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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?
Part One is here
Tottenham are preparing an £18m bid for Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, 28, that would break the club’s record transfer fee.
Full story: Mail on Sunday
What’s the story? Spurs were all set for a pursuit of Christian Benteke but he has signed a new contract at Villa so they move to the next man on the list in their striker search.Does it make sense? Yes. Soldado is a quality striker who has consistently scored goals in La Liga. It is this consistency of returns that will most appeal to Spurs who have the erratic Defoe and Adebayor at the moment.Is the price right?Yes. It is a lot of money of course, but he’s never failed to reach double figures in goals when the starting forward and scored 30 in 46 games last year. A top class goalscoring forward.Will it happen? 8/10 – With Negredo, Villa and Benteke all accounted for Soldado must be the best available now.
Arsenal have told Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar, 33, he will have to take a pay cut if he wants to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Julio Cesar
Full story: Metro What’s the story? Imagine two years ago seeing that a QPR player would need to take a pay drop to move to Arsenal. Amazing stuff.Does it make sense? Kind of, but this seems like a cheap and cheerful solution in Arsenal’s goal rather than making a proper signing.Is the price right? No more than £1-1.5m QPR seem as desperate to get rid as Arsenal do to sign.Will it happen? 6/10 – They have been linked all summer but then, how do we really tell what Arsenal are going to do?
The Gunners are also back in the race to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, as Napoli are unwilling to match the £35m price tag set by the Spanish club.
Gonzalo Higuain
Full story: Mail on Sunday
What’s the story? Two things; when were Arsenal out of the race? Lots of Italian media are saying the very opposite about a Napoli bid for Higuain.Does it make sense? No one really knows what’s going on at Arsenal right now. They are spending a lot of time and resource going after Luis Suarez and it means they’ve missed out on Jovetic and got embroiled in this mess with Higuain now too.Is the price right? Yep. How can you complian about paying this for a player who has 107 goals in 187 games for Real Madrid?Will it happen? 3/10 – They’ve been messing about and the early advantage their stability gave them has been completely squandered. If they will pay £35m for the all the nonsense that comes with Suarez why not pay it for the model professional Higuain?
Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis , 27, wants to join several of his French international team-mates at Newcastle – which could signal the end of Papiss Cisse’s time at St James’ Park.
Bafetimbi Gomis
Full story: Newcastle Chronicle What’s the story? Cisse seems unhappy generally at Newcastle with the whole shirt sponsor row amongst other things.Does it make sense? Yes. He’s big, quick and powerful always scores goals. A nice new dimension for the Newcastle attack.Is the price right? Reports from France suggest £4m which seems unfeasibly low but Lyon are making some weird decisions at the moment.Will it happen? 8/10 – When it makes it in to local papers it tends to be on the way to happening.
Ryan Bertrand
Chelsea have rejected an enquiry from Liverpool about the availability of 23-year-old left-back Ryan Bertrand.
Full story: the Observer
What’s the story? I’m doing my best to see the positive in Liverpool’s transfer policy but I don’t get this. Bertrand can be a serviceable full back but he’ll never be a top four one, let alone helping them to win the league which is the entire point of what Liverpool are trying to achieve.Does it make sense? Not really. Liverpool have raided Chelsea’s bin before and it’s netted them the talented but inconsistent Sturridge. Bertrand isn’t better than Enrique and although he possibly could be there must be better options?Is the price right? He can’t be worth much more than £4m.Will it happen? 2/10 – Chelsea don’t need to sell or they’ll have to sign another left back.
