Rumour reel: twist in Mbappe story
Published:
Frenchman may just be staying where he is
Hull City are back in the Championship, and although they’ll start the season without a few of their better players from last term, manager Leonid Slutsky is eager to build a side capable of dragging The Tigers straight back up.
He moved to sign defender Ondrej Mazuch from Sparta Prague on Wednesday on a two-year deal, the transfer fee not disclosed. The 28-year-old had been on trial at the KCOM, and obviously did enough to win himself a permanent deal. Below is a round-up of Thursday’s transfer news.
Mbappe could extend his contract
French giants Monaco could put one of the longest running transfer sagas of the summer to bed, by tying down Kylian Mbappe on a long-term contract. The 18-year-old striker has been linked with just about every major European club during this transfer window, as regular followers of our rumour reel column will admit. Was it all for nothing? Did the likes of Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola waste their time chasing a player who was angling for a better contract all along? It may just work out that way, with newspaper reports in France telling us Kylian is locked in talks with Monaco about signing a new deal. Sources close to the club say they are now confident of holding on to one of football’s most sought-after stars.
Barkley wants a new challenge
Ross Barkley wants a move away from Everton, and The Toffees haven’t made a song and dance about keeping him either. It was refreshing to see boss Ronald Koeman offer an improved deal and tell the player – take it or leave it. The club will not be held to ransom, and it’s little wonder, as they now have more than enough cover for the season ahead, ready to fight on all fronts. There has not been the rush to buy Barkley that many thought, and the player himself probably imagined himself at the likes of Manchester United or Arsenal by now, not stuck at Goodison with his options limited. Some fans expected Barkley to stay and fight for his place in the team, but Koeman told reporters the Englishman wants a new challenge, and will be leaving before the end of the transfer window.
Man Utd to battle Milan for Sanches
Manchester United are keen on adding Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches, with Jose Mourinho seemingly happy to meet the Bundesliga side’s £40+ asking price, but The Red Devils are not the only side in the hunt for the talented 19-year-old. AC Milan will offer the Portuguese wonderkid an option. Munich have confirmed the player, capped a dozen times by his country so far, wants to leave the Allianz Arena to find a new challenge and get more game time, so it now looks a straight choice between life in England or Italy. Sections of the Italian press say Milan have offered a four-year deal. We’ll let you know how that one pans out.
