Believability Meter on the Week's Biggest Rumours: Hazard, Neves, Falcao, Reus
Eden Hazard is rumoured to be on his way to Real Madrid, Ruben Neves is being watched by Liverpool and an impressively long line of suitors and Radamel Falcao has been linked with a jump from the Premier League to Serie A.
With the aid of our believability meter, we assess this gossip over the following pages, where we also bring you the latest speculation surrounding Neymar, Yevhen Konoplyanka, John Stones and Marco Reus.
Read on for more!
Sevilla's Yevhen Konoplyanka Linked with Chelsea
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Yevhen Konoplyanka appears to be on Chelsea's radar less than four months after swapping Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk for Sevilla.
As claimed by Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Mark Brus in Metro), Jose Mourinho's side could make a move for the 26-year-old in January, with Konoplyanka described as a "struggling winger."
The Ukraine international joined Unai Emery's outfit on a free transfer in the summer after racking up more than 200 games for Dnipro.
Konoplyanka's deal at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan will expire in 2019 and has terms that reportedly include a €40 million buyout clause, as seen on ESPN FC.
Believability Meter: Low
First of all, it seems these rumours started to emerge after Mourinho took a starting role away from Eden Hazard in a recent Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Then, Metro tried to claim Konoplyanka is struggling in La Liga. And voila! You have a transfer story whereby the Blues have been linked with the Ukrainian.
Nice try, but we don't believe a word of it.
With only one previous club under his belt, it's difficult to imagine that the Sevilla winger would want to leave his new side so soon after joining. Also, a closer look at Knoplyanka's performances and statistics in 2015/16 suggest he is actually doing quite well on Spanish soil.
The Andalusians are a better side when the winger is on the pitch, and with three outings in the Champions League (two goals), one in the UEFA Super Cup (one goal) and seven in La Liga (two goals), he looks to be adapting favorably to life in Spain.
Oh, and Konoplyanka recently said this, per the Guardian:
"If I was two-and-a-half metres tall and didn't know how to control a ball then I may have gone to England, but here [in Spain], the football's more technical. It's the best.
I don't regret coming to Spain. I didn't receive many offers. Some came from the Premier League and Sevilla and Atletico from Spain, but I kept thinking that Sevilla were right for me.
"
Konoplyanka is not going to Chelsea in January or anywhere for years.
Barcelona: No Intention of Selling Neymar
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Barcelona will not sell Neymar to Manchester United despite rumours connecting the Brazilian with a move to the Premier League.
The reported impending acquisition of Ezequiel Lavezzi from Paris Saint-Germain has also added to speculation about a potential Neymar exit from Camp Nou.
However, as Ed Malyon reported in the Mirror, the 23-year-old is going nowhere:
"Barcelona have no intention of selling Neymar to Manchester United despite reportedly sealing a deal to bring Ezequiel Lavezzi to the Nou Camp.
Argentine forward Lavezzi has been a long-time target of Barca, and there are strong indications that he could sign a Bosman deal in January to seal a move to the Liga giants.
The arrival of Lavezzi, however, is expected to have no knock-on effect on the future of Neymar, who Barcelona are still desperately trying to sign to a new deal despite some budgetary constraints.
Despite Neymar's father admitting that there was an approach from Manchester United in the summer, Neymar Jr has told fans they have nothing to worry about and that he will remain in Catalunya.
'The renewal is under way,' he said. 'I still have years left on my contract. I'm going to sign. The fans can relax.'
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Neymar has scored eight goals and registered four assists in 10 outings in all competitions so far this season.
Believability Meter: High
Until Neymar signs a contract extension with Barcelona, these rumours will persist.
Currently tied to a deal set to expire in summer 2018, it won't be long before a new, mega-money contract is offered to the Brazil international.
Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, may well be rubbing his hands with glee as his client is linked with a move away from Luis Enrique's side.
However, all this talk means nothing. If anything, it exists only to squeeze the most lucrative deal possible out of Barcelona.
Marco Reus and Jurgen Klopp: Reunited at Liverpool?
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Jurgen Klopp would like to bring Marco Reus to Liverpool, according to Fichajes (h/t Liam Corless in the Mirror).
The Germany international made 121 appearances for Borussia Dortmund while Klopp was in charge, scoring 53 goals and notching 45 assists.
The Dortmund-born player was being connected with a move to Merseyside long before the German manager arrived by the Daily Star's Alex Harris, following a Tancredi Palmeri tweet suggesting the Reds were "working intensely" on a bid for his services.
