Rumour Reel: Hart’s grand Torino move, Man Utd Scottish connection to continue?
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | August 28, 2016
Coral’s rumour reel
With just a few days left of the 2016/17 Premier League summer transfer window to go, clubs and players are frantically plotting their next moves before it’s too late.
Today, the gossip columns are linking Joe Hart away from the Etihad after falling down to third in the pecking order, while the likes of Manchester United are reportedly chasing teenage Scotsman Oliver Burke, plus more…
Hart’s trip to Italy?
A number of news stories suggest that out-of-favour Manchester City stopper Hart is set for a move to Italy, with Torino the likely suitors after Everton boss Ronald Koeman distanced himself from England’s number one at Euro 2016.
Sunderland are also keen to take the former Shrewsbury Town keeper on loan, but it seems a switch abroad appeals more to Hart.
Torino may not be at the same level as dominant Serie A champions Juventus, but they at least share the same city, Turin, and just uncapped Italian Daniele Padelli would represent any real competition for a starting place.
The Bull, as they are nicknamed, finished 12th last season in the table, and narrowly lost to AC Milan – who are also linked with Hart despite teenage keeper and recent Italy call-up Gianluigi Donnarumma being on their books – in their sole league game so far.
Burke to continue 114-year Man Utd record?
Across the city to Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho ended an unwanted record early into his Man Utd career by selling Donald Love to Sunderland. That meant the club no longer had a Scottish manager or senior player for the first time since they changed their name from Newton Heath LYR in 1902.
However, the Portuguese could soon rectify that, as Nottingham Forest wonderkid winger Burke, who has four goals in as many starts this Championship season, including last time out against the Red Devils’ rivals Leeds United, is being heavily linked with a move.
The 19-year-old was born in Kirkcaldy, but came through Forest’s ranks and has even earned himself two senior Scotland caps, while is also in the current squad to face Malta in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
However, Man Utd could face competition from the likes of Premier League rivals Tottenham and even German giants Bayern Munich for Burke’s signature.
N’Zonzi to return to England?
Sam Allardyce may have failed in his bizarre efforts to get Steven N’Zonzi play for England, but the France-born midfielder may still return to the Premier League.
Leicester City are the team in question hoping to land the former Stoke City star from Sevilla, but will have to cough up £25m to trigger his buy-out clause.
If they do succeed in matching that price, though, they may find themselves in a tussle with fellow 2015/16 league champions Juve, who are yet to decide whether to go for N’Zonzi or Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko as a replacement for Paul Pogba.
