Wow, so you’re from Newcastle… A ghastly oil-backed behemoth-in-waiting, or a club released from its Sports Direct-branded shackles, now thriving with a manager getting a tune out of an astutely-assembled band of players not wholly bogged down by stardust, depending on who is in charge.
The club is trying to revive its interest in James Maddison, which might signal a significant shift this month from the latter to the former. A £50 million bid for the Leicester and England playmaker, who is out with a “mystery knee injury,” was rejected in August.
If he continues to impress before the knack, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund may have to top the club’s record transfer, the £59 million paid for Alexander Isak in the summer of 2017. However, Martin Dubravka, who was loaned to Manchester United but recalled after just two Carabao Cup games, would be useful as a makeweight.
Meanwhile, Danny Murphy has suggested that Brendan Rodgers give Kelechi Iheanacho to Everton, who are currently third from bottom in the Premier League. However, Murphy likely does not have much of a say in such matters.
Even though fellow relegation-worriers Southampton appear to have their ducks in a row for the 21-year-old winger Nicolas Jackson, who is currently playing for Villarreal, the Merseyside club has expressed interest in the Senegalese forward, possibly on loan with a commitment to stump up £27m at a later date.
After re-signing Cody Gakpo, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp may reacquire interest in Atalanta’s defensive midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, continuing the Dutch resurgence that began with the club’s acquisition of Virgil van Dijk.
The 24-year-old Dutch international might inject some yeps into Klopp’s team, who have been suffering from a noticeable drop in enthusiasm from the pressing game that has suited them well in recent years.
Youssoufa Moukoko, a teenage star in Germany, has been “tracked” by a number of clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, a term that will always feel slightly odd.
Borussia Dortmund does not want to lose their young forward for free this summer, therefore a transfer is expected. Barcelona has been mentioned as the most likely destination, however, there are six or seven others that might be considered as well.
Wolves and West Ham are very interested in signing Diogo Dalot’s Manchester United replacement, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Patrick Vieira’s romantic/failure admission option at his previous club Crystal Palace is a beckoning and beaming Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but Manchester United is currently debating whether or not they need to bring in a new reserve right-back, or if one of the young players already on the roster, such as the primarily left-sided Brandon Williams, can fill in.
