Transfer News

We are only a few days into the New Year and already the transfer window has been opened wide and we are ready for business. Almost all managers will be looking to strengthen their squads ready for the second half of the season. Of course, different managers have different agendas. Those at the top end of the table are looking for that special player who can add to an already performing squad, maybe someone to help get that title, cup, Champions League spot, delete as applicable. But those who are nearer the eerily creaking trap door down to the Championship are perusing through the bargain bins, like a shopper on the sale rail in Next, hoping to find that one player who could help keep their club amongst the elite.

So what price for survival?

According to West Ham, who today submitted an official bid for Sunderland and ex-England striker Jermain Defoe the price is £6m. However, this bid was knocked back faster than Gaston Ramirez during an Instagram session! With the money for staying in the Premier League in the region of £100million, it is no wonder Sunderland are unwilling to let their current top scorer leave. Reports since have seen West Ham quote “name their price” in an attempt to get a deal going although Sunderland are yet to reply. Fans at the London Stadium will be praying that a return from ex-youth player and London lad Defoe will bare some fruit. A Zaza infused West Ham has failed to cut the mustard this season, in fact he’s failed to cut any type of condiment at all! The Italian, a summer signing from Juventus, has hardly set the East End of London alight. His eight appearances have yielded exactly zero goals, although anyone witnessing his penalty for Italy during the European Championships last summer will probably understand why. Jermain Defoe is a proven goalscorer and Sunderland won’t want to lose that. If they do it certainly won’t be on the cheap!

Rio Ferdinand sent Instagram into meltdown this morning by claiming that his ex-team mate, Patrice Evra, was on the verge of rejoining Manchester United. Evra, who has been trending on Twitter, has been told by Juventus that he can find himself a new club. At the age of 35, United could do no worse than adding him to their squad. With experience in abundance and the chance to mentor the likes of Luke Young and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Evra could be exactly what Mourinho needs now to push on into the second half of the season. He’s a character! Remember him taking on the groundsman at Chelsea during his warm down? Luckily for Chelsea, United have already fulfilled that fixture so the ground staff at Stamford Bridge can put away their boxing gloves… for now!

All aboard the rumour bus. Where will it stop? Nobody knows, but until that star player is holding aloft the scarf of his new team, we shall ride it on through January like the unseated horse during the Grand National who’s jockey is laying face down in the mud after the first fence. Ding Ding, next stop.