B/R Gossip Roundup: Breaking Down This Week's Biggest Rumours
And still the rumours and transfer speculation keep coming.
The window does not open until New Year's Day, but there are plenty of potential comings and goings being prepared for then, according to the newspapers.
Raheem Sterling, Dani Alves and Eden Hazard are among those to be mentioned this week, while Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho voiced a possible move of his own.
Let's take a closer look at the headlines over the past seven days.
Time to Put an End to Eden Hazard to PSG Rumours
1 of 7
We aren't sure if the Eden Hazard to Paris Saint-Germain link is ever going to go away, but it is becoming exceedingly tiresome.
The latest report of the French club's interest in the Chelsea midfielder came this week via Oliver Todd of the Daily Mail.
But at least the article had the good grace to employ quotes from the Belgium international outlining his commitment to the Stamford Bridge cause.
Hazard is quoted from an interview with Canal+ as saying:
"PSG are in the same world than Chelsea. But, to be a top club they need to win the Champions League.
I'm fine with Chelsea and this is where I want to continue to grow. PSG are not in my head.
"
In fact, Hazard went on to outline the one place which would interest him in the future, adding:
"Move back to Ligue 1? Maybe one day. But only for Lille.
Ligue 1 is a great league in Europe but not the best. It's a league for youngsters.
"
And that should be that, shouldn't it? No, it probably won't.
Believability meter: Low
No matter how many times Hazard is linked with the Ligue 1 champions, the answer certainly won't be changing from its negative any time soon.
The Belgian remains too important to what Mourinho is trying to achieve at Chelsea, and few would argue it is right on course for some kind of silverware this season.
Jose Mourinho Being Realistic over Premier League Move, Not Issuing a Warning
2 of 7
The manner of Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea in 2007 will always leave a question mark over his second spell in charge of the club.
The Stamford Bridge manager fell out with club owner Roman Abramovich seven years ago, and left the Blues by "mutual consent," as BBC Sport reported at the time.
It should come as no surprise that articles hinting at another unexpected exit are still in existence.
This week, Martin Lipton of the Daily Mirror reported that Mourinho had hinted at a possible departure for another Premier League club once he leaves Chelsea.
Mourinho was quoted as saying after being asked if he would manage another English club:
"If it had to be, yes.
My priority will always be Chelsea and I never think about the interest of others.
But I know football and know I won’t be here five, eight, ten years if I don’t manage to win. Of course not.
That’s not my essence as a coach, because I don’t like to live in those comfort zones. It doesn’t fit my personality.
"
To his credit, Lipton does not hint at any division between Mourinho and Abramovich, and keeps his article level-headed.
But just the mere mention of the two main men at the Bridge can be enough for others to seize on.
And Mourinho added:
"I will only leave when they want me to leave. There’s no other country, club or investment that motivates me. I will only leave when Mr Abramovich calls me to tell me it’s over.
Only on that day will I look for other solutions. But to answer the question, I will say that when I have to think about the matter, then we’ll see.
"
Nothing to see here, everyone. Not yet, anyway...
Believability meter: Medium
As an experienced manager, Mourinho recognises he cannot guarantee anything in the future, and making rash promises is not a realistic prospect for any head coach once they are looking for employment.
But Chelsea supporters should relax, there is nothing to suggest an unexpected departure is on the cards.
At least we don't think so but nobody can predict the future. Not even Jose Mourinho.
Mats Hummels' Vow to Dortmund Will Not Stop Manchester United and Other Links
3 of 7
Few people would argue that Mats Hummels is one of the best defenders in world football, even fewer would argue that the World Cup winner will see out his career with Borussia Dortmund.
The Germany defender went public this week on his commitment to the Westfalenstadion club, as Sky Sports reported via an interview with Bundesliga Magazin International.
Hummels is quoted as saying:
"It’s nice to hear that big clubs like that are interested in you.
I take that as a compliment but it doesn’t influence me in any way, otherwise. We earn enough here in Dortmund.
There will always be someone who can pay more than BVB but Dortmund have made a lot of progress during my time here. In any case I believe it’s enough for me.
If one day I start thinking about playing abroad, money won’t be the reason. I don’t even think about that at the moment. We still have so much further to go here.
"
Hummels' words were taken as a blow to Manchester United's hopes of signing the defender in the near future, as the Daily Telegraph reported.
But the 25-year-old is reaching a crossroads in his career. His current contract does not expire until 2017, but Dortmund and the player will have to face a difficult question in the near future.
For the Bundesliga club, there may come a point where the transfer figures being offered for their star man become too difficult to reject.
For Hummels, himself, there must come a point where he decides to stick or twist on a career which has already provided him with so much.
That is not to say playing for Dortmund is not an honour in itself. The defender's role in helping Jurgen Klopp's team to successive league titles and to the 2013 Champions League final appeared to be borne from genuine loyalty.
Hummels is keeping faith with Dortmund, and vice versa. But there will come a time very soon when the resolve of both is tested to the limit.
Believability meter: Medium
Hummels and Dortmund have enjoyed tremendous success and it comes as no surprise to see major world football clubs such as Manchester United linked with the player.
The Germany international deserves credit for his words of loyalty to Dortmund, but that will not stop bigger and bigger offers being made to club and player.
Napoli, Mario Balotelli Form Cause Liverpool Link with Gonzalo Higuain
4 of 7
This has not been a comfortable season for Napoli manager Rafael Benitez, with the club eight points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus before this weekend's matches.
A single-goal win over Sassuolo last weekend brought an end to a run of three league matches without victory for the former Liverpool boss.
