Transfer windows. Good God. You know what’s the worst part about the transfer window? Long, drawn out sagas. During the season, there is anticipation, yes, but the off season is often synonymous with waiting for the transfer deals to materialise.
Some transfer sagas are elaborated to such an extent that it takes the living breath out of the fans. And God forbid if any saga stretches till the final day of the window.
There are also some transfer stories this widow that keep repeating itself every day—and here are 5 of them that could only end on the final day...
#5 Adrien Silva to Spurs
The North London club are having a very quiet transfer window thus far as they haven’t signed even a single player as of yet. Knowing Daniel Levy’s tendency to sign players by spending as little as possible, it is only fair to imagine that most of Spurs’ signings will take place in the final half of the transfer window.
One of the players that has been constantly and vehemently linked to the Lilywhites is the Portuguese, Adrien Silva. The 28-year old from Sporting Lisbon is seen as the ideal midfielder by manager, Mauricio Pochettino, to distribute the possession all over the pitch for Spurs.
However, given the tendency of Portuguese clubs to churn the maximum possible amount of money for their players coupled with Daniel Levy’s stingy way of doing business, this could be a long drawn out saga that ends on the final day.
A la Joao Moutinho (which didn’t end well for Spurs).
#4 Naby Keita to Liverpool
Now, let’s get this straight: Naby Keita was Europe’s most complete midfielder last season. Granted, he lacks the aerial ability due to lack of height, but apart from that, he has everything. He was the key in Leipzig’s Bundesliga run last season that saw them end only behind champions, Bayern Munich.
So, naturally, he is a man in demand. And Liverpool are the ones creating the most of that demand. It seems as though Jurgen Klopp rates him highly and wants him at Anfield. But there’s only one problem: Leipzig will not sell him for anything less than £70 million.
Also read: 5 records that could be broken in this transfer window
And now the tug-of-war begins. Liverpool want to sign him, but aren’t willing to pay such a steep price for someone with only one wonderful season under his belt. And Leipzig will never let him go for anything less than that, which might as well push this till the very last moment.
#3 Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea
So it’s true what the learned say, you only realise the value of something once you lose it. When Romelu Lukaku was at Chelsea, the club didn’t really rate him and preferred to keep faith in an out-of-form Fernando Torres and an ageing Samuel Eto’o instead of giving him a chance.
However, after establishing himself as one of the deadliest strikers in the league at Everton, the Blues want him back, but the Toffees are hesitant to sell. The result? A £100 million tag over the Belgian’s head in hope to ward off the interest.
But the interest still remains and there is actually a possibility that Roman Abramovich will sanction the record amount. I mean, Lukaku is good, but not £100 million good. But then again, if Chelsea are willing to spend such an amount, who am I to stop them?
When transfer-record shattering amounts such as the above is mentioned, things could just keep dragging till the final day of the window.
#2 James Rodriguez to Manchester United
While Alvaro Morata to Manchester United seems to be on the move, the James link seems to have faded away in the past couple of weeks. However, Jose Mourinho is still interested in the player and might push for him once the Morata deal is done.
Real Madrid, though, are not in a hurry to sell and will not be forced to do so for a cheap price. The Colombian was bought from Monaco for £65 million in 2014 and Florentino Perez will look to recoup most of it should a sale ever be sanctioned.
Also read: OFFICIAL: Manchester United beat Manchester City to complete signing of midfielder
Also, Antonio Conte is reportedly interested in him, too, which makes things even more interesting. One thing is for certain; James doesn’t seem to be a top priority for any club and hence, negotiations for him will only pick up pace late in the window.
And that increases the chances of this going to the final day.
#1 Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid
“Let me rest now, I pick up speed in August,” said Florentino Perez a few days ago when asked about the club’s transfer dealings. The construction magnate also said that “[Mbappe] will be a great player and we are following his progress,” but “if Zidane gives the OK, he also has to tell me who leaves.”
All this brings us to the conclusion that Real Madrid are interested in signing the supremely talented Frenchman, they are in no rush to sign him as they simply don’t have a place for him in the squad just yet.
However, with Morata and James likely to move, it not only opens up space in the roster, but also provides Madrid with the funds to sign the coveted Frenchman. But it doesn’t seem like it will happen any time soon and that we might have to wait until the very final day of the window to know where the Frenchman’s near future resides.
