Rumour reel: Everton step up interest in Rooney

Free-spending Toffees want Wayne back

The big transfer news in midweek was Arsenal’s capture of Alexandre Lacazette, a £45m signing from Lyon. That move is expected to be the tip of the iceberg at the Emirates as Arsene Wenger puts a dent in his summer transfer targets.

Everton were also busy, as the major names in the English Premier League begin to turn rumour into reality. Who’s going where next? We dig through the latest from the newspaper columns, and bring you the more believable stories.

Rooney the man to replace Lukaku

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has been amongst the most active managers in the market so far this summer, and he added Michael Keane from Burnley on Monday in a £30m move. Keane is his new club’s fifth signing so far, but he won’t be the last. Everyone at Goodison Park has accepted that star striker Romelu Lukaku is off, probably to Manchester United or Chelsea, and we’ll keep you up to date on that one, but he seems in no rush to get it sorted, meaning Everton are stalling on a move for former wonderkid Wayne Rooney. The England scorer’s time is up at Old Trafford, and it is being reported that he favours a switch back to Everton over sitting on the bench at United. Mourinho is keen to get rid, leaving Rooney’s wage demands as the main stumbling block.

City set to unveil Mendy and Alves

Man City are favourites with Coral to win the league title, and The Citizens see Benjamin Mendy as the man to help them achieve that. The Monaco left back is expected to sign for Pep Guardiola’s side in the coming days, with terms agreed between City and Monaco, as well as City and Mendy. The 22-year-old French cap is valued at around £35m, and it’s obvious his time in France is up, as Monaco have already brought in a replacement. Terence Kongolo signed from Feyenoord this week, and being a left back, that suggests the writing is on the wall. City will boost their options on the other side of the pitch too, with Dani Alves expected to arrive on a free transfer. The 34-year-old had his contract torn up at Juventus to allow him to complete a dream move to England.