However, another situation has built up on the back of Napoli's poor start to the campaign, with star striker Gonzalo Higuain being unsettled at the club, according to Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express.
And according to that report, Benitez's former employers at Anfield are looking to take advantage with a move for the Argentina international.
Chapman claimed the Reds are preparing a move worth over £30 million for Higuain, who joined the Naples club from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013.
The Express article also noted that a lack of firepower shown by Brendan Rodgers' marquee summer arrival, Mario Balotelli, is sparking interest in Higuain.
The need to hit the ground running in the Premier League for a star name is paramount, with Chelsea emerging strongly from the traps of the new season so far.
And Balotelli's single goal in seven games since joining Liverpool from AC Milan before this week's Champions League tie at Basel is viewed as a viable reason for the Reds to chase Higuain, according to Chapman.
However, the South American has scored just one in six appearances for Napoli so far this term in a similarly disappointing start to the season for the Italian club.
With Daniel Sturridge injured, Liverpool have struggled to adapt to life after Luis Suarez this season, with the Uruguayan's ability to conjure opportunities clearly being missed.
But Rodgers' reported interest in Higuain, 26, will cast a shadow over Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini, as well as Balotelli.
Perhaps the Napoli forward is the answer Liverpool are looking for.
Believability meter: Medium
Liverpool have clearly failed to master the post-Suarez era and injury to Sturridge has not helped their cause this season.
But the link with Higuain is an intriguing one for Reds fans, who are desperately seeking another forward to work alongside their England international.
Higuain would represent a huge gamble at the £31 million quoted by the Express, but unless Rodgers' summer acquisitions start to perform, it could be money well spent.
Dani Alves Heading to Premier League?
5 of 7
Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has reportedly confirmed his ambition to play in the Premier League next season.
Citing a report from Brazilian newspaper O Globo, James Phillips at Metro wrote that Alves, 31, plans to leave Barcelona at the end of the current season and play in England the following term.
"Next year I’m moving to England. I’m going to play at the home of football," Alves is quoted as saying. "This will be my last season at (Barcelona)."
According to Phillips, Liverpool and Manchester United have been linked with Alves.
Alves joined Barcelona in 2008, signing from Sevilla.
Believability meter: Low
If the quotes are accurate, it does seem that Alves wishes to play in the Premier League next season. But B/R UK's Guillem Balague tweeted Saturday that Alves will remain with Barcelona for at least another season. Something clearly does not add up.
Then there's the issue of age. Alves turns 32 in May, and while that does not necessarily mean he is too old to play at the highest level, he will be older than the age at which top clubs generally like to sign new players to big contracts. Signing another short-term deal with Barca would seem to make more sense, both for player and club.
Don't rule anything out just yet, though.
Time for Ashley Young to Ship out of Manchester United
6 of 7
Ashley Young has remained a divisive figure for football supporters for a number of seasons, with opinions differing on the Manchester United winger.
However, the England international has also stretched viewpoints within Old Trafford during his three years at the club.
The Press Association, via The Guardian, reported in April 2012 that former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had spoken with the player over his propensity for going to ground too easily.
Last season, Young was involved in further diving controversy, prompting David Moyes to speak out, as BBC Sport noted.
Current United boss Louis van Gaal has not had to offer any cautions on the subject, though, as he has omitted the former Aston Villa and Watford man from his team after the opening three games of the season.
Now Jamie Anderson of the Sunday Express has reported Young is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs such as Aston Villa, Southampton and Sunderland.
The 29-year-old looks to be a fringe player at best under Van Gaal, and United may seek to cut their losses on the winger, whose current deal ends in 2016.
For Young, a move to another top-flight club must be preferable to warming a seat in the Old Trafford stands.
Believability meter: High
Van Gaal still needs to clear some of his deck to fund further team rebuilding in January, and Young needs to recognise his time at United is at an end.
Remaining in the Premier League will be a priority, and any of the three clubs featured in the Sunday Express report would make a suitable destination to rejuvenate his career.
Raheem Sterling Contract Situation Should Set Liverpool Alarm Bells Ringing
7 of 7
Teenagers, huh? What are they like? Surly beings with no direction in life? Or young adults simply finding their way in life?
Opinions will be different, but Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling seems to be of a very different kind, if Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail is correct.
According to Ashton, the 19-year-old England international is "in no rush" to sign an improved contract with the Anfield club. Bear in mind that this improvement is likely to involve an increase on his reported £30,000-per-week wage.
But no. Sterling, who has two years left on his current contract, is in no rush to sign his route to riches, claims the article.
And then you remember Colin Harvey of the Daily Star reported Liverpool's improved deal is designed to fend off interest from Real Madrid, and things start to slot into place—to an extent at least.
In a faltering Premier League season for the Reds, Sterling has been one of few bright lights—the Champions League defeat at Basel on Wednesday notwithstanding.
He only broke into the first team on a regular basis less than a year ago, but he proved to be a significant spark as the Reds chased their first title since 1990.
Sterling has risen to major prominence in the Liverpool starting XI to become one of best young players in the top flight.
So it is little wonder that the Reds want their star man tied down to a longer deal, especially with the trajectory his career is on.
But so will Sterling's agent, who will also recognise the value in holding on to make Liverpool sweat. Rumours suggesting Real Madrid are interested will not do any harm, either.
Believability meter: Medium
To external eyes, not rushing into signing an improved contract is a bizarre thing to do for anyone, let alone a teenager with the world at his feet, but there is more here than meets the iris.
Sterling's representatives will recognise the value of the player and reports of Bernabeu interest can only help push up the figures involved.
