Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld and Wilfried Zaha - players likely on the move in the Premier League

Matt Jones - Editor 15:06 07/08/2018
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  • Will he stay or will he go? Thibaut Courtois.

    It’s approaching crunch time for a number of Premier League clubs looking to scramble together squads for an assault on Manchester City’s title – with Manchester United and Chelsea in particular still keen to do business ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

    Elsewhere, others are looking to bolster their ranks as they look to survive a torturous campaign.

    Below are a list of the most in-demand players for Premier League clubs and the likelihood of deals being completed before Thursday’s deadline.

    SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC – LAZIO TO MANCHESTER UNITED OR CHELSEA

    Sergej Milinkovic Savic

    Real Madrid seemed his most likely destination ahead of a much-hyped appearance at the World Cup, with Manchester United and Chelsea his predicted landing spots in England.

    However, all the noise seems to have gone quiet rather than ratcheted up since Serbia’s exit from Russia.

    United appear to be more concerned with bringing in a centre-back and a winger, unless Paul Pogba makes a surprise exit, while Los Blancos need a bona-fide superstar to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. Stamford Bridge appears the most likely destination, with only Jorginho coming in this summer.

    Chances of it happening 2/10

    NABIL FAKIR – LYON TO CHELSEA OR LIVERPOOL

    Fekir (R

    The little Lyon magician was on the brink of joining Liverpool before the World Cup, only for him to do a complete U-turn after his club kicked up a fuss. The Reds, meanwhile, were subsequently pushed to sign Xherdan Shaqiri as cover in attack.

    A gap filled at Anfield could again see the Blues come in for the 25-year-old as Maurizio Sarri is belatedly in through the door and clearly needs reinforcements, judging by Sunday’s meek Community Shield defeat to Manchester City.

    The player has told Lyon’s in-house TV station he’s happy for now, but has not ruled out a move in the future, so this window might be a little premature.

    Chances of it happening 4/10

    WILLIAN – CHELSEA TO MANCHESTER UNITED

    Willian-Chelsea (1)

    “Sometimes we talk, we text, we send messages to each other via WhatsApp. He is a great manager, I really enjoyed working with him. I hope I can work with him again someday.”

    Willian on former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. The wideman followed these comments on ESPN Brazil by saying he is happy at Chelsea. Hmmmmm.

    This deal would be a good bit of business for United, who have had a poor transfer window this summer, with Mourinho searching for options out wide.

    Chances of it happening 6/10

    YERRY MINA – BARCELONA TO EVERTON OR MANCHESTER UNITED

    YerryMinaBarcelona

    You should always be wary of signing players on the back of good World Cups, particularly if the club they’re at are still trying to get rid of him.

    But Yerry Mina’s biggest fault seems to be that he doesn’t fit into the tiki-taka style at Barcelona.

    Well, to be fair, it’s always going to be a bit much for a 23-year-old 6’ 5” juggernaut to fit into that sort of system at one of the best clubs in the world.

    But he has age on his side and as evidenced in Russia, Mina is a menace in either penalty box and would thrive in the physical jungle that is the Premier League. United appear keener on Harry Maguire or Toby Alderweireld, which could leave Goodison Park as his most likely destination.

    Chances of it happening 7/10

    THIBAUT COURTOIS – CHELSEA TO REAL MADRID

    0326-Thibaut-Courtois

    The player wants the move – desperate he says to be reunited with his family – as do Madrid, while Sarri even said he would not stand in Courtois’ way. We’re sure the lure of the most famous club in world football and a probable hefty wage increase is a pretty big carrot too.

    The Belgian starred at the World Cup as the Red Devils made the semi-finals and failed to show up for Chelsea training on Monday in the hopes of forcing through a deal.

    Chelsea have signed Robert Green as back-up and could move for Jack Butland if Courtois is sold. Reports in Spain suggest the deal is close to being agreed.

    Chances of it happening 8/10

    TOBY ALDERWEIRELD – TOTTENHAM TO MANCHESTER UNITED

    Alderweireld

    One of the areas which Mourinho has been desperately keen to address – his dreaded defence.

    Apart from the fact he has two converted wingers playing at full-back, he requires a leader for the heart of his backline.

    Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are injury prone, Chris Smalling is not top drawer and Marcos Rojo is not cut out as an elite-level centre-back.

    United are still short of Tottenham’s £55m valuation of Alderweireld apparently, but he’s eminently cheaper than £75m-rated Leicester defender Maguire. At 29, the Belgian is vastly experienced and would instantly upgrade United’s back four.

    Chances of it happening 8/10

    ANTE REBIC – EINTRACHT FRANKFURT TO MANCHESTER UNITED

    Rebic Frankfurt

    United want Ivan Perisic, well Mourinho does anyway. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward’s mantra, meanwhile, is looking more towards youth.

    United were quoted £44m for the Croatia winger 12 months ago. Now, after shining at the World Cup, he is more likely to cost in excess of £60m, which is a stretch for Wooodward to agree to for a player approaching 30.

    So, in a bid to get bodies in through the door, United could turn to compatriot Rebic. Industrious and energetic, he fits the Mourinho mould. And at 24, fits Woodward’s too.

    Chances of it happening 7/10

    WILFRIED ZAHA – CRYSTAL PALACE TO CHELSEA OR TOTTENHAM

    Wilfried Zaha 1

    The player is keen on staying in London, which is why a move to either side makes sense, but Chelsea have so far struggled to agree a fee for a player whose current employers are in the driving seat as he only signed a lucrative five-year contract around 18 months ago.

    A single fee transfer doesn’t suit Palace as a percentage of the price will be given to Man United as part of a clause agreed in his contract when he rejoined the Eagles in 2015. This means a player exchange could be more likely, with Palace said to be keen on Ruben Loftus-Cheek who spent last season on loan with them.

    Chances of it happening 7/10

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