With only a week remaining in the summer transfer window, a number of major Premier League teams are seemingly pulling out all the stops to add players to their respective squads.
The latest transfer news sees Tottenham close in on a potential replacement for Erik Lamela, while Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones has been met by defiance by Everton. Here are today’s top stories.
Son Heung-min set for £22 million Tottenham switch?
The Guardian has today stated that Tottenham are closing in on the potential acquisition of highly rated Bayer Leverkusen forward Son Heung-min, with reports of a £22 million move being close to completion.
The North London club have been linked with West Brom forward Saido Berahino for the entire summer, with the Baggies confirming that they had rejected a second bid from Mauricio Pochettino’s men for the versatile forward earlier this week.
It appears that Spurs have ran out of patience and will now look to the South Korea international as an alternative.
Son did not play a part in Leverkusen’s 3-0 win over Lazio in the Champions League qualifiers last night, intensifying speculation that the former Hamburg man could be set for a switch to White Hart Lane.
The Asian star is versatile enough to play anywhere across the forward line and initially looks like an option to play directly behind striker Harry Kane or on the right flank.
If Pochettino sees Son as a potential asset from wide, it could well mark the end of Erik Lamela’s time at Tottenham, with The Guardian also claiming that the Argentine could be set for a switch to Inter Milan.
On first sight, Son has all the attributes to be a major success at Spurs; excellent technique on the ball, creativity and a solid scoring record in the Bundesliga.
However, foreign players such as Lamela and Roberto Soldado were also being heralded as excellent acquisitions only to struggle to get to grips with English football.
Martinez to reject Stones transfer request
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones looks set to rumble on until the final days and hours of the transfer window, with Everton continuing their staunch stance over the England defender’s future.
Roberto Martinez has reiterated that the supremely gifted centre-half is not for sale, despite the fact that the former Barnsley defender had lodged a transfer request.
Speaking after his side’s 5-3 Capital One Cup triumph over Stones’ former club last night, Martinez stated that the Premier League champions would not be able to bully Everton into selling their prize asset.
“Sometimes money can’t buy everything and that is going to be a very strong statement at Everton,” the Spaniard is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
“This is not a moment when we can use any money to get us stronger.
“We have a chairman who will do the right thing for the club and for the team and, as a true Evertonian, we are clear he will not be easily influenced in taking the money and accepting things which will clearly make our team weaker.
“The situation with John is very clear. We care about him, we will protect him and make sure we give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football.”
Chelsea are rumoured to be readying a third offer for Stones in the region of £40 million, but for the time being it appears that the youngster, who is clearly being eyed up as a long-term replacement for John Terry, will not be heading to Stamford Bridge.
Stones still has four years left on his current Everton contract and as such the Merseysiders are in a strong position to keep the defender.
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