It’s not going to be the biggest transfer window in Liverpool’s history, but they might buy a player. That’s the hot news coming out of Anfield. As leads go, we’ll freely admit the Rumour Mill has published stronger, and with more detail to boot. But like Jürgen Klopp, you work with what you’ve got.
On to news featuring actual specifics. And popular Manchester United pen-pusher Ed Woodward will make the sacrifice of not joining the club for their summer tour, preferring instead to stay wedged behind his desk at Old Trafford wearing an uneasy smile, occasionally using the phone to ask his secretary for tea and biscuits, make contacts, etc. He’s confident of getting a high-powered business deal over the line for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, concluding top-level negotiations for Leicester’s Harry Maguire, and sealing a highly-professional agreement with a contract, printed on really nice paper, for Bruno Fernandes of Sporting Lisbon.
Some of hard bargaining will be offset by not getting quite as much money as he wants from Internazionale for Romelu Lukaku, but nobody’s perfect. United’s year-long search for a director of football continues apace, by the way.
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Toby Alderweireld‘s release clause of £25m runs out at the end of the week. At which point Tottenham will start asking possible suitors for £40m. You have got to admire Daniel Levy. He’s also managed to get PSG interested in Danny Rose, already a target for Juventus. The bidding starts at £20m and won’t end there, we’ll be bound.
Arsenal are still interested in Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney. At some point they’ll have to bid the £25m the Scottish champions are asking for. Sheffield United are hoping to beat Feyenoord to free-agent Leroy Fer. And West Brom are hoping to re-sign Mason Holgate from Everton on another year’s loan.
Now enough of this piddling about on the computer. Out you kids go to play. Summer doesn’t last long and it’s lovely outside. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
