With the distraction of actual football finally over, the football fans among us are finally able to focus on what this is all really about: whether James Trafford will leave Burnley for Newcastle.
The 22-year-old burst on to the scene when leaving Manchester City as the third most-expensive British goalkeeper in history, despite never having played in the Championship, never mind the Premier League. Newcastle tried to buy him last summer, but in true football is the winner style, instead sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and took the Greek keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in part exchange, thus helping satisfy PSR concerns. But now they’re back with a vengeance!
Meantime, Aston Villa – buzzing after Marcus Rashford’s stunning return of four goals (two pens) in 17 games – are showing an interest in taking another Manchester United winger. After the roaring success of Jadon Sancho’s loan to Chelsea – 41 appearances, five goals, £5m paid to swerve his permanent presence – they naturally fancy adding him to their squad. There is competition for his signature from Milan and Napoli, with Antonio Conte seeing him as the perfect player to ensure he remains furious at all times.
Nevertheless Chelsea, will, of course, be busy splashing money, as they always do. The less-than-prolific Liam Delap is already in, the lure of hearing the famous Champions League anthem (from the bench) too much to resist, and now the club are seeking to sign Mike Maignan from Milan. But, unimpressed by the £25m asking price, they are set to return with a more realistic offer of £745m and a 498-year contract.
Elsewhere, Everton, are hoping to attract a new centre-forward. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, out of contract at the end of the month, may leave, and there is interest in Thierno Barry – not as great a name as Romelu Lukaku, but one it would nevertheless be exciting to experience in scouse. Villarreal, though, are not keen to sell and, having qualified for the Champions League, do not need to.
Across London, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta has experienced a revelation: teams are better if they have someone to score goals. As such, he is trying to sign Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig – though he might face competition from Liverpool, who will have a vacancy should Darwin Nuñez depart.
Liverpool have not had any offers for Luis Díaz. But should one materialise – Barcelona and Al-Nassr are reportedly interested – they may seek to replace him with Anthony Gordon, whose luxuriant barnet evokes Terry McDermott, Phil Thompson, Kevin MacDonald and other Kop heartthrobs of days gone by.
Talking of which, Harvey Elliot may also be on the move. He is rumoured to have rejected a move to Nottingham Forest as he does not think they suit his playing style and is said to favour a move to Serie A instead.
