The rumour mill is churning with that particular brand of late season panic and ambition, and GoalZaza has the lowdown on a few stories that could res...
The rumour mill is churning with that particular brand of late season panic and ambition, and GoalZaza has the lowdown on a few stories that could reshape the Premier League and beyond. First, the headline grabber: Real Madrid are poised to throw their hat into the ring for Sporting Lisbon's Mateus Fernandes. This is a fascinating development. The lad has been pulling the strings in the Primeira Liga with a maturity that belies his years, showcasing the kind of tactical flexibility and vision that the Bernabéu demand. The question now is whether Ancelotti sees him as the long term successor in the midfield engine room, or simply a piece of squad depth for the inevitable fixture pile up. Either way, the vultures are circling and the price tag is only going north.Meanwhile, down on the Sussex coast, Brighton are doing what Brighton do best: playing hardball. The Seagulls have swatted away Tottenham's second offer for Jan Paul van Hecke with the kind of disdain usually reserved for a poorly taken throw in. Spurs are desperate for a centre half, that much is clear, but Roberto De Zerbi's operation is not a charity. They know they have a gem in van Hecke, a defender who is comfortable stepping into midfield and playing out from the back. If Levy wants him, he will have to crack open the piggy bank and pay over the odds. It is a classic game of poker, and Brighton hold all the cards, especially with the window winding down. Will Ange Postecoglou look elsewhere, or will he go back to the well one more time Squeaky bum time for the recruitment team.And finally, a tale of a fallen titan. Harry Maguire could be on his way out of Old Trafford. It has been a tough couple of years for the England international, a player who once commanded a world record fee for a defender. The pace of the Premier League has become a relentless beast for him, and his struggles in transitional play have been laid bare for all to see. A move makes sense for all parties. He needs a fresh start, a place where he can be the dominant aerial force he once was, and United need to shift his considerable wages off the books. Where he ends up is the million dollar question. A return to Leicester A move abroad One thing is certain: his next club will be getting a player with a point to prove and a lot of experience. It is just a question of whether that experience is enough to paper over the cracks in his game.This is the business end of the rumour season, ladies and gentlemen. Expect more twists and turns before the window slams shut.
