The transfer window may not open again until January 1 2018 but that hasn’t put an end to plenty of speculation throughout Europe.
Here, we take a look at three big stories dominating the headlines on Saturday.
Will any of the following deals happen?
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MADRID WANT GRIEZMANN AS BALE REPLACEMENT
Don Balon are reporting that Real Madrid are looking at Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann as a replacement if they choose to sell Gareth Bale next summer.
Bale’s injury struggles could force Real Madrid to offload him, with Manchester United the prime candidates, and considering Griezmann’s status as one of La Liga‘s best players and his experience in Spain, the Frenchman is a ready-made replacement for the Welshman.
RATING: 4/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
Griezmann reportedly has a €100million release clause, which in the current market represents incredible value, and clearly Madrid aren’t going to have any issues paying that fee. However, they will definitely face competition.
United nearly signed Griezmann this summer and their long-standing interest in him may give them an advantage. He’s also been linked with Barcelona and Manchester City. That should be quite a fight – and may render the release clause irrelevant, if any of the clubs decide the best way to land Griezmann is to up their offer to Atletico.
Madrid are used to getting the players they want, but given their rivalry with Atletico and the other clubs in the hunt, this one could take quite a struggle.
Antoine Griezmann could cross the Madrid divide.
CITY JOIN RACE FOR GORETZKA
Manchester City have joined the race for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka, according to the Sunday Mirror. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move for quite a while, with the Premier League his supposed preferred destination. City will have to beat out interest from domestic rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as the likes of Barcelona, in order to land the German.
RATING: 5/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
When it comes to transfers, the only thing as exciting as a long-running transfer saga is the potential for a tussle between multiple clubs for one player. Goretza has caught the eye of Europe’s leading clubs, and it was only a matter of time before Manchester City joined the hunt.
The question, as it always is with City, is what Goretzka gets by joining them. A chance to win trophies, earn a lot of money, and play with some of the Premier League’s best players – but, in all likelihood, limited playing time. There is a midfield logjam at the Etihad Stadium and no one could blame Goretzka for thinking he’d be better suited going elsewhere, in order to maximise his minutes on the pitch.
Leon Goretzka could be the subject of a transfer tussle next summer.
MOURINHO LOOKING FOR WILLIAN REUNION
The Sunday Express says Jose Mourinho wants his former Chelsea player Willian to join him at Manchester United. Willian has dropped down the pecking order under Antonio Conte, no longer a guaranteed starter, and speculation regarding a move away from Stamford Bridge has been growing.
RATING: 6/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
Willian has been linked with a Mourinho reunion off and on since the Portuguese took over at Old Trafford, so it’s no surprise for those rumours to emerge again when the chances of a move away from Chelsea are increasing. The Brazilian is still an important member of Conte’s squad, but he’s now more of a rotation player than the larger role he had at Chelsea under Mourinho, as Pedro has become Conte’s preferred option on the wing.
Meanwhile, it’s no secret that Mourinho wanted a winger last summer, and there are few better options than a player he can already trust to follow his instructions and fit well in his system. Whether Chelsea would sell to United, so soon after seeing Nemanja Matic thrive under Mourinho after making the exact same move while Chelsea’s midfield has suffered, is a different question.
Willian and Mourinho – en route to a reunion?
