Willian, one of the few Chelsea players who was actually good last season, is preparing for a reunion with the coach who coaxed those eye-catching performances out of him after news broke in this morning’s Star that he is wanted by José Mourinho’s Manchester United. The paper exclusively reveal that the Portuguese dugout-botherer is “ready to make a move in January” for “the £40m-rated ace” – and he might not be the last member of the league leaders’ midfield to be plundered by a former Chelsea manager, with André Villas-Boas desperate to bring Mikel John Obi, whose contract ends next summer, to Shanghai SIPG.
A Manchester City scout has quietly admitted to Danish media that the club are interested in the Ajax sensation Kasper Dolberg. “We are keeping a very close eye on him,” Sebastian Arnesen – son of former Spurs director of football Frank – revealed. “He has huge potential. He is very special, so of course he is on the radar.” Unfortunately for City Dolberg’s performances have put him on a lot of radars, and also earned him a price tag of at least £20m. But if City are to sign anyone in the January transfer window it’s more likely to be a centre-back, with the Guardian (that’s us) reporting that targets will be discussed at a board meeting in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Will Hughes, Derby’s improbably-still-only-21-year-old midfielder star, might soon make the move he’s been linked with ever since he burst onto the scene in (what feels like) 1972 (but was actually only 2012). The Mirror report that he “is unimpressed” with the new contract he has been offered, thereby putting “Premier League clubs on alert”. He is apparently valued at £15m.
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez has emerged as Hull’s undisputed No1 January transfer target, despite a failed attempt to sign him on loan in the summer. The Hull Daily Mail report that Mike Phelan “wants to test Southampton’s resolve with a second bid”, heartened by the player’s lack of impact at St Mary’s Stadium this season so far. Phelan has also revealed that one of the key reasons why the club failed to sign Rodriguez in August was that Hull were doing “all our business in one day”, which forced them to waste time “dipping in and out of different hats”.
Talking of transfers that didn’t happen, and indeed won’t likely happen, the Galatasaray winger Bruma, for whom Tottenham have apparently been willing to pay £1m for every year of his life (that’s 22), wants to stay in Turkey. “I don’t think about the future,” he said. “I’m happy because everyone loves me here. The fans treat me well, sing my name. They already treat me like one of their sons.”
Another day, another story about Juventus buying someone on the front cover of Tuttosport. This morning it’s Genoa’s Tomás Rincón, who the newspaper suggests will become “Juve’s muscles” in January. Staying at Juve, meanwhile, is 16-year-old sensation Moise Kean, whose brother promises in the Italian press that, unlike Paul Pogba – whose agent he shares – “Mino Raiola won’t steal him away”.
Managerless German clubs can forget about tempting David Wagner away from Huddersfield, it is categorically not happening. “My future is here at Huddersfield. The right club for me at this time is Huddersfield Town,” he raged. In only vaguely football-related news, Little Mix ace Perrie Edwards has apparently been enjoying regular access to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s private box. This is not a euphemism.
