Rumour Reel: Payet on his way out
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We take a look at the latest stories from the January transfer market
Two weeks into the January transfer market and we have already seen some major moves from clubs across the UK. The lower leagues have been particularly busy as managers earn their corn wheeling and dealing, while the big boys look to keep their powder dry in an attempt to unsettle targets and get the best deal possible.
We take a look at the latest stories from the January transfer market, rumours and all, filling you in on everything you need to know.
Costa to go
There’s no doubt about the biggest transfer story of the month and that’s at Chelsea, but they won’t be hammering the plastic, but instead cashing in on want-away striker Diego Costa. The fans favourite is said to be embroiled in a war-of-words with manager Antonio Conte and recently knocked back a staggering £200,000-a-week.
A move to China and Jiangsu Suning looks on the horizon, with big bucks on offer, reported to be £600,000 a week. Crazy! Abramovich wants his striker to stay, meaning this one could rumble on until the summer.
Au revvoir Payet
West Ham’s top boy Dimitri Payet looks to have finally been given his wish and after kicking up a stink, in true spoiled footballer fashion, he could be on his way out of Stratford. To be fair he looks destined for bigger things than the struggling Hammers and has been their standout so far. Contracts count for nothing these days, it would appear.
French cracks Marseille head the list of suitors and although manager Slaven Bilic said publicly that Payet was not for sale, after spanking Crystal Palace, they may grab the money and reinvest. West Ham could, of course, tell Payet he’s going nowhere, but who wants stroppy player on their books bringing the rest down?
Bamford off to Boro
Middlesbrough look to be on the verge of signing Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford. The 23-year-old turned out for Burnley on-loan this season but made little impression during his time at Turf Moor and they appeared happy enough to thank him for the services and wave goodbye.
The player is on his way to the Riverside on Monday to finalise a deal, if reports are to be believed, and they will certainly welcome the new arrival with open-arms, having scored just 17-goals in their 21 league starts so far.
No way Jose
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho wanted to get his claws into Paulo Dybala, but that looks to be a non-starter with the Argentine deciding to sign on the dotted line and commit himself to current employers Juventus for the foreseeable future.
The 23-year old would surely come in handy at Old Trafford, with Rooney and Ibramovic nearing the end of their careers, and fans will be impressed that the money men are looking to the future, but it appears the side currently sixth in the Premier League will have to look elsewhere.
Martin not at home with Cottagers
You may have missed it, with the higher profile transfer stories in the news, but there’s a really interesting, and slightly funny, tug-of-war going on between Fulham and Derby over the future of Scotland striker Chris Martin.
The hitman, on-loan from Steve McLaren’s Rams, scored against Barnsley at the weekend and it’s little wonder Derby want to recall him. The player wants to go, but Cottagers chief Slavisa Jokanovic says a deal has been signed and everyone concerned must honour it. That seems fair enough.
