Dust off the Bank Holiday weekend hangover, it's time for a shot of football gossip.
Chelsea will ignore the rule of never going back to an old flame by trying to re-sign Romelu Lukaku. According to the Times, Antonio Conte has been rebuked by Real Madrid after showing interest in Alvaro Morata and so will instead turn to the Belgian. It was initially thought that Madrid had signed Morata with a view to selling him on for a profit, but now, like that jacket you bought by mistake, Madrid are starting to like the look of the striker. Everton want £60 million for Lukaku or, if you believe the Mirror, it's £68 million.
Two players who could be on their way out of Chelsea are Baba Rahman and Oscar. Rahman is close to a loan move to the Bundesliga with Schalke while Oscar is being eyed-up by Inter Milan. The Sun say the fee for the Brazilian would be £30 million.
Jose Mourinho is doing a bit of decluttering at Old Trafford and Paddy McNair could be one of those to leave - though likely only on loan. Celtic are apparently interested, though Brendan Rodgers was coy when asked about the centre-back. Celtic could face some opposition to acquire McNair. Burnley are also apparently interested.
With John Stones possibly heading to Man City (for £50m!!!) Everton are on the lookout for a replacement. It could come from the other end of the footballer age spectrum - 32-year-old Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte. Southampton fans' dislike is of Ronald Koeman is sure to rise should he make the move for his former charge. The fee is said to be £9 million.
Man Utd have already brought in three players under Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba could yet be added to that list. There was another name interesting the Portuguese - Breel Embolo. According to Schalke sporting director Christian Heidl, Mourinho was desperate to sign the player who in June made the move from Basel to the Bundesliga club.
It’s nothing new that he is a great player. There is a reason why Mourinho desperately wanted to sign him for Manchester United.
Photo by Paul Mohan/ Sportsfile
