Under normal circumstances, even for a good (sometimes very good) defender, a crocked player would ease himself back into pre-season, hoping to impress his manager and win his place back in the side, hoping that his value/future earnings hadn’t diminished too much during his time on the sidelines. But reader, these are no ordinary circumstances. This is the 2017 summer transfer window, or as future historians will call it: The Beginning of the End. Now, crocked, good (sometimes very good) defenders can suffer serious injuries, sit on their backside for six months, watch their value sky-rocket, and then maybe get a lucrative move.
This is the world in which Virgil van Dijk lives. But enough about him, this introduction is actually meant for Tottenham’s Danny Rose, who hasn’t played a game of football since January, but according to the Independent, is fast becoming José Mourinho’s No1 target at Manchester United.
With deals for Ivan Perisic and Gareth Bale hitting the buffers, United are looking at more creative solutions for width going forward, and have sensibly settled on a left-back with a sometimes dodgy knee. With Rose approaching full fitness again, Daniel Levy is wary of losing his second high-profile full-back to Premier League title rivals this summer, but are reportedly willing to see how silly Ed Woodward is feeling.
Spurs are keener to lose Moussa Sissoko, who is open to joining Turkish side Trabzonspor, according to their vice-president Gencaga Meric. “Sissoko is keen on joining, we have spoken with him and talks went well,” Meric told reporters in Turkey. “We have yet to convince Tottenham or their manager. Tottenham want to recoup most of what they invested in Sissoko but we want him on loan. We have made our offer and are waiting for a decision.”
Giannelli Imbula has decided he’d rather spend his Tuesday nights basking in the balmy climate of the Mediterranean coast than in what-will-probably-be-wet Stoke, and has agreed a deal in principle with French champions Monaco. The problem is that the Champions League club haven’t agreed a fee: Stoke want to recoup most of the £18m they shelled out for him in January 2016, Monaco would prefer a loan deal with an option to buy. The stand-off continues. Stoke have agreed a £7.25m deal to bring loan hit Bruno Martins Indi back to the club on a permanent basis.
Leicester City have forgotten that they have just spent £25m on Kelechi Iheanacho and will announce a £450,000 (plus add-ons) deal for 20-year-old Coventry striker George Thomas on Tuesday.
Swansea have dipped their hand into the Arsenal bench lucky dip and come up with Carl Jenkinson. Arsenal want a permanent sale, but Swansea are thought to favour a loan deal. Fear not recently promoted clubs to the Premier League: Mathieu Debuchy, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers and Jack Wilshere are still available!
On the continent, Bayern have gone full Bayern by attempting to lure Borussia Dortmund’s chief scout Sven Mislintat to the Allianz Arena, and Juventus are reportedly keen on Mateo Kovacic, who has been one of the best pre-season performers for Real Madrid. Nice look as though they are going to beat Celtic to the loan signing of Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts – just one day after signing Wesley Sneijder, woof! – which could clear the way for the French club’s Jean Michaël Seri to join Barcelona for €40m.
Multiple choice round: which is true?
a) Philippe Senderos can speak six languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Serbian.
b) Philippe Senderos, superstar of yesteryear is only 32 years old.
c) Philippe Senderos has just signed for Houston Dynamo.
The answer is … all three are true! Got ya! Thank you for playing Rumour Mill.