Gossip: Abramovich STAYING at Chelsea, United 'made no attempt' to sign Alderweireld
After it emerged yesterday that Roman Abramovich was definitely selling up and leaving Chelsea to the whims of another billionaire/oligarch, today is opposite day with the Mail reporting…well, the opposite.
They claim Chelsea’s owner is ready to “resume redevelopment of Stamford Bridge”, contradicting reports the Russian is ready to sell the Blues amid a £2bn offer from Jim Ratcliffe and issues with Abramovich getting a UK investor’s visa.
Club officials insist the Russian is committed to the club and have dismissed reports that US bank Raine Group had been hired to value the club ahead of searching for a buyer.
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Sticking with Chelsea, and star defender David Luiz has hinted that he would have left the club had Antonio Conte stayed manager. The Brazilian told Sky Sports, “If the manager had stayed the same, of course, everybody knows maybe I had to move clubs. Now I am here and so happy.”
Tottenham desperate to do business with Man United
It was the transfer saga of the summer – would Manchester United stump up the cash for star Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld? It turns out that despite fluttering his eyelashes alluringly at Old Trafford, Ed Woodward was picking up nothing of what the Belgian was putting down.
So says the Mirror. They claim the Red Devils didn’t even put in a bid for poor old Toby or Spurs teammate Danny Rose, despite the north London club making the first move. In fact, the only contact in the saga was a call from Tottenham to United, asking if United were interested.
READ MORE: Mourinho admits Manchester United till not up to speed
The Manchester Evening News also report that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was so keen on sewing up a bargain he even proposed a swap deal for Alderweireld with Anthony Martial or Juan Mata moving the other way but was rebuffed. Maybe Ed really is intent on making Jose Mourinho as miserable as possible?
But while Alderweireld is set to stay at Wembley/the new White Hart Lane, Rose may still be on his way out. The England left-back has been linked with moves to PSG and Schalke, but the Daily Star now claim Marseille is his next option as Rose fights to keep his Three Lions place.
Karius loan move ‘bizarre’, Mandzukic rejected United and more
Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, 30, says it is “bizarre” that the club allowed German Loris Karius to join Besiktas on loan. The Belgian says he does not know what his future at Anfield holds. (Liverpool Echo)
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez says he is happy to delay talks about his future until next year. The Spaniard, who was expected to sign a new contract before the season, said he is “just thinking about the games”. (Goal)
Juventus’ former Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic, 32, turned down an offer to join Manchester United. (Calciomercato – via Sun)
AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso says French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko – on loan from Chelsea – must “learn some basic things” after the 3-2 loss to Napoli. (Eurosport)
And finally, Liverpool have appointed a specialist throw-in coach to improve their set-piece play. (Telegraph)
