23 Dec 2021 18:26:51
Evening Eds, Dennis Zakaria is available in January for around £6mil, Will Liverpool be one of the clubs interested in taking him?

Also, Dusan Vlahovic, talk to me. What a player. Will he still be at Fiorentina next summer or a big European move? Have Liverpool had a look?

Nadolig Llawen red men.

{Ed002's Note - Denis Zakaria (DM) Free Agent in the summer who has been of interest to Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Juventus although many have preferred options. Roma and Inter also offer an opportunity for him to move to Italy but seem less likely destinations. I would not rule out a move to Dortmund to replace Witsel. Juventus interest is based on their preferred target Tchouameni opting to move to England. Barcelona want a Busquets replacement and Real Madrid a Casemiro replacement. I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool unless they are looking to replace Fabinho but they may have scouted him.
Dusan Vlahovic (S) Fiorentina eventually managed to hang on to the player last summer regardless of the interest of Manchester City and Atletico Madrid and now want a new contract. The player’s agent has made it clear to the club that the player needs to make a step up and move on. There is significant interest in the player. Milan are keen on the player as an Ibrahimovic replacement - Spurs have the same view in respect of Kane and Antonio Conte is an admirer of the player. Whilst Paratici is keen he may be scared off by the price and could turn to an alternate solution Spurs have in mind. Dortmund see him as a Haaland replacement but a move seems unlikely. Manchester United have had him watched but, like Roma and Arsenal are an unattractive option and can be discounted; whilst the rising cost of the transfer will remove Atletico Madrid from the equation, and they have a far more economically viable solution in mind. Bayern Munich and Juventus offer attractive options which would see him at the top of the game. Juventus have an advantage as the player is keen to remain in Italy – but the club are being pressed to sign another. Bayern Munich are looking for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski and know that their first choice is very unlikely to join them as it stands right now. Chelsea are still a striker short and may put a proposal to Fiorentina but it is difficult to see the move happening. Barcelona may become an option if they lose out on Haaland and, critically, if Fiorentina would accept players as part of a deal. I think it unlikely. PSG cannot be discounted as an Icardi replacement. Inter want the future of Lautaro Martinez resolved else they will also look to him. Manchester City should still not be discounted and he I seen as a very clear option to Harry Kane. The player was happy to stay this season but there will be efforts made in January to agree a transfer, perhaps for the summer. The compelling case for him to stay where he is for this season has proven correct with his value increasing and a wider range of clubs interested. The best advice would be to see what happens in Munich and Turin - and don't rule out a bid from Spurs or Manchester City. Fiorentina will look to €90M or €100M.}

1.) 24 Dec 2021
24 Dec 2021 00:40:27
Let's hope Vlahovic isn't another player that has drifted out of our financial structure, in terms of what we are willing to bid.
Iv a vocal fan of this guy the last 12 months.

2.) 24 Dec 2021
24 Dec 2021 03:57:20
Yes he has drifted from out if our financial structure. We will look for someone around the 30-40 mil mark. 90-100 is way too much for us.

3.) 24 Dec 2021
24 Dec 2021 09:04:49
Imagine spending £150m on Lukaku and Werner and still “being a striker short. ” 🤣.

4.) 24 Dec 2021
24 Dec 2021 09:12:43
I never understood the way teams like Chelsea, City, Juve manage to keep players happy, as you've said Werner, Lukaku, and potentially Vlahovic. They're obviously on good wages but surely that speaks volumes about a player's motivation if they're happy to be one of a number of top-class strikers at a club.

5.) 24 Dec 2021
24 Dec 2021 13:49:51
Good point CymruRED - not really working for Chelsea at the moment though, Werner still can't hit a cows arse with a banjo and Lukaku been injured but not exactly setting the place alight with performance and goals when he has played.

6.) 25 Dec 2021
25 Dec 2021 21:28:05
Well when fit Werner and Lukaku have played together a few times. Stands to reason a 3rd striker for the bench/ rotation. Werner may possibly leave anyway.