Rumour Reel: Fireworks for Man Utd as Diego Godin linked, plus eight players for the exit
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Coral’s rumour reel
Remember, remember, the fifth of November… when you heard Manchester United being linked with Diego Godin. It’s not quite gunpowder, treason and plot but, as many as eight Red Devils are also being tipped for Old Trafford exits.
So, if it’s explosive football transfer fireworks you’re after this Saturday morning, look no further than Coral’s weekend rumour reel to provide you with the lowdown on all the latest in Manchester and more…
Man Utd linked with Diego Godin
As he used to do at Chelsea, when snaring the likes of Diego Costa and Filipe Luis, Jose Mourinho is back sniffing around Atletico Madrid.
Perhaps it is how well-drilled Diego Simeone has his stars which attracts ‘the Special One’ but whatever the reasons, Man Utd are now linked with another Atleti first-teamer.
This time it is decorated Uruguay defender Godin said to be in the Portuguese’s plans. Papers suggest the 30-year-old centre back will be drafted into the Red Devils defence to provide leadership and, well, defending.
It could cost Mourinho a cool £30m to trigger Godin’s release clause, however. Centre back partner for club and country Jose Gimenez is also reckoned to be on the Red Devils’ radar, as is France forward Antoine Griezmann – surely the Old Trafford outfit can’t be chasing all three of Atleti’s star men?
Eight players for the Old Trafford exit?
Meanwhile, tabloids have been delighting in headline puns such as ‘Godin, eight out’ as rumours are also doing the rounds of an Old Trafford exodus across the next two transfer windows.
Headed for the chop are apparently as many as eight established stars after the Red Devils’ recent poor run, with players such as Michael Carrick (out of contract next summer), Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones tipped for the axe.
Also potentially included in any cull could be wingmen Memphis Depay and Ashley Young. Who is safe? It seems Man Utd are headed for a Mourinho makeover.
Moussa Marega to Liverpool or Spurs?
Finally, Liverpool and Tottenham could go head to head for Mali marksman Moussa Marega. The Porto-owned poacher has been pulling up trees on loan to Vitoria Guimaraes, with 10 goals and two assists in eight league games.
Still only 25, the adaptable attacker supposedly has a release clause of £35.5m, and reportedly already has these two English giants tracking him.
