David Luíz was yesterday linked with a transfer to Manchester City which was dismissed by the Premier League champions quicker than a Royal correspondent giving their two cents on Prince Harry. But another day means another team, and this time it's Barcelona.
The Mirror's provocative back page splash gives the impression the Brazilian is literally en route to Catalonia (which he isn't) in a £30m deal. Although the Times also report on a possible defensive departure from Stamford Bridge.
£30m? Hair-raising
Tito Vilanova is after a new centre-back as the ageing Carles Puyol's creaking limbs take their toll on the playing time he clocks in, and after Thiago Silva moved to moneybags Paris Saint-Germain the Blaugrana appear to have turned to his compatriot.
Although new signing Alex Song can play at centre-back, his indiscipline at Arsenal led to him being upgraded from a defensive to an attacking midfielder. Barcelona's flimsy defence looked just that against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Supercopa on Thursday night despite the Primera Liga champions rarely venturing forward during their 3-2 defeat.
Nuri Sahin now looks set to move to Liverpool on loan rather than Arsenal, after the Reds offered a £5m loan fee in contrast to the Gunners' £2m. Brendan Rodgers opened up about the Turkish international after the Merseysiders narrowly defeated Hearts at Tynecastle in the Europa League.
Sahin will likely complement Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva in Liverpool's midfield
André Villas-Boas can't guarantee Rafael van der Vaart will be at Tottenham Hotspur come the end of the transfer window, say the Telegraph. Despite scoring several important goals for the club and being the scourge of Arsenal (four goals in four games), the Dutchman appears to be a casualty of the Portuguese's new 4-3-3 formation. That despite Van der Vaart collaborating well with Emmanuel Adebayor last season.
Spurs' striker shortage means they are very much still in the market, and their priority is Shakhtar Donetsk's erm, attacking midfielder Willian, 24. Although they no longer want Internacional goalscorer Leandro Damiao, say the Guardian. Doesn't seem logical, does it?
Javier Martínezstill hasn't signed for Bayern Munich, so the Mail have opined Manchester City will make a move for the Spaniard after Daniele de Rossi this week reiterated he would not be leaving Roma.
And Queens Park Rangers could go from Neil Warnock's muse to a Champions League winner. Having ended last season with Paddy Kenny in goal, the Rs are in talks with Internazionale's Júlio César. The Telegraph aren't too optimistic about Robert Green's future after his nightmare start against Swansea City last week.