Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 27th June (Part 2): Man United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and more

As we move into the off-season, an unprecedented amount of managerial movement around Europe will surely see an already frantic transfer market go into overdrive. This will give plenty of opportunities for transfer rumour and gossip. So how much of it is realistic?

Part one is here

Arsenal have put together a package to lure Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27, to the Emirates. The club’s hierarchy believes a signing such as Rooney will help persuade manager Arsene Wenger to sign a contract extension.

Wayne Rooney

What’s the story? Hmmm. Even though Arsenal are signing Gonzalo Higuain?

Does it make sense? I’m not really sure what the story is here. The board is willing to spend money to show Wenger its will, even though it’s Wenger that has historically chosen not to? Huh?

Is the price right? We don’t know if United are even willing to sell Rooney at all, but it has to be in the £30-40m region given prices for others.

Will it happen? 3/10 – Still don’t think so.

Liverpool must pay £25m within 10 days if they want to sign 24-year-old attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

What’s the story? This is just getting weird now. Have they signed him? Are they even trying to? Now this. Confusing.Does it make sense? He’d be a great signing, but it seems unusual that there is so much confusion over his status.

Is the price right? Starting to get really quite expensive compared to other players. It was £20m now £25m. Christian Eriksen would be half of that.

Will it happen? 5/10 – I’m backing away from this one. Much less certain that a few weeks ago.

Wigan could lose duo Arouna Kone and Antolin Alcaraz. Defender Alcaraz, 30, is available as a free agent while 29-year-old striker Kone has a release clause of £6.5m.

Antolin Alcaraz

What’s the story? Both will want to play in the Premier League or another top big league and have aptitude to do so.

Does it make sense? Yes. Kone looked like he could get 15-20 goals in the right team and Wigan looked appreciably worse when Alcaraz was missing.

Is the price right? Both huge bargains.

Will it happen? 7/10: Kone to Everton – Martinez will want a new striker and may feel like he can get 20 goals with Everton’s superior supply line. 5/10: Alcaraz stays in England – a move to La Liga could tempt him.

Celtic could target Monaco’s 27-year-old striker Ibrahima Toure. The Senegalese international scored 18 goals in 35 Ligue 2 appearances last season, but his place has been threatened by the arrival of Radamel Falcao.

Ibrahima Toure (L)

What’s the story? I like the idea that Toure’s place is ‘threatened’ by Falcao. It should read ‘has been taken’ by Falcao. Even Monaco don’t spend £50m on a striker to sit on the bench.

Does it make sense? He could score a lot of goals in Scotland but Monaco won’t let him go.

Is the price right? No real incentive for Monaco to sell him so at least £7-8m. Too much for Celtic.

Will it happen? 0/10 – Live in Monaco or live in Glasgow?

Manchester City could offer 27-year-old striker Edin Dzeko to Borussia Dortmund as part of the deal to bring striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, to the Etihad.

Robert Lewandowski

What’s the story? So are we just ignoring the whole ‘I will only play for Bayern’ business now?

Does it make sense? Dortmund would love it, having made a mess of the negotiations so far but it’s not happening.

Is the price right? It’s irrelevant. He’s turned down Real Madrid, why’s he then going to City?

Will it happen? 0/10 – No way.

Here’s Part 1 of Transfer Gossips (27th June) - Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 27th June (Part 1)