Analysing the Transfer Gossip: 12th April 2013

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?

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Liverpool are favourites to sign Swansea defender Ashley Williams, 28, this summer despite interest from Arsenal. The Anfield club must decide whether to pay a minimum of £12m if they are to beat Arsenal to the Wales centre-back’s signature.

Full story: Daily Mirror & Daily Telegraph

What’s the story? Williams has been attracting a lot of attention for his form at Swansea this season and Liverpool are an obvious destination considering the Brendan Brent connection. Arsenal?Does it make sense? Kind of, but there is a question as to whether he’s really an upgrade for Liverpool. Arsenal don’t sign 28-year-old centre backs.Is the price right? £12m is a lot for Williams, even if he wasn’t 28.Will it happen? 8/10 – Liverpool: since when did paying too much for a sideways step stop Liverpool? 3/10 – Arsenal

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West Ham are set to offer Liverpool £10m for striker Andy Carroll. The 24-year-old, on loan at Upton Park, is valued at £17m by the Reds but injuries and his goal return have prompted the Hammers to re-evaluate their bid.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Carroll is flickering back in to life for West Ham and has been scoring lately so this re-evaluation based on his goal return is nonsense. However, his constant injuries are a major concern for someone you’re looking to spend £17m on.Does it make sense? West Ham’s direct style certainly suits Carroll and Rodgers wants him out the door.Is the price right? His true value is probably somewhere between £10m and £17m but it depends if any other clubs are going to bid. If not, Liverpool might have to sell at the lower end.Will it happen? 10/10 – he won’t be at Liverpool next year.

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Tottenham are ready to approach Everton midfielder Leon Osman, 31, following the breakdown of contract talks between the England international and the Toffees.

Full story: Metro

What’s the story? Interesting. Something fresh to look at. If Osman is going cheap then he’s the kind of player Spurs can think about but he’s not really any better than what they have.Does it make sense? If he’s cheap enough then possibly but he’s the type of player Spurs have a lot of already.Is the price right? Spurs would be interested at £3m or so.Will it happen? 4/10 – maybe if he’s cheap enough but do they need him?

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Stoke are considering a bid for Denmark and FC Copenhagen striker Andreas Cornelius, 20, to replace Michael Owen. Everton are also thought to be keen on Cornelius, who scored his first goal for Denmark against the Czech Republic in March.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Cornelius has scored plenty of goals in Denmark and has a Premier League physical presence.Does it make sense? Stoke don’t sign young overseas players. Everton makes sense though, they like to roll the dice in this middling price range and need some more goals in the team.Is the price right? £5m would be hard for Copehagen to turn down and would be fair for a player who has yet only proven himself in Denmark.Will it happen? 0/10 – Stoke 5/10 – Everton

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Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has rejected talk that the club is already in contract negotiations with striker Christian Benteke, 22, whose 19 goals this season have seen him linked with a move away from Villa Park.

Full story: Sky Sports

What’s the story? Benteke is going to be one of the hottest properties in the league this summer. However, Villa can’t open contract talks for two reasons. First, they don’t know yet what league they will be in. Secondly, if they do so they are admitting that they are worried he could go.Does it make sense? They’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. They can’t really do anything about his contract just yet.Is the price right? Lambert said he’s worth more than £25m to Villa. His true value isn’t that but you’re only as valuable as what someone is willing to pay.Will it happen? 5/10 – to stay 5/10 – to leave. It depends entirely on whether there is a big bidder.