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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?
Atletico Madrid have joined city rivals Real in the race to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool, having sold Radamel Falcao to Monaco for £50m. But Real could cool their interest in the Reds striker, 26, if they are encouraged to move for his fellow Uruguayan, Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, 26.
What’s the story? A tale of two Uruguayans. Atletico haven’t been afraid of spending big to replace strikers that they have sold in the past. They only recently replaced Sergio Aguero with Falcao for near enough the same amount of money so they won’t be intimidated. It’s extremely unlikely that they could out duel Real, but if the bigger Madrid club decide they’d rather have Cavani, they’d have a good chance.Does it make sense? For what Real need, Suarez probably makes more sense than Cavani. Cavani is a world-class striker, but Suarez’s tight dribbling and pace would be more useful for Real in unlocking tight defences.Is the price right? Liverpool seem to have drawn a line in the sand at £50m for Suarez, Napoli want the same for Cavani. For Real, it’s pretty much take your pick. Even despite their history of replacing players expensively, I’d be really surprised if Atletico chose to invest as much as £50m on one player when they have other attacking weaknesses.Will it happen? Suarez at Real 9/10 – It’s the usual recruiting pattern, it’s happening. At Atletico 4/10 – Only if Real pull out and the price drops.
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Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 22, could tell the club he wants to leave to try to engineer a move to Arsenal or Tottenham.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Benteke has already said he wants to leave, then denied it, so this would be nothing new.Does it make sense? Not for Arsenal, not for Villa, maybe for Spurs. He’s not what Arsenal need, they’d be better off looking at Mario Gomez or Gonzalo Higuain. For Spurs, he’d be a decent upgrade on what they have, but he is raw.Is the price right? Villa would demand over £15m considering the job they’d have in replacing him. There are better strikers out there to be had for that money this summer.Will it happen? 2/10 – I think he stays at Villa this year but possibly just for this year.
Borussia Dortmund have joined Atletico Madrid in targeting a move for 27-year-old Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? Hmmm, really? It’s not that I disbelieve this, but I don’t really see the point of it. I guess Podolski could come in on the left of the Dortmund attacking trident and do a decent job, but their game is based on frenzied intensity which he doesn’t bring. Atletico makes some sense I guess, they need to replace Falcao’s goals but they need more flair in forward areas.Does it make sense? He’s got good pedigree and could do a job, but he hardly seems like someone to be prioritised. Plus, Wenger had good things to say about him at the end of last season, so I don’t get why he’d give up on him.Is the price right? Arsenal paid £8m and aren’t in the business of taking losses.Will it happen? 6/10 – It wouldn’t be overly surprised if he went to either. A slightly over 50:50 chance depending on who Arsenal sign.
New Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants to make PSV Eindhoven’s Netherlands international defender Erik Pieters, 24, his first signing in a £4m deal.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
What’s the story? Stoke have awfully defensive-minded full backs. Erik Pieters is an able attacking and overlapping left back.Does it make sense? It’d be a huge upgrade. Wilson is a decent defender but offers precious little in attacking support. Stoke need to add different dimensions to their attacking play and he has good quality.Is the price right? £4m would be a really good price. It’s a good upgrade for the money.Will it happen? 7/10 – Generally speaking, Mark Hughes’ transfers are usually out in the open so every reason to believe this could well be a real thing.
French midfielder Clement Grenier, 22, has paved the way for a move to Arsenal by admitting he wants to leave Lyon.
Full story: Metro
What’s the story? Grenier has improved markedly over the last couple of seasons for Lyon. This season he scored seven and made five goals in the league and would operate on the left or centrally in attacking midfield areas.Does it make sense? It does, but not if he is brought in as the best solution. He’s a nice player but not in the league of Jovetic.Is the price right? He’d probably cost £7-8m or so. It’s a decent amount, about right, but there’s better players available.Will it happen? 8/10 – It’s a Wenger type signing and a player he has been linked with for a year or so.
Blackpool winger Tom Ince could follow in his father Paul’s footsteps by playing for Inter Milan, with the Italian side joining the list of clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? They’re right, Paul Ince did play for Inter Milan. Tom Ince though?Does it make sense? It’s so far out of left field that it could happen. Who thought Robbie Keane would move from Coventry to Inter Milan? However, are Inter Milan really scouting in the Championship?Is the price right? Blackpool are demanding £8-9m, Inter should have no compulsion to pay the English premium. Way too much for them to consider.Will it happen? 1/10 – It just doesn’t make sense on any level.
