Falcao's future, PSG and Monaco want Mou
The transfer window might be closed, but the rumours keep ticking. As always, Transfer Talk has the latest and greatest. See all the summer deals here.
AVB riding to Falcao’s rescue
It’s pretty safe to say that the Premier League hasn’t seen the best of former Atletico Madrid sensation Radamel Falcao.
The Colombia international, who not long ago could be mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, now spends his days hoping for a Chelsea bench spot to occupy himself on weekends.
A combination of a cruciate knee ligament tear, a miserable spell at Manchester United, and now his exile at Stamford Bridge has sent Falcao’s stock plummeting to an all-time low.
However, the 29-year-old’s career may about to be offered a lifeline by former Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas. According to the Telegraph, AVB — currently in charge of Zenit St Petersburg — is plotting a January swoop for the striker.
Waiting for Falcao in Russia is his former Porto teammate Hulk. The pair scored 74 goals between them in one season at the Portuguese giants, and a reunion with his old sparring partner could be just the tonic to get the fallen star back on track.
Fingers crossed for Falcao. He deserves some good luck.
Options galore for Mou
The Jose Mourinho saga has reached the point where Chelsea players believe it’s a matter of “when not if” the two-time Champions League winner will be walking out the door at Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese’s job has been under the microscope since the beginning of Chelsea’s disastrous campaign, with events boiling over at the weekend in the Blues’ 2-1 loss to West Ham at Upton Park.
During the defeat, Mourinho was sent to the stands after speaking with referee Jon Moss in his room during half-time.
Mourinho now faces misconduct charges from the FA for the stunt, and the Mirror reports that Chelsea’s players are now bracing for his departure, saying: “There has been no rebellion against Mourinho — but there is an increasing bemusement at the behaviour of the Portuguese manager.”
The outlet’s sources within the team are adamant Mou hasn’t lost the squad, with one expressing “We just want our Jose back.” But it appears that possibility seems further and further from happening.
MIRROR EXCLUSIVE: Mourinho Finished #tomorrowspaperstoday #cfc pic.twitter.com/dPrSu3TUgF
– Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) October 26, 2015
And where might Mr. Mourinho end up should he leave London?
Glad you asked!
ESPN FC’s own Miguel Delaney reports that the former Porto boss’ people are already making contingency plans for life post-Chelsea, and have two clubs directly in mind: Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
According to sources, PSG represent Mourinho’s No. 1 choice, and have the money and squad strength to help him immediately compete for another Champions League crown. Sounds good, right?
But wait, there’s more!
Sport spoke to Monaco minority shareholder Alessandro Proto, who told the paper the Ligue 1 club have already made contact and, while talks are still in the early stages, are “convinced” Mourinho could wind up at the principality for a short-term stay.
Stay tuned to this one, football fans. It still has a long way to play out.
From League One to Ligue 1?
It’s not just Mou who could be heading to Ligue 1 either!
Just 12 months ago, Dele Alli was playing for MK Dons and coming up against the might of Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient in that crash and bash of League One.
Fast-forward a year and the 19-year-old has completed a dream £5 million move to Tottenham and has two England caps to his name.
And, if OneMK is to be believed, that meteoric rise could be set to continue if PSG get their way.
Apparently the French champions’ sporting director Olivier Letang showed up to Spurs’ Europa League clash against Anderlecht last Thursday to run his eye over Alli.
Unfortunately Alli was only substituted on after 65 minutes in Tottenham’s 2-1 loss, meaning that he didn’t have much time to impress his suitors.
Who should get the job at Villa?
According to the BBC, Remi Garde is favourite for the vacant Aston Villa job, but that hasn’t stopped former Villan Dwight Yorke throwing his hat into the ring!
Burnley boss Sean Dyche is reportedly in the frame for the position too.
But none of the candidates above should get Tim Sherwood’s old job, according to ESPN FC’s Paul Mariner. He’s got another former Premier League boss in mind:
Tap-ins
– Claudio Ranieri has brushed off suggestions that Jamie Vardy could be leaving Leicester City in January. Liverpool, Tottenham and even Real Madrid (pfft!) have been linked to the in-form striker, but Ranieri has told the Mercury that “not many clubs” have enough money to buy his talisman.
– Out-of-favour Manchester United keeper Victor Valdes is keen to stay in the Premier League according to the Evening Standard. The former Barcelona man has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford and his agent Gines Carvajal has confirmed that Valdes wants out as soon as possible.
“We are relying on Manchester United letting Victor go,” Carvajal said.
“The Premier League is very attractive and Valdes want to stay because he has adapted perfectly to England, but we are not closing the door to any options.
“There are still two months until the transfer window opens and there is nothing concrete, but the intention is to leave Manchester United.”
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