Transfer Window: gossip and rumours
With the summer here, the internet is rife with FPL transfer rumours and gossip. So here is a round-up of today’s key talking points.
The summer transfer window is always busy for clubs as they get ready for the new season. It is also a time where FPL managers carefully watch the market to get a feel for how their FPL teams might look next season.
As singings are made official our new signings article will be updated.
Friday 5th August: gossip and rumours
The Mail and The Times: Chelsea working on Chelsea
The Mail report that Chelsea have had al £60m bid for Wesley Fofana rejected by Leicester.The Times report that the Blues are now considering an improved offer of £70m for Fofana.
FPL Comment: If Fofana makes the move to London he would be the perfect budget pick. A Chelsea defender priced at £4.5m would be the perfect addition to FPL managers squads. He would also strengthen the defence making the likes of James and Chilwell more attractive options.
The Telegraph and Fabrizio Romano: Conte in for another wing-back
The Telegraph and Romano are reporting that Tottenham are closing in on a £21m deal for Udinese’s left-back Destiny Udogie. However, Romano reports that Udinese would like to keep the player on loan.
FPL Comment: If the player stays at Udinese on loan then he will not be an FPL asset. However, if the player comes to Spurs he could add an added complication to FPL decision making on who starts in the left-back position.
Wednesday 3rd August: gossip and rumours
90min: Vardy on the move?
90min are reporting that both Manchester United and Chelsea are monitoring Leicester striker Jamie Vardy. Vardy has just one year left on his contract.
FPL Comment: Vardy is a proven Premier League striker who would be a good addition to either of these squads. With Ronaldo seemingly unsettled at Untied and Lukaku away from Chelsea, Vardy could be the perfect fit.
Fabrizio Romano: Casadei to Chelsea
Romano is reporting that Chelsea are trying to secure the signing of Casadei from Inter.
FPL Comment: Casadei played 29 games last season in Primavera 1 (Italian Youth level). In that time he scored 13 goals and four assists. If Chelsea could sign him he would be one to watch for the future.
Tuesday 2nd August: gossip and rumours
The Mail: Kasper on the move
The Mail are reporting that Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is close to joining French side Nice and will have a medical this week.
FPL Comment: If Schmeichel leaves Leicester ahead of the Gameweek 1 fixtures this weekend then £4.0m Danny Ward would likely be Leicester’s goalkeeper for at least the opening matches. Rodgers stated on Ward:
Danny Ward is an exceptional keeper. I’ve always said we’ve got a number one keeper there. He’s had some issues around his knee but that looks to be behind him now, he’s been training well. He’s looked good. If Kasper is to go, he’s a big possibility for us.
Rodgers on Leicester’s second choice Goalkeeper Ward.
Monday 1st August: gossip and rumours
Sport, the Mirror and the Metro: De Jong gone?
Sport are reporting that Chelsea will make an offer for Frenkie de Jong this summer. With the Metro reporting that Barcelona boss Xavi says he does not know if De Jong will stay with the La Liga club this summer. With the Mirror reporting that Man United and Barcelona have agreed an initial transfer fee of £56.2million for the player.
FPL Comment: de Jong is a fantastic midfielder who would make a great addition to FPL. He would add defensive security as well as attacking threat to both the Chelsea and United teams. Therefore if he does sign for either club he would be attractive himself whilst also making the defence a more appealing investment.
Thursday 28th July: gossip and rumours
The Mail: Ronaldo wants out
The Mail are reporting that Ronaldo has told Man United he wants to leave. Ronaldo reportedly wanted to play Champions League football. However the Mail report that United have reiterated that they don’t want to sell.
FPL Comment: With so much uncertainty over his future Ronaldo remains a hard avoid in FPL.
Wednesday 27th July: gossip and rumours
Christian Falk: Newcastle for Werner?
Falk who is Head of Football at Bild is suggesting that Newcastle are interested in signing striker Timo Werner from Chelsea.
FPL Comment: At the start of the 2020/21 season Werner was owned by over half of the FPL game. However, since then his minutes and FPL points have diminished leaving him a less attractive FPL option. If Werner got consistent game time at Newcastle he would be a more attractive option. However, he is £8.0m in the game and therefore at Newcastle likely too expensive given Wilson’s £7.5m price tag.
L’Equipe and 90mins: Schmeichel out?
Multiple outlets are reporting that Kasper Schmeichel has agreed to join French club Nice. However the approach has not been confirmed by Leicester. Brighton Fanzine We Are Brighton suggested this could once again see Leicester linked with a move for Robert Sanchez.
FPL Comment: If Schmeichel leaves before Leicester have lined up a replacement £4.0m Danny Ward would likely be their first choice goalkeeper. This would be good for FPL managers budgets. However Leicester’s defensive strength relies upon Schmeichel and therefore if he leaves the defenders become less attractive. Potentially a £4.5 Sanchez at Leicester however would be a popular pick for FPL managers.
