The Mill doesn’t do bank holidays. We spend them, same as any other day, with our ear and nose to the ground, even though we’ve been warned multiple times about the long-term damage to our neck muscles. It’s the only way to ensure we don’t miss out on the latest tittle-tattle.
How else would we know, for example, that despite agreeing a fee with Ajax for midfielder Donny van de Beek, Manchester United want to gazump Liverpool and sign Thiago Alcântara from Bayern Munich? Or that – you won’t believe this – United are also keen on Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish?
Liverpool have long been linked with Adama Traoré of Wolves, but reports suggest Jürgen Klopp is going to pursue a cheaper option – Ismaïla Sarr, who he hopes to buy from Watford for £40m. But Liverpool may lose Gini Wijnaldum, who along with Sadio Mané is wanted for Barcelona’s Mes Que un Rebrand. The stampede from that sinking ship continues with Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal both apparently keen to join the burgeoning clan of Juventus geriatricos.
José Mourinho won’t be spending £40m on man nor beast. He is going to demonstrate his genius by winning the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup with a team comprising only B-list signings. Matt Doherty has joined from Wolves and next up is Bournemouth’s Joshua King, unless Newcastle get there first.
Antonio Conte is still meticulously building a Chelsea/Manchester United tribute team at Internazionale. He wants to raid his old club for Emerson Palmieri, Olivier Giroud and – wouldn’t-we-all department – N’Golo Kante.
Finally, Valencia have trained their peepers on Arsenal’s Kevin the Teenager, also known in some cultures as Matteo Guendouzi. The Gunners would like to work with Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara. Lucas Torreira may be offered in part-exchange, which isn’t great news for the ankles of Serie A.