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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. Part One is here.
Manchester City are ready to battle rivals United in the £25.5m chase for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24.
Full story: Sun on Sunday
What’s the story? Dortmund aren’t selling to Bayern. Lewandowski won’t apparently move anywhere other than Bayern, so it’s a bit of an impasse right now. Even so, there is a long queue forming on Lewandowski’s tail to which Man City would be a logical addition.
Does it make sense? It really depends how Pellegrini sees himself using Sergio Aguero. If he sees him as the lone front man in his 4231 then it’s unlikely that they’d need to sign another. However, if he wants him further back with more room to run at defences then adding Lewandowski could be a perfect compliment to Silva, Aguero and Navas behind him.
Is the price right? Yes, it makes sense. If it wasn’t for this being the last year of his contract he’d be worth £50m.
Will it happen? 1/10 – Of all the teams wanting Lewandowski, City would seem to be at the back of said queue.
Manchester United are attempting to hijack Chelsea’s £15m move for 20-year-old Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Marco van Ginkel.
Full story: Sunday Express
What’s the story? van Ginkel is one of the more desirable young attacking midfield prospects in Europe at the moment. Where United or Chelsea would be able to use him is debatable.
Does it make sense? Not massively. Certainly not for Chelsea for obvious reasons. United maybe, but if it’s 4231 then he could be deployed out wide with license to drift in from the wing unless Moyes prefers him at 10 above Kagawa or Rooney or Ronney’s replacement.
Is the price right? It is a lot, but if they get involved against each other then it will drive the price up exponentially.
Will it happen? 4/10: Chelsea – They’re collecting attacking midfielders so why not? But surely, he won’t want to get involved in an already overcrowded area for Chelsea. 5/10: United: It does make more sense but it depends what Moyes has available to him as this would probably not be the best use of resource as first priority.
Newcastle have rubbished suggestions 27-year-old midfielder Yohan Cabaye is in Monaco undergoing a medical ahead of a £23m move to the French club.
Full story: the Independent
What’s the story? It came a little out of nowhere but it seems Monaco are looking at Cabaye as a cursory attempt to field at least some French players.
Does it make sense? Yes. He’d be a nice compliment to Joao Moutinho in Monaco’s midfield whether setting up in a 4231 or 433. It’s a tough loss for Newcastle though but selling at a big profit fits their transfer philosophy.
Is the price right? It’s a bafflingly high amount but Monaco are Monaco and Newcastle are under no pressure to sell.
Will it happen? 8/10 – It went from zero to medical very quickly and Newcastle have been known not to announce sales until the last second.
Welsh rivals Swansea and Cardiff are looking to sign £12m-rated 27-year-old striker Bafetimbi Gomis from Lyon.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
What’s the story? Swansea and Cardiff both need strikers and Gomis is quick, big, strong and good in the air.
Does it make sense? Yes, more so for Cardiff than Swansea though. Gomis is an ideal physical Premier League striker, particularly in a team like Cardiff that will be more reliant on crossing the ball. He’s not the most subtle technician but Swansea played with Michu as a big to feet target man last year and Gomis could do the same.
Is the price right? £12m is a big chunk. Swansea haven’t shown any evidence of being able to afford that sort of deal but Cardiff are backed by Malaysian money.
Will it happen? 3/10: Swansea – He’s a lot of money and not a perfect fit for what they do. 7/10: Cardiff – He’d be a big statement signing and they have the money and willing to do something big to keep their spot in the league.
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre scrapped a trip to Brazil this weekend, instead staying in Europe to try to complete the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk’s 24-year-old forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan for £20m.
Full story: Bloomberg
What’s the story? Liverpool are showing genuine ambition in the market this summer and want to make signings that will show they still have a role to play in the top four chase.
Does it make sense? Yes. Mkhitaryan is an excellent player who has performed well in the Champions League and a tough Ukranian League. He’d score and make goals and be on a similar footballing intelligence plane as Coutinho so they could operate really well together.
Is the price right? £20m is probably a touch strong but ultimately they are buying from cash rich Shakhtar so it won’t be easy.
Will it happen? 10/10 – all systems go.
