This morning’s overseas transfer news and speculation: Pep Guardiola, Marouane Fellaini and more

Alas, I cannot lay claim to this little gem, where some writer out of England has proclaimed it the “Year of the Pep”. But how great is that?

The “Pep” in question, of course, is former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who alerted the world yesterday that his sabbatical has about run its course. Thus begins the race to lure the man.

So, the pack of journalistic investigators have obviously began sniffing the trail at Chelsea, which has always enjoyed highest odds as The Pep’s eventual landing point. Of course, both Manchester Clubs could be in the mix, and now comes word that AC Milan might even be cueing up for potential recruitment.

What  Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday regarding Massimiliano Allegri’s team, currently seventh in Italy’s Serie A:

[Will] Allegri will stay at Milan next season? I have to say the truth? Please, ask me another question.

“I always tried to bring him (Guardiola) to Milan, because over the last (few) years because Barcelona played the best football.

‘”We contacted him, but he said he wanted to stay in a sabbatical.

Elsewhere in today’s big transfer talkers, Everton’s Marouane Fellaini continues to be in the news, but today’s people are talking about a potentially complicating factor, a $35 million buyout clause that may or may not lie in his contract. Everton won’t confirm the number.

Fellaini has been in fabulous form at Goodison Park – which is why teams like Chelsea and Arsenal are so interested. Of course, at Chelsea Fellaini would help soften the blow of losing Frank Lampard, who definitely, absolutely and no-kidding seems to be on his way out at Stamford Bridge.