'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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?
Manchester City hope to complete a £21m deal for Malaga midfielder Isco in the next 48 hours. There were fears Real Madrid could hijack City’s move for the 21-year-old, who indicated on Thursday that a deal with the Blues could be tied up over the weekend.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Isco seems to have a choice between Man City and Real Madrid, as profiled here. However, the expected move of Cavani to Real Madrid adds yet another option to an already loaded attack which Isco may feel could jeopardise his World Cup spot.Does it make sense? Isco is a wonderfully talented player who would give City some genuine creativity and craft alongside David Silva to help spread the burden. At Real he would be risking getting stuck in rotation but at City he really will be first choice.Is the price right? No it’s £30m.Will it happen? 7/10 – Real came up on the rails recently but should never be counted out. However, City makes more sense in the shorter term.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will speak to Juan Mata in an attempt to reassure the 25-year-old Spain midfielder that he wants to keep him at Stamford Bridge. Reports had claimed that Mourinho was keen to sell Mata, with Barcelona said to be interested.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Interestingly, all the chatter about Mourinho losing players sees him losing them to Barcelona and reports come from the Spanish press. Have a think about that.Does it make sense? He’s going nowhere.Is the price right? He’s going nowhere.Will it happen? 0/10 – He’s going nowhere.
The agent of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 28, has down played his client’s chances of a move to Napoli and a reunion with former Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
Full story: Sky Sports
What’s the story? This is a bit of an odd one. Skrtel was wretched last season and lost his place to a near retired Jamie Carragher. Napoli’s weakness is in central defence though and Rafa Benitez bought him to Liverpool.Does it make sense? I guess, but is there no one better they can go for? His rugged physical style is not exactly ideal for Italy.Is the price right? Liverpool would probably accept £4-5m which is fair enough.Will it happen? 6/10 – I would take the agent’s words with a pinch of salt, he might be trying to force Liverpool’s hand.
Arsenal are set for a £6m move for Dyanamo Zagreb defender Tin Jedvaj, 17. Wenger is unhappy with Swansea’s £10m asking price for Ashley Williams, 28, and sees Croatian Jedvaj, who came close to joining Roma recently, as another option.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? To be honest, I’d be staggered if Arsene Wenger is seriously looking at Ashley Williams unless he’s really cheap. The Koscielny and Mertesacker pairing was excellent last season. Jedvaj has good physical presence at 6’2? and at 17 can be trained up to eventually take over from Mertesacker in future.Does it make sense? Yes. Although, if Williams could be had at £6m and was willing to sit on the bench for some reason it could be a decent option. Jedvaj has a lot of promise, worth a gamble.Is the price right? £10m is way too much.Will it happen? 3/10: Williams – Barring some dramatic price drop. 8/10: Jedvaj – Arsenal always collect talented young players
Southampton and Cardiff City are set to battle it out for the signature of Celtic’s 21-year-old midfielder Victor Wanyama, who is valued at over £10m by his club.
Full story: Sky Sports
What’s the story? Interesting. Both clubs have money and both clubs could do with power and drive in midfield. However, Celtic are going to cling on to him if they can.Does it make sense? Yes, he’d be a great signing for both clubs. Wanyama has ideal size to be a dominating presence in a Premier League midfield.Is the price right? £10m is an awful lot. However, he’s only 21 and if his play can be refined he could become really special.Will it happen? 6/10 – They can both afford it and are just as likely as each other to get it done. But, Celtic will fight hard with no real reason to sell him.
Hull are set to move for Gent striker Ilombe Mboyo after failing to agree a fee for Burnley’s Charlie Austin. Belgium striker Mboyo, 26, who scored 21 goals last season, almost joined Norwich in January and would cost £6m. The Tigers offered £4m for Austin but the Clarets want £7m.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Hull were awful in attack last season but got promotion due to their excellent defence. They badly need goals. Every striker (player?) in Belgium will be scouted as the next Christian Benteke regardless of prowess.Does it make sense? Both are risks but they need to do something. Mboyo and Austin have good scoring records in lesser competition and would be joining a team that has no creativity which they can’t help with. Needs to be added to rather than this being the end of the shopping.Is the price right? £6/7m for either is risky as they are unproven at the top level.Will it happen? 8/10 – Mboyo is the type of player that Hull could give the chance to show what he can do in the Premier League and maybe earn a move if they go down and he does well.
