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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?
There is a huge bundle of transfer gossip today so I’ve had to split this in to two parts.
Real Madrid sporting director Zinedine Zidane has urged 23-year-old midfielder Gareth Bale to speed up his move to the Bernabeu by asking to leave Tottenham.
Full story: Sunday People
What’s the story? It’s almost impossible to see Bale asking to leave Spurs but this is classic Real Madrid player recruitment. Make a big fuss over how much they want the player, make an early offer, if it gets turned back ask the player to request a transfer. See; Modric, Luka. So, Spurs know what this is all about.
Does it make sense? From Real’s point of view it does, they’d force Spurs’ hand. But I just don’t see Bale as the type.
Is the price right? It seems they’ve signed off on £85m.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Bale asks for move. 7/10 – he moves.
Corinthians have yet to receive a bid for their 24-year-old Brazil international Paulinho, despite the midfielder being strongly linked with Tottenham.
Full story: Goal.com
What’s the story? It’s unusual for Spurs to carry out their business in the public glare so this wouldn’t be a huge surprise. It sounds like Guarin is first choice with Paulinho second choice.
Does it make sense? Yes. Paulinho is a classy player who brings a lot to the Spurs midfield that they don’t currently have with his mix of goals, energy and solidity. Think Steven Gerrard 5 years ago.
Is the price right? Release clause is £17m. Pay or go home. It’s good value. It makes a statement about the club’s ambition to fans and to Bale and you get a top class player.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Early stages, but he seems so perfect for Spurs.
Tottenham lead the race to sign 22-year-old midfielder James McCarthy from Wigan, although the relegated Latics want £20m for the Republic of Ireland international.
Full story: Sunday Times
What’s the story? McCarthy is a Premier League calibre player. He’s an excellent passer of the ball and works hard. Spurs could use that.
Does it make sense? Yes. McCarthy has always looked like a player who could play on a bigger stage. Spurs need to be able to pass the ball around better than they did last year so that they have a Plan B beyond ‘pass it to Bale’.
Is the price right? No. If Wigan were in the Premier League it’d be twice as much as he’s worth, but they’re in the second tier now. Think £6-8m.
Will it happen? 3/10 – he’s not at the front of their shopping list and this is way too much money.
Spurs midfielder Scott Parker, 32, has emerged as a transfer target for Sunderland.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
What’s the story? Parker’s performance dipped massively last year as his athletic ability vanished. However, he’s a good professional and leader which Sunderland lack according to manager Paolo Di Canio.
Does it make sense? I guess so. He can do ‘a job’ but how much of one? Di Canio may feel his off field contribution, which is stellar, is worthwhile, and it could well be. But on the field he’s not got much to offer.
Is the price right? £1-2m or so.
Will it happen? 8/10 – Di Canio is obsessed with professionalism and AVB needs an athlete.
Tottenham have made an enquiry about Saint-Etienne’s 23-year-old Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
What’s the story? Blimey, Spurs again. Where’s all this money coming from? Maybe they are planning how to spend the Bale money. Aubameyang seems to have slipped off the radar slightly lately for some reason but Spurs needs a consistent forward and he is a hybrid version of the best bits of Defoe and Adebayor.
Does it make sense? Yes. He’s what they need as a lone front man.
Is the price right? Could be up to £15m but he’d prove well worth it.
Will it happen? 5/10 – He doesn’t seem to be as high up the priority list as Damiao.
The White Hart Lane club are also considering a bid for Roma’s Argentina international forward Erik Lamela, 21.
Full story: Sunday Telegraph
What’s the story? Lamela is one of the trickiest goalscoring forwards in Europe. He’s small, and flashy but capable of a lot of improvement even above the 15 goals he got in Serie A last season.
Does it make sense? It’d be a big loss for Roma who are surely trying to improve rather than weaken a decent squad this summer.
Is the price right? £20m+ maybe up to £25m+ They’re not signing him unless they sell Bale.
Will it happen? 2/10 – This is the kind of move that might persuade Bale to stay at the club but it’s big big money for a non Champions League team to be paying.
