Rumour reel: Gabriel Barbosa in Leicester link, Bony to Arsenal?
Holly Thackeray | August 10, 2016
Two of this summer’s biggest transfer sagas may finally be over (phew), as Paul Pogba and John Stones landed at Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, but that doesn’t mean Coral’s rumour reel is out of juice.
So, read on to find out about Leicester City’s progress in luring Brazilian starlet Gabriel Barbosa, Arsenal’s interest in Wilfried Bony, plus who Chelsea are chasing in Wednesday’s glamorous slice of morning gossip…
Bony to Arsenal?
Man City’s supposedly unwanted striker Bony has been linked to at least half of the Premier League this summer, but the Sky Blues forward is yet to budge with another season of being relegated to bench in the offing.
Yet Arsenal, who usually see their players exiting the Emirates for the Etihad, could buck that trend and offer the former Swansea City sharpshooter an attractive escape route – with a £30m bid apparently in the offing.
The big, bullish Ivory Coast striker is also said to interest Everton, but the Gunners hierarchy could now come in and gazump the Merseysiders.
Bony to Arsenal rumours come despite him bagging just six goals in 36 Premier League games since leaving the Swans for Man City, meaning a fresh start would be ideal.
But, after Arsene Wenger saw another defender in Gabriel Paulista be ruled out of the opening few months of the season with injury, the Frenchman may have to turn his attentions to signing a centre back instead.
Gabriel Barbosa in Leicester link?
While, speaking of famous Gabriels, another Brazilian star of the same name could be bound for the King Power stadium, as Premier League champions Leicester’s pursuit of Samba Boys forward Barbosa has reportedly ramped up.
The up-and-coming attacker, currently at the Olympics, is supposedly the subject of a £23m bid from the Foxes, a fee which would smash the club record of £16m for summer signing Ahmed Musa.
Though, 19-year-old wonderboy Barbosa is also an apparent target for Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan, meaning this capture would be a real coup if Claudio Ranieri can pull it off.
Chelsea keen on Kone?
Finally, Chelsea’s continued chase for a top class centre back goes on, with the Blues believed to have failed in their bid to land Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
So, Antonio Conte’s attention is rumoured to have turned to Sunderland centre half Lamine Kone. The Paris-born Ivory Coast international helped the Wearside team avoid the drop last term as he marshaled the heart of defence, and could be a shrewd signing at Stamford Bridge.
Though, the Blues could also face competition here from Everton, who are seeking a replacement for Stones after his lucrative Citizens switch.
Either way, the Black Cats appear to be braced for a raid on their rearguard, with Anderlecht’s Kara Mbodji and Blackburn Rovers’ Shane Duffy both mooted options should Kone complete a switch to London or Merseyside.
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