Gossip: Liverpool in 'pole position' to sign Aubameyang', De Gea 'wants Real Madrid move', Man City 'close in on £50m Mendy'
Ah, Tianjin Quanjian – where did it all go wong? Six months ago, the plucky outfit from China’s north-east coast came out of nowhere and hit the global transfer market like a hurricane – making bids of £70m-plus for a collection of strikers who weren’t worth anything like that much. It was crazy, it was bold, it was positively exhilarating. And it left football fans across England dreaming that maybe they could flog someone to Tianjin Quanjian for a literally stupid amount of money.
But today, as the Chinese summer transfer window SLAMS SHUT, Tianjin Quanjian have finally signed their overpriced striker, and it’s gravely underwhelming. Anthony Modeste, 29, has moved to the Far East from Cologne for £30.8m, which actually sounds like a fairly reasonable price.
Barring the completion of a sensational double swoop within the next few hours, that means all the big-name strikers Tianjin tried to buy are back up for grabs – and strikers’ names don’t come any bigger than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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With his proposed move to China seemingly off the table, the Sun says the Gabonese goal machine now faces a straight choice between joining Chelsea or Liverpool. Or, as the tabloid puts it in one of the worst, most nonsensical headlines ever, “Win ‘N Yang” (especially when the story includes absolutely no reference to China).
Anyway, the Reds and the Blues have both “made contact with” Borussia Dortmund over a £65m move for the 28-year-old, with Jurgen Klopp’s side said to be in “pole position” because Chelsea’s board won’t sign a striker until they have sold Diego Costa.
Aubameyang has reportedly been given until 24 July to “decide his future” (Standard).
Formal warning
Manchester City have literally gone full-back mad, with the Mirror claiming Pep Guardiola is set to add £50m Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy to his imminent purchase of £54m Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker. That’s while also trying to buy Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand and another right-back.
Things are less fun for Manchester United, who the Telegraph says are “braced” for a renewed attempt by Real Madrid to sign David de Gea. Of particular concern is the Express’ claim that the goalkeeper wants to move to the Bernabeu and has told his (SUPER) agent Jorge Mendes to “get the deal done”.
West Ham finally seem to be about to buy some players, with Stoke City forward Marko Arnautovic “pushing for a move” to the Hammers, who have bid £20m (Telegraph). Meanwhile, Man City are set to pay half of Joe Hart’s wages when he moves to the London Stadium on loan (Mail).
Elsewhere, Barcelona have “dropped their interest” in Hector Bellerin after Arsenal issued a “formal warning” about the Catalan club’s pursuit of the right-back (Mirror), AC Milan are leading the chase to sign Torino striker, and alleged Chelsea target, Andrea Belotti (Talksport) and Roma have offered £29m for Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez, but the Foxes want £50m (Mail). Stop, haggle time!
