Reports from Italy suggest that Leicester City’s tireless Japanese Duracell bunny Shinji Okazaki is the subject of interest from AC Milan. The striker is contracted to the Premier League champions until 2019, but Premium Sport say the Serie A side are thinking of bringing him to the San Siro as a replacement for his compatriot Keisuke Honda, who has made just three appearances for the club – two of them off the bench – under Vincenzo Montella this season. Honda also incurred the wrath of some AC Milan fans earlier this month when he accused them of being fickle, obsessed with results and prone to abandoning their team when matches aren’t going their way. The Rumour Mill would like to wish Mr Honda the very best of luck in finding a new team suited to a man of his talents and blessed with supporters who are even remotely different.
Ronald Koeman is interested in bringing Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman to Goodison Park, with a view to reducing the workload of ageing warhorse Gareth Barry. Finally back in the Roma side after two years sidelined with serious knee injuries, the Dutchman may now be forced out of the club with an acute case of contract negotiation knack.
Tabloid reports suggest that the Football Association have offered to fast-track US-based former England midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard through their coaching badge courses when MLS boards up its windows for the winter. The FA have told the duo that they could conceivably complete the courses in two years rather than the four required by most mere mortals. Having seen how, er, seamlessly the pair worked together in England’s midfield as players, FA blazers are now eager to get them involved in the national team’s coaching set-up as soon as possible. What could possibly go wrong?
Yet to experience even a second of on-field competitive action under Antonio Conte, John Obi Mikel continues to be linked with a move away from Chelsea. After more than a decade at Stamford Bridge, the Nigerian midfielder’s contract expires next summer, which means he’ll be free to talk terms with clubs outside England in January. He has made no secret of the fact that he is open to moving wherever the wind blows him, whether it’s elsewhere in Europe, MLS, China or a rival Premier League outfit. “If it is going to be the Premier League there will be options,” he said back in September. “If it is China or some other places we will see. One thing is for sure, I will make the best decision.”
Ligue 1 side Marseille are rumoured to be interested in what can only be described as a “January swoop” for the 29-year-old, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore and Newcastle central defender and club captain Jamaal Lascelles could find themselves being micro-managed from the Chelsea’s manager’s technical area. Chelsea are also believed to be interested in Celtic’s £40m-rated goal-getter Moussa Dembélé, but will have to form an orderly queue with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Real Madrid pantomime villain Pepe has been identified as the kind of player who could make Manchester United even more lovable, although José Mourinho will have to fend off interest from Juventus if the Portuguese defender fails to agree a new deal with Real Madrid. In other Manchester United news, Galatasaray are ready to take a punt on underwhelming Dutch waster winger Memphis Depay.
And finally, Ryan Giggs is being linked with the vacant manager’s job at MK Dons, following last week’s dismissal of Karl Robinson after more than six years in charge. Of course he is. A staple on the managerial merry-go-round despite never having actually been a manager, Giggs has been linked with a succession of, em, gigs without actually getting one, but the former Manchester United star’s high profile is likely to appeal to the League One side’s reclusive, publicity shy owner Pete Winkelman.
