Let's take a look at how the grossly inflated transfer market is doing this morning... And you know what, there is news about Paul Pogba, but let's just get it out of the way and move on.
Manchester United's digital content manager is now following Paul Pogba on Twitter. Most wouldn't read too much into that but United fans are probably editing the cheesy 'Welcome Home: Paul Pogba Goals and Skills' videos as you read this.
The Guardian are reporting that Real Madrid are preparing a £55m bid for Bayern Munich's David Alaba. Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti is seemingly very keen to hold onto the Austrian and probably doesn't want to sell to his old club either, bitterness is next to Godliness after all.
Arsenal have potentially been dealt a blow to their chances of signing Leicester's Riyad Mahrez after King Power founder and CEO Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha posted this picture to his Instagram account. Then again, Mahrez may be just humouring his moneybags boss just like I used to with my aunt when I knew there was going to be €20 in it for me afterwards. Arsenal fans will still be sweating over the tagline "You not for sale!!"
Welcome My Home 🏞😉 #HomeSweetHome #Milano #MI9 #SanSiro pic.twitter.com/B7H1sJbdck
— MauroIcardi (@MauroIcardi) August 3, 2016
Italian news outlet Calciomercato have reported that Mauro Icardi's agent is heading to London for talks about a potential transfer to Arsenal. Not sure how much I'd read into this one given that Icardi has been declaring his love for Milan all over Twitter in recent weeks.
According to The Telegraph, Everton are leading the race to sign Julian Draxler. Everton are reportedly in talks with Wolfsburg for a deal to bring the 22-year-old to Goodison Park. While that would be just swell, if Arsenal and Champions League football are on the table, is Goodison good enough?
The Mirror are reporting that Everton are set to offer Romelu Lukaku a new contract worth £135,000 a week in an effort to keep the Belgian from the clutches of his former club. Chelsea have already had a bid of £57m for the 23-year-old rejected.
Everton are set to make an improved bid of £12m for Swansea's Ashley Williams according to The Daily Mail. The Toffees had already seen a £10m bid for the Swansea captain rejected. In this market it isn't hard to see why Swansea are holding out for more money for selling one of their most important players. He was in that Swansea team since promotion from League 1 and he just captained Wales to the semis of the Euros after all.
Arsenal have reportedly made inquiries for West Brom's Jonny Evans and Valencia's Skhodran Mutafi but have yet to make a bid. The Daily Mail report that Chelsea are also interested in Mustafi and could get him for as little as £25m, even though his release clause is £41m.
Leeds are set to swoop for Aston Villa's Joleon Lescott according to The Telegraph. Di Matteo has told Lescott that he is free to leave the club on a free transfer.
Mario Balotelli could be on his way to Ajax according to The Guardian. Balotelli has been less than impressive for Liverpool and after spending last season on loan at AC Milan, Liverpool look set to finally cut their losses and let the Italian go.
and finally...
Fernando Llorente is set to undergo a medical today as he completes his somewhat bizarre move to Swansea.
