Friday’s transfer rumblings rate from the sublime to the ridiculous, with a host of leading Premier League clubs in the mix according to the European press.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United have received blows as the managers of their supposed targets have ruled out potential exits, while the Blues are allegedly set to make a move for a former Blackburn Rovers striker.
Finally, Lionel Messi is again being linked with a move to English football, and could be offered £800,000 a week to move to the Premier League if the latest report is to be believed.
Mane not for Sale – Koeman
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that star attacker Sadio Mane will not be sold in January, despite speculated interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The gifted attacker is thought to be coveted by the big-name Premier League pair, with recent suggestions that he could force his way out of St Mary’s in the new year for a £40 million fee.
However, the Dutch trainer is in no mood for rumours.
“Rumours aren’t important: we will sell nobody,” FourFourTwo quote Koeman as saying.
“You can ask again about Sadio, Man United, Chelsea, but we will sell nobody in January.”
Chelsea want Nikola Kalinic
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that Chelsea have turned their attention to Fiorentina forward Nikola Kalinic.
The Croatian striker has been in red-hot form for the Viola this season, with his goals firing Paulo Sousa’s men into an unexpected Serie A title challenge.
Kalinic is best known in British circles for a botched period with Blackburn Rovers earlier in his career, before restoring his reputation in Ukraine with Dnipro.
Pochettino rules out Kane’s Chelsea move
Despite links with Chelsea in recent days, Harry Kane will not be leaving White Hart Lane, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed.
The England international has been a driving force behind the North London side’s progressive campaign to date and scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Qarabag in the Europa League last night.
When asked about the credence of rumours linking Kane to Chelsea, the Argentine trainer was dismissive.
“I am happy that a big club want our player – this is because they show they are a top player with top performances. It is good when they are linked,” Pochettino is quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.
“But Harry, like Hugo (Lloris), wants to stay here. He is one of the best players and he is very happy.
“He wants to grow up with us and try the next few years to try for the top four and win titles with Tottenham. This is his challenge.”
Messi’s Man City move to make him £800,000 a week
Finally, The Sun have been clutching at straws this morning as they suggest that Manchester City are willing to offer Barcelona star Lionel Messi a whopping £800,000 per week to move to England.
The Argentine attacker is the favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, which would make him the first player in history to become the world’s best five times.
Messi has repeatedly been linked with a switch to the Premier League, with the latest rumbling earning him £40 million per year if it was to come to fruition.
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