FORGET GALLAGHER – Tottenham plot bold £30m offer for next January transfer raid as ‘enquiry’ made for another Chelsea star who could be more productive than Conor Gallagher.
We begin Tuesday’s Premier League transfer rumour round-up with speculative news of Everton’s interest in a Brazilian attacker. The Toffees continue to be plagued by financial woes, and are expected to be fairly frugal this January as a result, but according to a report from Estadio Deportivo, Sean Dyche‘s side are plotting a brazen deal for Real Betis star Luiz Henrique.
Fully aware that they will not be able to afford the 23-year-old in the coming weeks, Everton are said to be eyeing a free loan deal with an option-to-buy clause written into it. For their part, however, Betis are understood to be against any such agreement, and would prefer to secure a permanent transfer for a fee in the region of £15.5 million.
The 3AM Verdict: This feels pretty unrealistic. Everton clearly don’t have the money on hand to secure a permanent deal for Henrique, and Betis seem reluctant to entertain any kind of loan agreement for the South American. Perhaps that stance will soften in time, but as things stand, this may be one that has to wait until the summer.
Chalobah on Napoli radar
Elsewhere, reports in Italy suggest that Napoli are keen to sign Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah this month. The centre-back has struggled with injuries this season, but is understood to be nearing a return to full fitness, although it is unclear how much of a future he has in a crowded Stamford Bridge dressing room.
On that note, Gazzetta dello Sport claim that a ‘first enquiry’ has already been made by Napoli with regards to the Chelsea star, but as yet, no concrete signal has been given by the Blues, and the Italian champions are still waiting to find out whether Mauricio Pochettino‘s men will ‘open up’ to a loan.
The 3AM Verdict: This could be a deal that works for everybody. Chelsea certainly need to offload some deadwood in certain parts of their squad, while Chalobah would surely rather earn first team minutes elsewhere than calcify on the bench in West London. As for Napoli, they would be landing themselves a fine young defender with plenty of potential and highs left to reach.
And finally, Tottenham are said to be planning a ‘substantial offer’ for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. Ange Postecoglou have already made two January signings, Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, and are understood to be in the market for midfield reinforcements too, with Cheslea’s Conor Gallagher frequently linked in recent weeks.
Spurs may have turned their attention away from the England international, however, and according to Gavea News, could instead test Wolves’ resolve with hefty bid of around £30 million for 22-year-old talent Gomes. That figure would be somewhere near Wanderers’ asking price, and may convince them into a sale.
The 3AM Verdict: Spurs’ recruitment under Ange Postecoglou has been exemplary so far, and there’s no reason to believe that this wouldn’t be a good deal too. Gomes has impressed in the Premier League, and would his prospective capture would be a more cost-effective and simple transfer to complete than an equivalent agreement involving Conor Gallagher. All in all, this seems like a smart pivot from Spurs.
