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Gossip: Zidane makes 'secret phone call' to Chelsea star Hazard, Everton 'plotting' Walcott raid and more
There’s major Chelsea transfer news again. Yes, the imminent re-opening of the transfer window is sparking a mass of activity at Stamford Bridge.
But the big news for the Blues is appears to be bad news on first inspection. The Express claims that Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has a held a “secret phone call” with rumoured Bernabeu target Eden Hazard.
However, it seem there’s nothing to worry about, because the paper adds that the French legend contacted the Belgian playmaker “for a confidential conversion”. To Islam? Christianity? Scientology? It’s not clear, but as long as it wasn’t for confidential conversation then we’re sure Hazard won’t be leaving Chelsea (you might need to click through to that Express article and read it carefully to understand this joke).
The amount of money that has been wasted on Chelsea’s potential signing of Alex Sandro must be extraordinary. All the flights to Italy to scout the Juventus full-back in action; all the international phone credit used to discuss payment options and prepare bids; all the wages paid to braindead transfer gossip writers to speculate mindlessly about the move. And all for a player who was clearly never going to leave Turin for Stamford Bridge.
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But guess what – all that investment may be about to suddenly pay off, because Sandro has reportedly changed his mind. The Telegraph says the £60m-rated Brazilian has decided he “wants to quit” the Italian champions.
This is a “huge boost” for Chelsea, akin to going into a shop to buy a new pair of shoes and finding the exact pair you want have just been reduced in the sale.
Whereas Juve rejected £60m for Sandro in the summer and refused to budge from their £80m valuation, the Old Lady may now be forced to accept “around £50m” for the 26-year-old wing-back.
The Telegraph suggests the wing-back could even “force through” a move to west London in January if his club continue to snub Chelsea’s offers.
On a sadder note, this means the days of Marcos Alonso being the Blues’ most important player (by virtue of being Antonio Conte’s only left-back) may be numbered. He had a good run though.
Everton plot January bid for Theo Walcott
Meanwhile, new Everton manager Sam Allardyce has reportedly prioritised the signing of a striker in January, so it’s slightly surprising to read that he is planning a move for Theo Walcott.
The Arsenal winger spent several seasons trying to rebrand himself – unsuccessfully – as a centre-forward, but the Mail reports that Big Sam believes Theo could be the man to “boost his frontline”.
Allardyce is not the only one who retains faith in Walcott’s waning talents, with the Sun claiming that West Ham and Southampton remain keen on the 28-year-old.
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Elsewhere, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has “refused to rule out” the possibility of Philippe Coutinho quitting Anfield for Barcelona in January (Star),.
Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea has demanded his wages must “match Real Madrid’s high-earners” if he moves to the Bernabeu (Mirror) and West Ham may revive their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho next month after “making peace” with the club’s owner (Sun). Presumably the Hammers chairmen, Davids Sullivan and Gold, eventually accepted that “Dildo Brothers” was actually quite a fair description of them.
