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Rumor Mill: Payet to another EPL side? Could Ibra end up at Bayern?
Euro 2016 may be well underway but that hasn't stopped Europe's biggest clubs being linked with some of the tournament's top talent. Could Payet be moving to another Premier League side? And will another club scupper Manchester United's interest in Zlatan Ibrahimovic? All that and more in this week's Rumor Mill. Enjoy!
Gabriel Jesus
Rumor: Palmeiras to Manchester City. // Likelihood: Looking positive. // The Talk: New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has bid £16.7million ($24.5m) for Palmeiras striker Gabriel Jesus, according to reports. Website One World Sports claims that City have offered to meet the release clause in his contract with the Brazilian club. Jesus, who is one of the brightest prospects in South America, has scored 20 goals in 60 appearances for Palmeiras. Barcelona and Juventus are also understood to be interested in the 19-year-old. To complete the deal, City would have to buy out third-party owners who have a right to 55 percent of the striker.
Dimitri Payet
Rumor: West Ham to Chelsea or Real Madrid. // Likelihood: If the price is right. // The Talk: Chelsea and Real Madrid are monitoring West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet, according to the Daily Mirror. The report says the Hammers have become fearful of losing their star man after his impressive performances at Euro 2016. It is understood that West Ham have no intention of selling the 29-year-old but if he continues to light up the tournament then Chelsea and Real could be ready to test their resolve. The interest from Real is possibly the most alarming for the Hammers' hierarchy, with Real boss Zinedine Zidane a huge fan of Payet and likely to be a big influence on any potential transfer. The Blancos president Florentino Perez is no stranger to making a big marquee signing each summer, with James Rodriguez joining for £71million ($104.3m) in 2014 after his spectacular showing at the World Cup that summer.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Rumor: Free agent to Bayern Munich. // Likelihood: Bayern can offer UCL, but United still favorites. // The Talk: Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United as good as done? Maybe not. According to Bild, United face competition from Bayern Munich for the Sweden international. Carlo Ancelotti is understood to be looking for a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski in case the Poland striker joins Real Madrid. Although it is thought United still have a good chance of landing Ibrahimovic, they won't have it all their own way as German champions look to do everything they can to sign the striker. Bayern can offer the 34-year-old Champions League football, one of the only titles lacking from Ibrahimovic's glittering résumé. Both the Red Devils and Bayern are prepared to match his £200,000-a-week wage demands.
Nolito
Rumor: Celta Vigo to Manchester City. // Likelihood: Makes sense. // The Talk: Pep Guardiola is looking to win the race to sign Celta Vigo striker Nolito, according to the Daily Mail. The report claims Nolito will definitely leave Celta this summer and new Manchester City boss Guardiola will do everything he can to land the Spanish star. The 29-year-old now has five goals and four assists in a 12-game international career with Spain, and City aren't the only club interested in his services. Barcelona are thought to be the biggest threat to City, but Luis Enrique is unlikely to be able to offer him guaranteed first-team football.
Matteo Darmian/Nemanja Matic
Rumor: Swap deal. Chelsea & Manchester United. // Likelihood: Unlikely. // The Talk: Manchester United are plotting a transfer swap with Chelsea of Nemanja Matic for Matteo Darmian, according to the Sunday People. New Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is keen to add some physicality to his midfield after bolstering their defense with powerful Villarreal defender Eric Bailly. Darmian is first choice under incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte in the Italian international setup and the report claims the former Juventus manager would like Darmian at Stamford Bridge. It's clear that this transfer could make sense for all parties, but swap deals like this never seem to materialize, especially involving high-profile players.
Daley Blind
Rumor: Manchester United to Arsenal. // Likelihood: Why not? // The Talk: Arsenal have made Manchester United defender Daley Blind a shock transfer target, according to the Daily Mirror. It is claimed that new Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho sees Blind as surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and will look to offload the defender this summer. Blind, who signed for United in 2014, played at center-back for much of the campaign despite being more comfortable operating at full-back. Mourinho is understood to view Blind as too small to operate in the center, which has alerted Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal boss is thought to be keen on the utility man as he goes about plugging the gaps in his backline that cost the Gunners a run at the Premier League title last season.
Victor Wanyama
Rumor: Southampton to Tottenham. // Likelihood: Done deal. // The Talk: Tottenham have agreed a fee with Southampton for midfielder Victor Wanyama, according to BBC Radio Solent. It is thought the Kenyan midfielder is set for a medical in London ahead of a proposed move to the English capital. Spurs are preparing for a return to Champions League football and if the deal goes through then it would be their first of the summer transfer window. The transfer fee is believed to be £11million ($16.1m) and reflects the fact that he only had one year left on his contract at St Mary's.
Julian Draxler
Rumor: Wolfsburg to Manchester United. // Likelihood: Too soon. // The Talk: Manchester United are eyeing a move for Wolfsburg winger Julian Draxler, according to reports in Spain. Media outlet Fichajes claims that United have been impressed with the player's performances at Euro 2016 for the German national side. Despite only being at current side Wolfsburg for a year, Jose Mourinho is likely to test the Bundesliga side's resolve with an offer for the 22-year-old. The Spanish publication also claim that Wolfsburg value the midfielder, who has a contract with the club until 2020, at around £35million ($51.4m).
Cesar Azpilicueta
Rumor: Chelsea to Manchester United. // Likelihood: A good chance. // The Talk: Manchester United are lining up a shock move for Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta, according to AS. The Spanish publication claims that the Red Devils' new boss Jose Mourinho is keen on linking up with his former defender. Azpilicueta played some of his finest football under the Portuguese coach and may be tempted by a reunion. PSG and Athletic Bilbao are also thought to be interested in the Spanish international and the report also says that incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte will allow Azpilicueta to leave as he looks to reshape his squad.
Mario Gotze
Rumor: Bayern Munich to Arsenal. // Likelihood: In the balance. // The Talk: Arsenal are ready to make a £27million ($39.6m) move for Bayern Munich outcast Mario Gotze, according to reports in Germany. The Gunners have given up hope of signing Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan after the playmaker reportedly has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford. Arsene Wenger is now thought to lead the chase for World Cup winner Gotze, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also rumored to be interested in the player. Gotze was on the sidelines for much of last campaign due to injury and poor form. Wenger is being urged to spend some money this summer, after he only brought in Petr Cech in the same transfer window last season.
