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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?
Part One is here.
Chelsea have made a £45m bid for Napoli forward Edinson Cavani, although the offer does not meet the 26-year-old’s £52m buy-out clause with the Serie A side.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Chelsea and Real are the two sides in for Cavani but it does seem that Chelsea are nearer to a conclusion on it somehow.
Does it make sense? Yes. There are only about 5 strikers who Chelsea could sign and make it worthwhile to have one in front of Lukaku and Schurrle.
Is the price right? Chelsea are going to be uniquely wary of paying £50m given what the fee seemed to do to Fernando Torres. However, there’s not really much benefit in Napoli underselling themselves.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Nudging this to be ever more likely at the moment.
Manchester City’s interest has switched from signing Uruguay international Cavani to bringing in 29-year-old Brazil attacker Fred, who plays for Fluminense, and Benfica forward Oscar Cardozo, 30.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? The crazy thing is, the reason they can’t sign Cavani is they can’t afford him given what his fee would do to their Financial Fair Play status. This was exacerbated by them paying a ludicrous £34m for Fernandinho.
Does it make sense? Meh. Fred and Cardozo are decent enough but at 29 and 30, don’t exactly fit in to City’s mantra of getting younger players. Again, there’s no resale value in signing players who are this old so they’d be doing even more damage to their FFP balance sheet.
Is the price right? They’re probably both there for about £10m or so, but if it’s too much more it’s a waste of time.
Will it happen? 7/10 – City don’t seem to have the pull to get the real top names this summer. There’s no Aguero in here.
Liverpool are willing to sell Jonjo Shelvey, 21, with West Ham, Norwich and Swansea keen on signing the midfielder.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Not really a surprise. Shelvey is pretty limited really and his reputation is probably inflated due to his nationality and the club he plays for.
Does it make sense? Swansea is an appalling fit if they already have Bony and Michu potentially. Shelvey doesn’t have the discipline or passing ability to play anything other than as a second striker. Not a fit at West Ham with Nolan in situ. Norwich could make sense but they’d be better off with Ola Toivonen who they’ve been linked with.
Is the price right? £5m is what they want. You’re paying for age and nationality though.
Will it happen? No doubt someone will make a deal but unless he really improves they won’t get much from him. It doesn’t say much for him if Brendan Rodgers, who believes in youth and his own coaching ability, is giving up on him.
Yossi Benayoun’s agent says West Bromwich Albion are among several clubs interested in the 33-year-old midfielder, who is a free agent after being released by Chelsea.
Full story: Skysports.com
What’s the story? Benayoun is one of these players who has been around for a long time, intermittently good.
Does it make sense? Don’t really see the fit. West Brom had great success last season by playing with pace on the counter attack. Benayoun is more of a skillful tricky attacking midfielder for a possession based team.
Is the price right? Free is always good if you don’t overpay on the contract.
Will it happen? 5/10 – I don’t get the fit but Clarke knows him well so might have something in mind. West Brom are normally excellent in their business.
The Baggies are also keen on recruiting Chelsea striker Demba Ba on a season-long loan.
Full story: Sunday Times
What’s the story? This is more like it. Ba fits what they do perfectly and would be a great replacement for Lukaku.
Does it make sense? Yes, really good sense. Ba is another who could be a real bargain for someone this summer. Ba has done really well at clubs looking to make the top half and up to the top six and West Brom fit that profile really well.
Is the price right? It’d be better if they could sign him long term but another season with a top class forward would be good for them.
Will it happen? 6/10 – It depends where Ba sees himself. He’s going to be behind Lukaku, Schurrle and Torres already and then also Cavani if they sign him, so he could do with moving.