Relentlessly linked with an exit from Signal Iduna Park, Reus signed a contract extension last February—a deal that is set to expire in 2019.
Reus has scored seven goals and bagged two assists in 13 outings in all competitions so far this term.
Believability Meter: Low
Stories that Marco Reus is on his way out of Dortmund are nothing new. In fact, we'd be more surprised if the 26-year-old wasn't the subject of transfer chatter.
Liverpool's name have been in the frame for Reus before, and now Klopp has taken over at Anfield, we should expect a number of his former charges to be linked with the club.
It's a simple connection to make and an easy story to write. We don't buy it.
Dortmund are doing just fine under new boss Thomas Tuchel, Reus has signed an enormous new deal within the last 12 month and a £20 million release clause was removed from his contract when he signed his extension, as reported by Rob Draper for the MailOnline.
If BVB were forced to sell, it would be for big money and would not happen any earlier than summer 2016. Until then, and perhaps beyond, Reus is very much a Dortmund player.
Liverpool Leading the Chase for Ruben Neves
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Ruben Neves appears to have a long list of suitors across Europe. According to Ed Malyon in the Mirror, Liverpool are leading the chase to sign the FC Porto youngster.
As Malyon reported:
"Liverpool continue to make assessments of target Ruben Neves after stepping up their interest with an informal approach in recent weeks.
The Reds are understood to be leading the chase for the 18-year-old midfielder, who has also attracted interest from many of Europe's biggest sides. ...
On Tuesday they sent a scout to watch Porto versus Maccabi Tel Aviv, where Neves demonstrated his standing among his teammates by becoming the youngest captain in Champions League history.
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In January, the 18-year-old—who has a £29 million release clause in his contract—was linked with Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, as reported by Ben Jefferson in the Express.
Elsewhere in the Mirror, again reported by Malyon, we are told Liverpool's informal approach for Neves "was welcomed by the player’s entourage." It seems new boss Jurgen Klopp has given his blessing for the Reds to monitor in the Portuguese under-21 international.
The defensive midfielder has chalked up 43 appearances in all competitions for Porto since breaking into the first team in 2014/15.
This term, he has played in all three of Os Dragoes' Champions League ties in Group G and has appeared in three out of a possible seven Liga NOS ties.
Neves' contract at Estadio do Dragao is set to run until 2019.
Believability Meter: Low
It requires a huge stretch of the imagination to believe Porto are ready to let one of their brightest young assets depart. Still just 18, Neves has plenty of developing to do—no matter the references to his maturity.
Yes, Julen Lopetegui's side are a selling club. And yes, the £29 million release clause is there for a reason. But we don't think Neves will leave Porto for many years to come.
As club president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa said recently, per Simon Jones in the MailOnline, the player is not for sale.
Take a look at Porto's transfers over the last few years on Transfermarkt, and you'll see that they rarely let players leave during the winter months—apart from the occasional short-term loan—saving their biggest business for the summer.
Agent Jorge Mendes is already doing a fine job with his player and will undoubtedly be enjoying the fact some of Europe's biggest heavyweights are being linked with Neves.
However, our believability meter is refusing to go anywhere past low, and we are confident with our prediction that Neves is not moving anywhere in January.
If he goes at all, we suspect he will still be playing in Portugal until summer 2017 at the very earliest.
Eden Hazard: Real Madrid Calling?
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Eden Hazard would like to leave Chelsea to join Real Madrid next summer, claimed French daily L'Equipe.
These rumours were relayed in the British press, such as by James Orr of the Independent:
"L'Equipe have reported that Hazard is not happy with life in London and in the Premier League, and the Belgian has already confided to family and friends, plus some international team-mates, that he wants to leave the club.
The report comes in the same week that Hazard seemed to 'like' a post on Instagram linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
"
Hazard was dropped to the bench by manager Jose Mourinho for Chelsea's 2-0 win against Aston Villa on October 17—the first time in 18 months the Belgian was not in a Blues Premier League starting XI.
Mourinho later explained the decision as a tactical one. As seen on ESPN FC, he said:
"I left out Hazard because we are conceding lots of goals. We need to defend better. When you don't have the ball, quality means nothing and what means [he thumps his chest] ... you have or you don't have.
It was just a tactical decision, leaving super quality on the bench, but bringing tactical discipline and hoping that the team could be solid.
"
Returned to the starting lineup for Chelsea's Champions League tie against Dynamo Kiev and Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham United, Hazard has yet to score in any competition this season.
