For Monday’s transfer rumor roundup we start at the epicenter of today’s action, Stamford Bridge, where Jose Mourinho was unveiled as manager of Chelsea (again).
‘The Special One,’ now also being referred to as ‘The Happy One,’ is determined to come in and make changes to the Blues, namely sending Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Juan Mata packing while bringing in Edinson Cavani, Xabi Alonso and the Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala.
MORE: Edinson Cavani admits it would be a pleasure to work for Jose Mourinho
While shipping out Torres and Ba is at least somewhat understandable, why Mou is giving the boot to Mata is anyone’s guess. We here at PST refuse to believe it, but hey, we don’t invent the rumors, we just comment on them. If there’s any truth to it one has to believe that Mourinho sees Chelsea’s midfield as lacking bite, something that his red-bearded buddy from Los Blancos can certainly off-set.
To the other side of London where West Ham had their £14.5 million ($22.5m) bid for Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo laughed at by the Andalucian club. The Hammers now insist that signing striker Andy Carroll is their top priority although if that deal falls through, Sam Allardyce could be in for Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony. The 24 year old striker scored 31 goals in 24 matches this season, which would normally be an impressive feat except that it happened in the Eredivisie.
To the North of London we go where Spurs are desperately trying to make Emmanuel Adebayor surplus goods. After inquiring about Leandro Damiao, Robert Soldado and David Villa, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has turned his attention to out of favor Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez. Levy is said to be preparing a £7 million ($10.9m) bid for the striker, which we can all expect the Bavarian giants to promptly reject.
Over to the Midlands where Richard Dunne is looking like he’s about to be poached by Celtic. There aren’t many people who get too excited talking about Dunney these days, but Neil Lennon is one of them. “I like Richard Dunne, I always have done. He’s a great player, a great Irish player. . . . He’s a player I have admired for a long, long time, but I am sure there will be a number of clubs pursuing his services.”
Villains boss Paul Lambert won’t be upset at letting go of his 33 year old center-back after Dunne failed to feature under Lambert last season due to injury. That, combined with Lambert’s preference for selecting younger players, has Dunne looking like he’s heading north for what will likely be a nominal fee.
One youngster Lambert is keen on bringing into the mix is Nordsjaelland defender Jores Okore. Lambert put a £3 million ($4.7m) bid down on the table for the Ivorian last week but the Danish club immediately rejected it claiming that the 20 year old Ivorian center-back is worth at least £5 million ($7.8m).
In Manchester, things continue to look bad for Samir Nasri after rumors have surfaced that Manuel Pellegrini has eyes for Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria. It’s believed that it will take £30 million ($46.6m) to get the deal done and that the Chilean will ask his Etihad chiefs to sanction the move later this week. Imagine that - Di Maria on one flank and Navas on the other? The opposition better hope its full-backs have wheels.
Over at Everton all the chatter has been about who Roberto Martinez will pinch from Wigan but now it appears the Toffees are interested in making a move for Benfica winger Eduardo Salvio. But Goodison Park shouldn’t get it’s hopes up as Salvio’s fee will likely prove a stumbling block. Last season the Argentine international was shipped from Atlético Madrid to Benfica in a £11.5 million ($17.9m) deal, money that Everton is highly unlikely to pony up.
Finally, up in Di Canio territory it appears that Sunderland playmaker Stephane Sessegnon has finally had enough and is requesting a transfer to France to be closer to his wife and children, with Marseille the rumored destination.