Tuesday 26th July: gossip and rumours
The Guardian, 90min and Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea transfer stalls
The Guardian are reporting that Chelsea’s move for Jules Kounde is in danger of collapsing. The paper suggest that Barcelona are now more hopeful that the centre-back would rather come to them this summer.
90min further this by suggesting that if Kounde does not join, he Blues will turn to Pau Torres, Milan Skriniar or Josko Gvardiol instead.
FPL Comment: Chelsea lost Rudiger at the end of the 2021/22 season and in preseason they have missed him. The Blue’s defence are likely to be popular picks as a result of the price tags on Reece James, Ben Chillwell and Mandy. However, the Chelsea defence needs a new centre-back if clean sheets are going to be likely. Without on they will be less attractive FPL options.
Monday 25th July: gossip and rumours
The Times: Arsenal interest in Paqueta
The Times are reporting that Arsenal are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta. Howeve, the newspaper report that the club haven’t yet made an approach.
FPL Comment: The midfielder has made 34 appearances in La Liga and in that time has returned eight goals and six assists.
Friday 22nd July: gossip and rumours
Fabrizio Romano: Dendoncker on Everton wish list
Romano is reporting that Lampard and Everton want to sign Wolves midfielder Dendoncker.
FPL Comment: Dendoncker has made 120 appearances for Wolves in the Premier League scoring nine goals and returning two assists. Everton have had a difficult preseason so far and having lost Van de Beek at the end of his loan could do with strengthening their midfield.
Thursday 21st July: gossip and rumours
Sport: de Jong not keen on United move
Spanish newspaper Sport are reporting that Frenkie de Jong does not want to leave Barcelona. The midfielder, they suggest, prefers to stay with the Spanish giants. However, Sport also state that if he does leave then de Jong would favour Bayern Munich or Chelsea over United.
FPL Comment: de Jong is a fantastic midfielder who would make a great addition to FPL. He would add defensive security as well as attacking threat. Therefore if he does go to Chelsea he would be attractive himself whilst also making the defence a more appealing investment.
O Jogo: Brighton interest in Tavares
Portuguese media outlet O Jogo are reporting that should Cucurella move to Man City they will look to Arsenal for a replacement. They state that Brighton are considering a loan move for Nuno Tavares.
FPL Comment: Tavares is priced at £4.5m in FPL, alongside the likes of Dunk and Lamptey. FPL manager would save £0.5m owning him over Cucurella as the Brighton left-back. Potter does like to deploy a wing back system with the Seagull’s and therefore if Tavares goes on loan he could be a good option.
Wednesday 20th July: gossip and rumours
Football Insider: Liverpool keen on Antony
Football insider are reporting that Liverpool have enquired about signing Ajax’s Antony. Antony has also been linked with a move to Man United to join up with old manager Ten Hag.
FPL Comment: Antony plays predominantly on the right wing, the position mostly filled at Liverpool by Salah. The player has returned 22 goals and 20 assists in 78 matches for Ajax since he joined in summer 2022.
Fabrizio Romano: Richards to Palace
Romano is reporting that Chris Richard looks set to join Crystal Palace. The player has reportedly agreed personal terms with the club.
FPL Comment: Bayern defender Richards has spent the last 18 months on loan at Hoffenheim. In that time the player has devleoped into a good centre back. Palace have a difficult run of fixtures to start the season and therefore FPL managers will have time to monitor how Richards fits in to the defence.
Tuesday 19th July: gossip and rumours
Marca: Kounde agrees terms
Spanish media outlet Marca are reporting that Chelsea have agreed personal terms with 2Jules Kounde. The bid for the player is rumoured to be £47m.
FPL Comment: The loss of Rudiger will weaken the Chelsea defence, however Kounde would restrengthen them. Kounde would make the Chelsea defence stronger and therefore increase the likelihood of clean sheets. He has some good aerial threat as well as great passing ability which will be good for his underlying BPS stats. The player also scored twice and got one assist in 31 La Liga appearances.
Fabrizio Romano: City prepare bid for Cucurella.
Yesterday The Sun were reporting that City were stepping up their interest in Cucurella. Today Romano is reporting that the deal for Zinchenko means that Man City are ready to make a move for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella.
FPL Comment: At £5.0m in FPL Cucurella would be a very exciting FPL prospect at Man City. The defender has plenty of attacking threat and this would likely increase in a attack minded City team. His ability for clean sheets would also increase in Manchester.
Previous rumours
Monday 18th July: Broja on loan – Cucurella interest
Friday 15th July: Ronaldo interest – Harrison to the Toon?
Thursday 14th July: Martinez to Manchester – Traore to Merseyside
Wednesday 13th July: Broja on Chelsea tour – New striker for Newcastle?
Tuesday 12th July: Yarmolyuk to the Bee’s – Ronaldo’s future – Raphinha moving?
