With further confirmation the Premier League is swimming in obscene amounts of cash comes another splurge of speculation about where its clubs are going to throw it. Manchester United, for example, have been overtaken by Liverpool in the Deloitte money league but they’ve still got plenty of readies to toss about, and Benfica and Portugal’s Ronaldo-displacer Gonçalo Ramos is on their radar, according to the Portuguese outlet O Jogo.
They’d need to cough up the striker’s €120m release clause mind, but with optimism high at Old Trafford and wealthy fracking fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe linked to a takeover, who’s to say they can’t land him?
Liverpool are wealthier, for now, but their midfield isn’t functioning anywhere near as effectively and the latest midfielder to be linked with an Anfield move is Internazionale’s Marcelo Brozovic. The 30-year-old Croatia international is valued at around £30m and Liverpool are reportedly prepared to throw in Naby Keïta as part of the deal. Tottenham, however, are also interested in Brozovic and the Italian media gossip factory suggests they’re the frontrunners.
Another Serie A Tottenham transfer target is the Roma playmaker Nicolò Zaniolo. Spurs have had an initial offer rejected but with Zaniolo struggling a little at the Stadio Olimpico and Roma content to let him go in this window, they may yet be rewarded for their persistence. “He’s a great example of a boy who gives his best,” trilled his boss, José Mourinho in a character reference. “I learned as a child that if you do your best, you can’t give more.” However, Spurs may face competition from their old muckers Arsenal, who have also hinted at interest.
At the other end of the Premier League table West Ham need goals, and Danny Ings could be the man to get them. The Daily Telegraph reports the Hammers have made an offer for the Aston Villa forward and talks are at an advanced stage.
West Ham host Everton on Saturday in a fixture rich with relegation intrigue and managerial speculation and the visitors could be strengthening their attack with Tottenham’s Lucas Moura. The Mail tells us Spurs have offered the Brazilian to Everton. The 30-year-old’s contract runs out this summer and Tottenham do not plan to renew it.
Another relegation-haunted club, Leicester, are closing in on a £17m deal for the Copenhagen defender Victor Kristiansen and some reports say the move could be completed before Saturday’s match against Brighton.
And Villarreal have apparently emerged as the frontrunners to sign the Blackburn goal machine Ben Brereton Díaz. Leeds have been linked with the Chile striker for a while, but the Spanish club are now favourites to win the race and could land him this month in an £8m deal. Talks were reportedly held on Wednesday.
