Rumour reel: Zlatan could stay

Mourinho teases Man Utd fans

The first matches of this season’s Scottish League Cup take place over the weekend, making it all very real. The 2017/18 season is fast-approaching. The new English Premier League campaign is now less than four weeks away, with the clock ticking.

That means rumour must be turned into reality, as teams make moves on their summer transfer targets, and squads take shape for the big kick-off. Saturday’s instalment of Coral’s rumour reel catches up on the latest transfer news.

It’s not over for Ibrahimovic

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho caught football fans off-guard this weekend when saying the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not yet been decided, and he could very well be back playing for The Red Devils. Old Trafford regulars were shocked that the free-scoring Swede wasn’t offered a new contract, having more than pulled his weight in attack last season. Mourinho wanted to take his side in a new direction, investing in youth, but he has missed out on a number of summer targets, and may be about to call on the services of the popular 35-year-old again. There’s rumours Zlatan was deciding between America or China, but this latest development changes everything.

Giroud doesn’t fancy move across London

West Ham were one of a few clubs said to be after Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, but the London side have since ended their interest, after finding out a switch to Stratford would not be the Frenchman’s first-choice. The 30-year-old has been valued at £20m by Emirates bosses, but is not without his admirers, and now seems set on a move away from English football. The arrival of Alexandre Lacazette looks to spell the end for the former Montpellier man under Wenger, and a return to France is likely. Marseille have shown an interest, and that’s something the player would surely welcome, but he has also been liked with AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and, of course, Everton.