Club insider spills the beans
The mystery man starts: “The Board and the manager have made no secret of their desire to strengthen the squad this month. My understanding is that the Board are committed to giving the Club the best-possible chance of achieving that target, and have allocated significant funds to bolstering the squad.”
“To that end, a bid of £20m – a figure close to the Club’s all-time transfer record – was submitted for a player from Scotland.”
The player is question is Celtic’s Moussa Dembele but the bid is likely to be rejected.
“Meanwhile, an £8m bid was made for a player who currently plies his trade in the Championship, and a £6m bid for a current Premier League player.”
Those players are obviously Brentford’s Scott Hogan and Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe respectively with reports both bids were also rejected.
The insider finally dispels Chelsea’s interest in Antonio by saying:
“There has also been some speculation about Michail Antonio leaving this month for one of the Premier League’s top six, but my understanding is that the Club will not sell their leading goalscorer.Antonio signed a new contract last summer and will be offered an improved deal at the end of the season if the outstanding form he has shown in the first half of this season continues.”
Disclaimer: No-one who the insider is so we have blacked out his eyes to protect his identity.