Sport
THE RUMOUR MILL
THE RUMOUR MILL
Ashley Williams, Swansea to Everton
Likelihood: 2/5
This rumour seems to have cropped up every August for the last two or three years and, while it’s a move that would have made sense a couple of seasons ago, it really doesn’t any more. Williams is very highly rated in south Wales, but it doesn’t make sense for the club captain to take a risk at the age of 30, especially when he’d be moving to a side that, arguably, is no better than Swansea. Everton will likely need to purchase a centre-back to replace John Stones, but I don’t think Williams will be that man.
Rémy Cabella, Newcastle to Marseille
Likelihood: 4/5
To say this guy is regarded as a flop on Tyneside is something of a compliment given the number of shocking transfers that have made their way to St James’ Park in recent years. Cabella came to England with high expectations and a fairly hefty fee – around £12m – but has routinely failed to impress in the Premier League. He hasn’t settled, doesn’t look comfortable, and clearly hasn’t impressed new boss Steve McClaren. A move within the next couple of weeks seems inevitable, and it looks almost certain he’ll be heading back to France.
Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace to Tottenham
Likelihood: 1/5
Bolasie seems to have been linked with Spurs ever since he performed that little bit of magic at White Hart Lane last season (see here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yKoPR3Z-Oc). He’s already been quoted as saying that if an offer came in from a bigger club then he would find it ‘very hard’ to say no, but are Tottenham really regarded as a ‘big’ club? I’m not so sure. If Bolasie is to move – which he may well do – then I think it’ll be to one of the top sides, like Manchester United or Chelsea, or possibly somewhere in Europe. I hope I’m wrong, as I’d love to see this guy at White Hart Lane.
Mario Gotze, Bayern Munich to Arsenal
Likelihood: 1/5
Gotze has been linked with pretty much every big side in Europe ever since it was revealed he isn’t, how shall we say, the best of friends with Bayern boss Pep Guardiola. Gotze appears to be a quiet, unassuming guy, but clearly something isn’t quite right in the Bayern camp, and the Bavarian giants’ loss could very well be another side’s gain. Gotze is arguably good enough to get into any side in Europe, but he most likely has ambitions to play for a bigger team than Arsenal; Juventus, for example. I can definitely see Gotze leaving this summer, but I’d be very surprised if he ended up in England.
Alex Telles, Galatasaray to Chelsea
Likelihood: 1/5
This rumour has been rumbling along quietly all summer, and now Galatasaray appear willing to sell. Telles, a 22-year-old Brazilian left-back, is highly rated in both Turkey and Brazil and, while Chelsea are clearly interested, it seems an odd deal. Baba Rahman, another young left-back, moved to Chelsea this weekend, and many would say that Chelsea have bigger problems to solve – finding another top striker, for one. Despite a number of newspapers stating that a deal is close, I would be very surprised if this actually came to fruition.
