Wednesday’s transfer rumors include a pair of potential Chelsea arrivals, and some significant inertia in Northeast England.
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The Express says Chelsea’s ready to go to the next level in its pursuit of Everton back John Stones. The 21-year-old could find himself paired with Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill or the struggling John Terry if $60 million works for the Toffees. For what it’s worth, Everton manager Roberto Martinez says Stones isn’t going anywhere.
FC Utrecht has admitted that 6-foot-2 center forward Sebastien Haller is a target for Premier League teams. The 21-year-old Haller is a $9 million player, according to his Dutch club, but Sunderland faces competition from at least Norwich. The Black Cats are also said to be targeting Lorient defender Lamine Kone.
The Sun says Saints have joined the race to snare 24-year-old winger Andros Townsend from Tottenham Hotspur.
Staying in the Northeast, Remy Cabella’s Newcastle departure looks set to become permanent and net around $8.5 million from Marseille. The Magpies will need the dough if they wish to land Michy Batshuayi, the January rumor mill mainstay tipped for several teams including Spurs.
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The latest on Chelsea target Alex Teixeira is that Shakhtar Donetsk want the sale to be completed in January, or else risk a much higher fee in the summer. The figure right now, according to Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu, is $44 million, and would jump by about $10 million at the end of the season (should the goal-a-game Teixiera keep playing so well).