Shortly after Real Madrid paraded the trophy with which they’d just been presented for thrashing Barcelona 5-1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup, the general manager of their vanquished opponents emerged with some consolatory news for his club’s fans. “[Philippe] Coutinho and [Ousmane] Dembélé are both close,” said Pep Segura in an interview with Spanish television. “We are hopeful that they will end up wearing the Barça shirt. Until deals are closed I can’t say anything. We know we have to help the team and reinforce it and that’s what we are doing.”
While Borussia Dortmund forward Dembélé remains suspended indefinitely by his club (presumably until they are no longer his club), Coutinho has been reporting for duty at Liverpool’s training ground despite being sidelined from meaningful action with a “back complaint” that the Mill feels just a little bit guilty about putting in inverted commas. Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo say Coutinho is ready to emulate his compatriot Diego Costa by downing tools in an effort to force a move, even if it means spending a season rotting in the stan … ah, let’s not kid ourselves, he’ll be a Barcelona player by close of play on deadline day.
Arsène Wenger’s attempts to free up a few dressing room pegs and training ground parking spaces look set to receive a significant boost when Gabriel agrees to join Valencia for £10m. Some or all of Mathieu Debuchy, Jack Wilshere, Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs could follow the Brazilian central defender out the Emirates exit door. Reports yesterday linked Wilshere, who returned from injury to play for Arsenal’s under-23s earlier this week, with Championship side Aston Villa, although Wenger has said “I plan for him to be here for the season”. According to France Football, Debuchy is wanted by Marseille.
Spanish sports weekly Don Balon say Manchester City are mulling over a move for currently knacked Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard in the face of Arsenal’s lack of willingness to offload Alexis Sánchez, while Antonio Conte is still hoping to bring Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater and Juventus full-back Alex Sandro to Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Tottenham are hoping to hijack Napoli’s purchase of Barcelona midfielder Denis Suárez and are also reported to be interested in Celta Vigo’s Pape Cheikh Diop. The Senegalese midfielder is keen on a move to Tottenham, but Lyon have outbid the Premier League side in the stampede to secure his services.
And finally, Hull City have told Burnley to double their original offer of £10m if they want to bring midfielder Sam Clucas to Turf Moor, while Watford are about to sign Benfica winger André Carrillo on loan.