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As we move into 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?
Real Madrid are readying a world record £85m bid for Wales international Gareth Bale, 23, but Tottenham are insisting they will not sell their star man at any price.
What’s the story? The amount of outlets carrying this means it must have some heat to it. Real Madrid want to team Bale with Ronaldo and Di Maria with perhaps Suarez up front to give them an attack with devastation written all over it.
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Does it make sense? I can’t say anything other than ‘signing Gareth Bale will never not make sense’.
Is the price right? The most ever paid for a player? No. However, if Spurs won’t sell unless they get a world record then they’ll have to. Levy can’t justify selling him to Spurs fans for anything even up in the £50m range but at this price, and with a new stadium to pay for, how can they turn it down? Real obviously feel he is the player to sign right now.
Will it happen? 6/10 – I can only be tentative at this stage. I’m swayed above 50:50 by the sheer number of reports of this exact amount and that Bale has courted a move to Real Madrid for a couple of years.
Liverpool want Sunderland’s Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, 25, to replace Pepe Reina, should the Spaniard depart this summer.
What’s the story? Pepe Reina and Brendan Rodgers don’t seem to be a match for some reason. If he goes, it would seem to be to Barcelona, but with Victor Valdes announcing he’s staying for another year is there the same urgency? Simon Mignolet is one of the top five goal keepers in the Premier League, he actually had a better season than Reina.
Does it make sense? Yes. Even without the Reina sale, you could argue this would be an upgrade. Mignolet has solid distribution skills which would be needed and more importantly, is an excellent shot stopper which is the priority for a keeper in Rodgers’ system. Look at the success he had with Vorm at Swansea.
Is the price right? £6.5m is being bandied around the papers which seems like extraordinarily good value for Liverpool. Mind you, Sunderland have some other decent keepers and may prefer to reinvest the money on their non existent attack.
Will it happen? 6/10 – only 6 for now, 9 or 10 if they sell Reina.
Italian side Napoli have agreed a deal for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, 27.
What’s the story? If this is true, it means they’ve sold Cavani somewhere. Maybe Chelsea. Gomez is a superb finisher, he has the best penalty box instincts in the world. However, his limited technical game is alien to Guardiola. At Napoli he would have Cavani’s supply line to feast on.
Does it make sense? Yes. Huge sense. Napoli were runners up in Serie A so he gets Champions League football too. Very important to him in World Cup year because a 30 goal season could be needed just to get on the plane considering the sheer depth of attacking talent Germany have just now. Napoli would replace one goal machine with another at probably half the price.
Is the price right? If they’ve got him for £18-20m they’ve done well. Any less and it’s a steal.
Will it happen? 8/10 – Benitez loves signing strikers and likes poachers. Gomez gets high level first team football. Win win.
Jose Mourinho’s first job as Chelsea boss will be to confirm the sale of Brazil defender David Luiz, 26, to Barcelona for £30m.
What’s the story? This has gone from possible sale to definite sale all very quickly. David Luiz’s maverick style is hardly suitable for Jose Mourinho.
Does it make sense? Yes. He won’t play under Mourinho and Barcelona like the possession savvy defender/midfielder hybrid which is exactly what he is.
Is the price right? If Chelsea get £30m they’ve done amazingly well. David Luiz will do some spectacular things and look amazing. But he will also do some horrendous things and look like a donkey. £30m is a big risk.
Will it happen? 9/10 – It seems to be rushing to a conclusion but it’s come so far out of nowhere that it’s not nailed on.
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is considering a move for £10m-rated Benfica and Spain Olympic striker Rodrigo, 22.
What’s the story? Hmmm. It’s difficult to analyse Spurs rumours whilst Bale’s future is in limbo. If they sell Bale for £85m they shouldn’t be looking at this type of move. Even if they keep Bale, Rodrigo isn’t in the class of Higuain or Damiao.
Does it make sense? No. He’s not an upgrade. If they are going to spend either to keep Bale, or because they’ve sold Bale, it needs to be with more conviction than this.
Is the price right? Not really. £10m is a strange price for a striker for top five club. Not enough to sign genuine quality, too much for a bargain. Adebayor cost about this for example.
Will it happen? 0/10 – It doesn’t make sense in any scenario. Someone watched the Europa League final, saw Spurs need a striker and put two and two together.
Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, has admitted he wants to move this summer and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been tracking the Argentina forward, while Juventus are also interested.
What’s the story? Higuain has said he is finished in Madrid and dropped hints that he might favour Juventus. However, Arsenal have got money to pend and could be willing to do so on a world class striker.
Does it make sense? Yes. For some reason Higauin is unloved in Madrid but would be a huge upgrade for either Juventus or Arsenal.
Is the price right? He should cost £25-30m but no doubt will go for half of that. A true bargain.
Will it happen? 8/10 – Juventus: He seems close to agreeing and has mentioned them publically. 4/10 – Arsenal: He has spoken admiringly of England before and Arsenal have the advantage of the more prestigious league and attraction of London but are firmly in second in this race.
Jesus Navas, 25, has edged closer to joining Manchester City in a £25m deal, with his club Sevilla accepting he will move this summer.
What’s the story? Sevilla are in all kinds of financial trouble and have nudged Navas to leave for the right money despite him being the local golden boy.
Does it make sense? Tactically yes, he adds pace and width to an attack which lacks it. The question is whether he can settle. He’s got terrible home sickness issues but maybe he wants to tackle it head on?
Is the price right? It’s not that much less than Hazard cost but that ship has sailed. It’s probably too much given Sevilla’s financial problems and the fact that only City seem to be bidding.
Will it happen? 10/10 – Yes. He and Pellegrini could be in situ this time next week.
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