Ndombele confirms Spurs interest: Key stats, facts & quotes behind latest transfer news
Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid has seen the 2019 summer transfer window ramp up another notch.
The serious money is now being thrown around, with a number of Europe’s top clubs looking to strengthen, be it for a title challenge, a tilt for European glory or a return to the Champions League.
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Just below them, a whole host of clubs in each of the top leagues are looking to break their division’s established elite and enter that select group themselves.
Here at Squawka, we’ve compiled a list of the hottest transfer rumours in football right now and graded how likely they are to happen.
Read on for the key stats, facts and quotes behind this week’s transfer news.
1. Jan Oblak to replace De Gea at Man Utd? The story in five key facts…
- David de Gea has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
- His place at Old Trafford is under question after a season of errors.
- ESPN believe Jan Oblak is seeking a move to Man Utd.
- Oblak only signed a new contract with Atletico in April.
- But the ‘keeper is a boyhood United fan and wants a club which will fulfil his ambitions.
I signed a new contract, but that does not change anything. I will stay at Atletico as long as their ambitions match mine. And some people might think their ambitions have lowered, as big players have left.
Oblak on his Atletico Madrid future (June, 2019)
Key stat: Oblak kept more clean sheets (20) than any other La Liga goalkeeper during 2018/19.
Could it happen? For this one to go through, a lot of parts would have to move first. To start with, United would have to agree a deal to sell De Gea, one of the last bastions of strength from Sir Alex Ferguson’s era at Old Trafford. After that, whether or not he wants the move, Atletico Madrid would then have to agree to sell Oblak. The fees these two goalkeepers would move for could be astronomical. But if Oblak wants the move and United make the offer, it’s hard to imagine Atletico being able to do anything to stop this one happening.
2. Tanguy Ndombele to join Spurs? The story in five key facts…
- Ndombele played a key role in Lyon’s third-placed Ligue 1 finish.
- His impressive Champions League form also has him on the radar of European giants.
- Man City and Barcelona have been linked with the midfielder.
- The Guardian believe Spurs are in the race for Ndombele, who’s interested in the move.
- His £66.6m price tag could be a sticking point for Daniel Levy.
Key stat: Ndombele recorded the most take-ons, fouls won, tackles won and passes into the final third for Lyon in the 2018/19 Ligue 1 season.
They are a big club like many others. Which player would not be interested in a big club?
Ndombele to Telefoot
Could it happen? Ndombele is an ambitious player seeking a bigger challenge, Spurs are a club looking to dip back into the transfer market build on their 2018/19 Champions League final. This one makes total sense on paper, especially given Spurs’ need to replace the likes of Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama, whose influence has waned due to injury. Daniel Levy will have to go up against some real European heavyweights to seal Ndombele’s transfer and the huge fee could put him off. But if Spurs are to build on their Madrid showpiece, this is the sort of transfer they must make happen.
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3. Koscielny to swap Arsenal for Dortmund? The story in five key facts…
- Koscielny has made 353 appearances for Arsenal since 2010.
- The Frenchman has helped the club win three FA Cups.
- But injury restricted him to just 29 appearances last season.
- The Daily Mail believe Borussia Dortmund could make a move for the defender.
- Dortmund are seeking a defensive leader after finishing second in the Bundesliga.
He started thinking about a possible departure from Arsenal at the same time as Arsène Wenger. It was the right moment, the final moment to leave with the arrival of the new manager.
Koscielny’s agent, Stephane Courbis, on the defender’s Arsenal future (September 2018)
Key stat: No Arsenal player won more aerial duels than Koscielny (23) during their run to the 2019 Europa League final.
Could it happen? It’s hard to imagine Koscielny in anything other than an Arsenal shirt but at 33, the France international will want to play as much football as possible as his career winds down. Dortmund desperately need some experience to compliment their incredible youngsters and Koscielny could certainly meet that demand at a relatively low price. Koscielny’s contract runs out next year and if the Gunners are to recoup any sort of fee for his transfer, now is the time.
4. Buffon to replace Casillas? The story in five key facts…
- Iker Casillas has been at Porto since 2015.
- But the Spaniard’s future is in doubt after serious health issues.
- After making 25 appearances for PSG last season, Gianluigi Buffon is a free agent.
- Italian outlet Tuttosport believe the 41-year-old could be signed to replace Casillas.
- Buffon’s former Parma teammate Sérgio Conceição is Porto’s manager.
There is nothing concrete, there has been no direct contact with Porto, but the idea of playing in Portugal and in Porto raises great interest in Gigi.
Buffon’s agent, Silvano Martina, on a potential move to Porto.
Key stat: Buffon has made 901 club appearances to date.
Could it happen? At 41 years old, many might feel Buffon should call it a day now but we all know how driven the Italian stopper is. Buffon kept a respectable six clean sheets in 17 Ligue 1 games for PSG and one last swansong with Porto – who will be in the Champions League next season – could be a great way to bring the curtain down on his career. The free transfer makes it all the more attractive to Porto, who weren’t banking on needing a new goalkeeper this summer.
5. From one United to another for Longstaff? The story in five key points…
- Longstaff made his breakthrough midway through last season.
- The 21-year-old has just nine Premier League appearances his belt.
- But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to add youth to a revamped Man Utd squad.
- The Evening Standard report United are certain Longstaff would make a £25m move.
- The midfielder has thus far tried to cool speculation regarding a move.
I’m massively flattered to have my name even mentioned in those conversations, but I’m 100 per cent focused on Newcastle.
Key stat: Longstaff has played just 688 minutes of Premier League football to date.
Could it happen? £25m seems like an absurd amount of money for a club like Man Utd to shell out on such an inexperienced midfielder but that’s the going rate for an English youngster. If the Red Devils are serious in their intentions, Longstaff’s head may well be turned – time and time again, youngsters affirm their allegiance to a club before changing their mind when the bids start coming in. Solskjaer’s faith in youth is admirable, but this one may be misguided for all parties, with Longstaff desperately needing more experience.
