With the transfer window closing on Thursday evening, AFP Sport looks at five star players from the Premier League who could be on the move before the deadline:
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez celebrates a goal against Southampton on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. PHOTO: TWITTER/ARSENAL
Desperate to leave Arsenal, Sanchez has rejected the club’s offer of weekly wages reportedly worth £300,000 ($380,000, 320,000 euros) and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has to decide whether to cash in on the Chile forward or lose him for free when his contract expires at the end of the season. Manchester City are leading the chase to sign Sanchez, with reports suggesting they are set to offer £70 million and could be willing to include their England winger Raheem Sterling as part of the deal.
DIEGO COSTA
Chelsea’s Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge in London on December 31, 2016.
Chelsea won the game 4-2. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON
Chelsea won the game 4-2. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON
Frozen out by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte since the end of last season following their very public falling out, Costa is exiled in Brazil as he waits to discover if the champions have found a buyer. The Spain striker’s preference is to return to his former club Atletico Madrid, but they currently have a transfer embargo. Chelsea have been holding out for £50 million for Costa and he could yet be the subject of a last-minute offer from Everton, whose boss Ronald Koeman is keen to land a top striker to cap his £140 million spending spree.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO
Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho / AFP / PAUL ELLIS /
Targeted by Barcelona as a marquee replacement for Neymar following the striker’s world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain, Coutinho has made it clear he wants to join the Spanish club. But Liverpool have rejected the Brazil forward’s transfer request, with the club’s American owners insisting he isn’t for sale. Barca have other ideas and it would be no surprise if they return with a blockbuster offer after already failing with a bid of over £100 million.
DANNY DRINKWATER
Leicester City’s English midfielder Danny Drinkwater (C) vies with Club Brugge’s Brazilian midfielder Claudemir during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between Leicester City and Club Brugge at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on November 22, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS
Aware of Conte’s frustration at Chelsea’s decision to sanction the sale of Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, the Blues hierarchy are trying to fill the Serbian midfielder’s boots by signing Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater. A key figure in Leicester’s title triumph two years ago, Drinkwater has told Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare he wants to move to Stamford Bridge. But Leicester have snubbed one offer from Chelsea, who are likely to have to pay over £30 million for the England international.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
Arsenal’s English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLIS /
Reports on Wednesday claimed Liverpool have agreed a £35 million deal with Arsenal to sign England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 24-year-old appeared set to join Chelsea earlier this week after the champions had a bid accepted. But it is believed Liverpool was always Oxlade-Chamberlain’s preferred destination and he never entered into contract talks with Conte while he waited to see if Jurgen Klopp’s side would make an acceptable offer.
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