Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the Whisper.
Here are today’s top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.
Frenkie De Jong to Manchester City
The Premier League champions appear to have won the race for Ajax midfielder De Jong, with City close to agreeing a £61m deal for the Netherlands international. According to the Daily Mirror, the 21-year-old is considered by Pep Guardiola as the heir apparent to Fernandinho in the City engine room and the club have made him a transfer priority, with De Jong also keen to work with the Catalan tactician. Barcelona and Tottenham have therefore admitted defeat in their own pursuits of De Jong.
Eric Bailly to Paris Saint-Germain
The list of potential suitors for Manchester United centre-back Bailly is growing, with PSG joining Arsenal and Tottenham as interested parties in the Ivory Coast international. Bailly has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford despite a strong start to life at the club and his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho is said to be strained, meaning he could be sold to help fund a purchase of a new defender. The Daily Mail reports that north London rivals are known admirers of the 24-year-old but PSG are also “monitoring developments.”
Kerem Demirbay to Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp hopes to further bolster his midfield options with the January acquisition of Demirbay in January. The Daily Express claims that Klopp has been keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old all season having worked with the Germany international as a youth-team player at his former club Borussia Dortmund. Demirbay, capable of playing as both a defensive and attacking midfielder, also shares the same management company as Liverpool forward Sadio Mane.
Declan Rice to Manchester United
Rice’s contract dispute with West Ham has alerted Manchester United, who have openly “declared their interest” in the versatile teenager. Rice is on just £3,000-a-week at the London Stadium and has rejected the Hammers’ first offer of an extension and the Daily Star reports that Jose Mourinho is a personal fan of the 19-year-old, who can operate as a centre-back or defensive midfielder. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton and Borussia Dortmund are other clubs also monitoring Rice’s situation in east London.
Jordan Pickford to Manchester United
With David De Gea yet to commit to United beyond 2020, the club have been assessing replacements for the Spaniard and Everton’s Pickford is reportedly their top candidate. United are facing up to the reality that Juventus target De Gea won’t sign a new deal at Old Trafford so could be forced into a position to sell the goalkeeper next summer, as opposed to losing him for free 12 months later. Should that transpire, England No. 1 Pickford is their favoured option with Talksport claiming the 24-year-old will cost around £60m.
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