This week's Rumours
The start of this week sees Manchester United cover the majority of major news stories about possible new arrivals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is supposedly having a medical to join the Old Trafford outfit becoming Mourinho's second signing after Eric Bailly. However, two could also become three with Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining from Borussia Dortmund. Also Liverpool once again snatching from the Saints.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been gaining serious media attention for the last month or so with the rumours surrounding his move from PSG through his contract expiring, to the most successful English club. After a disappointing European Championship campaign he now exits his home for the last four years to join the club of his choice it seems with high interest in the now retired Swede. The proposed free transfer would be a shock to many seeming his ability to play at the highest level when Manchester United cannot offer Champions League football, but the desire to work with one of the most popular clubs in the world along with one of the most famous managers of this generation makes the move slightly more appealing. Whether a one year deal will be the outcome is not yet visible but it is hard to see a duration of longer than two seasons, he may just want a shot at the Champions League in England with The Red Devils.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is another name on the lips of many Manchester United fans recently and with the rumours of the two clubs making an agreement of £26.3million for the advanced playmaker. His fantastic season at Dortmund has left many plaudits in appreciation of the Armenian all-time top goalscorer. His ability to play anywhere in a three behind a striker could leave Mourinho intrigued due to the way the Portuguese sets his teams up in usually a 4-2-3-1. In my opinion if they pull of these two transfers they are really going in the right direction and making a real statement to the rest of the Premier League, possible title winners next season, let's see how far the spending goes.
Liverpool going to the south coast for players seems a formality in recent years. First it was Rickie Lambert, then Adam Lallana, then Dejan Lovren, then Nathaniel Clyne, now we see the transfer of Sadio Mane, making his way to Anfield. A £34million price tag has been thrown around which seems a little over the top to say the least. There is no doubt over his ability and he is still young but it is the most expensive African player of all time, how things have changed from Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. Never the less, still not as expensive as Andy Carroll. Jurgen Klopp would love him though, he's a quick, counter attacking style player who can play anywhere at the top of the pitch. Certainly an intriguing prospect.
Michy Batshuayi is a name on many Premier League teams lips, Tottenham have had an interest, then West Ham put in a bid and recently Crystal Palace have had a bid accepted of £31.5million, but the Belgian seems unwilling to go anywhere other than the Champions League. It was rumoured last night that Chelsea are again going to pounce on the 22-year-old who needs to leave in the next week in order for Marseille to pay their debts. It does look like it will be a fight between Tottenham and Chelsea but the sight of the Champions league could just make him opt for White Hart Lane, despite maybe not being a guaranteed starter.
