Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 12th July Part Two

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?

Part One is here.

Trabzonspor have joined Turkish rivals Galatasaray in the race for Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, 26.

Full story: the Sun

What’s the story? Mikel was very impressive in Brazil at the Confederations Cups which has alerted teams to the fact that he’s not as limited as he sometimes looks at Chelsea.

Does it make sense? Yes. Mikel does have the talent to be a decent play maker but he needs to be the main man, the big name somewhere and he could possibly be that in Turkey.

Is the price right? They’re not getting the £16m that somehow made it’s way in to print initially but £8m would be fair and affordable.

Will it happen? 7/10 – He does need a new challenge but it depends whether Mourinho plans on using him. The addition of Marco van Ginkel adds another obstacle in getting to the first team.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp is lining up another reunion with striker Peter Crouch, 32. Crouch has played for Redknapp at Portsmouth twice, Southampton and Spurs, with Redknapp keen to bring him to former club QPR from Stoke.

Full story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? Erm…Crouch cost Stoke £8m two years ago and now is OK with dropping in to the Championship? Well, maybe.

Does it make sense? He’d be able to dominate in the Championship and it depends how Mark Hughes sees himself using him. The only thing that could see him end up at QPR is if Hughes doesn’t want him and no other Premier League clubs do. And there aren’t many that will.

Is the price right? Can’t be more than £3/4m given his age.

Will it happen? 6/10 – He’s played for the club before and it would mean he could move back to London. More importantly, if Hughes doesn’t want him, I don’t see many Premier League clubs who will.

Arsenal are set to up their £30m bid for Liverpool’s Uruguay international striker Luis Suarez, 26, as their attempts to buy Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, falter.

Full story: London Evening Standard

What’s the story? Really? Are they?

Does it make sense? No. I don’t understand why Arsenal are wasting their time bidding for Suarez. Unless, as we speculated, it’s a ploy to hurry Real Madrid in to selling them Higuain.

Is the price right? Meh. Liverpool wanted £50 apparently. But does it matter?

Will it happen? 1/10 – No.

The Gunners are also looking to revive their interest in Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, 20, who is also a target for Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Kondogbia is well thought of as a shielding destroyer at Sevilla and Arsenal have the effective but upgradable Ramsey doing that job.

Does it make sense? I guess so. The problem is, Arsenal have been chasing various forwards this summer so if they only got him it would be disappointing. He is clearly highly regarded.

Is the price right? Maybe £10m or so could get a deal done. It’s OK if they do sign a forward, but what if they don’t?

Will it happen? 5/10 – They’ve been linked for a while and various clubs are battling but again, until Arsenal get to sign a player rather than just getting linked to players how can it be higher?

Manchester City have suffered a setback in their quest to sign Alvaro Negredo, 27, after the Spanish striker claimed he was happy to stay at Sevilla.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Yesterday he was near enough signed, today not. Such is this transfer window.

Does it make sense? No. He’s asked to leave the club to go to a Champions League club apparently. Why has this come about so suddenly?

Is the price right? Sevilla would have to accept £15-18m given their financial straits and attempts to completely rebuild the squad.

Will it happen? 5/10 – It might depend on what happens with Jovetic.