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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?
Chelsea could take advantage of Real Madrid’s pursuit of Bale with a £20m offer for 26-year-old Germany midfielder Sami Khedira.
What’s the story? And what does Real bidding for Bale have to do with anything? If this referred to the fact that having signed Illarramendi, Real now have four deep midfielders competing for two spots, then perhaps.
Does it make sense? Obviously the framing of the story doesn’t. It’s not like Real are going to be so focused on Bale that Chelsea merely have to call and they’ll just say yes to avoid the distraction. Football wise it’s 50:50. Khedira is a bit like Ramires, in that he’s best used when given license to get box to box. He’d certainly offer power and energy but isn’t a massive need.
Is the price right? Yes. For once a quoted figure actually makes sense. More is too much to pay, less is too little to sell, so this would be ideal.
Will it happen? 5/10 – I do think Khedira will become available at some point, unless they sell Modric. Chelsea would seem to be a fairly logical suitor if they did decide to sell.
Tottenham could stun north London rivals Arsenal by entering the race for Liverpool’s 26-year-old striker Luis Suarez, should Bale complete his move to Real Madrid.
What’s the story? Whoah, this is like a Transfer Gossip uber story, the two most talked about names linked to the same bit!
Does it make sense? No. Suarez has already backed down on his supposed need to move away from England but surely wouldn’t consider another team who aren’t in the Champions League? Spurs could really ruffle Arsenal’s feathers if they bid though, and if they do have pockets full of Madrid cash, they’d be able to give it a try.
Is the price right? Well, it could be. If Bale was sold for say, £90m, this would mean that Spurs could immediately call Liverpool and offer for Suarez and still have £35m to play with.
Will it happen? 1/10 – It depends on so many things falling intp place. It needs Spurs not to sign Soldado, for them to sell Bale, for Arsenal not to agree to anything with Suarez and for them to persuade Suarez to move two spots up the league table and not in to Europe. But, imagine if it did. The Internet would probably melt.
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, 30, wants to play for his beloved Everton – and will take a 50% pay cut to make the move happen.
What’s the story? Haha, does he now? He fancies going from Championship reject to the top six?
Does it make sense? Not in any way whatsoever. Martinez will have Everton playing proper football and Barton is unable to do that. Not to mention the fact that his reputation proceeds him in England. Plus, there’s the fact that Everton are already very well stocked up in midfield with selection issues as it is.
Is the price right? I really think QPR would give him away, but no one else would be stupid enough to pay his £60k a week wages.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Not even a remote chance. Bad fit football wise and philosophically. And I don’t mean Barton’s ‘intellectualism’ by philosophy.
Liverpool face fierce competition from Borussia Dortmund for the signature of 23-year-old Rubin Kazan forward Salomon Rondon.
What’s the story? Blimey, ‘fierce competition’ huh? Considering this is the first we’ve heard of this it’s escalated quickly!
Does it make sense? Rondon would be a good fit for Liverpool, able to offer some power to their attack. Dortmund already have Lewandowski, albeit only for one more year, and Aubameyang to fit in.
Is the price right? Buying from Russia is not an easy thing to do, so it could easily roll its way above £12-15m.
Will it happen? 3/10 – Everything rests with the future of Suarez at Liverpool. If he goes nowhere, no one comes in. When the only serious bidder is Arsenal, you can feel fairly confident of keeping. Dortmund might next summer but hard to justify it.
Striker Fernando Torres, 29, could be offered an exit from Chelsea after Valencia showed interest.
What’s the story? Interesting. The Torres exit stories have been quite thin on the ground so far, so it’s intriguing when one surfaces.
Does it make sense? Yes, largely. Valencia are probably going to need to replace Roberto Soldado up front and Torres showed glimpses of his old self last season. The question for Chelsea is whether they want to let him go. He is still their most proven option and although Mourinho is talking of backing the youth, it remains to be seen if he’s fully committed.
Is the price right? How to work out Torres’ price? They paid £50m but he clearly isn’t worth paying half of that for. However, he is still worth something in the £15-20m range given the circumstances. Can Valencia really afford that? Even if they do sell Soldado, they still have a new stadium to finish building.
Will it happen? 3/10 – It’s a good football fit but financially it’s dubious.