The 24-year-old's contract is designed to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2020.
Believability Meter: Medium
This piece of transfer gossip is a tough one to call, and it's a story that promises to rumble on as Chelsea's strange and unsettled start to the season continues.
On the one hand, perhaps Mourinho will be the one to exit Stamford Bridge, with Hazard to stay and return to dazzling form under a new manager.
On the other, it feels like we have been here before. Hazard, like Juan Mata in the two consecutive seasons before him, was named as Chelsea's Player of the Season. He has also, like Mata in September 2013, per the Guardian's Dominic Fifield, been dropped from the starting XI and been publicly critiqued.
In January 2014, Chelsea sold Mata to Manchester United. That move appeared unthinkable just six months earlier. Does this mean that Hazard will meet the same fate?
It would be surprising to see the Blues allow the Belgian to depart SW6, but if Mourinho's open criticism continues and Hazard continues to look unhappy, a summer move to Real Madrid could be very much on.
Chelsea Preparing Fresh Approach for John Stones
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Chelsea have been linked with a January move for John Stones after failing to sign the Everton defender in repeated attempts over the summer.
However, as David Maddock reported in the Mirror, the Goodison Park side is hoping to tie the young defender down to a new long-term contract to keep him out of Chelsea's clutches:
"The Blues have opened negotiations over a new deal, and while no timescale has been set on an agreement, the Merseyside club are hopeful they can persuade the defender to commit his future to the club.
Stones currently has three and a half years left on his current contract, which allowed the Goodison club to dismiss three Chelsea offers for his services in the summer.
Boss Roberto Martinez is still determined to ensure that the centre-half remains at the heart of his team beyond the January transfer window, and Everton have followed that up by opening talks with his advisors. ...
With Chelsea still lurking in the wings – and likely to make another offer in January, after having a £30m bid turned down before the summer window closed – Stones will want an escape clause inserted in any new deal.
That could hold up talks, but Everton are determined to find a solution that will reward the centre-half, and persuade him to stay at Goodison for several more seasons.
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The 21-year-old penned his most recent contract extension in summer 2014—a deal designed to run until 2019.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
During the last transfer window, Jose Mourinho's side were thwarted in their efforts to bring Stones to Stamford Bridge.
The former Barnsley centre-back even handed in a transfer request—which was rejected—after three bids from the Blues were turned down by Everton, as seen on BBC Sport.
Here we go again. There is every chance Mourinho and the Chelsea board will renew their efforts to land the England international in January.
Will Everton be able to keep Stones until the summer? Now, there's the question.
Radamel Falcao: A January Move to Serie A?
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Radamel Falcao could swap Stamford Bridge for Serie A in January, with Fiorentina said to be keen.
The Monaco striker is currently on a season-long loan at Chelsea, following a nine-month stint on loan with Manchester United last term.
However, after scoring just one goal in 10 games in all competitions for the Blues this season, rumours suggest the Colombian's spell with Jose Mourinho's side could be cut short when the January window opens for business.
As reported by the Mirror's John Cross:
"Italian giants Fiorentina are chasing Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao. ...
Chelsea may be willing to let 29-year-old Falcao out on loan if they can bring in another striker in January.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho is keen to strengthen his attacking options but any deal for Falcao would need clearance from his parent club Monaco.
Falcao wants more first-team action and that could open the door to a move and it is understood Valencia, Villarreal and his former club Porto have also sounded out his agent, Jorge Mendes.
Mourinho has publicly insisted he is keen for Falcao to stay and says the striker does not want to leave.
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Falcao is contracted to Monaco until summer 2018.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
Since leaving River Plate, bound for Europe in 2009, Falcao has played for five different sides: Porto, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Manchester United and Chelsea.
We wouldn't feign surprise to see him add at least one more team to that list before the curtain comes down on the 2015/16 campaign.
Movement between Chelsea and Fiorentina in recent years has seen Juan Cuadrado arrive at the Premier League side in February 2015, with Mohamed Salah heading the other way on loan. Perennial loannee Marko Marin also went to Stadio Artemio Franchi in summer 2014, so the trade route is definitely open.
There's no glossing over the fact injuries have taken their toll on Falcao, who has failed to live up to expectations during his time in the English top flight, with a return of five goals from 34 games at both Chelsea and United.
Despite Mourinho's insistence the 29-year-old will stay, La Viola may well be the next stop for El Tigre—a player who has somewhat lost his bite.
All player and contract information comes from Transfermarkt unless stated otherwise.
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