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As we move in 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?
Tottenham have opened talks over a £10m move for Barcelona striker David Villa, 31, and have renewed their interest in 23-year-old Leandro Damiao, a long-term target.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Spurs are most definitely on the look out for a striker and with the arrival of Neymar at Barcelona David Villa could be available at a reasonable price. He’s already slipped away from being an automatic first choice pick with the midfield carousel that Villanova operates.Does it make sense? Yes for Spurs but I would wonder if Villa is OK with not playing in the Champions League considering that this is a World Cup year and he has an extremely competitive Spain squad to force his way in to. However, being the starting striker in a top five Premier League team with Gareth Bale supplying him could entice him nonetheless.Is the price right? £10m for a 31 year old is a fair chunk but this is David Villa we’re talking about. It’s probably ever so slightly too much but then again, if they are serious about getting in to the Champions League then they might need to do it.Will it happen? 7/10 – There’s no room for Villa at Barcelona and he has previously said he fancies a crack in England which would indicate he does have a willingness.
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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, says he wants to remain on loan at Atletico Madrid for “one more year” before competing for the number one jersey with Petr Cech, 31, at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: Metro
What’s the story? Courtois is the best young goalkeeper in the world, but Petr Cech has had a bounceback season and is only 31 which is young for a goal keeper. Chelsea won’t want to sell Courtois and playing for Champions League Atletico Madrid isn’t exactly a hardship.Does it make sense? Yes, for all concerned.Is the price right? Atletico get a borderline world class goal keeper for free for a season? That’ll do nicely.Will it happen? 10/10 – Hard to see any reason for it not to.
Fulham are lining up a loan deal for Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, 28.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Fulham have made a quick start in the transfer market having already completed two signings. Amalfitano was good at Lorient but is a spare part at Marseille.Does it make sense? This just looks like adding another fairly decent player to a squad full of fairly decent players. It doesn’t really achieve much.Is the price right? I guess it’s worth a dabble with a loan but they’ve gone down this road a lot lately with little in return.Will it happen? 8/10 – Fulham rumours have been very accurate so far, they don’t seem to be worried about secrecy.
Queens Park Rangers playmaker Adel Taarabt, 24, could be on his way out of Loftus Road – with United Arab Emirates side Al Ain plotting a move.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Taarabt was thought to be worth as much as £10m when QPR were first promoted but two seasons at Premier League level have exposed his weaknesses and he is now well off the radar of top flight clubs. However, he’s only 24 years old so a move to the UAE is premature.Does it make sense? 50:50. Other than for money there’s no reason for him to take such a massive step down in standard. Last time he played in the Championship for QPR he was involved in 50% of the clubs goals which he go do again if he gets his tail up. However, his apparent fall out with Harry Redknapp and lackadaisical attitude could mean they’ve had enough of him and unless someone in Ligue Un fancies a gamble where else can he go?Is the price right? I’d be surprised if they can get more than £2-3m or so for him but if Al-Ain want to go for it they can get more.Will it happen? 6/10 – Who’d have thought Asamoah Gyan would give up on himself so early, but maybe Taarabt will do likewise.
Aston Villa will offer Andreas Weimann, 21, a bumper pay-rise this week to fend off interest from Newcastle, Sunderland and Norwich.
Full story: Daily Mirror What’s the story? Weimann enjoyed a really strong spell of form around new year but slowed down over the last few months. He’s a hard runner, a good defensive forward, kind of like a Dirk Kuyt type which will always intrigue Premier League clubs.Does it make sense? I don’t really see how he’s an upgrade for any of these other clubs who all have this type. He’d be best served staying and growing at Villa.Is the price right? He’s only got a year left on his contract which makes him cheaper than he otherwise might be. A good comparison would be Danny Graham who cost Sunderland £5.5m which was considered about £2m too much. So, £3.5m.Will it happen? 2/10 – He moves. 9/10 – He stays at Villa. That’s the best place for him to be.
West Brom are considering a move for 27-year-old Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? We’ve seen this before, the logic seeming to be that they’ve done well with one Belgian powerhouse upfront, so they might try another. Also, they’ve signed well from the smaller European leagues lately.Does it make sense? Mbokani is like the basic Lukaku model, rather than the top spec version they’ve got this year. He’s got a lot of goals in Belgium and is a real pest which could make him suited to life in England.Is the price right? Norwich paid £8.5m for Ricky van Wolfswinkel who scored goals in Holland and Portugal. The Belgian league is ranked slightly lower so maybe £7m would be fair.Will it happen? 3/10 – I’m not feeling this. I think Steve Clarke prises pace too much.
Celtic are close to signing Bulgarian winger Aleksandar Tonev, 23, from Lech Poznan in an £8m deal.
Full story: Daily Record
What’s the story? Celtic about to spend £8m? He’s only been involved in 6 goals domestically this season with a better record in internationals. I guess it’s presumed that they are selling players first.Does it make sense? The price is ludicrous but I’ll deal with that below. Football wise, he’s clearly got some talent but Celtic have decent wide players already.Is the price right? Name me a player that has been sold by a Bulgarian team for a fee anywhere near £8m. Berbatov was £1m when he left Sofia for example.Will it happen? 4/10 – Maybe but not at even a quarter of the quoted sum.
