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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.
Brendan Rodgers’ recent comments about Luis Suarez apparently owing Liverpool and their fans for the loyalty shown in him have angered the player.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Haha. Wow. Is this real? If it is it’s incredible. Can he seriously be angry that his manager is publically calling him out for asking to leave Liverpool to go overseas and then being happy to go to Arsenal?!
Does it make sense? This whole saga is one big pantomime and it’s hard to see why Arsenal want to get themselves involved in it.
Is the price right? Rodgers says Liverpool want £55m but they might just be trying to squeeze every last penny (or pound?) from Arsenal. Surely they will want to just get rid now.
Will it happen? 5/10 – It says it all that this has climbed up to 5 from 0. Some Spanish press are saying that Real Madrid are backing away from Suarez because of all this nonsense.
Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 25, has passed a medical ahead of a £5m move to Norwich.
Full story: Sky Sports
What’s the story? Norwich tried to sign Hooper in January for £8m and now get him for £5m.
Does it make sense? Norwich did need to add goals and Hooper has a good record in Scotland. Whether or not that necessarily means he is about to score 15 Premier League goals is quite another issue but they’ve tried to fix a problem which is commendable.
Is the price right? It’s probably fair enough really. He’s scored a lot in Scotland and has scored a few in Europe so it’s not too much. And, it’s £3m less than 6 months ago which is tidy.
Will it happen? 10/10 – They finally get their man.
Liverpool have made Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, 28, their main target as they look to replace 26-year-old Luis Suarez. Tottenham have had a £22m offer for the Spain international rejected and Valencia want to sell Soldado for £26m by 3 August for tax purposes.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Interesting. Where would that leave Daniel Sturridge? Surely Spurs won’t lay down on this given that they need a striker so badly.
Does it make sense? It sure does. Even though Rodgers bought Sturridge with an eye on playing him as their central striker he’s not as good or consistent as Soldado so it would be an upgrade upfront and Sturridge could play in his more dangerous wide right, inverted wing position.
Is the price right? £26m is a lot. £22m is bang on. The problem is, with the league so congested this season, if Spurs or indeed Liverpool, want to make progress they will probably have to pay slightly over the odds. It’s not disastrously too much though.
Will it happen? 5/10 – I think Spurs have an advantage but he does seem to be coming to England which would be fun to watch.
West Ham are set to open up talks again about a move for 31-year-old Southampton striker Rickie Lambert.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Huh? West Ham want another slow and big forward to pair with Carroll and Southampton want to sell their star man?
Does it make sense? No. Although Lambert showed that he can be a good Premier League player he really isn’t want West Ham need and where would selling him fit in to Southampton’s otherwise ambitious summer recruitment.
Is the price right? He’s worth more to Southampton than any other team. Paying more than £5-6m is pretty much about the most they could pay. But then who do Southampton replace him with?
Will it happen? 3/10 – Bizarrely it’s not the first time his name has been linked with a move away. I don’t get it, but it could happen.
The Hammers are also interested in West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie, 32, after deals for the Nigeria international to join Crystal Palace and Fulham fell through.
Full story: Times
What’s the story? Again, West Ham looking at strikers who are pretty much of the standard that they have already. Whatever happened to Sam Allardyce’s ability to pull out completely unexpected signings from overseas? Does he have to just sign other Premier league club’s cast offs nowadays?
Does it make sense? Not really. He can offer some decent attacking threat but it’s just not a necessary signing. He might be a bit of pain too.
Is the price right? Less than one million. Any more is too much.
Will it happen? 7/10 – West Brom want rid, West Ham are getting desperate.
