Arsenal’s deal for their No. 1 target has been hijacked by a Premier League rival, Newcastle are in the mix for two midfield stars and Tottenham’s pursuit for a Hugo Lloris replacement has hit a major snag.
Catch up on all of the biggest whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Kuol starts Scottish stint with a win | 00:33
MORE COVERAGE
PL Wrap: Utd boss’ crazy title call in controversial derby’ Reds cop horror loss
‘It’s offside, offside, offside!’: Controversial goal sparks heated debate as Man City star rages
GUNNERS’ MUDRYK DEAL HIJACKED AS CHELSEA SWOOP
Chelsea are “very close” to completing a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk striker Mykhailo Mudryk, the Ukrainian club said Saturday.
“FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to Chelsea FC today,” tweeted Shakhtar.
“Parties are very close to agree on player’s transfer to the club.”
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea agreed a deal worth a staggering $AUD155 million for Mudryk, which is broken down into $109 million up front and a further $47 million in add-ons.
The Blues will also reportedly sign Mudryk on a whopping seven-and-a-half year deal.
Mudryk, 22, has scored seven goals in the Ukrainian championship this season.
Chelsea are currently struggling in 10th place in the Premier League. Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham was their seventh loss in their last 10 games in all competitions.
Mudryk’s impending move to Stamford Bridge comes after Arsenal were heavily linked with the star winger and made several bids for him.
Man Utd triumph in thrilling derby | 01:00
MAGPIES’ DOUBLE MIDFIELD DELIGHT?
Could Newcastle be preparing a crazy midfield splash?
Magpies boss Eddie Howe has reinvigorated the team in every position, but especially in their engine room.
The signing of former Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was the first major addition, while Howe’s ability to transform Joelinton into a midfielder feels like a new player.
However, Howe is hoping to add even more quality to his side and it comes in the form of Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Wolves skipper Ruben Neves.
Il Messaggero reports Arsenal wanted to take Milinkovic-Savic on loan before snapping him up on a $77 million deal in the summer, but Newcastle will make a last-ditch move and bid $92 million for the Serbian star.
However, Newcastle may opt to sign Ruben Neves instead, according to the Daily Mail.
Neves has 18 months to run on his contract with Wolves, but the report states he is unlikely to sign a new deal.
No bid has been made for the Portugal international, but he is currently on Newcastle’s list of midfield targets.
Brighton hand Liverpool big loss | 00:55
SPURS TARGET ‘GOING NOWHERE’
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for life after skipper Hugo Lloris moves on, with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya one of the major targets in their sights.
Although Bees boss Thomas Frank can “understand” why Spurs are keeping tabs on his prized asset, the Dane gave Antonio Conte a hands-off warning.
“I understand why they are interested,” Frank said.
“He is a very, very good keeper.
“I said many times I think he is among the best in the league and he has performed fantastic for us, but he is going nowhere.”
One factor in Spurs’ favour is that Raya is out of contract in the summer of 2024, meaning they could try and test the waters to see if Brentford would cash in on him.
However, Frank believes the club will look to extend the Spaniard.
“Let’s see,” Frank said.
“We are interested. I know David is very happy here, but there will be ongoing discussions of course.”
