Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column brings you all the latest news and rumours of ins and outs from the Premier League and abroad, including news on the future of Jon Walters
Stoke reject Walters bid
The Telegraph report that Stoke City have rejected a £1.5 million bid from Norwich for Republic of Ireland international Jon Walters.
Norwich are targeting Walters as they step up their search for attacking players, but the opening offer was turned down flat. Walters’s future at the Britannia Stadium has been uncertain with negotiations over a new contract continuing to drag.
The 31-year-old is out of contract next summer and wants a three-year deal but Stoke are only offering two – and he could still leave before the transfer window closes. But Stoke are still hopeful of resolving the situation and Norwich’s bid was swiftly rejected.
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It would have been an intriguing move for Walters, who spent three years at bitter enemies Ipswich Town. Stoke travel to Norwich this weekend and Walters could even start against Alex Neil’s team.
Blues agree Mori fee
The Guardian report that Everton are close to signing Argentina central defender Ramiro Funes Mori in a £6m transfer from River Plate.
The 24-year-old is travelling to London on Friday ahead of a medical and could complete the move this weekend. Funes Mori would become Roberto Martínez’s fourth signing of the summer after Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu and Mason Holgate but is not earmarked as a replacement for Chelsea target John Stones.
Funes Mori has won one cap for Argentina and has been included in their squad for next month’s international against Bolivia after impressing during River Plate’s recent triumph in the Copa Libertadores. The defender scored in River Plate’s 3-0 final victory against Tigres.
The defender will cost Everton around £6m and meets Martinez’s requirement for a new centre-half after the summer departures of Sylvain Distin and Antolín Alcaraz.
Martínez, meanwhile, has insisted Stones remains focused on starting for Everton against Manchester City on Sunday despite being subject of a rejected £30m bid from Chelsea this week.
“The situation is exactly the same,” said the Everton manager. “It’s been the hot topic of this transfer window and will be highlighted every day the window is open but our focus is only the games.
In my eyes Manchester City are the sharpest team in the league at the moment and our focus is on preparing for that. Of course we’re trying to work as hard as we can to get in a couple of additions but even those we are not going to comment on.”
Lucas Leiva wanted by Turkish giants Besiktas on loan
The Mail Online report that Besiktas are trying to sign Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva on loan with view to a permanent deal.
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Lucas has two years left on his contract and has also attracted enquiries from Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan.
The 28-year-old is now Liverpool’s fifth-choice central midfielder behind Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Emre Can and Joe Allen. Liverpool’s No 21 hasn’t featured in either of their opening Premier League wins against Stoke City or Bournemouth with his future seemingly destined for an Anfield exit.
Signed from Gremio for £5m in 2007, he made just 16 Premier League starts last season with Brendan Rodgers willing to sell the Brazilian before the transfer window closes. Lucas is one of Liverpool’s longest-serving players and is just four games short of making 200 Premier League appearances for the club.
Stones to hand in transfer request
John Stones is set to slap in a transfer request in a bid to push through his move to Chelsea, report the Mirror.
Everton have already rejected three bids for the defender, but are braced for another offer from the Premier League champions.
The Toffees have claimed the England international is not for sale, but it is understood they will be prepared to sell for £40million.