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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?
There is a huge bundle of transfer gossip today so I’ve had to split this in to two parts.
Chelsea have made a bid of £49.3m for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, 26, after the Italian club rejected a lower offer that would have seen Fernando Torres head in the opposite direction.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? This is more like it. None of this Hulk or Dzeko nonsense. The only way Chelsea can justify blocking Romelu Lukaku is by signing Edinson Cavani.Does it make sense? Yes, and on both counts in this story. Chelsea get the world class striker they need and Napoli don’t get lumbered with Torres.Is the price right? Nearly. Cavani has a £53m release clause which Chelsea are edging ever closer to activating.Will it happen? 7/10 – For a long time Cavani to City was thought to be a done deal, and Falcao to Chelsea, so I won’t commit too strongly; but with City for some reason spending £34m on Fernandinho, they might not be able to do anything in response to Chelsea on Cavani.
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Chelsea are prepared to take on Arsenal in an attempt to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United if new manager David Moyes decides to sell the 27-year-old striker this summer.
Full story: The Independent
What’s the story? At this stage, Rooney would very much be the back up option if they don’t get Cavani and if United are willing to sell.Does it make sense? If they don’t get Cavani then Rooney would be a good option. If they miss out on the Uruguayan, there aren’t many strikers they could justify signing rather than trusting Lukaku, but Rooney is very much in that category.Is the price right? I remain unconvinced that £30m will be enough to persuade United, but given the contract issue and his open desire to move, it might be.Will it happen? 3/10 – United would surely rather to sell to Arsenal rather than their likely main rivals for the title. If they are even willing to sell at all.
Barcelona will move for Chelsea defender David Luiz, 26, if the Catalan club fail to convince Thiago Silva, 28, to leave Paris St-Germain.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? If they fail to convince Thiago Silva to leave PSG? We’re saying that PSG would countenance letting Thiago Silva, the best centre back in the world, leave? After owning him for one season? When they are rich beyond the dreams of avarice, when they are trying to win the Champions League? But yeah, David Luiz sounds about right.Does it make sense? Obviously Silva doesn’t, but Luiz might. He’s a bit reckless, a bit error-prone and doesn’t have a fixed position; but at times, he looks the best defender going and has a midfielder’s passing range which Barcelona covet.Is the price right? Thiago Silva is untouchable. Luiz, however, could be available for £30m which would be a profit on a player Jose Mourinho may not fancy. Makes sense for both.Will it happen? 7/10 – No one knows what Mourinho thinks of David Luiz, he might love him. But he doesn’t exactly look like a Mourinho player.
Liverpool will attempt to beat Everton boss Roberto Martinez to the capture of Wigan striker Arouna Kone, 29, by making a bid for the Ivory Coast international. Kone has a £6.5m release clause in his contract.
Full story: The Sun What’s the story? Is this Liverpool, who already have Daniel Sturridge, and Everton, who need a striker who can score them into the Champions League spots?Does it make sense? I guess so, but he’s not a definitive answer. He’d be a depth option at Liverpool; and with the striker position their only severe weakness, would this be enough for Everton?Is the price right? £6.5m would be good value for either club and is the kind of price you can pay for a rotation option.Will it happen? 9/10 – Everton: Martinez loves him and you never know, he could be excellent with the superior supply. 5/10 – Liverpool: He’s cheap, quick and technical but can they persuade him to sit on the bench?
Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has made a £4m bid to bring Blackpool winger Thomas Ince to Selhurst Park.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? So much to doubt about this. Holloway is hated in Blackpool for deserting them last season. Ince has set his heights higher than immediate relegation and the price is half of what Blackpool demanded in January.Does it make sense? He’d be a great signing for Palace to replace Zaha and Ince would be better served going somewhere he’ll start every week; but he doesn’t seem to want to go down that road, preferring the leap to Spurs or similar.Is the price right? It’s fair for a player with no Premier League experience, but Blackpool are holding out for £8m; and because he is young and English, someone will pay it.Will it happen? 0/10 – No.
Here’s Part 2 of this article.
