Analysing the Transfer Gossip: 13th April 2013

There’s always plenty of transfer talk throughout the season. So how much of it makes sense, and how much of it is just rumour?

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is preparing a summer move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards, and the Reds are among a number of clubs monitoring the 24-year-old.

Full story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? Richards is one of the more talented English players but he is plagued by injury, unable to string any number of consecutive appearances together. At his best he is an imposing presence from right back and Liverpool are lacking any kind of physicality at the back. Richards has attracted Mancini’s ire for complaining about the back 3 system.

Does it make sense? Yeah, it does actually. If Richards can stay fit, Liverpool would be a good place for him to rebuild, but City have a small squad and might be reluctant to let him go.

Is the price right? It could be more expensive than you’d imagine. Certainly upwards of £10m.

Will it happen? 6/10 – Liverpool would make sense if he was of a mind to leave City but it would an odd one for City to deplete themselves.

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Liverpool are also interested in another defender, Lazio’s Modibo Diakite, 26, but face competition from Serie A side Roma.

Full story: talkSPORT

What’s the story? Liverpool need to completely rebuild their flimsy defence and Diakite would give them the big man that they so badly need.

Does it make sense? There will be questions as to whether Diakite has the pedigree to be an upgrade over the incumbents at Liverpool.

Is the price right? He’s available on a Bosman free.

Will it happen? 3/10 – Maybe but it won’t be an upgrade.

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Arsenal’s Germany striker Lukas Podolski fears for his future at the club after not starting a game for two months. The 27-year-old is concerned that he may be sold by manager Arsene Wenger in the summer.

Full story: the Sun

What’s the story? Podolski hasn’t really thrived in England after his summer move but it would be a big surprise if Wenger was to give up on him so quickly.

Does it make sense? It depends what Podolski wants. If he is happy at Arsenal then he’s going nowhere, Wenger has far too much junk to be focusing on getting rid of. However, if he wants to start every game that’s very much open to question at the Gunners.

Is the price right? They paid around £8m for him and they won’t get much more than that a year later.

Will it happen? 2/10 – I can’t see him going anywhere.

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Bayern Munich are keen on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, 27, as Pep Guardiola prepares to take charge of the Bundesliga champions in the summer.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Hahaha, excellent.

Does it make sense? Bayern have the budget to choose any defender in the world pretty much, and they choose Laurent Koscielny?

Is the price right? Arsenal would jump all over any bids over £13m.

Will it happen? 3/10 – Guardiola did have a bit of a blindspot for defenders at Barcelona but surely he will look for more quality.

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Meanwhile, Newcastle may make a bid for Toulouse left-back Cheikh M’Bengue, 24, as the Magpies have been scouting the Senegal international for two years.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? Newcastle buy in France and have recently bought from Toulose, therefore…

Does it make sense? They already have the highly regarded full back pair of Santon and Debuchy, so not really.

Is the price right? Probably around £4-5m which is reasonable but a lot for a third full back.

Will it happen? 7/10 – If they sell Santon then yes, but if not they might still be tempted by the value.

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Manchester City could sign Adam Maher, 19, in the summer after Dutch side AZ Alkmaar confessed the midfielder is set to be sold.

Full story: Metro

What’s the story? Dutch media say he’s going to Ajax but why listen to them?

Does it make sense? It does football wise but he’s going to Ajax.

Is the price right? £6m or so.

Will it happen? 0/10 – unless this move to Ajax collapses for some reason.