Analysing the Transfer gossip – 9th June: Part one: Chelsea special – Cavani, Xabi Alonso, Gomez and more

As we move in to the off-season, an unprecedented amount of managerial movement around Europe will surely see an already frantic transfer market go in to overdrive. This will give plenty of opportunities for transfer rumour and gossip. So how much of it is realistic?

There is a huge bundle of transfer gossip today so I’ve had to split this in to two parts.

Chelsea hold an advantage in the race to sign Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 22, as Manchester United manager David Moyes – who is interested in the player – is currently on holiday.

Full story: Sunday People

What’s the story? I’m not really sure where to start. Firstly, if David Moyes does want Mangala, he will have zero participation in negotiations. This is the case for most managers, but certainly at Old Trafford where the money men watch everything like American Hawks. Secondly, Porto have already sold two players for £70m, are they really going to be cheap to buy from?Does it make sense? The holiday is obviously irrelevant. Mangala could flip a coin between the greater name of United as a club or Mourinho as a manager. He’s highly regarded though.Is the price right? No. Porto’s price went up from a too high £22m to an obscene, but wholly justifiable considering they are now cash rich, £30m. They don’t want to sell unless they clean someone out.Will it happen? 3/10 – Chelsea: Never 0 for Chelsea but this would be a real surprise. 0/10 – United: Far too much money for an un-Moyesian signing.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho plans to sell striker Demba Ba, 28 after just five months at Stamford Bridge.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

What’s the story? Ba has been underwhelming at Chelsea, perhaps suffering for the first time as the small fish in a big pond.Does it make sense? Potentially. If they want to keep Lukaku around and sign a Cavani/Rooney type then yes.Is the price right? Someone like Everton could justify £12m on Ba given his solid Premier League record.Will it happen? 5/10 – Unlikely unless they get a good bid. They’re under no pressure to sell so may well resist small offers.

Mourinho is planning to sign strikers Edinson Cavani, 26, from Napoli and Hulk, 26, from Zenit St Petersburg for a total of £90m.

Full story: Sunday Express

What’s the story? Is he really? And what is he planning to do with them both? Change to a 4-4-2 that’s he never played in his life? Change to a 4-3-3 that he’s only rarely used which would mean one of Hulk, Mata or Hazard not playing? Or sticking with his beloved 4-2-3-1 and dropping one of the three amigos for the grossly inferior one season wonder that is Hulk? Cavani would be excellent though.Does it make sense? Cavani yes, Hulk no.Is the price right? If this is £90 it means that £52m Cavani is joined by £38m Hulk, a number so extraordinarily over the top that is hard to fathom.Will it happen? 6/10 – Who knows with Chelsea but if they sign Hulk it’s the worst signing of the summer (of all time?). They’d be better off paying £35m for Andy Carroll.

But the Portuguese is targeting Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez, 27, as a possible alternative to Cavani.

Full story: Sunday Times

What’s the story? If Chelsea can’t for some reason get Cavani then Gomez makes a lot of sense as a back up. Of the names linked as second choice to Cavani, only Gomez and Rooney are realistic options rather than going with Lukaku.Does it make sense? It makes perfect sense. Chelsea don’t need a striker wondering out of the box, they need someone to hang around and put the ball in the net. Gomez is one of the best in the world at penalty box poaching. He’s not exactly going to be short of supply with Mata, Hazard and Oscar behind him.Is the price right? Bayern want £16-18m which is fine. You pay it, you get goals.Will it happen? 2/10 – They sound really close with Cavani but by the time that flops, if it somehow does, chances are Gomez will be elsewhere.

Chelsea may also move for Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, who has yet to agree a contract extension with the Spanish club.

Full story: Sunday Telegraph

What’s the story? Chelsea need a good deep lying passer and Alonso is the best in the business.Does it make sense? Yes, football wise. However, Alonso has previously implied that he would like a return to Liverpool if he ever left Madrid.Is the price right? Madrid would probably rather wind down his deal but if someone offered them £12-15m it would give them a chance.Will it happen? 3/10 – Unlikely for various reasons.

New Everton manager Roberto Martinez is considering a £10m move for Chelsea forward Victor Moses, who used to play for him at Wigan.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

What’s the story? Moses was pretty good for Chelsea last year in very limited game time but had his career made for him under Martinez at Wigan.Does it make sense? Moses could easily be the forgotten man at Chelsea and Everton do have room for him. If they get him opposite Mirallas it could form quite a potent trio with a new striker.Is the price right? Just for Moses it’s about right, if a little much, but it depends what Everton have to spend. If this is it, it needs spending on a striker instead.