Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 13th July: Part One

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?

It’s a big day of gossip today so you are treated to three parts! Part Two is here, Part Three is here.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is ready to make a cut-price offer for 31-year-old Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

What’s the story? Cut-price offer? For Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

Does it make sense? The rumour is, that because PSG are signing Cavani, he’s unhappy. But Ibrahimovic is still going to be the main man. It’s still his team. He’s a bigger star than Cavani and will be on much higher wages. He’d be a good signing for City obviously but why are PSG letting him go one year after buying him?

It’s the same thing as Thiago Silva and Barcelona. PSG want to win the Champions League so they want Cavani and Ibrahimovic, not one or the other. Plus, would he fancy playing for City? He’s also been linked to Real Madrid which although he’d consider, seem to moving to a younger core to the squad.

Is the price right? What does cut price mean? That they’re bidding £10-15m or something? Even at 31 he’s worth paying more for and worth more to PSG.

Will it happen? 2/10 – He’ll be in Paris barring some rapid collapse in relations between him and the club.

Manchester City’s Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta, 28, wants to move to Italy and would like to play for Fiorentina.

Pablo Zabaleta

What’s the story? No he doesn’t.

Does it make sense? It would be an incredible signing for Fiorentina of course. Zabaleta is one of the top five players in his position in the world. But that’s exactly why City wouldn’t even contemplate selling him. Plus, he’s adored in Manchester, speaks fluent English and would be moving not only to an inferior league, but to a team that isn’t in the Champions League.

Is the price right? Must be worth £15m. Fiorentina can’t afford that.

Will it happen? 0/10 – Why would it? I can’t think of a single reason that this could possibly happen.

Real Madrid have made a £36m bid for Juventus and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, 26, who is also a target for Manchester United.

Arturo Vidal

What’s the story? Ooooh. Real Madrid have just completed the signing of the incredibly talented Asier Illarramendi to add to midfield, but this would be a massive signing.

Does it make sense? Yes it does. For all his gifts, Sami Khedira is not Arturo Vidal. Vidal is the best box to box type midfielder in the world. He’d be a big upgrade and add some serious drive to Real. His signing by Juventus coincided with their burst to back to back titles in Italy, and that was no accident.

Is the price right? Yes. Juventus are not poor but still not rich enough to turn down offers like this, but can turn down offers of less. Serious world class talent like Vidal doesn’t come cheap.

Will it happen? 6/10 – First time I’ve seen this connection but Real aren’t messing about this summer having laid out £34m on Illarramendi yesterday.

Liverpool have set their sights on Galatasaray forward Burak Yilmaz, 27.

Burak Yilmaz

What’s the story? Interesting. I like. It now seems inevitable that Liverpool are going to lose Suarez this summer so they need to start looking at replacements.

Does it make sense? Yes. Yilmaz has been a goal machine for the last few years in Turkey and even in the Champions League so has the necessary calibre. Liverpool need a pure goalscorer to finish the chances their impressive midfield will be making. He’s lost his status as top dog at Galatasaray after Drogba arrived.

Is the price right? Hard to see him costing less than £20m if not £25m. But, Liverpool could get twice that for Suarez. Don’t worry about him ‘only’ scoring in Turkey. 8 in 9 games in the Champions League last year shows his talent.

Will it happen? 4/10 – Galatasaray are a strange bunch. Spending big to get Drogba and Sneijder then immediately making the latter available. They’ve got money but if a big enough offer came in they’d consider it.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, 25, is being lined up for a move to Premier League new boys Hull and a reunion with Tigers boss Steve Bruce after his move to Eintracht Frankfurt collapsed.

Nicklas Bendtner

What’s the story? Hull really do need to add a striker and Bendtner seems to have run out of options.

Does it make sense? It could do, but as ever with Hull, they need to add players to create chances too. We don’t really know what the Dane is quite capable of but could get 10-12 goals if supplied well. He’ll miss a lot of chances but can equally score a hat-trick in any game.

Is the price right? Seems to have dropped to £4m which Hull can pay, but he won’t take a cut from his £50k a week wage which they probably can’t pay.

Will it happen? 4/10 – If it was a loan it’d be higher but Arsenal want to sell. Do Hull have the money and does he see himself as too big a fish?

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