It has been a quiet week thus far in the world of football, so with absolutely nothing happening, hopefully there is some decent gossip somewhere.
Let’s start with The Sun, who find just about enough room in their newspaper to tell us about the future of Isco. Real Madrid have turned against him, so a long-awaited Premier League move might be about to come to fruition.
But it will not be to Manchester City, according to Dean Scoggins. He reports that Chelsea have stolen a march on both their rivals and Arsenal, and ‘will make a £70million bid today’. The Spain international is in line for a £250,000-a-week, four-year contract, as well as ‘a hefty signing-on fee’.
Isco is seen as ‘the perfect foil’ for Eden Hazard, and he ‘could join’ in ‘the first week of January’. Arsenal are yet to make their interest concrete, while City are more eager to wait until the summer to move.
Chelsea plans to rob Bournemouth
Chelsea might not be done there. Assistant manager Gianfranco Zola stoked the fires of speculation on Tuesday when asked about Callum Wilson, saying “he is of interest, not only for us but for many”. The Blues will get a proper look at the Bournemouth striker in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.
The Daily Mirror first reported Chelsea’s interest in the England international last month, and now say Bournemouth ‘are unlikely to stand in his way if a top-six club comes calling’. But they will want ‘at least £35m’ for their troubles.
Eddie Howe said he was “not for sale” when Wilson was first being touted for a Stamford Bridge move, but then he would. One of the top ten players outside the Big Five could soon be crossing that particular border.
Liverpool and Solanke
In other news, there is something of a queue forming for Dominic Solanke. He might not be able to even get on Liverpool’s bench, but many other clubs do not have such exacting standards.
According to the London Evening Standard, Crystal Palace are ‘interested’ in the forward, who see a cheap loan move as ‘an attractive option’. Roy Hodgson ‘wants to add more firepower to his squad’, and Solanke’s one goal in 21 Premier League appearances appeals.
Rangers trying to sign Dominic Solanke in January. pic.twitter.com/CWfNpKFplt
— Shutts (@Shuttsapalooza) December 15, 2018
Rangers are ‘also interested’ as Steven Gerrard looks to strengthen his squad for a Scottish Premiership title tilt. But Palace hope their role in Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s development helps persuade Liverpool to side with them instead.