Paper Talk: Chelsea, Man Utd and West Ham speculation

Mark Holmes
Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid forward linked with Chelsea and Manchester United

Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid forward linked with Chelsea and Manchester United

Antoine Griezmann to Chelsea, Hakan Calhanoglu to Manchester United, and Keisuke Honda to West Ham are among Thursday’s transfer rumours.

CHELSEA STILL KEEN ON GRIEZMANN

Chelsea believe they need a major signing to get back on track next summer and remain determined to make Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann that man, according to the Daily Mail.

Chelsea were linked with Griezmann in the summer after he scored 25 goals in his first season at Atletico following his move from Real Sociedad, but the capital club increased the buy-out clause in the 24-year-old’s contract to £47million to ward off interest.

Such a figure will not put off Roman Abramovich, however, though it is claimed Diego Costa ‘would not be against the idea of returning to Atletico Madrid as part of the deal.’

UNITED MAKE ANOTHER CHECK ON CALHANOGLU

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, according to The Sun, after sending scouts to watch him in action again in the German club’s 4-4 draw against Roma in the Champions League last week.

“Every player has his price,” Leverkusen managing director Michael Schade told Bild. “I am aware of Manchester United’s interest, but I am calm and relaxed about it.”

Leverkusen are said to value Calhanoglu, who is under contract until 2019, at £32million.

HONDA TEMPTED BY WEST HAM MOVE

West Ham are planning a £5million January bid for AC Milan playmaker Keisuke Honda, according to The Sun.

The Japan star, who was also linked with Everton earlier this month, has hardly figured for the Serie A club this season after falling out with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but Slaven Bilic is said to be a fan of the 29-year-old.

Honda will be out of contract in 2017, and Milan are apparently willing to let him leave in January to risk losing him for nothing down the line.

The player himself, meanwhile, is ‘tempted’ by a move to the Premier League high-fliers, the tabloid adds.

AND THE REST

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Italian sensation Domenico Berardi (The Sun)

Chelsea were last night in imminent danger of being taken to court by Eva Carneiro over Jose Mourinho’s banishing of her as first-team doctor (Daily Telegraph)

Diego Costa is confident he will be fit for Chelsea’s home game against Liverpool on Saturday despite damaging ribs on Tuesday when the holders were knocked out of the Capital One Cup at Stoke (The Guardian/Daily Telegraph)

Theo Walcott fears he will be out until after the November international break with the calf problem he suffered in Arsenal’s 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday (The Guardian)

Arsene Wenger will consider moving Kieran Gibbs or Hector Bellerin into midfield or hand a first Premier League start to Joel Campbell as he attempts to minimise the damage of losing both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott on Tuesday night (Daily Telegraph)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been linked with David Beckham’s new MLS franchise (Daily Mirror)