Michu on the brink of retirement?
Once the darling of Swansea City -- and favourite of Premier League fantasy managers everywhere -- Spain international Michu could be on the verge of retirement as talks over his future drag on.Though still officially on the Swans' books, the 29-year-old has not returned to South Wales since his season-long loan in Napoli ended last season.
The Mirror says that the frontman is weighing up whether to play on after new surgery on a long-term ankle problem and -- despite interest from the likes of Rayo Vallecano, Granada and Celtic -- could call it quits if his future isn't resolved soon.
Swansea, who aren't keen to bring Michu back into the fold, must now decide if they want to pay out the final year of his £40,000-a-week contract.
While dealing with Michu's situation, Garry Monk also has one eye on the future. And that future involves Hull City's Ahmed Elmohamady and Leeds' young star Sam Byram, according to the South Wales Evening Post.
Egyptian international Elmohamady is in the last year of his Hull deal, and Tigers manager Steve Bruce has expressed his willingness to let the right-sided player leave for cheap should a chance to play for a Premier League club arrive. However, the report suggests competition from Everton and Aston Villa await Swansea for the 28-year-old's signature.
The 21-year-old Byram is seen as budding star who, like Elmohamady, could be a cut-price option for the Swans. Capable of playing right-back and right midfield, Byram has been linked to Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle among others.
Let's wait and see if Swansea can get their men!
Mourinho to raid Porto to fix the Blues
How does Jose Mourinho solve his problems at Chelsea? Go back to where it all began, of course.The under-fire coach won the treble at Porto in 2004 to secure his first spell at Stamford Bridge, and HITC Sport reports that the Chelsea boss is set to raid his former Portuguese employers for defensive midfield starlet Ruben Neves.
The 18-year-old Portuguese player has caught the eye with his passing skills from deep, and Mourinho is reportedly keen on bringing Neves to West London in January to boost the champions' spine after watching them concede 12 goals in five games -- the worst record in the Premier League this season.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also said to be interested in the Porto youth graduate, though Mourinho's history with the club could help sway any negotiations.
West Ham splurge ahead of stadium move
With a move to a shiny new stadium less than a season away, West Ham spent exorbitantly this summer in what looks like an effort to make sure they'll be in England's top flight for the first match at Olympic Stadium, according to fifth place in the Premier League table.However, the team have put themselves in a buy now, pay later situation as their annual wage bill is now around £70m, and the club will take a £17m loss with all of the comings and goings. If West Ham have injury or personnel problems over the first half of the campaign, the club will need to sell senior players to bring in any new additions, or risk running afoul of financial fair play regulations.
Still, co-owner David Sullivan said, "I cannot remember a more exciting or successful window during our time at the club."
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