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You can read part one here: Analysing the Transfer Gossip – July 11: Part One
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?
Manchester City boss Pellegrini is pushing hard to land Fiorentina’s 23-year-old Stefan Jovetic. The Montenegro striker has also been targeted by Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus.
What’s the story? Jovetic was supposedly heading to Arsenal earlier in the transfer window but as with all their transfer work, that’s vanished seemingly. He was never targeted by Chelsea or Man United and Juventus have signed Carlos Tevez.Does it make sense? I guess so. Jovetic could play in behind Aguero with Silva and Navas either side of him to form a potentially dangerous attacking unit.Is the price right? £28m is a lot for a forward who isn’t an out and out goal scorer but City do need someone to juice up their attack which looked very flat at times last year.Will it happen? 9/10 – I think it will now. City have bounced around, linked with various names.
Fulham boss Martin Jol has been told to pay £10m for Dnipro’s 23-year-old Ukrainian winger Evgen Konoplyanka.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? Interesting. Konoplyanka had a very good Euro 2012 so it was surprising he didn’t get his big move last summer. Pace and trickery from wide positions makes him a threat but he’s not overly consistent.Does it make sense? Yes. At times last season Fulham were a one man attack in the shape of Dimitar Berbatov. They need a player who can do things out of the ordinary.Is the price right? It’s pretty fair really. He has the kind of pace and ability to make things happen and that costs money. Last summer he’d have cost more.Will it happen? 6/10 – It’s a big amount for Fulham who have a bit of an ownership intrigue at the moment so remains to be seen what they’ll have available.
Arsenal are working on a deal to bring former captain Cesc Fabregas, 26, back to the Emirates with the Spanish midfielder said to be uncertain about his Barcelona future.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? I think Arsenal will be forgiven for having a mixture of excitement and weary disbelief when it comes to this one.Does it make sense? Having Fabregas obviously makes sense but he seems to want to prove himself in Barcelona having made such a fuss of getting there in the first place.Is the price right? Arsenal have first refusal if Barcelona do prepare to sell. They paid upwards of £30m though and so far Arsenal haven’t shown themselves able to pay that.Will it happen? 2/10 – I’ve been bitten by committing to Arsenal signing players so until there is actually evidence that they do want to spend money I’m not going any higher.
Chelsea plan to sell either Fernando Torres, 29, or Demba Ba, 28, if they manage to buy striker Wayne Rooney, 27, from Manchester United.
Full story: the Independent
What’s the story? No way? They’ll sell a striker if they sign one? Ba is potentially a bargain for someone but Torres isn’t going anywhere.Does it make sense? United are making the right sounds about keeping Rooney and even if they wanted to sell him they wouldn’t consider doing so to another English club.Is the price right? Ba could be had for £7-8m you’d think. It’s what they paid and they seem to have just signed him to allow them to push for the cups last season. Torres cost £50m and they won’t get a third of that.Will it happen? 9/10: Ba – It’s hard to see where he fits in at Chelsea now with the abundance of options they have. 2/10: Torres – They paid so much and he’s shown flickerings of what they paid for.
QPR chairman Tony Fernandes is taking charge of his club’s bid to sign midfielder Scott Parker, 32, from Tottenham.
Full story: the Times
What’s the story? QPR are stuck with a load of players who don’t want to play for the club but Parker would bring professionalism to a shambolic dressing room.Does it make sense? Yes. They need some proper pros at the club. Parker doesn’t have the legs or speed of thought for the Premier League anymore but can do a good job in the Championship.Is the price right? Shouldn’t cost more than £1m.Will it happen? 7/10 – It should do but he might taking some persuading to drop a division.
