Hump-day loves transfer rumors and so do you.
Arsenal need some physicality in the holding role and the more time wears on the less likely it looks like Sami Khedira will end up at the Emirates. No problem for Arsene Wenger because one of the hardest men in all the Premier League, Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote, would be over the moon to join the Gunners.
But while the Ivorian is capable of crushing anything in his path, does he possess the technique to play with a side like Arsenal? They already have Matheiu Flamini who is arguably better on the ball and equally as insane as Tiote but even he struggles to get on the pitch. Doesn’t seem like the deal of the century especially at the $13 million Arsenal will reportedly need to pay Newcastle for Tiote’s services but to each his own.
On the other side of North London the doors are wide open for business as Andros Townsend, Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado, Michael Dawson, Sandro, Etienne Capoue, Mousa Dembele, Kyle Naughton, Benoît Assou-Ekotto and Nacer Chadli are all reportedly up for sale. Oh, what a difference a year makes! The good thing for Spurs fans is that if those players could bring in some cash, Mauricio Pochettino would be happy to splash that out on the likes of Memphis Depay, Mateo Musacchio or Toby Alderweireld.
One deal with a bit more to it is Manchester United’s pursuit of Argentine international Marcos Rojo. The World Cup star, who can play left-back or center-back making him a logical fit in the three man back line of Louis van Gaal, is reportedly close to a deal that would bring him to Old Trafford by next week. And apparently, van Gaal isn’t stopping at Rojo as Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria rumors continue to fill the air.
It’s tough to see Wilfried Zaha staying at Manchester United and while a permanent deal is unlikely a loan looks certain. Crystal Palace are ready to pony up the wages for the player who had a heavy hand in bringing the Eagles into the Premier League two seasons ago. Zaha would be a boon to Selhurst Park where he’d fit right in and could prove a real compliment to fellow wingers Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie.
Finally, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could make a sensational $50 million move for Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, a bid designed to boost the Blues defensive ranks and drive Louis van Gaal, also an admirer of Benatia, crazy. Other reports claim that Mourinho may make a move for QPR striker Loic Remy, to fill the boots of the fallen Didier Drogba.