Rumour Reel: Pep prepares PSV’s Zoet as Hart replacement at Etihad
Lee Gormley | July 16, 2016
Coral’s rumour reel
Euro 2016 has come and gone, with Portugal having been crowned champions on French soil, meaning summer transfer business is top of the priority list for Premier League clubs now ahead of the 2016/17 top-flight campaign.
Pep pounces for Hart replacement
Pep Guardiola has arrived on the scene at Manchester City and is ready to make big changes to his inherited squad of players, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss reportedly keen to find a replacement goalkeeper for Joe Hart.
PSV Eindhoven shot stopper Jeroen Zoet is the man touted to be the Spaniard’s top target for between his sticks at the Etihad Stadium next season, with the 25-year-old set to be the subject of a summer bid from the Sky Blues.
Man City’s current number one Hart endured a disappointing summer at Euro 2016 for England, making several errors which ultimately helped contribute to the Three Lions’ downfall at yet another major tournament.
It seems that his underwhelming performances have been enough to convince new club manager Guardiola that he is in need of a new goal guard, with talented four-cap Netherlands international Zoet being lined up as his long-term successor in the coming weeks.
Palace turn to Berahino hopes
Having seemingly missed out on the chance of capturing Liverpool attacking misfit Christian Benteke, Crystal Palace have quickly turned their attentions towards acquiring West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino instead.
The Eagles had been keen on landing the Anfield attacker but now have Baggies poacher Berahino firmly in their sights, with the former England Under-21 frontman set to be the subject of a £20m offer soon.
Alan Pardew’s men struggled domestically at the back end of last term, but managed to reach the FA Cup final where they lost out to Manchester United, and the Palace boss is looking to add some much-needed firepower up top.
Berahino fits the bill perfectly and could provide the London outfit with a new attacking threat, having already seen a host of forwards recently depart, including Dwight Gayle (sold to Newcastle United), Marouane Chamakh (released) and Emmanuel Adebayor (released).
Baggies trying to land Schlupp
Meanwhile, West Brom are in hot pursuit of Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning full back Jeffrey Schlupp this summer, with Tony Pulis’ Baggies having reportedly offered their top tier rivals £9m for the 23-year-old.
Pulis has identified left back as his problem position and is hopeful of securing the Ghana international defender’s signature as a resolution, with Schlupp potentially set to become their second signing of the summer.
Such a move would follow up on the arrival of former QPR wideman Matt Phillips, who joined for £5m, with Schlupp having impressed at the end of last term during the historic top-flight title victory.
Related
With the summer in full swing, there’s gossip aplenty in Coral’s Rumour Reel, so check out other editions to ensure you don’t miss any tasty tabloid titbits.
Have a look at our extensive Euro 2016 section following the tournament’s conclusion.
