Premiership rumors and the Chelsea shakedown

In our latest football shakedown, Chelsea are being asked for an even more enormous sum for Lyon midfielder Michael Essien than before.

32 million pounds + Tiago

That’s about three rungs above too much.

Lyon are really overblowing Essien’s value. I’d rate the exchange as 12m pounds + Tiago, 14m max. Patrick Vieira cost 13.5m pounds!

If it were my club, I’d close the negotiation immediately. Chelsea’s midfield is on par with any club in the world. It’s time to make a statement if Abramovic wants this to stop. There are dozens of super talents emerging all over the world.

Around the rest of the Premiership there are some tempting rumors.

West Ham United appears to have Freddie Kanoute in their sites. Kanoute, who I think Tottenham underrate. An offer has been tabled and rejected. West Ham are ‘considering their options’ (nothing like pr talk, is their?).

Everton have put the money down on the Andy Johnson link to the tune of 7m pounds which was rejected. Everton keep getting rejected.

In the “Why?” category, Aston Villa are interested in Milan Baros of Liverpool. So you’d like to team Angel and Milan Baros up? I don’t know about this one.

Tottenham have secured Dutchman Edgar Davids in a bit of a swoop. Davids and Carrick in the same mid-midfield is a decent pairing.

Bolton Wanderers are apparently preparing a move for Uruguayan Gonzalo De Los Santos. The midfielder has been loaned around but is on the books at Valencia in Spain. Stuttgart and Everton have also shown interest in the 29 year old.