Rumour reel: Cherries sweet on John Terry deal
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Can Bournemouth tempt Chelsea legend?
Football fans have one eye on the weekend’s Word Cup qualifiers, but at club level managers are working tirelessly to win over their top summer targets. Arsene Wenger has confirmed he’ll be staying on at the Emirates, and is likely to demand a war chest from the Arsenal board.
Coral’s rumour reel column helps cut through the nonsense of the transfer window news to bring you the whispers worth listening to, as well as any early confirmed deals. Here we take in the latest from Bournemouth, Arsenal and free-spending Rangers.
Terry to continue playing
John Terry told football fans his future remains undecided when finally stepping out of Stamford Bridge for the final time last month, bowing out with another Premier League winners medal in his possession. Retirement may have been on the England defender’s mind, but there’s no lack of respected managers trying to talk him into another season. Bournemouth are said to be at the front of the queue for the 36-year-old’s signature, with boss Eddie Howe believed to be offering £100,000-a-week to appear at Dean Court.
Caixinha wasting no time
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has wasted no time in reshaping his playing squad for next season, staying true to his word and targeting players he has worked with in the past, and knows he can trust to do a job. The gaffer has already brought in four new faces, Bruno Alves the best of them. The experienced defender is joined by Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack, attacker Dalcio and latest signing, defender Fabio Cardoso. Mexican pair Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera should be down Govan way soon, if all goes to plan with their work permits. With Europa League qualifiers just three weeks away, the squad have had their summer break cut short.
Gunners aim for Lacazette
So, fans can drag all the ‘Wenger out’ banners across the sky they want, the Arsenal manager confirmed after winning the FA Cup that he is going nowhere, and will be in charge of the team for another season, at least. Serious improvements are needed in his playing squad if The Gunners are to return to the top-four, and the long-serving gaffer has Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette at the top of his shopping list. With the board promising him the cash needed to mount a challenge next term, according to the red tops anyway, the £50m transfer fee and £200,000-a-week wages shouldn’t be a stumbling block. If he does join, he’s expected to be one of many upgrades.
