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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?
Manchester United are increasingly confident they can bring Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, and Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, to Old Trafford this summer after being given private encouragement from both players.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? This would be the kind of double move that would blow the lid off the Premier League hype machine. If United sign Lewandowski we know Rooney is on his way. The negotiations with Fabregas will be much more difficult as Arsenal have first refusal, and they won’t refuse.Does it make sense? Can it not make sense to sign two world class players?Is the price right? United haven’t spent really big for a while and will need almost all of the £80m Ronaldo money to get these two. Maybe £65-70m. Fees would be fair all around really. Good money for Dortmund, Barca make a profit, United pay market price. Everyone’s a winner. Except Arsenal…Will it happen? 7/10 – Lewandowski: With Bayern out of the race it depends if Dortmund cash in. 5/10 – Fabregas: Spanish press say he’s going nowhere but Barcelona only really have room for one of Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara. 2/10 – Both: So much to fall in to place yet, but this number could yet go up.
United boss David Moyes has also launched a £15m bid to sign Spain Under-21 captain Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona. The midfielder is also being linked with a move to Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? United obviously can’t sign Thiago and Fabregas but pressuring Barcelona with a two pronged attack could yield great reward. Thiago needs to be a starter and has all the talent required to do so at United.Does it make sense? Yes. United need a quality compliment to Michael Carrick and Thiago is about as good as they can get. He can play in a 442 or 4231 which gives Moyes real tactical flexibility. His ghosty running, sublime passing and tenacious defensive work make him an elite prospect.Is the price right? Somehow Barcelona allowed his escape clause to become active so this is all it would take. Probably about half price!Will it happen? 8/10 – I feel this is more likely than Fabregas as United can easily just trigger the release and offer to make him the starter.
Meanwhile, Moyes will try to sign Southampton’s 17-year-old left-back Luke Shaw if he fails to lure Leighton Baines from Southampton.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Luke Shaw is arguably the best young English talent and United need a succession plan for Evra if they don’t get Baines.Does it make sense? Yes. Although Baines is first choice, they don’t need to move Evra so they could keep him in place for a couple of years whilst Shaw is on loan if they miss out on Baines.Is the price right? It’s going to be too high. His displayed value is about £4-5m given his position. Add in his age potential and it comes up to £7/8m, add in that he is English it comes up to £9/10m, maybe more, and then finally add in that Southampton have decent money now and don’t need to sell and it gets to £12-15m which is so much for a 17-year-old left back.Will it happen? 4/10 – Hard to commit to it much more before the Baines issue is dealt with.
New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been told a reunion with Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder will cost £12.75m. The 29-year-old Dutchman played for Mourinho at Inter Milan as they won the Italian domestic double and the Champions League three years ago.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? There’s literally no reason for Chelsea to sign Sneijder.Does it make sense? Of course not. Talk of Chelsea maybe selling Mata is absolute junk. They’ve got an abundance of attacking midfielders, they don’t need another when they don’t have a certain striker and the defence needs help.Is the price right? £12.75m would be good value for Sneijder so if, for some reason, Galatasaray are selling him for that someone like Liverpool or Spurs should move in.Will it happen? 0/10 – No.
Tottenham target Bernard has been urged to join Borussia Dortmund instead by his Brazil international team-mate Dante. The White Hart Lane club are desperate to tempt the 5ft 4in 20-year-old attacking midfielder to join them, but Dortmund have also targeted the Atletico Mineiro star as a possible replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Mario Gotze.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Bernard is a young man Brazil are very excited about, and with good reason. He’s predominantly a left forward in a 4231 or 433 and last season in Brazil he scored 11 and made 12. Not bad for a 20-year-old.Does it make sense? He’d be an excellent signing for either team in replacement of their main attacking weapon. Dortmund would be de facto replacing Gotze with Reus moving centrally and Spurs might have to replace Bale.Is the price right? Young Brazilians are expensive, and ones this good are very expensive. £12m starting price and then anything up to £18m could be needed.Will it happen? 8/10 – Dortmund: They need to do something big if they are serious about competing with Bayern. 3/10 – Spurs: A long way behind at the moment. Do they have the cash without selling Bale?
Jose Mourinho has dropped a heavy hint that Chelsea will welcome 27-year-old striker Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge if he leaves Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Mourinho was a big admirer of Rooney in his last term as Chelsea manager and Chelsea want a big time striker.Does it make sense? Yes, for Chelsea. Rooney can go back to his old, and very productive, role as the pure striker in which he had had two 30+ goal seasons. Not sure about United selling to their main title rival though.Is the price right? No one is quoting more than £30m which seems a little low. However, he has asked to leave and only has two years on his contract so United aren’t in a dominant negotiating position.Will it happen? 2/10 – How can United sell Chelsea Rooney and then watch them win the league on the back of his goals?
