Analysing the transfer gossip – 5th July: Part 2: Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and more

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 1 is here.

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Turkish side Besiktas say they are hopeful of signing Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, after lodging an official bid for the Spurs striker.

Full story: Metro

What’s the story? Spurs will be dreaming about someone moving in for Adebayor. He was excellent on loan, got his contract, and gave up last season.Does it make sense? Maybe a chance to prove himself in another league could light his fire. Besiktas need to be able to compete with Galatasaray and Fenerbache domestically and Adebayor is still very capable of running wild in the Turkish league.Is the price right? Spurs paid £8m but realistically would probably be willing to accept about £5m to shift him.Will it happen? 8/10 – I like the sound of this for all concerned but would depend what wage Besiktas can offer him.

Arsenal are finalising negotiations with Real Madrid for the £22m signing of Gonzalo Higuain, who will become the club’s record signing and highest paid player.

Full story: Daily TelegraphWhat’s the story? Higuain is the statement of intent signing that Arsenal have needed to make this summer.Does it make sense? Yes, a lot of sense. Higuain is a truly world class striker which is exactly what Arsenal need if they are to compete for the Premier League title again.Is the price right? £22m is a bargain. Higuain has a much better career record than any of the other big name strikers on the move this summer and comes at half the price.Will it happen? 10/10 – It really does look like it will now.

Newcastle United look set to pull out of the race to sign Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone, 29, because he does not fit into the Magpies’ “blueprint”.

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle

What’s the story? Well, the use of ‘blueprint’ here is designed to question the club. The blueprint being Joe Kinnear’s idea of how to improve the club, and the local media is vehemently opposed to him.Does it make sense? It would have made sense to sign him, so not signing him doesn’t make sense.Is the price right? Believed to be available for £6m which would be great value for a player capable of getting 15+ goals.Will it happen? 0/10 – If even the local press give up it it’s not happening. He will move somewhere, but not Newcastle evidently.

Chelsea’s reshaping of their squad under manager Jose Mourinho continued last night, with striker Demba Ba, 29, holding talks with Anzhi Makhachkala. Midfielder John Obi Mikel, 26, will follow him out of Stamford Bridge.

Full story: the Times

What’s the story? Demba Ba would seem to be the odd man out in Chelsea’s forwards carousel. I picked him out as one the better bargains on offer this summer and he seems to be on the move. He’s got a reputation for following the money and Anzhi aren’t short of that. Mikel has done his stock some good with his performances in Brazil this summer but needs a fresh start.Does it make sense? Yes. Ba can make a good pairing with Eto’o in Russia. Mikel can be a decent playmaker but needs to be in a team where he is the main man, which he won’t be at Chelsea.Is the price right? Chelsea might be able get more than the £8-12m that Ba is worth from Anzhi. No one should pay more than that for Mikel either, even despite looking good in Brazil.Will it happen? 9/10: Ba – Anzhi have lots of money. 8/10: Mikel to leave – needs a fresh start and Chelsea are looking elsewhere in midfield.

Former England striker Carlton Cole, 29, who has been released by West Ham, is understood to have held talks with newly promoted Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Full story: Croydon Advertiser

What’s the story? Carlton Cole has been able to be effective in spurts during his career but has never converted his physical talents in to consistent goal scoring.Does it make sense? Yes. Palace are going to be without 30 goal Glenn Murray at the start of the season and they have pretty much nothing else.Is the price right? They need to be careful what wage they agree with him but getting him for free makes sense.Will it happen? 9/10 – Doesn’t need to move house, gets Premier League football at a club that need a striker. Sounds good.