Rumour Reel: Everton in for Arnautovic, Bonucci bound for Old Trafford?
Published:
Holly Thackeray | July 26, 2016
It’s time for all of Tuesday morning’s top transfer tidbits, as Jose Mourinho receives advice from former Tottenham manager Martin Jol on a teenager he should be tracking, while a familiar face from both Manchester clubs claims to have given Chelsea the blues.
If you want to know the latest Premier League summer window whispers, read on with Coral’s rumour reel…
Bonucci in the bag for Man Utd?
The most recent rumour rumblings from Old Trafford, after Mourinho saw his Man Utd men let down by their defence against Borussia Dortmund in China, is that the ‘Special One’ is seeking a rearguard stalwart to support Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly at centre back.
A veteran centre half could be on the cards, and who would fit the bill better than 29-year-old Juventus backline marshal and Italy international Leonardo Bonucci?
As the Red Devils reportedly struggle to extract midfield target Paul Pogba from the Turin team’s clutches, even for mooted sums of around £95m, it looks doubtful that they could come away from that deal with one of the Old Lady’s best defenders to boot.
But, money talks, and Man Utd could throw £50m the Italian champions’ way for the defender and see if it sticks. Robust Bonucci has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City or Chelsea, where former boss Antonio Conte has laid his hat, but Old Trafford now emerges in the tabloids as a credible destination.
While, in more Man Utd news, former Spurs boss Jol also revealed he has told fellow manager Mourinho to keep an eye on Egyptian teenage talent Ramadan Sobhi, who was recently signed by Stoke City from Jol’s current club Al Ahly.
“I sent a message to Jose Mourinho, who is in touch with me, asking him to keep an eye on Ramadan with Stoke City as he is a brilliant player and he can play at Manchester United after that,” said the Dutchman of the 19-year-old dangerman. No doubt the Portuguese will now be keeping his eyes peeled at Potters games!
Arnautovic in line for Everton switch?
Speaking of Stoke attackers, Mark Hughes may have landed a teenage prodigy but he could be set to loose one of his prize assets in Austria international Marko Arnautovic this summer.
The winger was a revelation for the Potters in parts of last season and it seems new Everton coach Ronald Koeman has cash to splash – with the Vienna-born star supposedly a prime target for the Toffees.
After scoring 11 times in the league last term, Arnautovic’s pace, directness and tricky make him still worth a punt at only 27.
Tevez tracked by Chelsea
Finally, it appears Chelsea’s quest for a new centre forward has taken them down all avenues, with former Man Utd, West Ham United and Man City striker Carlos Tevez telling tabloids in Italy that both the Blues and Napoli have tried to tempt him away from Boca Juniors.
The Argentine, now 32, said: “I’m fine at Boca. Indeed, my intention, my dream is to finish my career as a player at this wonderful club.”
“It is true, Chelsea and Napoli want me, but I repeat what I said before. My desire is to stay with Boca until I retire.”
Tevez spent a season at Juventus working with Conte, scoring 19 in Serie A to help the Old Lady to a Scudetto, but it looks unlikely to Blues will be able to poach him now from Boca.
