Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.
Here are today’s top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.
Eden Hazard to Real Madrid – 2.5
Just hours into the January transfer window and silly season has begun. Reports suggest the Spanish side are preparing a £120 million move for the Belgian forward. Hazard’s Chelsea contract runs until 2020 and Real are hoping to use that to ramp up the pressure on the Premier League champions.
Samuel Umtiti to Man City – 2.4
Virgil van Dijk’s move to Liverpool has Barcelona sweating. Their French defender has a €60m release clause and until he signs a new deal and while clubs like the Premier League leaders are in the market for a centre-back, they feel vulnerable. Liverpool have raised the bar for fees paid for defenders and the Catalan side are worried.
David Luiz to Arsenal – 2.3
After a falling out with Antonio Conte and suffering an injury, the Brazilian defender has played just 13 times for Chelsea this season. The Gunners see him as the answer to their central defensive issues, but it remains to be seen if the Blues would be willing to sell to a rival in January.
Manuel Lanzini to Liverpool – 2.0
If Barcelona can finally convince Liverpool to sell Philippe Coutinho, the Anfield club have picked out West Ham’s Argentine midfielder as a possible replacement. Although he only has one goal in 15 appearances, he would cost the Reds around £40m.
Moussa Dembele to Stoke City – 1.8
Despite having the worst defensive record of any team in Europe’s top five leagues, Mark Hughes hopes a new striker can solve his issues at Stoke. He reportedly sent his head scout to Glasgow to watch Celtic forward Dembele during the goalless draw at home to Rangers. He has only managed four league goals this term, but has scored 40 times in 70 games since arriving in Scotland.