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HOT FOOTBALL TRANSFER GOSSIP: Barcelona ‘want Diego Costa’
Barcelona’s front three of Messi, Neymar and Suarez is the stuff of nightmares for defenders. But this being Halloween, it appears Barca coach Luis Enrique has devised a way to make his side’s attack even more terrifying. Step forward Diego Costa.
The Express reports that the scary Chelsea striker is a target for Enrique due to his ability to “war” with defenders. Admittedly, if there is one flaw to Messi’s play it’s that he very rarely punches or slaps defenders in the face, so Costa would be adding something unique to the attacking mix, while forming a literally deadly partnership with renowned vampire Suarez. Costa is also one of the few footballers who could go trick or treating without having to wear a mask.
Barcelona fans might get even more of a fright from some of the other strikers they are being linked with, including - not for the first time - Dirk Kuyt. Sport says the 35-year-old Dutchman’s goalscoring record of 12 goals in 11 games for Feyenoord this season has persuaded the Catalan giants that Kuyt is much better than he had been pretending to be for the previous 15 years of his career. Barca are also being linked with washed-up Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato and Celta Vigo’s Nolito, a reported target for Arsenal.
It’s possible Barcelona’s transfer policy is being driven by fear that Messi is heading for the Premier League, especially after Spanish football man Guillem Balague told Talksport that the Argentine has been learning English “in case he needs it”. Maybe he just wants a few swear words to launch at Gareth Bale during next month’s El Clasico.
Speaking of which, Real Madrid are once again being linked with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, who the Star says they plan to sign in a “sensational double raid” that would also include Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Real wonderkid Martin Odegaard is rather excitingly being linked by the Mail with a loan move to the Championship. It doesn’t say which club but implies that all options are being considered, so hopefully it’s Rotherham.
Mauricio Pochettino has quite literally “laughed off” claims that Harry Kane will be signing for Manchester United, reports the Evening Standard, as the Tottenham boss said that the rumours make him “smile”.
And we’ll end where we began, with Suarez. But not Luis, rather Fiorentina’s Mario, who the Mirror says wants to move to Liverpool in January.
