TRIBAL TRENDS - TRANSFERS: Mourinho vs Woodward?; Will Hazard leave Chelsea?; Can Arsenal lure Barcelona star Dembele?
by Chris Sermeno 2018-08-08 21:29:25.000000
With the transfer window winding down and finally ending, some of the hottest deals are yet to come to light. Here's a look at some of these big names yet to find out if they're on the move!
Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Clubs interested: (still) Real Madrid
Hazard and Madrid have long danced around the idea of a transfer, but all parties concerned seem hesitant to be making any moves.
Ever since Hazard rejected a contract extension with the Blues, Madrid have been the forerunners to take the Belgian superstar away from Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have valued their prized midfielder at €235 million, a number that Florentino isn't going to match yet still hopes to do business. Florentino says he won't go any higher than €180 million, and considering what Ronaldo was sold for he believes it's a fair offer.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich clearly loves Hazard and has refused to sell him for anything less than a world record fee. A big ask indeed, and considering he has 2 years left on his contract it'll take a mammoth effort to pry him away from London.
Likelihood: The closer to deadline day, the less likely he goes
Christian Pulisic – Borussia Dortmund
Clubs interested: Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool
Christian Pulisic is one of the latest youngsters who's currently hot property on the market. At 19 years old, he's made 70 appearances for Borussia Dortmund and has 9 goals in 21 games for the United States. Some solid numbers considering his age and the fact he's playing for a German giant.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made his intentions clear and is looking to kick start a wild goose chase for the USA international with a whopping €73 million.
With German rivals Bayern Munich and Real Madrid also on the horizon, Chelsea need to put forth a serious bid to secure his services. Liverpool have also been in touch, but after having spent close to €200 million already it's unlikely they'll make another big play this transfer window.
Abramovich has spoken to Dortmund officials this weekend, and both sides are prepared to do business. Just a matter of time, although there's not much of it left!
Likelihood: I'd bet on it
Anthony Martial – Manchester United
Clubs interested: Chelsea
Here's a funny relationship that's turned somewhat sour. Martial signed with United under Louis van Gaal for a monster fee in 2015, but Jose Mourinho doesn't seem to share the same passion as the Dutchman. It was the way Martial abandoned his teammates during their US preseason tour that rattled Mourinho, even if it was for his child's birth. A little harsh from Mourinho if you ask me, but he's still the boss.
Anthony Martial's game time has taken a hit during Mourinho's reign as United boss, and he's more than happy to walk away if he can find the game time he craves. United, on the other hand, won't allow him to leave unless they can replace him. Not an easy task when talks have stalled over Willian and Ivan Perisic. Tricky business
United are holding all the cards here, and they need a good hand if they're to find a world class replacement at the last second.
Likelihood: I don't see it happening this year
Ousmane Dembele – Barcelona
Clubs interested: Arsenal
Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has been on the fringe at Camp Nou ever since he set foot there last year. Given Barcelona's attacking pedigree in any given year, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the 21-year-old Frenchman to properly break into the starting XI.
Arsenal have been touted as a possible destination should the Catalans want to dispose of Dembele, and rumours only grew hotter as Dembele was spotted at a house party in London with several Arsenal players.
It's no secret that Dembele was teammates with current Gunner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and that relationship could be enough to tempt a move to the Emirates.
Despite Arsenal's claims they don't have a big transfer budget for this year, reports say that they're mulling over a casual £75 million for the French forward. Not a bad deal considering his buyout clause was set at €400 million when he first signed with Barcelona.
Likelihood: It's possible, but it's up to Arsenal at this stage
Jose Mourinho v Ed Woodward
It seems that high profile clashes aren't limited to the pitch, as Manchester United's hierarchy seem to be butting heads over their transfer policy.
Jose Mourinho has one of the most start studded squads in the world, and has already spent £70 million on Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant this transfer window to further strengthen his squad.
He suggests he's not done buying yet, but he's met with a brick wall in United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
Woodward claims that United won't be making any more funds available to Mourinho and that upsets the special one, who still has a list of players he's chasing.
We all know United are one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, and to be flatly denied any more transfers may come as a shock. But Mourinho might have to settle with his expensive squad as is, and direct his focus elsewhere to improve his on field efforts.
Likelihood of more transfers: I'm going to side with Ed on this one
TransfersOpinion
Chris Sermeno