In the final stretch of the 2024 summer transfer window, rumors in the football world have reached a fever pitch, with several stories emerging that push the boundaries of believability.
The following is a round-up of some of the most eye-catching and outrageous transfer rumors circulating this week.
Jadon Sancho to Chelsea
Reports from Fussball.news suggest that Chelsea is the latest club to express interest in signing Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.
The proposed deal would see Sancho move to Stamford Bridge on loan, with an obligation for Chelsea to purchase him outright at a later date.
This rumor seems far-fetched for a number of reasons, not least because Chelsea already has a glut of wide forwards in their squad.
Adding another to their ranks would be an odd move, especially given their existing depth in that area.
However, given Chelsea’s unpredictable transfer activity, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if this unlikely transfer did indeed come to fruition.
Marcus Rashford to Saudi Arabia
Fichajes has reported that Marcus Rashford has become a target for Saudi Pro League clubs, with a €100 million move being discussed.
This rumor is another in a long line of Premier League stars being linked with lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia.
However, the lack of a specific club being mentioned adds a level of uncertainty to the story.
The Saudi Pro League’s increasing influence and financial power make it plausible that a move could be in the offing, though this particular rumor lacks substance without a concrete link to a specific team.
Ivan Perisic to Barcelona
Croatian outlet *24sata* has claimed that Ivan Perisic could be heading to Barcelona as a free agent.
The veteran winger is reportedly being considered as an alternative to Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
This rumor is surprising given Perisic’s age (35) and his recent struggles with a serious knee injury.
While such a move might have made sense a few years ago, it seems unlikely that Barcelona would see Perisic as a viable alternative to a much younger and more dynamic player like Williams.
Trent Alexander-Arnold to Barcelona
Another Barcelona-related rumor comes from Fichajes, which claims that the Catalan club is interested in signing Trent Alexander-Arnold if he allows his contract with Liverpool to expire.
This rumor seems particularly unlikely due to Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles.
Offering Alexander-Arnold a contract that meets his demands, and that La Liga would allow them to register, would require a significant financial maneuver, making this transfer seem more like a fantasy than a reality.
Rodrygo to Manchester City
FootballTransfers has reported that Manchester City officials have held talks with Rodrygo’s representatives about a potential move to the Premier League.
While the Brazilian forward is not actively seeking a transfer, he would reportedly consider joining City if circumstances changed.
This rumor appears more grounded than some of the others, as it’s plausible that City would be interested in a player of Rodrygo’s caliber.
However, given his current importance to Real Madrid, a move seems unlikely in the immediate future.
Romelu Lukaku to Aston Villa
According to Sport Mediaset, Aston Villa is considering activating Romelu Lukaku’s €43 million release clause to bring the striker to the Premier League.
This rumor has a whiff of being agent-driven, possibly intended to push Italian club Napoli into finalizing a deal for Lukaku before the transfer window closes.
Given Napoli’s recent struggles, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a last-minute move for the Belgian striker.
Ilkay Gundogan to Liverpool
El Nacional claims that Liverpool had a €40 million offer accepted for Ilkay Gundogan, but the player himself turned down the move.
This story is another example of the outlandish rumors that often emerge late in the transfer window.
Gundogan’s supposed refusal to join Liverpool, despite widespread reports suggesting he wants to leave his current club, adds an extra layer of implausibility to this already questionable rumor.
Vinicius Junior to Saudi Arabia
The final rumor comes from Relevo, which has reported that Vinicius Junior has received a staggering €1 billion offer to join the Saudi Pro League.
Like the Rashford rumor, this story is undermined by the absence of a specific club being linked to the player.
The sheer scale of the alleged contract offer—more than double what Cristiano Ronaldo earns in Saudi Arabia—makes this rumor particularly difficult to believe.
As the transfer window nears its end, the rumor mill continues to churn out stories that stretch the limits of credulity.
While some of these rumors may have a kernel of truth, many are likely to remain just that—rumors.
