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There’s always plenty of transfer talk throughout the season. So how much of it makes sense, and how much of it is just rumour?
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has agreed to go back to Chelsea this summer and has put Zenit St. Petersburg striker Hulk, 26, at the top of his transfer shopping list.
What’s the story? No, he hasn’t.
Does it make sense? Of course not.
Is the price right? Well, Zenit paid £50m for him last summer. So, even if they were willing to take a 50% loss, £25m is still an obscene amount for him. Porto are gods at selling high so buying someone that’s recently been sold by Porto is not good business.
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Will it happen? 0/10 – I’m not going to step in to the Mourinho bit because I have no idea where he’ll be but if he goes to Chelsea, there is absolutely zero chance of Hulk going there unless it’s on loan.
Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, who has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United, has stated that a reported £17m price tag is a matter for clubs interested in him. The Denmark international, 21, has a year left on his contract in Amsterdam.
What’s the story? Eriksen is going to be massively in demand because he slots so nicely into the number 10 spot for these clubs and the price tag is controlled by his 2014 expiring contract.
Does it make sense? Sir Alex Ferguson finds ways to make use of talented attackers and Eriksen would fit in perfectly. If Liverpool sign him, it would be a big coup but he would be perfect with Coutinho and Suarez.
Is the price right? This seems at the top end because of his expiring contract but if there are plenty of teams bidding, it will drive up the price.
Will it happen? 8/10 – United: Eriksen is right in the age range United like to buy in. 4/10 – Liverpool: Only if they are the top bidders.
Arsenal and Liverpool could move for Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 31, in the summer.
What’s the story? Anyone could move for anyone. Casillas hasn’t been at his usual level this year and has fallen out with Mourinho.
Does it make sense? I’d be really surprised if he leaves but it might depend on whether Mourinho is still at Real next year.
Is the price right? How much is a 31-year-old Casillas worth? £10-15m?
Will it happen? 2/10 – there’s a tiny possibility but no more.
Swansea hope that the prospect of Europa League football might tempt Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku to join them on loan next season. The Belgium international, 19, has scored 13 Premier League goals during his loan spell at West Brom this season.
What’s the story? Very interesting. What Chelsea do with Lukaku will be a big indicator of how they plan to progress in future. They could loan him back out but he is ready to play for them. He would be a perfect front man for Swansea and would give them something different.
Does it make sense? I doubt the lure of the Europa League is particularly enticing but Lukaku would be an amazing pick up for Swansea.
Will it happen? 6/10 – It would be interesting to see but it’s hard to know what Chelsea are planning with their burgeoning megastar.
Newcastle and Aston Villa are both interested in meeting Loic Remy’s release clause if QPR are relegated to the Championship. The French striker, 26, who has also been linked with Tottenham, has scored five goals in seven starts since arriving at Loftus Road from Marseille in January.
What’s the story? We now know that Remy has an £8m release clause when QPR go down. Most of the league should be interested at that price.
Does it make sense? It’d be a surprise if Villa can persuade him but imagine how dangerous Remy, Agbonlahor and Benteke would be together! Newcastle makes some sense, as do Spurs who could both use extra forward options. But Villa is the most exciting.
Is the price right? £8m is strong value given how quickly Remy has settled in to Premier League life.
Will it happen? 10/10 – Remy is well and truly out the door when QPR go down.
Lille defender Aurelien Chedjou is set to reject interest from Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool to join Valencia. The Cameroon centre-back, 27, has indicated he wants to leave the reigning French champions.
What’s the story? Interesting. Valencia are in a similar position to Arsenal and both are looking for defensive help. Can’t see Liverpool being interested in his game.
Does it make sense? La Liga is less intense than the Premier League and Valencia could get into the Champions League, so they have appeal.
Is the price right? This is the problem for the Spaniards. Can they really afford £10-12m?
Will it happen? 6/10 – Valencia 6/10 – Arsenal 2/10 – Liverpool 3/10 – Newcastle.
Stoke, Aston Villa, QPR and Hull are all interested in Phil Neville, 36, who has announced he will leave Everton this summer.
What’s the story? Neville must want to try something new, perhaps in a coaching role. He won’t drop to the Championship unless that’s all that is on offer.
Does it make sense? He’d be a good signing for Villa who could do with an experienced head and his off-field leadership. He arrived at a floppy Everton and helped bring the steel and will to win that we now associate them with. The other three could easily be in the second tier next year.
Is the price right? Has to be worth a roll of the dice for free.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Villa 0/10 – the rest if Championship bound.
Arsenal have been quoted £15m for Asmir Begovic, 25, after opening preliminary talks over their interest in the Stoke goalkeeper.
What’s the story? This is the funny thing with paper talk. He was being talked about for £4m yesterday and now it’s £15m. He hasn’t been playing as well as he was in the early season though.
Does it make sense? I’m not convinced he’s the best option for Arsenal but they really need to address the keeper situation.
Is the price right? £15m is too much. If Arsenal have that kind of money for a keeper, they should look at Valdes, Vorm or Krul perhaps. There’s a few top notch young German keepers to look at too.
Will it happen? 5/10 – Maybe, but that is a lot of money.
