Coral’s Rumour Reel: Man City eyeing Liverpool target Inaki Williams
Holly Thackeray | January 24, 2016
City, Liverpool to wrestle for Williams?
Manchester City could instigate a Northwest wrangle for Athletic Bilbao talent Inaki Williams, as the 21-year-old La Liga star was previously reported to be on Premier League rivals Liverpool’s radar.
It seems as though the Citizens are in pole position, though, and will also beat Arsenal interest in the adaptable Spain Under-21 attacker, with a £38m fee being bandied about for the Basque, though earlier rumours suggested Williams had a cheaper release clause.
Staying with City news, the Mancunians are also expected to be firmly in the fight for Everton and England centre half John Stones, though will face much stiffer competition in summer from long-term admirers Chelsea and Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid (transfer issues abiding), with £50m the mooted figure.
Foxes braced for summer hunt
While, back at Liverpool, the Reds are also said to be plotting a swoop for Leicester City post protector Kasper Schmeichel, despite just tying current custodian Simon Mignolet to a new contract.
Though, this is not the only rumour Foxes fans have to worry about this morning, as Claudio Ranieri also prepares for a summer raid from Tottenham. Spurs are supposedly seeking to snatch midfield dynamo N’Golo Kante and flying forward Jamie Vardy, with the duo two of Leicester’s top performers this term.
Torres for the taking?
A name that hasn’t been in the transfer pages for some time is former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres. The Spaniard is currently back with boyhood club Atletico Madrid, on loan from Italian giants AC Milan, but is causing a stir amid news he will be available on a Bosman in summer.
The future free agent is believed to be of interest to Barca, but there are also offers in the pipeline from unnamed clubs in China, Japan and the USA.
Teixeira closing in on exit
Shakhtar Donetsk star Alex Teixeira has been involved in perhaps the longest winter saga so far this transfer window, but the Chelsea and Liverpool-linked attacker could be closer to leaving Ukraine.
The Brazilian, rated around £29m, told press: “I would like to move in this transfer window and have told them [Shakhtar] that. They have received a very good offer and they are working on a solution. But if I don’t go now then I will leave in the summer.” But will it be to the Blues or Reds?
While, in more Stamford Bridge and Brazilian gossip, the Premier League champions may sacrifice another Samba star in midfield engine Ramires, with £18m apparently enough for one of Bayern Munich or PSG to pluck the South American from London.
As for next Blues boss, today’s reports tip France gaffer Didier Deschamps to take over after taking Les Blues to Euro 2016, as his international contract ends following the tournament.
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