EVERY JANUARY THERE seems to be one player, above all, who will be speculated about and speculated about, and then probably end up staying exactly where he is for the rest of the season.
We wholeheartedly believe Marouane Fellaini will be that player.
But there’s plenty more going on besides…
Going?
We remain sceptical about this whole Frank Lampard to Manchester United thing, especially given the fact that the league leaders’ midfielder already has the distinct whiff of retirement village about it, but Ray Wilkins thinks it makes sense for the Engand midfielder to move north in the summer.
“You have the master of utilising the older player in Sir Alex Ferguson, so I think it would be a tremendous move for Frank and a good one for Manchester United as well,” Wilkins told BBC Radio Manchester.
“You only have to see the performances Giggs and Scholes have put in over the last few years – and they are four years older than Frank!”
Another long-time target for United has been Wesley Sneijder. Well, Inter Milan have accepted a bid from Galatasaray for the 28-year-old, but he’ll only sign at the end of the window if no English team comes in for him.
Going?
Anyway, that’s a whole window away. This one is still in its relatively early stages, but rumours about the future of Fellaini have been buzzing for a few days now.
The Everton star is the midfielder that United actually need, rather than Lampard, making it somewhat ironic that Chelsea are the club tipped to activate the player’s reported buy-out clause.
The 25-year-old only signed a deal to stay at Everton until 2016 in November 2011, and the Toffees have denied that £22m will trigger any clause, but the number is not thought to be significantly higher for a player that has been integral to the success of David Moyes’ side this season.
And his potential replacement? The papers are saying James McCarthy, who is also interesting Arsenal, but it would be a minor shock if the Wigan and Ireland player moved in this window.
Staying!
A word on Michu, and Michael Laudrup says there is no chance of the 26-year-old leaving the Liberty Stadium this season as nobody could afford him.
“I don’t know in the summer, but still I can’t really see who could sign him. I don’t know how much he’s worth. Ask my chairman.
“He was the bargain of the season, we know that. But we’re happy we’ve found the right players.”
Quite so.
Gone!
Norwich City defender Elliott Ward has returned to Nottingham Forest on loan for the remainder of the season.
(Believe us when we tell you we scoured, and scoured, the internets and bush telegraphs and televisions and mills made entirely from rumours, but it’s not a day for done deals so far.)
