Mourinho planning £145 million raid on Atletico Madrid duo
Manchester United are reported to be planning a very strong bid for Atletico Madrid’s France striker Antoine Griezmann and Spain midfielder Saul Niguez.
English newspapers are saying that United, Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea should be well involved in the January transfer market.
A report in The Times says that United manager Jose Mourinho’s is planning a £145m raid on the above mentioned duo.
The Times added that United ‘are willing to wait for the close season to do deals’, especially as Saul is an ‘archetypal Mourinho midfielder.’
The report, however, goes on to say that the move could well become a reality during the summer months, rather than this month.
The Sunday Express also reported that Mourinho is also interested in 33-year-old Portugal defender Pepe who is out of contract at Real Madrid in the summer, although some Chinese clubs are after his services.
Ronald Koeman’s Everton have been linked with some of the Premier League’s best central defenders and Chris Smalling.
According to the Mirror, Koeman is requesting approval for a £50m bid for Southampton’s much-desired Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk.
And if, as expected, Manchester United’s Smalling is available, then it will not be surprising to see Everton leading the queue for his signature.
Smalling could be joined at Goodison Park by fellow Mourinho misfits Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, who are also expected to leave Man United.
Meanwhile, a report in The Sun indicated that Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian are ready to bid £80m for Chelsea’s Spanish striker Diego Costa, who has netted 14 goals this season.
If Costa decides to leave Chelsea for Tianjin, than the latter will have to pay a fabulous price though Costa is reported as being offered a salary of £480,000 a week.
If Costa goes, then boss Antonio Conte might possible make a bold move for Spurs’ top striker Harry Kane.
Torino goalkeeper on loan Joe Hart is thought to be contemplating a return to Premier League football in summer with his next stop being described as Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool manager Klopp has two keepers in Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius but both are not doing quite well at present.