Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Transfer deadline: Who could move - and what do Premier League clubs need?





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 The final Premier League games before the transfer window closes have been played, so clubs and managers can give their full attention to concluding the business to take them forward to January.

It is shaping up to be a frantic finale, with big-name players likely to be on the move, and many of the superpowers ready and waiting to make late signings.

So what are the big issues to be resolved, and what will be your Premier League club's priority before the window shuts at 23:00 BST on Thursday?

Coutinho, Van Dijk, Sanchez... will they stay or will they go?

Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk have both put their discontent in writing in the form of transfer requests - but the odds seem stacked against that having the desired effect.

Coutinho, 25, wants to leave Anfield for Barcelona. He has been the subject of three offers, all of which have been instantly rejected by Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group.

The last bid would have added up to £118m - the largest fee ever received by a British club - but it came with a series of strings attached, including one payment reliant on Coutinho winning the Ballon d'Or.

The word inside Liverpool is the size of any bid is irrelevant because Coutinho is not for sale at any price, a policy reinforced by a public FSG statement even before his emailed transfer demand.

So what could happen in the final days before the window closes?

There have been rumours of a fourth Barca bid but it is yet to arrive - and it remains to be seen if Coutinho or his camp make further moves or representations in an attempt to force a transfer.

The problem for Coutinho is Liverpool are not moving. They have not moved from day one.

There is, of course, the danger the club could be left with a disaffected player on Friday morning, but their admirably strong stance suggests confidence in their ability to reintegrate Coutinho.

Liverpool have the same problem themselves as they meet a wall of resistance from Southampton in their attempts to land their prime summer target, Virgil van Dijk.
Anfield was understood to be the 26-year-old's preferred destination once his mind was made up to leave St Mary's, but Liverpool publicly apologised to Saints and withdrew interest amid claims of an illegal approach.
The Reds remain interested and would readily pay £60m for the Netherlands defender given the slightest encouragement, but Arsenal and Chelsea would be equally responsive.
Southampton, however, have made it clear Van Dijk will not be sold, a position reiterated by vice-chairman (football) Les Reed when he said £15m signing Wesley Hoedt had been bought to play alongside his international colleague, not replace him.

The disenchanted Van Dijk has virtually been in exile all summer, so will the pressure of the clock ticking down and the likelihood of interested clubs making one last persuasive attempt provoke a change of heart?
Southampton would have to alter their position drastically.
And what about Alexis Sanchez? The Chilean is showing no sign of agreeing a new Arsenal contract, yet manager Arsene Wenger seems ready to risk losing an asset worth at least £50m in the current market in exchange for one final season from him.

Manchester City are following events closely, and may even try a blockbuster offer before the window closes.

Given Arsenal's poor start to the season, and their need to strengthen in other areas, will Wenger move his position and decide to cash in rather than see Sanchez walk out of Emirates Stadium for free next summer.

What next for Diego Costa?

One thing is certain - Diego Costa will not play for Chelsea again. The striker's relationship with manager Antonio Conte is not so much fractured as smashed into hundreds of tiny pieces, the process starting last January.

Claim and counter claim have been traded as the striker remains away from the club, and a move is the only realistic option for both parties. There will be no mending of fences.

The complication is Costa's desired destination, his former club Atletico Madrid, are banned from signing players until January.

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