Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 5th July Part One: Hulk, Damiao, Pepe 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?

Part One has a bit of retro feel to it with some names from years past resurfacing.

Chelsea and and Tottenham are continuing to monitor Brazil international Hulk, 29, after the Zenit St Petersburg forward confirmed he is aware of the interest from both clubs.

Full story: Daily Express

What’s the story? No, they’re not. This is just filler. Spurs and Chelsea are well set with much superior players. Spurs are closing in one on of these five strikers. Chelsea are now well stocked for attackers and Hulk is not very good.

Does it make sense? No. Only linked because they have been in the past. Signing would be completely out of synch with both clubs recent transfer work.

Is the price right? £35m or so apparently. Not worth paying £10m for. Both clubs have given up on spending way over the odds for average players.

Will it happen? 0/10 – No way Jose.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed his interest in Leandro Damiao. The 23-year-old Brazil striker has also been linked with Tottenham.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Wow. Mega ambition from Southampton if they really do go for this.

Does it make sense? Yes, for Southampton. Not massively convinced Damiao will fancy this but then again, who on earth saw them signing a player of Gaston Ramirez’s quality last summer as a newly promoted side?

Is the price right? Well. Internacional want £20m+ for him. If Southampton could afford that then they’d be getting one of the top strikers from just outside the elite band of strikers.

Will it happen? 5/10 – It could do. Saints are ploughing a very ambitious furrow at the moment. Damiao’s club don’t desperately want to sell but if Saints offered them, and Damiao, a big enough pay compensation, it could well do. Fascinating though and could be one of the signings of the summer if it went through.

Manchester City are ready to listen to offers for Brazilian right-back Maicon. The 31-year-old is behind Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards in the Etihad pecking order.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Maicon was the best right back in the world three years ago, a dominant presence in Inter’s Treble winning side and in Brazil’s World Cup team. Now, he’s third in line at City. He’s never recovered from that mauling by Gareth Bale.

Does it make sense? Strangely, I’m not sure it does. Richards is not reliable when it comes to staying clear of injury, so there’s no guarantee he’d be available if Zabaleta got injured. Not until City sign some defenders anyway.

Is the price right? Maicon is probably worth spending a few million on for clubs outside the top few leagues.

Will it happen? 5/10 – Not convinced City would let him leave without a replacement in mind.

Real Madrid central defender Pepe, 30, is understood to be top of new Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s list of transfer targets.

Full story: the Independent

What’s the story? Haha.

Does it make sense? No. City invested the best part of £15m on Nemanja Nastasic who had an excellent debut campaign in England aged only 19. So they want Pepe to come in and stop his progression?

Is the price right? No. Pepe is on a huge wage packet at Real and wouldn’t necessarily be cheap to buy.

Will it happen? 3/10 – No reason to do this. City have made some odd decisions so far but this would be crazy and very un-like them.

West Ham and Cardiff City are both in the hunt to sign 31-year-old forward Javier Saviola, who is available on a free transfer after his contract at Malaga expired.

Full story: Daily Star

What’s the story? Remember 10 years ago when Saviola was going to be the best striker in the world? Unfortunately that hasn’t worked out but he’s still had a good career.

Does it make sense? Not sure where he fits in at West Ham as they’ve just brought in Carroll who will start every game. Saviola could be a nice option behind him but that’s occupied by Allardyce favourite Kevin Nolan. Makes plenty of sense for Cardiff who need more pace and threat in attack.

Is the price right? Yes, free is always good.

Will it happen? 4/10 – Hmmm maybe. He has mentioned the Premier League in the past.

Hull City have made a final “take it or leave it” £4m offer to Burnley for their 24-year-old striker Charlie Austin.

Full story: Hull Daily Mail

What’s the story? Hull really need more goals in the attack and much more creativity. Austin hasn’t proven himself in the Premier League but knows where the goal is.

Does it make sense? Yes, to a degree. They do need more goals and realistically the pool of talent available to a newly promoted club to the Premier League is small unless they have a huge budget. Austin could be put to good use, but only if Hull sign players who can create chances for him as he’s a poacher only.

Is the price right? Burnley would probably reject £4m. The price is about right for him but he’s probably worth than that to Burnley.

Will it happen? 7/10 – It probably will find a way to get done eventually. Hull need to get a striker soon though to integrate him properly.