Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 16th July Part One: Fabregas, Suarez, Cesar 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?

Arsenal will not take up their first refusal on re-signing former midfielder Cesc Fabregas and that will leave the way open for Manchester United to try to sign the 26-year-old Barcelona player.

Full story: Daily Star

What’s the story? Really? If Cesc Fabregas ended up at Man United because Arsenal don’t take up a first option clause then I don’t see how Arsene Wenger can possibly justify it.

Does it make sense? No. There’s absolutely no possible justification for them to not take it up. They’ve said they’ve got money. They’ve said they’ve got quality players in mind. So missing out on Fabregas for this reason would be a borderline sackable offence.

Is the price right? I’ll be stunned if Barcelona are willing to sell at all, but considering they paid the best part of £35m for him I can’t see how anything less than £40m would even give them anything to think about.

Will it happen? 1/10 – I just can’t even fathom a way that Arsenal would let Fabregas get to Man United unopposed when they sit in the box seat.

David Moyes wants to sign both Spain international Fabregas and Belgium international Fellaini to pair them up in a new look midfield at the Old Trafford club.

Full story: the Guardian

What’s the story? We now know United certainly want Fabregas and they’ve been linked with Fellaini almost automatically because Moyes had him at Everton.

Does it make sense? Yes. A combination of Fabregas, Fellaini and Carrick would be very good. They’ve have the requisite mix of quality passing, strength, power and defensive intelligence.

Is the price right? For Fabregas see above. Fellaini has a soon to expire release clause of £23m which is good enough value if he’s being signed to play the right role.

Will it happen? 5/10 – It could do. My first instinct on the United bid for Fabregas is that it’s a smokescreen of some kind. Of course they’d actually want him, but do they think they can get him? If Barcelona sold him and Thiago Alcantara in one summer they’d have lost both heirs to 33 year old Xavi’s position. If they want Fellaini they can get him.

Liverpool are bracing themselves for Real Madrid to finally make a formal bid for striker Luis Suarez, 26, this week. If, as reported, it will be Gonzalo Higuain plus £10m, they will reject it and hold out for £40m cash.

Full Story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? There’s no chance Liverpool would reject that offer. Higuain is a world class striker so to get him and £10m for Suarez is not something that can be rejected.

Does it make sense? I don’t get this from Real’s point of view. Do they want to lose Higuain or not? Are they just posturing to get more money? Why not just buy Suarez and stop messing about?

Is the price right? This would essentially mean that Liverpool don’t value Higuain at £30m which is ridiculous. The £20-25m that’s been talked about for him is a bargain anyway. 107 goals in 187 games at Real Madrid says it all.

Will it happen? 3/10 – Liverpool might feel that they can’t persuade Higuain to join them, and that can be the only justifiable way of turning this down. But then they are prone to headscratchers.

Liverpool are ready to use Suarez in their pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Swiss youngster Xherdan Shaqiri, 21.

Full Story: CaughtOffside

What’s the story? Haha. I do love the gossip maker’s logic. So Liverpool aren’t willing to take Higuain for Suarez but they are willing to bait him to Bayern to get the talented, but by no means Higuain talented, Shaqiri?

Does it make sense? Some kind of cash and Shaqiri deal for Suarez would be good for Liverpool. The young Swiss has a lot of talent but Bayern are building a squad of almost unparalleled depth and he looks like an odd man out. His pace out wide would add a new dimension to Liverpool’s attack.

Is the price right? Shaqiri is probably worth £15m and Suarez in the £40-50m range so if Bayern offered £25-30m and Shaqiri Liverpool may be willing to deal.

Will it happen? 3/10 – It depends how intent Bayern still are on signing Suarez. It’s hard to see where he fits in that loaded squad but that didn’t put Thiago off. Shaqiri could probably be persuaded. Guardiola has said he only wanted Thiago Alcantara.

Villarreal have made an 11th-hour move to hijack Napoli’s bid for QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, 33.

Full Story: talkSPORT

What’s the story? It seemed like Napoli were serenely tying up the Cesar move but Villarreal will want to make some impact signings back in La Liga.

Does it make sense? It makes sense to try, but a move to Napoli and the Champions League is a much more attractive proposition.

Is the price right? A loan is good, it depends how much of his wage QPR are requiring be paid by the loaning team though because he’s on £70k a week.

Will it happen? 0/10 – A chance for another go at the Champions League will be too good to resist for Cesar.