Willian spent hours completing Tottenham medical then hopped in van to sign for Chelsea in brutal transfer hijack
Chelsea like to remind London rivals Tottenham about the time they pinched Willian from under their noses.
In 2013, in one of the more brutal transfer hijackings the Premier League has seen, the Blues – Champions League winners in 2012 – paraded their transfer might.
Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly nearing a move to Fulham after being left out of our friendly against Bournemouth last night in Los Angeles. Reports were saying that the Cottagers are close to securing the 23-year-old midfielder for £35 million.
Smith Rowe, who has faced injury challenges and limited playtime, has made just three Premier League starts since August 2022. Despite his early promise, including 12 goals in 53 league appearances during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, injuries have hindered his progress. Last season, he played only 346 minutes in the Premier League, with a knee injury sidelining him for six weeks in October.
Fulham, having had a £30 million bid rejected, returned with a £35 million offer including add-ons, aiming to surpass their previous record transfer of £27 million for Jean Michaël Seri in 2018. If finalized, the deal would be a significant profit for Arsenal, as Smith Rowe is an academy product, and would match their record sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Smith Rowe has won three senior England caps and was part of the squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship last summer. His potential move marks a pivotal moment for both clubs and a new chapter in his career. Arsenal fans will find it a bittersweet moment, seeing a homegrown talent depart and a lifelong Gooner having to moce away.
Crystal Palace have also been interested in signing him but it has been suggested that they are unlikely to hijack the deal.
Fulham have offered Arsenal a deal worth up to £35m and it has been suggested that price is one Crystal Palace are unlikely to match.
Blackpool have added five players to their ranks so far this summer, with the most recent addition being Lee Evans – who made the move to Bloomfield Road ahead of the Seasiders’ recent trip to Spain.
Neil Critchley’s side claimed a 2-1 victory over West Brom in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday, and welcome Sunderland to Bloomfield Road at the weekend.
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