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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?
Robert Lewandowski could be set for a shock move to the Premier League after Borussia Dortmund refused to sell him to Bayern Munich. The 24-year-old Poland striker has been strongly linked with Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
What’s the story? Dortmund have today come out and said firmly that Lewandowski isn’t going to Bayern Munich this summer. Chelsea and United are known admirers.Does it make sense? Yes. There’s no way Dortmund can sell both Lewandowski and Gotze in the same summer to Bayern without essentially giving up on the Bundesliga. Man United and Chelsea should be in, forgive the pun, pole position. There’s no room at PSG or Barcelona and Real Madrid seem focused on Luis Suarez. Chelsea want a striker and although they are in talks with Cavani, Lewandowski would be much cheaper. United might team him with Van Persie if they sell Rooney.Is the price right? With a year left on his contract his proper £50m valuation must dip to £30m. Still definitely worth paying, and worth Dortmund selling to avoid losing him to Bayern next summer for nothing.Will it happen? 8/10 – Dortmund would be unwise to let his contract wind down and the Premier League is a safe place to sell. Both need him, both want him, so it could very well happen.
Manager Rafael Benitez has told Napoli he would like to work with 29-year-old Chelsea striker Fernando Torres again – paving the way for the Blues to sign Napoli’s Edinson Cavani.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Benitez and Torres seem to get the best out of each other. If Chelsea are indeed in talks over Cavani and the issue is the cash, throwing in Torres would be a good solution. However, Napoli are supposedly close to signing Mario Gomez to replace Cavani which would be a bigger upgrade than Torres.Does it make sense? They do work well together, there’s no doubt. Perhaps Torres could return to form when out of the media spotlight to some degree although Naples isn’t exactly dispassionate about football. Chelsea would love to move on from him.Is the price right? Cavani is £52m, but what of Torres. He’s almost impossible to value. He’s just scored 22 goals, plays for Chelsea, and cost £50m and yet the gut instinct is that no club would pay more than £12-15m or so.Will it happen? 5/10 – Are Napoli willing to pay Torres’ wages? Also, there is some talk in Italy that they won’t sell for anything less than Cavani’s full release clause.
Manchester City are willing to offer AC Milan £21m plus Carlos Tevez, 29, for striker Stephan El Shaarawy, 20.
Full story: La Gazzetta dello Sport
What’s the story? So Tevez is either going to Liverpool, signing a new two year contract or going to Milan depending what you read. El Shaarawy is an exceptional young attacker.Does it make sense? Kind of football wise but there’s no way Milan can sell El Shaarawy. He’s a young star that the fans want the team built around and he’s got great on field chemistry with Balotelli. Tevez is a top player but since his hiatus has lacked the spark and speed of action he had before.Is the price right? El Shaarawy is worth more to Milan than any other club which makes him almost impossible to buy. £21m is about right for what he’s done so far but even with Tevez involved it’s not one Milan can accept easily.Will it happen? 0/10 – No chance
Paris St-Germain captain Thiago Silva, 28, has pledged his future to the French champions and said he would like to see Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, 27, join the club next season.
Full story: Sport24.com
What’s the story? For some reason Thiago Silva has been linked away but with PSG having made him the most expensive defender of all time only last summer it was hardly likely they were letting him go. As for Rooney, a move to PSG would make sense if only it wasn’t for his suggested unwillingness to move overseas.Does it make sense? The fit at PSG isn’t exactly bang on but he’d be another marquee name and United would get him out of England.Is the price right? Rumoured figure of £30m seems low.Will it happen? 5/10 – PSG seem well positioned but until United make it clear what they plan it’s impossible to be too firm.
Juventus director general Guiseppe Marotta has met executives from Real Madrid to discuss signing Gonzalo Higuain. The 25-year-old Argentine striker is also wanted by Arsenal.
Full story: Corriere dello Sport
What’s the story? Higauin wants out from Real Madrid and so far it seems to be a battle between Juventus and Arsenal who have already met his representatives.Does it make sense? Yes. Juventus and Arsenal can both offer him the star status as the unquestioned number one striker and adoration that he craves as well as Champions League football.Is the price right? £20m is theft but Real need cash if they are going to break the world record for Bale.Will it happen? 10/10 – He’s going to one of them but it’s up to him to choose which.
Fiorentina’s 23-year-old forward Stevan Jovetic, who is reported to be a target for Arsenal, wants to join Juventus instead.
Full story: Metro
What’s the story? It’s supposedly Jovetic that Arsenal first moved for to kick off their summer but that’s gone a little quiet. Juventus need a full re-boot up front if they want to improve in the Champions League.Does it make sense? Jovetic is comfortable in Italy and it would be an easier step to make. Football wise it’s pretty even, he’d be playing the same role for either team.Is the price right? It seems to be £23m which is right for a player of his quality and type. He doesn’t have the goal output to justify too much more.Will it happen? 7/10 – He’s leaving Fiorentina but the Italian press aren’t sure if Juventus are quite so keen now that Higuain is available.
