Rumor Mill: Third time lucky for Falcao in EPL? Aubameyang to City?

By foxsports
Published

Another week, another gossip-packed Rumor Mill. Could a newly-promoted Premier League side be about to sign Colombian striker Falcao? Will the Manchester sides land any of their numerous reported targets? We try to separate fact from fiction. Enjoy!

Marco Verratti

Rumor: PSG to Manchester United. // Likelihood: Maybe, fee seems a bit high. // The Talk: Marco Verratti could be set to link-up with PSG teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford, according to reports in Italy. Ibrahimovic, who has been the subject of much speculation, looks poised to join the Red Devils after Euro 2016. Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport claims new United boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to bid £79m ($112m) to land Italian international Verratti.  Having already signed Villarreal defender Eric Bailly this summer, Mourinho is pressing ahead in the transfer market and would reportedly offer Verratti a £6.7m-a-season ($9.4m-a-season) wage packet.

N'Golo Kante

Rumor: Leicester to Manchester United. // Likelihood: May prefer somewhere with UCL football. // The Talk: Manchester United have joined the race to sign Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante, according to the Daily Mirror. The newspaper claims Jose Mourinho is ready to spend £22m ($31.1m) to convince the Foxes to part with one of their star players. The France international is in-demand after an incredible first season in the Premier League which culminated in Leicester winning the title. And it is thought that Mourinho sees Kante as the perfect player to add 'steel and energy' to their midfield. However, the Red Devils are likely to face competition from other clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG.

Falcao

Rumor: Monaco to Middlesbrough. // Likelihood: Wages too high. // The Talk: Chelsea and Manchester United flop Radamel Falcao has been offered to Premier League new boys Middlesbrough, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Colombian international has had an awful time in England over the past two seasons and has now returned to parent club Monaco. In two loan spells with United and Chelsea, Falcao only managed five goals in all competitions, that's in comparison to the 70 goals in 91 matches he scored for Atletico Madrid before joining Monaco in 2013. Despite this, the 30-year-old could be on course to have a third attempt at Premier League success with Middlesbrough. The English Championship runners-up will be competing in England's top tier next season and the report claims Falcao's name has appeared on a list of players the club could sign ahead of next season. However, the striker is on a lot of money at Monaco and that is likely to be the biggest stumbling block.

John Stones

Rumor: Everton to Manchester City. // Likelihood: Makes sense. // The Talk: According to the Daily Mail, John Stones has rejected a contract offer from Barcelona in favor of a move to Manchester City. Stones has been repeatedly linked with a host of clubs ever since last summer. The Everton defender is currently on international duty with the England national team and is likely to consider his future when he returns from the tournament. The Daily Mail claims that linking up with City's new boss Pep Guardiola is too good an opportunity for Stones to turn down. The 22-year-old was reported to have handed in a transfer request last summer as Chelsea made three bids for the center-back – all of which were rejected.

Paul Pogba

Rumor: Juventus to Manchester United. // Likelihood: More chance of going elsewhere. // The Talk: Manchester United could have to smash the British transfer record to land Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, according to the Daily Mirror. Pogba left Old Trafford in 2012 on a free transfer after becoming frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson. The new United boss Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of Pogba, having tried to sign him at previous club Chelsea and the Portuguese coach is thought to want to build his new side around the France international. Juventus could start a bidding war between interested parties and have valued the star at £78m ($110m).

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Rumor: Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City. // Likelihood: Staying put. // The Talk: The Daily Mirror reports that Manchester City will have to smash the British transfer record to sign Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The prolific striker has been in top form this term and has been linked with a host of clubs throughout the season. However, Dortmund are keen to keep hold of the player and are said to have quoted City £65m ($92m) for the Gabon international. Incoming City boss is a fan of Aubameyang after seeing a lot of the player during his time as Bayern Munich manager. The report claims BvB hope that the asking price will cool City's interest.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Rumor: Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal. // Likelihood: A good fit. // The Talk: Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to The Sun. The English newspaper report that Arsene Wenger is hoping to tie up a quick deal for the £25m-rated ($35.4m-rated) 27-year-old. The Armenia midfielder only has a year left on his contract in Germany and several clubs are thought to be looking at the possibility of buying him. With the German side reportedly ready to sell, the Gunners are keen on adding Mkhitaryan to their first summer signing Granit Xhaka from Gladbach.

Piotr Zielinski

Rumor: Udinese to Liverpool. // Likelihood: Nailed on. // The Talk: Liverpool have made a £9.5m ($13.4m) bid for Udinese midfielder Piotr Zielinski, according to widespread sources and reports. The Poland international is also thought to have caught the eye of Serie A runners-up Napoli, but it's thought that Anfield remains the player's preferred destination. Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis spoke to Corriere dello Sport and said: "I negotiated for Zielinski with the Pozzo family and we finalized every detail. Instead, it now seems as if the player is doing everything possible to resist the move and not come here. He wants Liverpool." This seems like a sure thing.

Stephan Lichtsteiner

Rumor: Juventus to Chelsea. // Likelihood: Likely. // The Talk: According to The Sun, incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants a reunion at Stamford Bridge with former player Stephan Lichtsteiner. The report says the Blues are waiting until Juventus complete the signing of Dani Alves from Barcelona before they tie up a deal for Lichtsteiner. The Swiss international, who is currently on duty at Euro 2016, has won the Serie A title in every one of his five seasons at Juve and is thought to be ready to test himself at Premier League level. Conte and Lichtsteiner reportedly have a strong relationship and that could be key in any potential move for the defender.

Hector Herrera

Rumor: Porto to Liverpool. // Likelihood: Believable. // The Talk: Mexican journalist Vladimir Garcia claims Porto midfielder Hector Herrera is on the brink of joining Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. The reporter says the Reds are 'one step away' from landing Herrera after he scored nine goals in 29 league games last season. Mexican side Pachuca still own 30 percent of the box-to-box midfielder and it remains to be seen exactly how much Liverpool will have to pay to get him. Klopp has already strengthened his squad with the signings of Loris Karius, Marko Grujic and Joel Matip, and now the center of the field has become his top priority.