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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?
A fresh bid from Paris St-Germain for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani could force Chelsea to increase their offer for the 26-year-old to £53m.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? It could do, except that PSG have bid the same as Chelsea.Does it make sense? Cavani is a luxury buy for PSG, perhaps with the intention of showing they haven’t lost the ability to make big time signings.Is the price right? Napoli don’t want to sell, are well backed financially and are in the Champions League. Why should they take anything less than his £55m release clause.Will it happen? 7/10 – Could well end up at PSG but then, surely Chelsea won’t miss out on Cavani for the sake of £6-7m.
However, it is also rumoured that PSG’s new offer for Cavani has put Chelsea off the Uruguayan, with Jose Mourinho intent on pursuing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27, and Borussia Dortmund’s 24-year-old forward Robert Lewandowski.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Not sure why Lewandowski keeps getting linked to Chelsea when he’s made it clear he will only play for Bayern Munich. Rooney? Will United sell him to another Premier league club?Does it make sense? Erm. We’re getting towards the edge of the range where Chelsea are signing a striker who’d be a logical upgrade on Lukaku (who cost £20m). Lewandowski isn’t an option but Rooney is one of the last of the few who’d be an upgrade.Is the price right? No one knows.Will it happen? 0/10: Lewandowski 3/10: Rooney
League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge could make more than £1m from a sell-on clause if their former striker Dwight Gayle, 22, makes an expected £8.5m move from Peterborough to Crystal Palace.
Full story: London Evening Standard What’s the story? Haha. Expected £8.5m move? Huh? It’s nonsense.Does it make sense? Erm, no? £8.5m. Think about that. That’s pretty much what David Villa is going to cost. It’s not much less than Mesut Ozil cost. It’s what Philippe Coutinho cost.Is the price right? You may have got the impression it’s not. Palace aren’t in a position to spend £8.5m on a single player, and to spend it on a red raw player who was only in non league last year would be insanity.Will it happen? 8/10 – For about £3m. How does a number like £8.5m not get scrutinised before print?
Everton are willing to pay £5m for Swansea winger Nathan Dyer, 25.
Full story: the Sun What’s the story? Nathan Dyer has played well in his specific role at Swansea and Everton are going to play a similar system under Roberto Martinez.Does it make sense? He’s a decent player who can be hard to stop on his day. However, Everton are trying to get themselves in to the Champions League. Is Nathan Dyer going to do that?Is the price right? It’s a fair price for a decent Premier League player.Will it happen? 5/10 – Not overly convinced. Martinez must know of some players from overseas. Kevin Mirallas cost only a little more but is a much better player.
AZ Alkmaar have rejected a bid from Sunderland for United States striker Jozy Altidore, 20, who has scored 31 goals in 41 appearances for the Dutch club.
Full story: Shields Gazette
What’s the story? Altidore has the physical capability and the pace to do well in England. He’s re-found his scoring boots in Holland after bouncing around for a while.Does it make sense? Di Canio likes hard working athletes. Altidore ticks the box.Is the price right? £4m or so could be about right. Too much more is getting in to risky territory.Will it happen? 8/10 – He wants to try his luck in a major league again and Sunderland’s new recruitment policy seeks his type of players.
Chelsea have offered Sporting Lisbon around £12m for Portuguese winger Bruma, 18.
Full story: A BolaWhat’s the story? Bruma is supposedly ‘the next Cristiano Ronaldo’ and Chelsea are seemingly signing every young attacker and attacking midfielder they can.Does it make sense? Not really given the massive quantity of players they already have in the position. However, there is a business/FFP side to this. The players are going to increase in value which looks pretty on their FFP sheet and they can always sell any they don’t have room for. Mind you, if he is supposed to be the next Ronaldo they can find room for him.Is the price right? It could be. If you paid £12m for an 18 year old Ronaldo you’d think you’d done well.Will it happen? 10/10 – Seems certain.
