Bulls**t-O-Meter: January’s most ridiculous switch rumours – ranked

We’re into week three of the January switch window already, and whereas the DONE DEAL columns aren’t filling up fairly as shortly as we would like, the hearsay mill is busier than ever.

Fortunately, 90min have simply the factor to separate the wheat from the chaff. Oh yeah, you higher consider it.

The trusty BULLS**T-O-METER is again for its first outing of 2021.

Get in, losers, we’re going hearsay ranking.

Linked golf equipment: Arsenal

Let’s begin with a pleasant simple one, the place nearly all the things that has been within the headlines lately is kind of on the cash.

Arsenal need an attacking midfielder, Norwich have an attacking midfielder. Norwich identify the value, Arsenal sulk over it for ages ready for Norwich to alter their thoughts.

What we’re but to see is the bit the place the Gunners finally realise the value is not coming down, and pay an additional 10% as a result of they waited for weeks to really submit a suggestion.

But give it time.

Possibility of future switch: Dead sure
Likelihood of January transfer: Reasonable
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: 2/10

Linked golf equipment: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United

Oh how we spoil you, Arsenal followers.

Here we have got one other deal that truly seems to be pretty believable.

Reports listed here are all alongside the identical observe, with Arsenal exhibiting essentially the most curiosity in Brighton’s standout midfielder, as Liverpool and Manchester United watch issues intently and take into account a summer season method.

Slight whiff of sh**e emanating from a report that claims the participant has already instructed buddies he would like Arsenal to ‘every other Premier League membership’ however we will not penalise it too closely for that.

Graham Potter has shot down strategies he might depart in January, granted, however Brighton are closing in on Moises Caicedo – who could be a theoretical substitute for Bissouma.

Possibility of future switch: Very very seemingly
Likelihood of January transfer: Slim however not unimaginable
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: 4/10

Linked golf equipment: Arsenal, Leicester, Lyon

Yeah, this one smells a bit of fishy.

Celtic are struggling in Scotland and look set to lastly yield the title that has been all theirs for the previous 9 seasons to rivals Rangers. But that does not imply they’re about to roll over and promote up on a budget.

There have been hyperlinks with Leicester (stemming from a really non-committal response from Brendan Rodgers which ‘did not rule out’ a transfer), whereas Arsenal (different priorities) and Lyon (actually simply changed Moussa Dembele with Islam Slimani) have made occasional headlines.

None of the hyperlinks have been outright ludicrous, which nearly saves it. But it is impossible to see anybody developing with a price this month that might tempt Celtic to half with him – particularly contemplating his type this season has been removed from attractive.

Possibility of future switch: Likely
Likelihood of January transfer: Not occurring
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: 6/10

Linked golf equipment: Chelsea, Manchester United

Chelsea’s curiosity within the West Ham midfielder/defender/no matter he’s has been no secret, and it is broadly accepted that the one purpose it hasn’t occurred but is as a result of Irons’ asking value – someplace between £50m-£250m relying on who you consider.

It’s possible they might transfer in for him once more, however that is not prone to be in January – West Ham are underneath no stress to promote mid-season and threat derailing their marketing campaign on the midway level.

What appears even much less seemingly is that Manchester United, who’ve lastly settled into a gentle rhythm, are ready to supply real competitors at this stage – particularly since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is having severe issues becoming in all his midfielders as issues stand.

Feasible ought to a few Paul Pogba, Fred or Nemanja Matic transfer on. But that is not going to occur this month – even when they’re . Don’t maintain your breath for now.

Possibility of future switch: Highly seemingly
Likelihood of January transfer: Very low
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: 6.5/10

Linked golf equipment: Juventus, PSG, Real Madrid

We have not half seen some quantity of bulls**t with Pogba through the years, however since his agent Mino Raiola began working his mouth once more final month, it has kicked into overdrive.

He may nicely depart Manchester United in the summertime, he may nicely need to go away Manchester United in the summertime, he may nicely already be planning his return to Juventus. But Jesus Christ.

Everything he does is spun right into a ‘switch trace’, be it sensationally admitting that he needs to play soccer, or liking a obscure Instagram put up from one in every of his buddies, or arriving at coaching in a automotive by himself.

He does not assist his case by letting his agent run riot, granted, however the man can not win.

As far as his ‘imminent summer season transfer’ goes, experiences of curiosity from Spain and Italy have died down, with PSG rising as an obvious contender.

Possibility of future switch: Likely
Likelihood of January transfer: No
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: 7.5/10

Linked golf equipment: Barcelona

Moving again to Arsenal, it isn’t simply incomings that Mikel Arteta will likely be worrying about this January.

That’s as a result of we all know, you understand and he is aware of that there is an terrible lot of deadwood floating round on the Emirates and it is neighbouring amenities; a class that German central defender, and one-time World Cup winner, Shkodran Mustafi falls into properly.

But the fanciful notion that he is off to Barcelona, the brand new banter membership (from a monetary administration standpoint, anyway), is almost certainly somewhat huge of the mark and is as an alternative the crafty masterpiece of an agent in search of any excuse to flee lockdown for ‘work’ functions.

Possibility of future switch: Dead sure (however to not Barça)
Likelihood of January transfer: Not on Arteta’s nelly
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: 7.5/10

Linked golf equipment: Ajax, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, PSG, Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Wolves…(cont.)

Throw sufficient switch rumours at a wall and a few will finally stick, proper?

Having been frozen out of the image underneath Antonio Conte, Eriksen is wanting sure to go away Inter this month. We’re not disputing that a lot.

The checklist of golf equipment who’ve been linked is totally ludicrous, although, and we are able to due to this fact surmise that 95% of what’s being reported right here is, in reality, utter bulls**t.

Next!

Possibility of future switch: Dead sure
Likelihood of January transfer: Very very seemingly
BULLS**T-O-METER RATING: Still a strong 8/10

Linked Clubs: Manchester United, Liverpool

There was as soon as a switch world the place Sergio Ramos’ contract at Real Madrid wasn’t expiring, Dayot Upamecano did not exist as a defender – or presumably even an individual – and the one scorching commodity that everyone needed was Kalidou Koulibaly.

Apart from one small, however somewhat vital element. Did anyone really need him then and does anyone really need him now? The reply to the previous of these questions can maybe be discovered when you think about what number of bids with Napoli had been really lodged. None, to be exact.

The reply to the latter can seemingly be discovered within the gossip columns up and down the nation. Koulibaly is not there, the ‘curiosity’ has evaporated and the Senegalese celebrity has missed his likelihood to leap into superstardom.

So why is he on the bulls**t-o-meter? Because our outdated buddy, and Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, could not assist slapping a £100m price ticket on him in a latest interview, though the entire above suggests that he’s, in reality, not related.

And to us the concept that Napoli might presumably get £100m out of anyone for Koulibaly is, nicely, absolute bulls**t-o-meter gold.