Coral’s rumour reel: Atleti and PSG in player swap? Adebayor to Palace?
Today’s rumours begin with a burning question: where will Joey Barton hang his boots next season?
The answer could well be west Yorkshire, as the free agent and former QPR man is linked with taking his brand of tenacity to Leeds United (11/1 with Coral to win promotion to the Premier League in 2015/16). Could a midfield of Barton, plus young-guns Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt be the answer for Elland Road?
Across the Pennines, Manchester United may be about to bid farewell to their flying Dutchman, as Robin van Persie is being heavily mooted for a move to warmer climes, with rumours emerging that Juventus are in pole position to snap up the striker.
London clubs Chelsea and Crystal Palace have also been filling column inches, as they look to add new striking recruits. The Blues could respond to being snubbed by Japan forward Yoshinori Muto, who opted for a move to join compatriot Shinji Okazaki at Mainz after claiming modestly that “I wanted to keep my expectation realistic and play for a team that fits my level,” by adding former Red Devil Radamel Falcao to their ranks.
Palace, meanwhile, in the most surprising rumour of the day, are said to be ready to raise eyebrows and offer Tottenham outcast Emmanuel Adebayor a contract and an escape route from White Hart Lane.
FA Cup winners Arsenal (5/1 to win the Premier League in 2015/16) have barely let the dust settle on their Wembley triumph, but could treat themselves to a celebratory transfer, with Swansea City midfield shield and South Korea skipper Ki Sung-Yueng apparently on Arsene Wenger’s radar.
Never ones to be left out, Stoke City also look set to get in on some transfer action by adding another former Barcelona misfit to their roster. Can Mark Hughes convince Netherlands intenrnational and out-of-contract wingman Ibrahim Afellay to give the Britannia Stadium a shot? Olympiakos have an option on their loan star, however.
In more outlandish rumours, European big-guns Atletico Madrid and PSG could throw a cat among the pigeons, with reports in Spain suggesting Diego Simeone may swap star man Antoine Griezmann for the Parisians’ supposedly wantaway poacher Edinson Cavani.
Elsewehere on the continent, Europa League winners Sevilla are not resting on their laurels and may try to lure Newcastle United predator Papiss Cisse to Spain. What could this mean for the future of Carlos Bacca and co?
