Suggestions that the new-look Liverpool risk being exposed as all fur coat and no knickers will gather strength if it is true, as some reports claim, that the Anfield club is preparing to shed the sturdy pair of underpants that is Mamadou Sakho. With Lazio apparently eager to try the French defender on for size, Liverpool are said to be contemplating effectively going commando at the back, with only Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel retained as token protectors against obscenity.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers’ attempt to add even more snazz to his attacking options have been dealt what the Liverpool Echo describes as a “crushing blow” as Marco Reus indicated that he would prefer to play for Real Madrid rather than Liverpool, which, of course, only underlines what a fine successor to Raheem Sterling he could have been. Rickie Lambert, meanwhile, could become a successor to Justin Fashanu, Mick Channon and Roberto Rosario, among others, as Norwich City want him in their budgie colours.
All has been quiet on the Arsenal front since their capture of Petr Cech but there could soon be a noisy renewal down Emirates way of the long argument over Olivier Giroud’s worth. Those that maintain the Frenchman is a tip-top forward who can shoot the Gunners to glory may be aghast if it turns out that Arsène Wenger does not share their optimism, which is what a mooted £45m bid for Karim Benzema would indicate.
All Arsenal fans, on the other hand, will join together and heave one giant sigh of relief if it turns out that Wenger has indeed decided to buy another holding midfield – and not just anyone, but João Moutinho, last seen helping Monaco inflict a humiliatingly comprehensive defeat on Arsenal at the Emirates. The French side are willing to let the Portuguese go for €20m, which, if the Mill has been following the news correctly, equates to about 0.79p.
If Wenger wants Schalke’s silky-skilled Julian Draxler, then he’ll have to better the bid of Juventus. Mathieu Flamini’s days at Arsenal are numbered, with the number being exactly the same as the number of days it takes Galatasaray to come up with a fee of around £2.5m for the midfielder.
Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director, Olivier Létang, is currently in Manchester. It could be that he is on a personal pilgrimage to the house where Judy Finnigan was born, but the Mill suspects he’s up to some Ángel Di María-related business.
Manchester United, meanwhile, will definitely not be up to any Robert Lewandowski-related business, according to Markus Neumayr, who used to play for the club. No word yet on what Arthur Albiston or Russell Beardsmore think of the situation. William Prunier, however, is thought to be unmoved by suggestions that United are poised to make Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero their new No2.
If you are Augsburg left-back Abdul Baba Rahman, then head home immediately and wait by your front door because Chelsea are going to come knocking any minute now, apparently.
Stoke are willing to smash their transfer record to sign the Dynamo Kyiv winger Andriy Yarmolenko.
And if Hull want the Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley to help them get back to the Premier League, they’ll have to offer Southend a darn sight more money than they’re currently dangling.
