Analysing the Transfer Gossip

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 One is here. Part Two is here.

Lyon could include France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, 27, in their bid to beat Roma to the signing of 26-year-old Arsenal winger Gervinho.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Oh wow is it 2010? No? Well then this is like swapping deckchairs on the Titanic.

Does it make sense? Not really. Arsenal don’t have anywhere to fit Gourcuff who has never capitalised on the talent and promise of his younger years to become the megastar he could have become. Not sure Lyon fans will be massively excited about Gervinho, but he did have a good spell in France at Lille.

Is the price right? They’re not really worth a hole bunch now. Gervinho is possibly worth £6-7m.

Will it happen? 0/10 – Arsenal are only letting Gervinho go to trim the garbage in the squad so taking on someone else’s left overs doesn’t fit in to that.

Manchester City and Chelsea are chasing Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, who has fallen out with new Paris St-Germain boss Laurent Blanc over the signing of 26-year-old Edinson Cavani.

Full story: Daily Star

What’s the story? Ibrahimovic was brought to Paris to be the top dog and now faces serious competition for that status from £55m man Cavani.

Does it make sense? Well Blanc is the coach, so isn’t signing the players, but he’ll certainly have to deal with the fall out. It’s very hard to see him at Chelsea and City seem to be close to getting Jovetic and possibly Negredo too. Real Madrid perhaps?

Is the price right? How does a buying club value Ibrahimovic? He’s always scored goals, but always caused headaches. He’s 31 now and will want an enormous pay packet. At least £20m for starters. Football wise his signing makes sense regardless but financially it’s dubious.

Will it happen? 5/10 – We haven’t actually heard anything from Ibrahimovic yet so this seems to be based more on the, quite possibly correct, assumption that he’ll be upset by the club signing Cavani. But, he does move around a lot and if he kicks up a fuss someone will feel it’s worth it.

Real Madrid have agreed to sell defender Raul Albiol, 27, to Napoli on a four-season deal for around £10m.

Full story: El Pais

What’s the story? Rafa Benitez’s Spanishisation of Napoli continues apace.

Does it make sense? Yes. Napoli have a potent attack but defensive woes have cost them a push for the Serie A title. Albiol is a quality player who will provide an upgrade.

Is the price right? It’s at the top end of what’s appropriate to pay for him but the price is slightly higher because Real wouldn’t have wanted to leave themselves short of options at the back.

Will it happen? 8/10 – Napoli have been linked to everyone since Benitez’s appointment and not many of them have come to fruition but this seems to fit the bill.

Roma have beaten Manchester United to the signature of PSV Eindhoven’s Kevin Strootman with the 23-year-old midfielder set to complete a £15m deal to join the Italian club.

Full story: Gazzetta dello Sport

What’s the story? Roma complete a very impressive signing of the potentially dominating Strootman but whether or not United ever actually bid on him is quite another question.

Does it make sense? It does from Roma’s point of view but I don’t understand why Man United wouldn’t have gotten themselves involved in this considering they need a central midfielder with his qualities. Partnering De Rossi with Strootman can give Roma an elite central midfield pairing.

Is the price right? Yes. They’re paying for his talent and potential and the price is slightly increased because PSV have already sold other players this summer.

Will it happen? 10/10 – It’s inevitable now.

West Ham’s hopes of landing Morgan Amalfitano, 28, have been dashed after Marseille accepted an offer from Olympiakos for the French midfielder.

Full story: talkSPORT

What’s the story? West Ham seem to have ground to a halt lately in the transfer market, after the big start of getting Andy Carroll.

Does it make sense? I don’t see why their hopes would be dashed just because an offer has been accepted elsewhere, surely they could just match it? Amalfitano is a decent but not particularly good player and isn’t really any kind of upgrade on what they have.

Is the price right? He’d only cost about £4-5m at most so it’s not great for West Ham if they can’t match that.

Will it happen? 2/10 – West Ham look set to suffer more frustration.