Raheem Sterling is mainly famous for crazy antics such as spending his own money as he pleases and generally acting as though he’s some kind of free human being. But he is also an excellent footballer, and Manchester City have yet to discuss a new contract with him even though he has two years of his current deal still to run, a situation which has been noted by Real Madrid.
City and Madrid also share an interest in Mauro Icardi, though Wanda Nara, Icardi’s wife and agent, is refusing to confirm the interested parties. But City need to add some experience to the homegrown talent so patiently nurtured by the genius of Pep Guardiola, while Madrid see him as the ideal replacement for Karim Benzema.
Also in line to leave the Bernabéu is Gareth Bale. Despite the fine work he has done developing his muscles and hair, Madrid no longer see him as fitting into their team, the problem being that none of the clubs able to afford him are looking for a elite attacker of unreliable fitness.
Meanwhile, Matteo Darmian will leave Manchester United this summer and sign for Juventus. They are well furnished with defensive specialists but lack an all-rounder deficient in pace, skill, strength, height, nous, leadership, composure and attacking threat.
In other defensive news, Chelsea are looking at Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle. A lot of time and trouble goes into signing players these days, and painstaking research has revealed that he satisfies all essential criteria, being both English and young – just like Ross Barkley.
Across London, Arsenal are also getting busy. Barcelona have decided not to pursue an interest in Nabil Fekir, Lyon’s unreliable and undecorated attacking midfielder. Naturally, this has piqued Arsène Wenger’s interest – he would like to add the player to his unique collection, and feels that Fekir will look perfect on the mantlepiece alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Elsewhere, Atlético Madrid would like to buy Reece Oxford from West Ham. Oxford, who once played fairly well against Arsenal, is now on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach, enjoying yet another thrilling title race in Europe’s most fan-friendly league. West Ham value their man at £12m.
Also leaving West Ham is José Fonte. With spring almost upon us, the club no longer requires its dressing room draft excluders, and as such, will accept a £5m offer from Dalian Yifang, who will then spend another £27m on Atlético’s Yannick Carrasco.
