Rumour Reel: Patricio pegged as Man City’s Hart replacement, Watford want Kenedy?
Holly Thackeray | August 14, 2016
The Premier League 2016/17 season certainly began with a bang, as champions Leicester City lost to promoted Hull City and Pep Guardiola benched Joe Hart, while Match of the Day host Gary Lineker kept his promise to host the show in just his pants.
But, opening day drama and underwear choices aside, there is still plenty of work to be done in the transfer market. So, read on with this Sunday morning rumour reel to find out whether Manchester City are ready to poach Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning goalie Rui Patricio and much more…
Patrico to be Hart replacement?
After new Man City coach Pep Guardiola dropped England number one Hart for his first home game at the Etihad, of course tabloid whispers are doing the rounds about the keeper’s future.
Earlier in the week Barcelona goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen was linked with the position between City’s posts, but now rumour has it Sporting Lisbon and Portugal stopper Rui Patricio is set to be Hart’s replacement.
The recent European Championship winner, now 28, has so far spent his entire senior career with Sporting, in a stay spanning 10 seasons between the sticks.
And it appears, after keeping four clean sheets at Euro 2016, including in the final versus France, Patricio has popped up on Pep’s radar as as goal guard that can add guile.
As seen in his first official Sky Blues dugout outing in which he opted for back-up Willy Caballero in net, gaffer Guardiola is renowned for liking his goalies to come out from defence and help build the play.
As for Hart, who has often been the heartbeat (no pun intended) of Man City’s success – the 29-year-old may well have a fight on his hands for an Etihad future.
Watford keen on Chelsea’s Kenedy
Meanwhile, over at Man City’s potential Premier League title rivals Chelsea, coach Antonio Conte could be about to make space in his squad by shipping off a highly-rated starlet on loan.
Brazil Under-20 international Kenedy is the winger being targeted by Watford, with the Blues looking to give the former Fluminense flank threat regular game time away from Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old made 20 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last term but now appears surplus, with the Hornets circling as Walter Mazzarri seeks to add further creative spark in support of strike partners Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo.
Arsenal eye Exeter teen Ampadu
Finally, this may not be the big marque transfer rumour Arsenal fans want to hear, as the Gunners are again linked with a teenage talent rather than an established star to bolster their injury-ravaged ranks.
Arsene Wenger is now tipped to have his eye on Exeter City’s 15-year-old defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadu, after the young-gun made his debut in the EFL Cup.
The Devon-born defensive talent, and son of former Arsenal and Swansea City midfielder Kwame Ampadu, is eligible to play for all of Wales, Republic of Ireland, England and Ghana, but would certainly be a signing for the future.
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