Chelsea
In a somewhat surprising development, John Stones has apparently looked to force Everton's hand by handing in a transfer request as Chelsea pursue the young defender, reports said Wednesday.
Sky Sports were the first to relay the information on Twitter on Tuesday night.
The 21-year-old centre-back has been the subject of intense manoeuvring by Chelsea in the past weeks, with a steady stream of bids slowly rising from £20 million (Dh115.3m) to the last rejected proposal of £30m. Speculation in the English press has pegged a subsequent, final play for Stones as high as £40m.
Everton have been intent on keeping Stones, and as recently as Monday he was earning praise from teammates and manager Roberto Martinez for his composure through the transfer window.
“John is a different character. He is not arrogant. The most important thing for him is to play football and that is what he continues to do,” said Everton keeper Tim Howard.
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Martinez said: “We have seen John grow in the last two years and we want to be as strong as we can when the window closes. We have our own aims and objectives and want to become a winning team.”
Now, though, Martinez is faced with carefully maintaining a positive relationship with his want-away young star if he’s to convince Stones that Goodison Park is still the best place for him.
On Tuesday night he had little to say on the matter.
“There is nothing to comment on that,” he said. “Once more, it is always the same question and always the same answer. The only thing that matters now is the game we have in front of us.
“There is nothing to announce or discuss.”
Jose Mourinho has sought to recruit Stones to Chelsea with increasing assertiveness as his club have stumbled to an unimpressive start. The Premier League champions are 10th after three matches – one win, one draw, one loss – while stalwarts in defence like John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic have yet to hit any sort of stride.
Real Madrid
After talk of a move to high-profile Premier League sides like Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid's Asier Illarramendi appears set for a low-key move back to boyhood club Real Sociedad.
Spain's Marca reports a €17 million (Dh71.7m) deal for Illarramendi to leave the Bernabeu and lend David Moyes's Sociedad side some star power. The Spanish newspaper cited reports from the EFE agency.
Also see: The National's Transfer Talk page
Madrid purchased Illarramendi from Sociedad two years ago for €39m. "Two years later," says Marca "and a move in the opposite direction suited everyone concerned".
Both Liverpool and Spurs have been said to be in the market for a defensive midfielder, and Illarramendi, 25, appeared to be the premium talent on the market. He has never quite become a fixture in Madrid’s best XI, but made nearly 30 league appearances in both his seasons at the Bernabeu.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion assistant Dave Kemp admitted Saido Berahino could return to the team against Stoke City after his exile.
The striker was dropped again as West Brom edged Port Vale 5-3 on penalties in the League Cup following a forgettable 0-0 draw after extra-time at The Hawthorns.
Richard Duffy blazed his penalty over in the shoot-out leaving James Chester to seal the Premier League side’s route to the third round and a tie at Norwich City.
West Brom had rejected a second bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Berahino, understood to total £21m with clauses and instalments, hours before the game.
Kemp said they will attempt to determine the player’s state of mind before Saturday’s trip to the Britannia Stadium.
“That’s something we can assess between now and then. We’ll see what happens as it unfolds. Once we get to next Tuesday it’ll be clearer,” he said, referencing the transfer deadline of August 31.
“He was considered tonight but there’s other stuff. This transfer window is upsetting not just to Saido but to everyone.
“He’s training fine, you can imagine he’s a young man and there’s a lot going on and your eye might not be on the ball. You have to be totally focused to perform.
“The manager has to make a decision.”
*Press Association
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