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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?
Napoli’s former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is planning to move for the Reds’ Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, 26, as a replacement for Edinson Cavani, also 26.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Reports are emerging that Cavani is ready to choose Real Madrid which presumably means he has moved ahead of Suarez in the Real decision making process. Suarez has agitated for a move from England, initially in order to get to Real but may accept a move elsewhere to get out of the country.
Does it make sense? On the face of it, the first instinct is ‘why sell Cavani and then spend all that money on Suarez?’ Well, Cavani has a release clause so Napoli can’t really stop him going and if they are serious about winning Serie A, then a move for Suarez would make a big impact.
Is the price right? Cavani is going for £52m and Suarez costs £50m but with Napoli having no choice with Cavani, it does seem fair.
Will it happen? 6/10 – I think he might want to wait for a club with greater prestige, i.e. Bayern Munich, to come along but if Barcelona and Real Madrid are full, his options are suddenly very limited if he needs to leave England and doesn’t just settle for Monaco, or perhaps PSG, money.
Juventus are interested in signing Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 27, as well as striker Carlos Tevez, 29, who has already held talks with the Italian side.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? This should read ‘Juventus have just spent £7m on left wing back Kwadwo Asamoah so obviously don’t want Kolarov for more money to play the same position worse’. Tevez, however, makes a lot of sense. It seems as if Juventus are going to miss out on Higuain to Arsenal and Tevez was their second choice. He can float around behind Fernando Llorente and provide some incisive passing.
Does it make sense? The link to Kolarov is stupid but Tevez makes some sense. Giovinco has quality but he’s not as penetrative or consistent as Tevez.
Is the price right? Kolarov probably costs about £6-8m. He’d still be a really good left wing back but not as good as Asamoah. Tevez maybe £12m which is fair.
Will it happen? 0/10: Kolarov 8/10: Tevez
Hulk’s agent has hinted the striker could leave Zenit St Petersburg this summer, with Chelsea, Paris St-Germain and Monaco all keen on the 26-year-old Brazilian.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? Chelsea is obviously nonsense. PSG is only marginally less nonsense but Monaco could be tricked in to it.
Does it make sense? Hulk is the most overrated player in the world. Chelsea already have too many forwards who are all better than him. PSG have a group of starters finding rhythm and understanding and who are better. Monaco could put him opposite James Rodriguez in their attempts to recreate Andre Villas-Boas Europa League winning Porto team.
Is the price right? No. They want £35m having realised they made a mistake paying £50m. Kind of like a Brazilian Andy Carroll. He could be worth £8-10m or so but Zenit could probably get Monaco to pay more.
Will it happen? Chelsea: 0/10 PSG: 6/10 – Might get fooled by famous name. Monaco: 8/10 – need to complete their Porto reunion party.
Cardiff will pay Blackpool £8m for winger Tom Ince, 21, although his former club Liverpool have an option to match the bid.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Tom Ince has been very effective in the Championship but is unproven in the Premier League. He needs to be given a shot though and Cardiff need to add goals and dynamism to their attack as they try to establish themselves in the Premier League.
Does it make sense? It does actually. Ince has been linked to Spurs and Liverpool which is far too big a move. This gives him a chance to show what he can do in the top flight as a regular starter rather than bench fodder.
Is the price right? It’s far too much but that’s what you get for signing from England. If he was coming from overseas it’d be half price at most.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Cardiff have got Malaysian money to spend and are expecting to be competitive but will Ince feel he deserves to play at a bigger club?
New Everton manager Roberto Martinez wants to sign Birmingham winger Nathan Redmond, 19, in a £3m move.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? Redmond impressed in the Championship and far more so than his more vaunted colleagues in England’s under 21 squad in Israel. Everton can afford to bring in a developmental prospect and Martinez has a good record improving players.
Does it make sense? Yes. He’s not ready to be a starter but Martinez would be a coach to help him develop. Everton will be playing with more width under Martinez.
Is the price right? Yes. Worth a roll of the dice for £3m.
Will it happen? 7/10 – This is the kind of move that seems very logical and not sensational enough to have truth to it.
