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Pete O'Rourke column: Man City confident £60m Nunes bid to be accepted, Liverpool blow as defender approach blocked, Johnson set for club-record Tottenham move
Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.
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MAN CITY
City have seen their first bid for Wolves’ Matheus Nunes rejected but are ready to return with another offer.
I’m told they are confident of landing the 24-year-old before next week’s transfer deadline.
Man City are ready to bid almost £60million for Nunes and feel that should be enough to secure a deal with Wolves.
The player himself is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium, and sources say Pep Guardiola is a huge fan – and has even called him one of the world’s best in a previous press conference.
Guardiola sees him as the ideal cover with Kevin de Bruyne injured and Ilkay Gundogan moving on to pastures new earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze remains on the shortlist at Man City.
However, the London club are in no real need to sell unless a crazy offer arrives – I’m told.
Roy Hodgson’s side want to keep him around for at least 12 more months and are hopeful of doing so despite City’s interest.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE MAN CITY NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
WOLVES
A potential sale doesn’t leave Gary O’Neil with much time to replace Nunes in the heart of his midfield.
I’m told the new Molineux boss is hopeful of being given transfer funds if the Portugal international moves on.
Wolves needed to raise between £80-90million for Financial Fair Play reasons this summer, but that target has now been met.
Some of a potential Nunes fee could be reinvested with O’Neil wanting to improve the spine of his side.
The ex-Bournemouth manager wants reinforcements at centre-back, central midfield and at centre-forward before the deadline on Friday.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE WOLVES NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
LIVERPOOL
The Reds have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Liverpool admire the Ecuador international alongside fellow Premier League sides Tottenham and Chelsea.
But I’m told Leverkusen have no interest in selling Hincapie this summer and will block any potential bids for his services.
Sources say they have informed the player he will not be leaving and Liverpool are now ready to look elsewhere.
Centre-back and central midfield remain the priority areas for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure remains high on their target list – but will likely cost around £70million.
Ryan Gravenberch could be a more attainable target – with a bid of around £30million likely to be enough to secure his signature.
Bayern Munich have changed their mind on letting him leave the club this summer – and Man United are also ready to swoop.
Liverpool have also seen bids rejected for Andre of Fluminense, but the Brazillian outfit are unwilling to let him go as they vie to win the Copa Libertadores this season.
The Merseysiders could return for the midfielder in January.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE LIVERPOOL NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
CHELSEA
Focus is now on potential exits at Stamford Bridge after another busy summer of signings.
Nottingham Forest are the latest club to express an interest in defender Trevoh Chalobah, but the player is not keen on that move – I’m told.
He has been the subject of interest from other English clubs and beyond.
Inter Milan are long-term admirers and could yet return for the 24-year-old – but he is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Chelsea have other injuries in defence, meaning an exit for Chalobah could be put on hold until January.
Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher is keen to stay and fight for his place despite the recent arrivals of Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo.
He has had interest from West Ham and Tottenham and both clubs are still considering an offer in the final days of the window.
But I’m told his priority is to stay at Chelsea and play under Mauricio Pochettino.
READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CHELSEA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS
TOTTENHAM
Spurs and Chelsea have been widely linked with Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson and are ready to launch a late move.
I’m told Forest could let him move on despite having just a week left in the window.
They have Financial Fair Play concerns after their mammoth spending last season and Johnson’s sale would be considered pure profit in the club’s books.
The Midlands club are hoping to get a big fee well in excess of £40million for Johnson – which would be a club record.
Fulham and Tottenham are in talks over a swap deal involving Eric Dier, Tosin Adarabioyo and cash.
Both players are in the final year of their contracts, but Dier is attracting interest from elsewhere – putting a potential part-exchange deal at risk.
Giovani Lo Celso is another player who has been widely linked with a Tottenham exit this summer.
However, I’m told the midfielder is hoping to get his opportunity under Ange Postecoglou after impressing in pre-season.
Barcelona have been linked, while Aston Villa have cooled their early-window interest
Sources say Spurs want to keep Lo Celso in the building and have him available for the upcoming season.