac decides he’s had his last brown ale, his price could drop. One to watch, for sure.
The rumor
National Real Paris Saint-Germain have identified Cole Palmer as their dream transfer target, with a bid of €200m (£166m) to come. Chelsea’s desk immediately.
Our Lie
No.
PSG have been burned by big transfer fees in the past and have closed the door on their past of reckless spending in favor of building a group of like-minded people rather than playing second fiddle with one key star.
It’s easy to claim that Chelsea won’t sell Palmer at any price, but let’s be realistic. £166m is the kind of money even a Premier League club won’t say no to, especially when there are South American teenagers who need snapping up.
This rumor
Concerned about the lack of progress in negotiations on a new agreement, Manchester United Midfielder Kobi Mainu has been linked with Chelsea Daily MailWho state that the Blues are already “leading the race” for the 19-year-old.
Our Ley
Is there even a race to lead at this point? Maino is under contract until 2027 and his £20,000-a-week deal also has a 12-month extension clause which United will trigger 100%, even if it is just to see off their rivals. Just cancel a few more staff bonuses and it will pay for itself anyway.
Chelsea are already full of midfielders. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are the preferred starters – as they should be after spending a combined £222m – while Romeo Lavia is doing a solid job as backup, and Andre Santos is stealing hearts on loan with Strasbourg.
A cut-price deal for Maino is something any club would consider regardless of their current squad make-up, but it’s hard to see Chelsea making any real attempt at a fantasy move that won’t happen until 2027 anyway.
Also, claims that he is ‘no longer untouchable’ seem more dramatic than necessary. United don’t want to sell, but could be tempted if a club comes in with stupid money. There is a case for that Literally every player in the world.
