Denis Suarez, Umtiti, Mata, Vardy

TRANSFER TALK

Barcelona have reached agreement with Denis Suarez and Villarreal over hos return to the Spanish giants as has been expected all season. The fanciful thoughts that Barcelona would then sell him on for a profit were simply the dreams of imaginative fans trying to give themselves hope.

The idea never entered the head of Barcelona but was eventually put forward as a negotiating tactic by Suarez agent late in the day, when negotiations over his clients salary were not going the way he wanted. In the end he negotiated a salary that was acceptable to Suarez, in other words a big hike on what he was on at Villarreal. At Barcelona he will remain.

French runners-up Lyon have given permission to Barcelona to speak to 22-year-old (23 in November) French central defender Samuel Umtiti.The Spanish club have an ageing back line and are looking at bringing in fresh blood. 33-year-old Dani Alves has left to join Juventus and Italian clubs are very keen on taking 32-year-old Javier Mascherano.

West Ham have comically made a bid for Juan Mata which Manchester United have turned down. I suppose that save Mata turning down West Ham who can't even offer him a guarantee of European football. They are being linked with a whole host of players they haven't a hope of getting without it, they'll learn.

Jamie Vardy has reportedly told his England colleagues he has turned down Arsenal, as expected. At Leicester City he has a guaranteed starting berth and guaranteed UEFA Champions League football. At Arsenal he would be fighting for a place with Welbeck and Giroud with no guarantee he' be selected in Europe, or indeed the Premier League. Many a player have left a club and failed to fit into the system of another, the risk was too big to take at this stage. After next season he may well then leave. One in the eye for those who think a player solely driven by money.

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