Deal me in!
Two major factors point towards the Chilean’s departure from North London in the next few days. First, as has been widely reported, his wage demands are astronomical. Manchester City are perhaps the only (nonChinese) club in the world willing to lavish Alexis Sanchez with in excess of £400,000-a-week.
Secondly – and this is perhaps bound up with his wage demands – Sanchez’s commitment to Arsenal has seemingly faltered as time has elapsed. In July he claimed to be ill in a less-than-convincing Instagram post after Arsenal had expressly stated he was returning to training, and on Sunday he was spotted seemingly laughing on the bench while the Gunners were being thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool. Likelihood of the transfer: More likely than not
LLORENTE TO CHELSEA
The vastly experienced forward has long had an admirer in Antonio Conte, with the Blues boss having signed Fernando Llorente once before while he was Juventus manager.
However, Swans boss and former Madrid assistant Paul Clement said on Sunday that “I’m confident of keeping Fernando and I see no reason why I shouldn’t be”.
With Swansea’s other big name, Gylfi Siggurdson, having departed for £45m, one would think the Swans will choose to keep Llorente even in the face of big-money offers. Likelihood of the transfer: Relatively unlikely
DRINKWATER TO CHELSEA
Leicester are currently insisting on £40m for Danny Drinkwater, having rejected a £25m bid from Chelsea earlier this month. Chelsea believe, however, that Leicester are just waiting to sign a pre-emptive replacement for Drinkwater before cashing in. Even in this age of inflated transfer fees, £40m seems exorbitant for a player who is struggling to make the England squad. It is hard to imagine the Foxes standing in the way of a move should Chelsea mount an offer north of £30m. Boss Craig Shakespeare has even admitted that Drinkwater may yet leave before the window shuts. Likelihood of the transfer: More likely than not
OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN TO CHELSEA/ LIVERPOOL
Although the 24-year-old was offered an improved contract in early July, his rejection of it clearly signalled his desire to leave. Boss Arsene Wenger has expressed a desire to keep the England winger, but there is a sense that Alex OxladeChamberlain is replaceable, unlike a certain Chilean forward.
Antonio Conte is thought to be extremely keen on signing OxladeChamberlain, with the exSouthampton man’s ability to play in nearly every midfield position appealing to the Italian. It remains to be seen exactly how much Chelsea are willing to pay for a player with a dubious injury record, however.
Likelihood of the transfer: 50/50
MUSTAFI TO INTER
The former Sampdoria player is thought to yearn for a return to Italy’s warmer climes, with Inter Milan heavily linked to the German international. Though the Nerazzurri were rumoured to be interested in signing Shkodran Mustafi on loan with an option to buy him later, Arsenal would prefer a permanent transfer after paying Valencia £35m for his services only one year ago.
But unless Inter suddenly decide to cough up a bucketful of cash, it looks as if Mustafi won’t be leaving the Emirates any time soon. Likelihood of the transfer: Unlikely
SANCHES TO LIVERPOOL
The Portuguese won the Golden Boy award for Europe’s top young player in 2016, but his much-heralded move to Bayern has not panned out. He started a paltry four league matches last term, and former Bayern star Lothar Matthaus named him among the three worst players of the season. Renato Sanches has himself expressed a desire to leave Bayern. Consequently, a clutch of upperlevel Premier League sides have attempted to sign him this summer. Liverpool’s overtures have been particularly strong, and Sanches is very much a Jurgen Klopp player: young, hungry and swashbuckling in possession, but Liverpool’s attentions may be elsewhere. Likelihood of the transfer: Unlikely
VAN DIJK TO LIVERPOOL
The imposing Dutchman has hogged headlines for months, with a posse of clubs reputedly chasing his signature. His is a classic case of loggerheads between player and club, with Southampton as keen to keep Virgil van Dijk as van Dijk is to leave.
Van Dijk has repeatedly made it clear he wants out from St Mary’s this summer, handing in a transfer request and even refusing to make himself available for pre-season matches.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, however, seem utterly unwilling to let Van Dijk’s petulance win out. Their stance – that he is going nowhere – has never wavered. Likelihood of the transfer: Unlikely
EVANS TO CITY
Pep Guardiola is reportedly unhappy with several of his centrebacks, and is seeking a player with Champions League experience for (relatively) little outlay.
However Jonny Evans’s recentlygranted status as West Brom captain means that Tony Pulis is reluctant to sell. Evans himself has just declared loyalty to the Midlands outfit – on Sunday, he stated in West Brom’s matchday programme that “until anybody tells me different, I’m committed to the Albion and I’m only thinking about getting in this team”.
As well as rebuffing Manchester City’s bid of £18m, Pulis’s side have also rebuffed a bid of more than £20m from Leicester City. Guardiola is thought to be preparing a bigger bid, however. Likelihood of the transfer: 50/50
VARDY TO EVERTON/ CHELSEA
Though everyone in football respects Jamie Vardy’s rise from obscurity, the reality is that he has now turned thirty. It would not surprise anyone were Leicester to cash in on the former factory worker, especially with Chelsea and Everton prepared to pay £40m for his services.
Vardy may well feel that this summer is his last chance of a big move, and with Leicester failing to repeat their wonder-season from 2015/16, a move would seem the logical step for the England international. That said, Vardy has turned down big moves before, and retains a deep affection for Leicester City. Likelihood of the
transfer: 50/50
– The Independent