Analysing the Transfer Gossip

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?

New Manchester United manager David Moyes wants to make 25-year-old Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini his first signing at Old Trafford.

What’s the story? Here we go then folks, David Moyes is supposedly about to sign every single player he had at Everton.

Does it make sense? No. Fellaini is most dangerous when deployed in an attacking role which he wouldn’t be at United. He could maybe do a job deep in midfield as a pest but he doesn’t have the technical qualities that are needed ideally. I also think it will be dangerous for Moyes to go straight back to Everton rather than moving on. It does him no favours if he is seen to just be transplanting some of his Everton team.

Is the price right? Apparently there is an agreement between Moyes and Kenwright that he won’t purge the club. Fellaini isn’t really worth more than the £15m that Everton paid for him. He’s a menace but his game is limited to what others can provide for him.

Will it happen? 2/10 – I can’t see how this would be a good idea.

Moyes wants to sign left-back Leighton Baines from Everton in a potential £39m double deal with Fellaini.

What’s the story? This would a less sideways move as Baines has been linked to United for some time. However, there’s a certain Patrice Evra in situ already.

Does it make sense? Moyes would love to have Baines again for sure. Adding his supply line on the left would give United extra potency that the wingers haven’t provided this season. However, he’d need to sell Evra.

Is the price right? It’s hard to justify paying more than £15m for a full back, particularly when you already have a good one.

Will it happen? 7/10 – If there is an Everton player that Moyes could justify bringing across to United, it’s Leighton Baines.

Moyes faces an uphill battle to sign 24-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who is being lined up for a £21m move to Champions League rivals Bayern Munich.

What’s the story? Lewandowski is one of the most in demand strikers in Europe at the moment and would be an ideal compliment to Robin van Persie.

Does it make sense? Yes. Dortmund must surely prefer to sell Lewandowski to United rather than Bayern, particularly after the Gotze departure. He could either play as the focal point with van Persie behind or play with roaming license in behind himself which could be very dangerous.

Is the price right? Dortmund are in a corner with Lewandowski’s contract expiring next year, so £21m is an absolute bargain.

Will it happen? 7/10 – I just have a feeling that Dortmund would resist all Bayern moves but would sell to United.

West Ham look set to open talks with Liverpool over a permanent move for loan striker Andy Carroll, 24.

What’s the story? Sam Allardyce has talked about West Ham not being able to afford Carroll but it could easily be bluster to try and force Liverpool’s hand. If he thinks that West Ham are the only interested party he can try and drive the price down. Mind you, it’d be a real surprise if there isn’t another club who are willing to take a chance on his ability to cause chaos.

Does it make sense? Yes. He’s not always consistent but when he finds form he’s unplayable. West Ham play a direct style that suits him.

Is the price right? Whatever you think about him, he’s worth £12-17m. He’s young, big, physical and can score goals.

Will it happen? 6/10 – Surely someone else (Sunderland, Newcastle) would take a dip at this money considering their own attacking weakness.

Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal all want Roma’s £20m-rated Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 23.

What’s the story? There’s confusion amongst the papers as to what Roma’s financial capacity is. Yesterday they’re beating Liverpool and Spurs to Alderweireld, now they’re selling Pjanic? He’s a classy attacker, best off behind the striker. He’d add something different to all of these teams.

Does it make sense? He certainly does for Arsenal. If they can put him in between Cazorla and Walcott it could ignite the attack. At City he would be joining a bit of a log jam in the creative midfielder department. Spurs is interesting. They’ve moved Bale around the attack but he had his golden patch behind the striker with free reign to move around in to dangerous areas. Surely Pjanic would block that?

Is the price right? £20m is a lot but it’s about right. Aquilani cost Liverpool the same money. Sorry to remind you of that Liverpool fans.

Will it happen? 7/10 – City: Mancini loves buying from Serie A and could push this. 7/10 – Arsenal: he’s young enough, technical enough and plays in a position of need. But, £20m? 4/10 – Spurs: Not sure this is really a priority.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is set to make a £12.6m move for Barcelona’s Spain striker David Villa, 31.

What’s the story? David Villa might bite the dust in Barcelona if they are planning an attacking re-organise, possibly involving Neymar, or maybe even Rooney. He’s still more than good enough to be an every game striker and playing every game in front of SuperBale would interest any top striker.

Does it make sense? Yes. Spurs are achingly short of strikers, Villa has professed an interest in playing in England and a 20-25 goal season could get him back in to the Spanish national team for the World Cup next summer.

Is the price right? Yes. Even at 31, £12m for David Villa has to be worth a go.

Will it happen? 7/10 – Arsenal got close in January so with new options expected to arrive he could well be on the way.

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has hinted that he would like to sign on-loan Tottenham full-back Danny Rose, 22, on a permanent deal.

What’s the story? Rose has blossomed (sorry) at Sunderland and has been their best player under Paolo Di Canio. Sunderland are expected to give Di Canio good financial backing in the summer. They need to to justify his appointment because if he flounders next year, the decision makers will have questions to answer.

Does it make sense? Yes. Spurs have two left backs ahead of him and Sunderland have none.

Is the price right? Probably worth £4m or so.

Will it happen? 10/10 – It doesn’t make sense for him to go elsewhere.