Ousmane Dembele "dines" with Man City boss Pep Guardiola as Liverpool make first move for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sport360 staff 08:36 27/06/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • With the transfer window set to open next month, the frenetic nature of speculation has already begun.

    Rumours are starting to gather pace and we take a look at the latest stories doing the rounds in the media.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Get in touch with your thoughts on Twitter and via Facebook.

    OUSMANE DEMBELE

    Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were thought to be leading the chase for Ousmane Dembele but according Le 10 Foot the Borussia Dortmund forward has met with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

    It is understood Dembele is keen to leave the Bundesliga giants this summer and the report says he dined with Guardiola in Manchester on Monday night to discuss a potential move to the Etihad Stadium.

    RATING: 6/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    A couple of things to point out with this one. Firstly, surely if this was true it would be a quite blatant attempt at tapping the player up and secondly who is following Guardiola round to see where he eats?!

    Anyway, the ambidextrous France international is a top target for new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde and if the Catalans are serious it’s difficult to envisage the 20-year-old playing anywhere but Camp Nou next season.

    ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN

    Liverpool have begun the process of signing Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after making an enquiry regarding his availability.

    The Daily Mirror have quoted a £25million fee for a player entering his final year at the Emirates Stadium with Liverpool long-term admirers of the 23-year-old.

    RATING: 5/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    It’s hard not to be cynical with this one. Contract negotiations have begun with Arsenal and it’s well documented they’ve hit a sticking point.

    Using Liverpool’s interest to gain some leverage is a cheap tactic but it’s difficult to see how Arsenal would be willing to let one of their brightest young talents leave to a domestic rival.

    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the ball against Liverpool in March

    RIYAD MAHREZ

    Arsenal are inching closer to getting one of their rumoured targets as Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez is apparently opting to join the Gunners having “grown tired of waiting for Barcelona.”

    Sport say the Algeria international is considering a four-year deal from the North London outfit with Barca focusing their attentions on PSG midfielder Marco Verratti.

    RATING: 8/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Whether Barcelona are genuinely interested in Mahrez is besides the point because ever since he signalled his intention to leave the Foxes, Arsenal have seemed destined to snap him up.

    The 26-year-old is an archetypal Arsene Wenger player and providing the two clubs can agree on a fee, it’s likely he’ll be flying down the wings of the Emirates Stadium come next season.

    Riyad Mahrez in action against Arsenal last August

    Recommended