Managers like to sign players they've worked with before. It's understandable, sensible even, to a point. Saying that,
Grant Holt having a medical and discussing personal terms at Aston Villa (like he is right now) is probably taking it a bit far.
Kenwyne Jones has never played for Roberto Martinez, and in 3 and a half years at Stoke has only just about reached double figures in front of goal. Nevertheless, Everton are pressing ahead and see him as an ideal replacement for their current non-scoring striker
Nikica Jelavic. His contract's up in the summer, Stoke want £3m, the Toffees are saying £1m.
John Guidetti will replace the big man at the Britannia on loan once
Stephen Ireland's temporary switch from Villa is made permanent. Tidy.
Kevin de Bruyne's move to Wolfsburg and
Nemanja Matic's return to Chelsea are probably a bit closer than they were yesterday. Neither have actually happened yet but time is on our side.
£30m for Luke Shaw? Rejected! £20m for Lallana? Fuck off! £1.2m for
Jason Puncheon? Go on then... The Southampton winger will complete his permanent switch to Crystal Palace this week. Wonder how much knocked off his value?
A bid of £5m or more from Fulham or Cardiff could be enough to tempt West Ham to sell
Ravel Morrison, and
Carlton Cole (4 goals in 10 games, prolific by the Hammers' standards) is getting the eye from Crystal Palace and QPR now his short term deal has ended.
After the last one went so well (Fellaini and Baines) David Moyes has lined up another of them 'double swoops'. Juve's
Paul Pogba and
Arturo Vidal are the lucky midfielders in question. Sporting Lisbon or Fulham? Touch choices ahead for
Nani.
Tiago Ilori, remember him? Turns out 6 centre halves was a bit much after all and he could be on his way out of Anfield. Granada are keen.
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