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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?
Part One is here.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are set to miss out on 24-year-old forward Robert Lewandowski, who will wait for his contract at Borussia Dortmund to run out next summer in order to move to his preferred destination of Bayern Munich.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? This is turning in to a bit of a circus but the latest reports are that Lewandowski will run down his contract at Dortmund and go to Bayern for free next year if they don’t let him move this summer. Dortmund have misplayed their hand here, any value he had is being evaporated and he’s almost unusable next season.Does it make sense? If he only wants to go to Bayern, he’s backed Dortmund in to a corner.Is the price right? At this rate, they’ll lose him for free or for a greatly reduced price.Will it happen? 10/10 – he’s going to Bayern one way or another.
Arsenal are set to beat Juventus to the signing of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain with a £25.5m offer. But the 25-year-old Argentine’s future is not likely to be decided until a new manager is installed at the Bernabeu.
Full story: Metro
What’s the story? What will a new manager have to do with it? Since when do Real Madrid managers dictate transfer policy? The first manager they let do so was Jose Mourinho and look how that ended up.Does it make sense? Yes. Arsenal need a top quality striker and Higuain is world class. He’s scored 107 goals in 187 games at Real Madrid. Not too shabby.Is the price right? It’s a bargain. Could be the best signing of the summer.Will it happen? 7/10 – Still hard to tie down. Arsenal need to do something soon to keep up the momentum and optimism of the first few weeks of the transfer window.
Southampton have offered £7.6m for Valencia’s Argentina midfielder Ever Banega, 24, and are also set to move for Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 25.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Southampton have already made one impressive signing in Dejan Lovren but Ever Banega would be an amazing coup for them. Banega is a little hit and miss but when he’s on form he is an excellent passing central midfielder and is very good in his defensive work.Does it make sense? Banega certainly does. Putting him with Cork and Schneiderlin would give Saints a top ten calibre midfield. Hooper not so much. Sure he’s quick enough and has scored some goals but they’d be better off moving for someone like Tomer Hemed of Real Mallorca.Is the price right? £7.6m for Banega sounds like an incredible deal. Hooper would be more like £8m which is too much.Will it happen? 8/10: Banega – Pochettino is an Argentine, as is Banega, and Saints could do with some toughness in midfield. They look to be willing to spend money to get quality which is a good mindset. 5/10: Hooper – he doesn’t seem to be the best fit. He’s not as good as Jay Rodriguez who has similar attributes.
Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, 31, could be on his way to former club Corinthians as he looks to boost his chances of featuring for Brazil at the World Cup.
Full story: Corriere Dello Sport
What’s the story? Kaka has never played for Corinthians so that is ludicrous. Kaka was the most expensive player in the world a few years ago, when he was still considered the best player in the world. Now, after injury and being in and out of the team, he’s on the fringes at Real.Does it make sense? Yes. Kaka is not really in the thinking for the Brazil squad right now so a season of big success in the domestic league would be ideal to force his way in to consideration.Is the price right? Maybe £5-6m.Will it happen? 8/10 – He needs to go back to Brazil even if Corinthians aren’t his former club.
Arsenal want to sign Manchester United winger Nani, who has a year left on his contract at Old Trafford. The Portuguese, 26, has also been linked with Galatasaray and Monaco.
Full story: Metro
What’s the story? Nani is up for sale but do Arsenal really need more wide forwards?Does it make sense? Not really. If they do sign Higuain then Walcott won’t play upfront which would be necessary to get Nani in the team. Monaco makes sense though.Is the price right? £8.5m or go home.Will it happen? 2/10: Arsenal – not unless they miss other targets. 7/10: Monaco – this is the first link to them but it makes sense.
