A round-up of the day’s most interesting news surrounding the London clubs in the Premier League, including Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham.
Tottenham were dealt a serious blow in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic today, after the forward’s father revealed that links to Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United are “hogwash,” as quoted by Sky Sports.
Pulisic, 19, has become one of the hottest prospects in world football since joining the Bundesliga giants in 2015 and concluded an impressive season with five goals and five assists.
The stats alone don’t tell the story of the player’s immense contribution or constant development either. There’s no doubting he’s destined to achieve big things in the game, and Tottenham will hope they can be the ones to oversee his success.
Across town in East London, West Ham are holding firm on their key man in Marco Arnautovic.
Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on a reunion with the big Austrian at Manchester United next term – having managed him at Inter Milan – but the Hammers are demanding an excessive fee of £50 million to deter the Red Devils, according to reports from Sky Sports.
Arnautovic joined West Ham from Stoke for a club-record £24million fee last summer and netted 11 goals during his debut season.
In more positive news for the Hammers, they are reportedly closing in on a deal for Barcelona defender Marlon Santos, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo, as Manuel Pellegrini begins moulding his squad at the London stadium.
The report claims a five-year contract is nearing completion, with the player costing around £15 million, although Barcelona are keen to insert a buy-back clause.
Marlon joined the Catalan giants from Fluminese back in 2016 and has featured heavily for Barcelona B, making just two first-team appearances in his time with the club.
Across town in West London, Chelsea are considering selling club-transfer record striker Alvaro Morata to facilitate a sensational swoop for Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski, according to the Sun.
The Polish international’s agent, Cezary Kucharski, has close ties to Chelsea and has a track-record of facilitating mega-money deals – having had a hand in Neymar’s £198 million move to Paris Saint-Germain.
This report came shortly after the 19-year-old revealed his desire to push for a “new challenge,” after five-years with the Bundesliga champions, in quotes via Sky Sports.
In North London, Aaron Ramsay has hinted at an Arsenal stay, claiming he is “excited” to work under new manager Unai Emery, according to BBC Sport.
The newly-appointed Wales captain is yet to sign an extension at the Emirates, but he has held talks about renewing his deal with the Gunners.
“I haven’t spoken to him [Emery] at all yet, but I think it’s an exciting time for the club and I can’t wait to get back there now,” said the 27-year-old.
This news comes shortly after the Spaniard’s revelation that Ramsay would be a key member of his plans going forward, along-side striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
However, not everyone is so fond of Emery’s business so far in England.
German football guru Raphael Honigstein has criticised Arsenal’s head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat, and the new manager for pursuing a lesser quality of player than expected upon his arrival, via the Express.
The man he’s talking about is 29-year-old Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who is close to joining from Borussia Dortmund (BBC Sport), as he feels the constant dipping into former club Dortmund is uninspired – with Mavropanos being the only signing he’s facilitated from a different club.
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