Here are the top transfer stories and rumours from 18th November 2016 featuring Arsenal’s masterplan to replace Alexis Sanchez. Elsewhere, Eden Hazard discusses leaving Chelsea and there is a new twist in Barcelona’s pursuit of Liverpool’s playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Alexis Sanchez’s replacement found
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has shortlisted Marco Reus as the ideal replacement for Alexis Sanchez if the Chilean leaves the club next summer. Alexis has been linked with a move to Juventus and Manchester City and has constantly stalled on signing a new deal with Gunners. Wenger believes Reus can be as equally effective and given his recent struggles at Dortmund, he could be a viable transfer signing.
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No special plans for Payet
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that he is not making any special plans to sign West Ham’s unsettled star Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman is gutted with the poor start to the season and wants to quit the club in January. The Frenchman has been linked with several top clubs in Europe including the North London giants. However, Pochettino believes he has enough creative players to see out the season and does not need Payet at the moment.
Hands off Griezmann
Atletico Madrid have confirmed that they will never sell their star striker Antoine Griezmann to their local rivals, Real Madrid. Griezmann is tipped to quit Vicente Calderon once Diego Simeone quits the club with Manchester United the firm favourites to sign the Frenchman.
Barca drop interest in Coutinho
Barcelona have backed out from their move to sign Philippe Coutinho in the summer. Manager Jurgen Klopp admitted in his recent press conference that he is no one to stop a player from fulfilling his dream but also said that he would demand almost double to what Coutinho is currently valued in the market.
Daily Star have claimed that Barcelona could be asked to pay in the region of £70-80million for the Brazilian given his terrific start to the season.
Hazard sets a date to leave Chelsea
Eden Hazard has confirmed that if he were ever to leave Chelsea, it will only come after winning yet another Premier League trophy. In an interview with The Guardian, Hazard confirmed that he still longs for the feeling he had when he won the 2014/15 Premier League trophy and is determined to relive that at Stamford Bridge. Hazard also revealed that he played the entire last season in pain which did not allow him to play at his full potential.
Gunners aces finally to sign his new contract
Arsenal defender and skipper Laurent Koscielny is in advanced negotiation to sign a new 4-year contract with the club. The move could see the Frenchman see out his playing career at Emirates. The 31-year-old defender joined Arsenal back in 2010 and has since then gone on to make over 200 appearances for the club. The new contract will him stay with Arsenal until the end of 2020.
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