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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?
Manchester United will turn their attention to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, 23, if they fail to convince Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, to return to Old Trafford.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Interesting. There is a bit of confusion as to exactly how hard United are pushing to sign Ronaldo and whether they have even a faint chance. Bale would be a fair second choice as a present for Moyes.
Does it make sense? Kind of. Obviously signing Bale would be huge for United. However, if Spurs were to sell, which is by no means a given, they’d surely prefer to sell him to Madrid rather than another English club.
Is the price right? Spurs haven’t actually said anything about price but the talk is £85m. United could certainly afford that but it depends whether they want to commit so much resource to a single player.
Will it happen? 2/10 – Bale to Real is possible if unlikely, but Bale to United is less likely.
Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, 27, tops the list of targets for Manchester City as they look to replace Carlos Tevez. Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo, Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo and Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo are also in contention.
Full story: The Independent
What’s the story? City have missed out on Falcao and Cavani so will have to make do with a second tier option. These are all good players but if United have van Persie and Chelsea have Cavani this is a level down.
Does it make sense? Gomez is by far the elite option here. City need a goalscorer to put away the supply from Silva, Navas and Aguero. The rest are decent but not worth moving Aguero out of position for.
Is the price right? Should all be in the £15-18m range. Decent value if you get Gomez, top of the value for the others.
Will it happen? 6/10 – Hmm. City are probably going to sign one of these types. There’s limited options elsewhere now. Is it enough to win a league though?
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Swansea City defender Ashley Williams, 28, are fading as the Welsh club are refusing to lower their £10m asking price.
Full story: The Times
What’s the story? If Arsenal are actually trying to sign Williams this is. Wenger doesn’t have a good history of buying 28 year old centre backs (Squillaci) and would never dream of paying so much. Not to mention Mertesacker and Koscielny were the second tightest pairing in the league last year.
Does it make sense? He’s not as good as the starters or third choice Vermaelen who needs football as it is.
Is the price right? Too much even if he was 26, way too much at 28 soon 29.
Will it happen? 3/10 – Hard to see how it does without a dramatic price drop.
Swansea City are hopeful they will complete the signing of Wilfried Bony from Vitesse Arnhem, despite the Dutch club’s denial that a deal has been agreed for the 24-year-old Ivory Coast striker.
Full story: Guardian
What’s the story? This would be a spectacular signing. Bony got 31 goals in Holland last season and has the speed, burst, strength and finishing to be an ideal presence in front of Swansea’s creatives.
Does it make sense? Yes. Swansea need to be able to move Michu back in to attacking midfield areas and Bony is like a hand built lone striker.
Is the price right? It’s between £10-12m. Great signing.
Will it happen? 9/10 – It looks all but certain but there are a couple of things still to be ironed out.
Newcastle United could be poised to make a £15.2m offer for St Etienne’s 24-year-old striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Full story: Newcastle Chronicle
What’s the story? I don’t know about this. Maybe if Kinnear didn’t have control of the transfer recruitment but how much does he know about the European talent pool?
Does it make sense? It does football wise, but we are yet to see what exactly Kinnear is planning.
Is the price right? This would be a club record signing which is a big impact move. He’s probably just about worth this kind of money though.
Will it happen? 4/10 – They’re known admirers due to Graham Carr but until we get evidence of what Kinnear’s transfer policy is, it’s hard to commit too much.
Barcelona attacker Gerard Deulofeu, 19, is a loan target for a number of English clubs which include Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton. Brighton’s new manager Oscar Garcia is also keen, though Arsenal are regarded as favourites.
Full story: Mundodeportivo
What’s the story? Yeah, since when do Chelsea loan players again? Barcelona rate Deulofeu as their next big superstar but loaning him to a team competing for the Champions League? Is he going to play all the time? Much better off going to a good La Liga or Premier League team like a Swansea, West Brom, Real Betis type. Everton could make sense possibly.
Does it make sense? They do need him to play every week, so loaning him to a club where that isn’t guaranteed isn’t going to happen.
Is the price right? Great value for a season for a medium sized club.
Will it happen? 0/10 – A big club 9/10 – Medium sized.
