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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?
Arsenal are prepared to make a £20m bid for Rooney and £22m offer to Real Madrid for 25-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Full story: Mail on Sunday
What’s the story? Arsenal can prepare a £20m bid all they like, but it’s not getting accepted.Does it make sense? Everyone is confused with Rooney. Other outlets say he now doesn’t want to leave or that he’s getting swapped for Ronaldo but they key to this one is; where exactly do he and Higuain both fit in at Arsenal?They only play with one striker, playing there being a motivation for Rooney supposedly, and so he’d end up in attacking midfield again.Is the price right? No. £20m for Rooney? Try doubling it.Will it happen? 3/10 – Looks all wrongManchester City’s attentions could turn to signing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26, after City refused to pay £53m for Napoli’s 26-year-old forward Edinson Cavani.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? But, Suarez wants to leave England right? It’s not about the pay rise?Does it make sense? Football wise yes, but considering everything else, no. He said very clearly, that the only reason he wants to leave Liverpool is to play in another country.Is the price right? Liverpool want £50m.Will it happen? 2/10 – Should be 0 but he could have to about turn if no one comes in for him as looks ever more likely.Liverpool are fearing that Real Madrid may wait until the end of the summer to make a move for Suarez but are prepared to hold out for £40m.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
What’s the story? Real have put their flag on Edinson Cavani so don’t need Suarez. However, as I showed here, with options for him to leave decreasing rapidly, Real may feel a reduced price move late in the window is worthwhile.Does it make sense? Yes to an extent. Real cannot justify spending £100m on two strikers but if Liverpool are desperate and reduce the price in late August they may feel they can make the move.Is the price right? £50m at the moment, but with clubs able to spend that dwindling away, it might have to come down.Will it happen? 5/10 – Not at all surprising if it did eventually but far too early to commit certainly.The expected arrival of Simon Mignolet, 24, at Anfield could leave Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina on the bench if the 30-year-old’s move to Barcelona fails to materialise.
Full story: Mail on Sunday
What’s the story? This was always going to be the problem for Liverpool. Presumably there are other clubs bidding on Mignolet which made them take immediate action but if they are only relying on Barcelona to buy Reina they are narrowing their market considerably.Does it make sense? Reina would probably lose his World Cup spot to David de Gea with a season on the bench. He can’t risk that.Is the price right? Reina’s probably worth £8m but if someone offers £5-6m Liverpool may well talk.Will it happen? 6/10 – He might well end up in limbo as he doesn’t seem to Barcelona’s first choice amongst these five.Wigan striker Arouna Kone says he wants to leave the relegated Latics with Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace trying to sign the 29-year-old Ivory Coast forward.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? He’s not going to Palace. Liverpool and Everton make decent sense although he’d probably only be a squad player at Liverpool.Does it make sense? Yes. He showed threat and goal potential at Wigan last season. Everton desperately need to add that to their attack after the severe regression of Jelavic last season. Only really a squad option at Liverpool who ought to have their eyes on higher quality.Is the price right? £6-9m depending on how many bidders. Only Everton fit that range.Will it happen? 8/10: Everton – Martinez knows him but may want to avoid relying on old hands 5/10: Liverpool – only really a bench option 0/10 – Palace: Not a chanceArsenal and Liverpool are in competition to buy 21-year-old Greece centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who plays for German side Schalke 04.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? Papadopoulos is one the highest-rated young central defenders in Europe. Big, physical and commanding, he is ideal for the Premier League.Does it make sense? He’d be perfect for Liverpool, exactly what they need. Arsenal are set at centre back unless they lose Koscielny to Bayern which is unlikely.Is the price right? Schalke are thought to want up to £18m but he’s got everything he needs for success in England.Will it happen? 6/10: Liverpool – May need to sell Suarez first 4/10: Arsenal – reliant on sales as they are set for centre backs.
