Analysing the transfer gossip – 14th June: Man United want Bale and Ronaldo

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 boss David Moyes is ready to spend a world-record £85m to land Tottenham midfielder – and double Footballer of the Year award winner – Gareth Bale, 23.

Full story: the Sun

What’s the story? Wow! Gareth Bale to United?! It does seem that in order to settle in David Moyes and to give him a chance at being immediately competitive, the United board are willing to ante-up and deliver a major star for huge money. They’re not backing down from Cristiano Ronaldo and now links to Gareth Bale. They do need some extra reliability in attack as only van Persie scored regularly last season.

Does it make sense? It certainly does for United, but if Spurs did sell Bale, I’m not convinced they’d countenance selling him in England. It’d almost make more sense to sell him for less to Real Madrid.

Is the price right? Well, it’d be smashing the world record as well as near trebling the club record, but considering how strongly Spurs are positioned, it might be necessary.

Will it happen? 3/10 – Too early to say. Unlikely just now, especially given Ronaldo’s statement about his contract.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Premier League is a step closer after the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward dismissed reports that he had signed a new contract with Real Madrid.

Full story: Daily Mail

What’s the story? And this is the other side of it. Yesterday, Ronaldo took to Twitter to deny reports that he had signed a new contract with Real, which has set the football world ablaze wondering where he will go.

Does it make sense? Ronaldo can only really leave Real Madrid for Man United or Bayern Munich and not be stepping down. Perhaps Chelsea come in to that category, but can they persuade him?

Is the price right? Has to be the £85m mark.

Will it happen? 6/10 – The contract denial was a surprising move. Most football gossip isn’t publicly rebuked like that. United are almost certainly trying to make something happen in the way of a star signing for David Moyes.

West Ham hope to complete the permanent signing of £15.5m striker Andy Carroll, 24, from Liverpool as early as next week.

Full story: Evening Standard

What’s the story? It’s amazing to think that just two and half years ago Liverpool burned £35m on Andy Carroll and are about to take this loss, but they need his wages off the bill and he has no tactical fit for Brendan Rodgers. He was good for West Ham and fits their system.

Does it make sense? Yes. West Ham needed to keep him and it would make a good statement about their ambition of moving forward.

Is the price right? Yes. Carroll is sometimes mis-valued based on his dented reputation but West Ham get a young, physically impressive striker who can be dominant at times.

Will it happen? 10/10 – should be a matter of time.

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has told midfielder Scott Parker, 32, and striker Jermain Defoe, 30, that they are among 10 players who can leave this summer.

Full story: Metro

What’s the story? AVB wants to clear out the excess at Spurs so that he can start to shape the squad his own way. Parker was awful at times last year as his legs have deserted him and he couldn’t cover the ground necessary in Spurs’ two man midfield. Defoe is not in any way reliable.

Does it make sense? Yes. They are both decent Premier League players still but aren’t going to get Spurs into the top four.

Is the price right? Parker must be worth about £2-3m and Defoe more like £6-8m. Good value options for someone like Sunderland or Norwich in the case of Defoe.

Will it happen? 9/10 – Certainly one will go, probably both. They will be made affordable and Spurs will want to use the cash on reinforcements.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has moved a step closer to signing Vitesse Arnhem’s 20-year-old midfielder Marco van Ginkel after rivals Ajax admitted they could not compete with the Londoners.

Full story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? Chelsea’s relentless collection of attacking midfielders continues apace. Van Ginkel is a lovely little player, full of energy, pace and trickery.

Does it make sense? No. Not for either party. Literally the last thing Chelsea need is another attacking midfielder and if van Ginkel went there, he’d be at the back of a very long queue. So he wouldn’t get the game time he needs in order to keep developing.

Is the price right? Probably £6-8m or so. It’s a good price for an extravagantly talented young man but why spend it on yet another player in an area of no need.

Will it happen? 8/10 – It does sound increasingly likely, even Chelsea’s main opponents for him, Ajax, have said that he’s going to Chelsea.

Schalke’s German playmaker Julian Draxler, 19, has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to Chelsea and Manchester United after admitting it would be hard to turn down a move to either club.

Full story: Metro

What’s the story? Yeah, there isn’t one. Draxler just signed a four year contract about a month ago. Possibly that’s in order to protect his price, but look at the teams linked to him. Chelsea + attacking midfielder? United is more of an option but it might depend on what system Moyes plays. Draxler isn’t a fit for a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. However, if they roll out a 4-2-3-1 type shape, he’d be an upgrade on Valencia and Nani.

Does it make sense? Obviously Chelsea don’t make sense but there could be something to United’s interest. They seem to be pushing all out for Ronaldo or Bale though.

Is the price right? He could be very expensive. As in £20m+. He’s Schalke’s young star; they won’t gift him away.

Will it happen? 3/10 – Maybe but not first choice for either.