Sometimes a football story so big breaks that the generators of tittle-tattle get distracted and lose focus on linking Player A with Club 2. This is one of those occasions. In case you have been living under a rock, you will have seen the big news by now. A story to tell the grandchildren. A real ‘where were you?’ moment. Yes, folks.
Mesut Özil has agreed a new Arsenal deal, which according to the German press includes a clause that says he will get the No10 shirt. That number is currently occupied by Jack Wilshere, so that should not be much of a problem, even if Bournemouth, where the English midfielder has stayed fit for almost a month now, say they need to be “realistic” about their chances of signing him permanently.
That bombshell is dominating the sports pages to such an extent that nearly all rumours have been shunted to one side. But from the slim pickings, the Mill can inform you that Southampton’s José Fonte has left the door open to switch Europa League clubs. Manchester United were interested in signing him in the summer and that move could be now back on after the Portugal defender said of a new contract at St Mary’s: “There’s nothing on the table, so I’m waiting. I’ll see what happens. I’m just focusing on performing and we’ll see what happens. We haven’t agreed anything, it’s just talks.”
Simone Zaza, whose most notable contribution in a West Ham shirt to date has been a silly dive in the hammering by Southampton on Sunday, is already being linked with a move back to Italy. Milan are said to be interested, while one of their former players is said to be piquing the interest of Slaven Bilic. Kevin Constant, currently a free agent, is keen on a move to England, and West Ham could badly do with a decent, fit left-back.
Enough of life down south, because the team most in need of strengthening, Sunderland, are in an even worse state after Adnan Januzaj was ruled out for six weeks with an ankle-ligament injury. David Moyes is impressed by the Copenhagen striker Federico Santander, though, and might make a move in January despite the Danish side’s manager, Stale Solbakken, saying “there will be no sale for winter”. Santander would not bank on it.
The managerial carousel is picking up speed, too, with Sam Allardyce quietly losing the England job yesterday and Nigel Pearson expected to depart Derby today after being banned by his club from attending last night’s game at Cardiff. Unsurprisingly, they won 2-0 with Chris Powell in charge and he is the favourite to take over.
