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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?
Monaco are ready to make a world record £85m bid for Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and pay the 28-year-old a £17m annual salary.
Full story: Independent
What’s the story? Well, where has this come from? Mind you, if you’d said Monaco would sign Falcao and James Rodriguez back in April I would have laughed. But this is Cristiano Ronaldo. Monaco are deadly serious about making themselves a ’boutique’ club, and in order to persuade people to pay £2000 to watch a game of football, you need to have reason. Signing Falcao was a game changer but signing Ronaldo would be the most important transfer of all time.Does it make sense? There is no possible scenario where signing Ronaldo is a bad thing. It doesn’t make sense for him though. Even for £17m a year, why would he go to play in France and out of the Champions League? He belongs on the elite stage.Is the price right? Yep. Real paid £80m so they’re hardly selling at a loss.Will it happen? 1/10 – I guess there is a sniff of a chance given the money but it’s so unlikely.
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Manchester United are prepared to pay Robert Lewandowski £90,000 a week to convince him to move to England. The 24-year-old was expected to stay in Germany and move to Bayern Munich, but Borussia Dortmund have vowed not to sell him to their Bundesliga rivals.
Full story: the SunWhat’s the story? With Borussia Dortmund having firmly said Lewandowski won’t be sold to Bayern a move to England is being discussed.Does it make sense? Yes. Robin van Persie and Lewandowski are more than intelligent enough to play together. Plus, if United got Lewandowski it would make it easier to sell Rooney and get that potential powder keg dealt with quickly.Is the price right? Worth £50m but with a year left on his contract, £30m.Will it happen? 7/10 – Unless Chelsea or Real Madrid get involved, it’s hard to see where else he’d be tempted to go.
New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will tell Brazil international centre-back, David Luiz, 26, he must play how he is instructed or he will be sold.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Mourinho and David Luiz don’t seem like the most obvious combination but Mourinho tamed Sergio Ramos and turned him in to one of the best centre backs in the world.Does it make sense? Yes. David Luiz has real quality but he needs to be coached properly and not indulged if he is to reach his maximum potential. That is exactly what Mourinho can do.Is the price right? They supposedly want £30m from Barcelona which, if offered, would probably be accepted.Will it happen? 5/10 – Hard to say right now but if Mourinho can rein him in, Chelsea is the right place for him to be.
Alan Pardew is considering a £6m bid for striker Darren Bent, 29, who has been told he can leave Aston Villa.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
What’s the story? Villa have moved on from Darren Bent with the emergence of Christian Benteke and Newcastle need a striker after Cisse struggled last season.Does it make sense? Newcastle isn’t the best place for him to go because of the presence of Cisse. However, there are rumblings they might move Cisse for various reasons which would make Bent an excellent signing. He just gets goals, always has done. Plus, Sunderland fans hate him.Is the price right? Yes. Good price for a guy who can get 15 goals.Will it happen? 8/10 – It seems like the wheels are in motion.
Newcastle face competition from Italian and Russian sides to land long-term target Douglas. The 24-year-old centre-back is available on a free transfer after his contract with Dutch side Twente came to an end.
Full story: The Journal
What’s the story? I picked out Douglas as my number one European free agent. He’s a big physical defender which Newcastle badly need.Does it make sense? Getting Douglas would be a bit of a coup for Newcastle and makes great sense.Is the price right? Free as a bird.Will it happen? 5/10 – Newcastle have pulled off some surprising signings in recent years but this would be as impressive as any of them.
Norwich boss Chris Hughton is closing in on PSV Eindhoven’s Swedish international forward Ola Toivonen who has scored 59 goals in 125 appearances since moving to the Dutch League. The 26-year-old is also a target for Fulham.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Toivonen has the physical presence required of a Premier League striker and a decent goal getting and making record. Norwich have signed Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Toivonen could play deeper behind.Does it make sense? Yes. This would be an excellent signing for Norwich. Toivonen is the perfect foil for van Wolfswinkel and he’d add aerial threat for their wingers to supply.Is the price right? £7m or so but Norwich need to do something about their lack of goals.Will it happen? 7/10 – This would be a good and well thought out transfer by Norwich.
