Rumour Reel: Elseid Hysaj or Serge Aurier to Man Utd, Barca target Blues star?
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Coral’s rumour reel
As the winter transfer window draws ever closer, Coral’s rumour reel continues to ramp up and there are plenty of Premier League whispers to keep punters entertained this morning. Can Elseid Hysaj to Man Utd happen in January? And, as for Barcelona transfers, which Chelsea star are the Catalan club tracking?
Find out about all that and more with your Thursday fix of football gossip…
Elseid Hysaj to Man Utd?
Jose Mourinho’s reported search for a right back could see the Portuguese turn his attention from apparent long-term target Fabinho, as the Brazilian’s current club Monaco look set to continue on their Champions League journey.
Now Manchester United are believed to be looking at two alternative targets, with Napoli’s Hysaj strongly linked in the tabloids this morning. The 22-year-old Albania international was previously thought to be on Bayern Munich’s radar, but now the Red Devils could move for the young right back after he stormed to international attention at Euro 2016.
The flying full back could cost United upwards of £26m, but a potentially cheaper option also being mooted is PSG’s outspoken Serge Aurier.
Mourinho could seek to link up Aurier, 23, with fellow Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly, after the defender’s somewhat troubled time in Paris. While, there should be plenty of space at Old Trafford if the Red Devils offload Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling, as the papers suggest.
Barcelona transfers: Branislav Ivanovic in Nou Camp switch?
Finally, on to Chelsea, and the Premier League challengers could be about to lose a defender too. Serbia stalwart Ivanovic, now 32, has fallen down Antonio Conte’s pecking order at Stamford Bridge so could leave the Blues behind should Barcelona firm up their reported interest in the experienced star.
There appears to be little room in Conte’s current three at the back set-up for the Serbian, who can play adeptly at either centre half or right back, while there seems to be no space on the flanks either.
Barca have made no secret of their own quest for a full back to man the right defensive flank and may see Ivanovic as a cheap, stop-gap solution.
