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The transfer window has been flung open by Monaco and this summer could be spectacular for player movement, given the number of high profile clubs that have changed manager or who are coming off perceived down seasons. Over this summer, I will be explaining and analysing the major moves around and giving each one of them a grade.
Fernandinho – Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City (£34m)
What’s the deal? City have pursued Fernandinho for the best part of two years and finally get their man. City are determined to make big moves having been caught up by other nouveau riche PSG and Monaco and this is their way of doing so.Is the price right? No, it’s insane. He had a £42.5m release clause which City have ‘managed’ to negotiate down to £34m. But that is a crazy amount for a 28-year-old central midfielder who only has experience in the Ukrainian league. There were no other bidders for him, so it’s as if they were on eBay using two accounts bidding against themselves. Shakhtar would have been rubbing their hands. The Financial Fair Play implications are ghastly.Why sign him? Fernandinho is a nice glidy central midfielder who has an excellent range of passing and some creativity. He has everything that the City midfield lacks at the moment.Why sell him? He’s been there a long time, won lots of trophies and been loyal so it’s fair to let him go. Plus, it’s a stratospheric profit.Will it work? It should do. It’s a step up in standard but he’s used to big club pressure and the Ukranian league is physically intense.Grade: C He’s a lovely player who fills a big need. But he’s 28. And cost £34m.
Jesus Navas – Sevilla to Manchester City (£22m)
What’s the deal? City finally complete another long courtship and Navas obviously feels ready to overcome the homesickness which slowed his career as a youngster and be the main man.Is the price right? Yes, this one is pretty fair for what he is on the field. However, Sevilla said that only City bid for him so maybe they could have got him for less.Why sign him? City had a catastrophic lack of width and variety in attack and Navas is both fast and full of energy and movement. He can provide the kinds of chances that Aguero needs to warm up his scoring boots.Why sell him? Sevilla are not in good financial shape and Navas needs to play in the Champions League if he is to get in to a loaded Spain squad for the World Cup next summer.Will it work? If he can settle in, the presence of a ream of Spanish speakers should help this, then he can be a phenomenal success. He isn’t quite world class but he’s one of the best in the level just below.Grade: A - Only slightly downgraded by adaptation concerns and overpaying but on the pitch he can be a superstar.
Fernando Llorente – Athletic Bilbao to Juventus (Free)
What’s the deal? This was arranged a while ago but it’s an important one. Llorente wanted to play in the Champions League as he has seen his national team stock fall behind those operating in the elite competition.Is the price right? Can’t go wrong with a Bosman.Why sign him? The only weakness in the Juventus team is the attack. They haven’t really had an elite level striker since David Trezeguet but Llorente is a big physical number 9 who can score them 20 goals.Why sell him? They didn’t have a choice. They could have sold him last summer but made a meal of the negotiations.Will it work? Yes. He has Pirlo, Vidal, Isla and Asamoah to supply him and surely one of Jovetic and Tevez to join him.Grade: A+ He’s free, he’s top quality and he fills a big need. Great business.
Daniel Carvajal – Bayer Leverkusen to Real Madrid (£5m)
What’s the deal? Carvajal was sold to Bayer Leverkusen last season with a buy back clause in his deal. He was always highly regarded but didn’t get time under Mourinho who prefers experience. He’s gone now, so Carvajal is back after an excellent season in Germany.Is the price right? Yes. He’d be more if it wasn’t for the buy back clause.Why sign him? He could well already be better than Arbeloa and surely will be at season’s end. He’s a rare Real youth product too. They need some pace and dynamism at right back which Carvajal has plenty of. Plus, the new manager may be more inclined towards youth.Why sell him? Release clause activated. Although Leverkusnen wouldn’t have had him at all if they hadn’t agreed to the release.Will it work? Yes. He has all the tools to be a really good right back and there aren’t many better places to play than the Bernabeu.Grade: A Great price, potentially great player.
Maarten Stekelenburg – Roma to Fulham (£3m)
What’s the deal? Stekelenburg was once a top rated goalkeeper but has lost his way in recent years. Fulham gives him the ideal small club to re-find his form and try to get in to the Holland World Cup squad.Is the price right? Yes. Fulham have done a tidy job of picking up bargains lately and this is another example. If he gets his old form back it’ll be a bargain.Why sign him? Mark Schwarzer was really good last season, but he’s 40 now. Fulham needed a long term successor which they now have.Why sell him? Stekelenburg lost his place after some dodgy showings and it was time to move on.Will it work? It should do if he can regain his confidence. However, he’s behind a bad defence which needs to be fixed to help him.Grade: B They need to add defenders, he won’t be able to do it alone. He’s not what he was and replacing the trustworthy Schwarzer is risky.
