The January transfer window rarely offers the same fun as the summer, but that doesn’t mean the rumor mill is slowing down.
The fun is already in full swing. Some clubs are making new signings, others are eyeing potential summer acquisitions, opening the door for a whole host of lines vying for a place in the gossip column.
Here’s our take on six of the wildest rumors currently making the rounds.
The rumor
Accordingly, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco met with Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran’s advisors SPORT in Spain. He could be available for up to £60 million in the summer.
Our opinion
Will Barcelona ever learn its lesson? Sure, they’re back to La Liga’s 1:1 spending rules, but they only did it by pulling every lever in a 50-mile radius. They have struggled to register last summer’s big-money transfer but appear willing to take even more risks to secure Duran’s signing.
This is no knock on Duran, who has established himself as a real attacking powerhouse with Villa this season. He’s good enough for a club like Barcelona, but the cost of winning this race is likely to plunge the Blaugrana back into financial uncertainty.
The rumor
Relevo claim Virgil van Dijk’s agents spoke to Real Madrid over a blockbuster free transfer in the summer, but the Spanish side rejected the possibility of completing a deal.
Our opinion
A strange thing. Firstly, the fact that Liverpool let Van Dijk’s contract expire long enough for him to even talk to Madrid is crazy, but Los Blancos’ reluctance to complete a deal is equally baffling.
Sure, at 33 years old, Van Dijk is already making a bit of progress. It’s clearly a short-term solution to a problematic situation, but is that such a bad thing? Carlo Ancelotti has been working with a fit senior central defender for what feels like forever. So why not take Van Dijk for a year or two while you find a long-term solution?
The rumor
The rumors about Arsenal’s interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak are nothing new, but the fact that they haven’t gone away after the Swede was estimated to be worth £150m is notable. Football Insider continue to call Isak the “most important target.”
Our opinion
Let’s just get this straight. There is not a single footballer on the planet worth £150 million. So can we just stop with the silly transfer fees?
Isak is great and he’s exactly what Arsenal need – someone who can actually score goals from play – but the Gunners just won’t spend £150m on him someone in the current PSR climate that has left every club in England’s top flight fearful of loosening their purse strings.
However, his price could fall if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League again and Isak decides he has drunk his last brown ale. One to definitely keep an eye on.
The rumor
El Nacional Paris Saint-Germain have identified Cole Palmer as their desired transfer target, with a €200m (£166m) offer set to land on Chelsea’s desk shortly.
Our opinion
No.
PSG has suffered from high transfer fees in the past and has closed the door on its past of reckless spending to build a group of equal players who can share the load rather than just play second fiddle to a big star.
It’s easy to say that Chelsea Palmer wouldn’t sell at any price, but let’s be honest. £166m is the kind of money even Premier League clubs wouldn’t say no to, especially when there are South American teenagers to pick up.
The rumor
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with Chelsea amid concerns over a lack of progress in talks over a new contract Daily Mailwho claim the Blues are already “leading the race for the 19-year-old”.
Our opinion
Is there even a race for the leadership at this point? Mainoo has a contract until 2027 and also has a 12-month extension clause in his £20,000-a-week contract, which United will 100% take advantage of, even if it’s just to annoy their rivals. Just cut out a few staff bonuses and it will definitely pay for itself.
Chelsea is already overflowing with midfielders. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are the preferred starters – as they should be after costing a total of £222m – while Romeo Lavia is doing a solid job as backup and Andrey Santos is winning hearts on loan at Strasbourg.
A cheaper deal for Mainoo would be something any club would consider, regardless of the make-up of their current squad, but it’s hard to imagine Chelsea putting any real effort into a hypothetical move that wouldn’t happen until 2027 anyway.
Furthermore, the claims that he is “no longer untouchable” sound far more dramatic than necessary. United don’t want to sell but could be tempted if a club with big money arrives. This is the case for literally every player in the world.