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There’s always plenty of transfer talk throughout the season. So how much of it makes sense, and how much of it is just rumour?
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has agreed to return to Chelsea and will be joined at Stamford Bridge by Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, 27.
Full story: Bild (in German)
What’s the story? I think Chelsea would be better off trying to bring Ronaldo from Madrid but Falcao is an exceptional talent. As ever, I don’t think Chelsea should give up on Romelu Lukaku and I hope that they don’t but Falcao would grace the Premier League.Does it make sense? He’s a superb player so it does but it would be such a shame for them to give up on Lukaku and presumably Courtois who would be part of the deal to get him.Is the price right? It’ll be £52m or some kind of package involving Courtois. It’s a lot to spend on a position they arguably don’t need in the new climate of financial fair playWill it happen? 8/10 – Bild broke the Gotze news so it seems credible.
Neymar’s father and agent says the Brazilian forward will head for Europe next year with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea leading the £50m chase for the 21-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Neymar has always said that he won’t play in England so we can rule Chelsea out. He’s an interesting one. Clearly a supremely talented player but as yet unproven outside of Brazil. Indeed, his record against top footballing countries for his national team is average. How good is he really?Does it make sense? If he’s as good as is said then Real or Barcelona would be good homes.Is the price right? It’s so hard to say. It’s probably his ‘true’ value but then it’s the same as a Falcao or Cavani who are both proven in elite European leagues.Will it happen? 9/10 – Barcelona: It’s a good fit for him. He can sit back and bed in behind Messi and Iniesta and find his feet. 7/10 – Real Madrid: His style would suit Real but is there room for him and Ronaldo in the same team?
Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair, 24, will seek a loan move next season unless manager Roberto Mancini is sacked.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Sinclair’s move to City was so transparently about quota filling that only Sinclair and his agent seemed unaware. Either that or they didn’t care when they saw the cheque.Does it make sense? He doesn’t fit their tactical set up so should never have been signed and is wasting away on the bench so yes.Is the price right? City could loan him, but they may as well just sell him and move on.Will it happen? 10/10 – Loan or permanent, he’s gone
Fulham are set to sanction the £4m sale of goalkeeper David Stockdale, 27, to either West Ham or Hull, to fund the Cottagers’ move for Roma’s Maarten Stekelenburg, 30.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Fulham keep getting linked to Stekelenburg despite him being of the same standard as the incumbent Mark Schwarzer. Stockdale is the back up and would be sold for first team football.Does it make sense? I don’t get the keeper move for Fulham, it’s not a big enough upgrade, if at alll, to justify the money they would have to spend. West Ham have Jääskeläinen in situ and he is having a great year. Stockdale is at Hull on loan so if they go up it’s a logical move.Is the price right? Stekelenburg will cost £5m apparently, Stockdale is probably worth half that. Although, Jack Butland cost Stoke £3m with no Premier League experience which Stockdale does have.Will it happen? 10/10 – Hull: it looks like they will go up so he should stay there
The Gunners are also interested in Hamburg’s 28-year-old goalkeeper Rene Adler after being priced out of moves for Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet and Asmir Begovic of Stoke.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? I had Mignolet on a list of five goalkeepers that Arsenal could sign but unless Arsenal are being extremely tight I doubt they’ve been priced out. Adler was once a wonder boy but his star has faded and isn’t as good as Begovic and certainly not as good as Mignolet.Does it make sense? Arsenal have been too cheap about their keeper for many years and it has cost them so they would be better off just addressing it properly.Is the price right? If they’re not willing to spend at least £10m for a top class keeper they will just have to bounce from average solution to average solution.Will it happen? 7/10 – It shouldn’t, because although he’s decent he’s not in the calibre of the above 5 or Begovic, but he’ll be cheap enough. Another bodge job.
FC Basel’s Austrian defender Aleksander Dragovic, 22, is ready to snub a move to Arsenal and German side Borussia Dortmund to join Everton.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? Dragovic has been outstanding in Basel’s Europa League run and domestically and is a big imposing presence in the middle of the defence. He’s one to watch and could become really special.Does it make sense? Yes, at the moment. However, if Dortmund sell one of Hummels or Subotic then he could possibly start on a potential European champion. A move to Everton would be great for him though, a chance to prove himself in a less high pressure environment where he might end up becoming really good.Is the price right? £6m or so which could prove to be a real bargain.Will it happen? 7/10 – Everton: He’d be perfect for Everton and they would be perfect for him but it depends if they can find the money.
Everton boss David Moyes will battle Manchester City for the £10m capture of Leeds defender Sam Byram, 19.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? Byram is considered to be one of the top young players outside the football league, a right with boundless energy. More than a passing resemblance to Dortmund’s Lukasz Pisczek which should be an attractive proposition.Does it make sense? Move to City and sit behind the world’s best right back who is still in his mid 20s or go to Everton and immediately start every game? Byram should ring Scott Sinclair and see how well a move to the bright lights went.Is the price right? It’s obviously too much for a player without Premier League experience but young+English = expensive. It could be worth it though.Will it happen? City 6/10: Will he learn from others who have made this mistake? 7/10 – Everton: If they can find the money for Byram and Dragovic they’ve got the right of that defence sorted for years to come.
