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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?
As the speculation hots up, it’s had to be split in to two parts again. Part One is here.
Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group are unlikely to want to keep Pepe Reina, 30, at the club if they complete a £9m deal to sign fellow goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, 24, from Sunderland.
Full story: The Times
What’s the story? FSG are making money available at Liverpool but they won’t spend it recklessly. They will want Reina sold so that the gross spend on Mignolet is reduced. If Barcelona are indeed focusing on Marc-Andre Ter-Stegen then it leaves a question mark over where Reina fits in.
Does it make sense? Yes. The need to sell to lower the cost on Mignolet and to get Reina’s £90k a week wage off their bench.
Is the price right? Liverpool did want £8m but may well take more like £5-6m given his high wage.
Will it happen? 6/10 – Surely someone (Monaco?) would come in for him if Barcelona don’t.
Birmingham centre-back Curtis Davies, 28, is expected to complete a £2.3m move to newly-promoted Premier League side Hull on Monday.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? Hull’s defence was very good last year but they obviously feel Davies offers value and some Premier League experience to be signing him before a striker.
Does it make sense? Yes. It’s cheap enough and Davies is more athletic than Faye as a partner for the talented James Chester.
Is the price right? Good price for a solid player. Tidy business.
Will it happen? 10/10 – Everything is in place for it to.
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is set for a triple snub with Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan, 25, Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, 21, and Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo, 27, all set to reject moves to the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Southampton aren’t messing around showing that they are backing new manager Pochettino and they are certainly making some ambitious moves. These are all players who have been linked with Champions League quality teams.
Does it make sense? Nainggolan has the potential to be a truly elite box to box midfielder and will be attracting admiring glances from around Europe. He or Wanyama would offer power to the classy Saints midfield. Osvaldo would bring directness, physicality and will to win and worked with Pochettino at Espanyol.
Is the price right? All are £10m+ type players which shows the club’s ambition.
Will it happen? 3/10 – I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these come even despite supposedly turning Saints down.
Norwich are competing with Everton for Wigan striker Arouna Kone. The 29-year-old Ivory Coast international’s contract has a £5m buy-out clause.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Everton are linked because of Roberto Martinez but they do need a proper striker if Jelavic isn’t considered that anymore. Norwich need to add goals and Kone would make a nice partner for £8.5m Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Does it make sense? He would offer an athletic threat neither side really possess at the moment.
Is the price right? £5m is very cheap for a player who could score 15-20 goals in the right team.
Will it happen? 6/10: Everton – Martinez knows him but might want to make more of a splash signing up front, the only area of true weakness for Everton. 6/10: Norwich – Guaranteed starter which is important as Kone battles for his place in the Ivory Coast World Cup squad.
Swansea captain Ashley Williams, 29, is preparing to tell his club he wants to leave this summer. Arsenal are the centre-back’s preferred destination, ahead of Everton and Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
What’s the story? Williams obviously has been told all of these clubs are interested in him, but are they?
Does it make sense? Not really. He’s not better than what Arsenal and Liverpool have and is not the right value for Everton to sign for a small upgrade (if at all) on Sylvain Distin.
Is the price right? No. Swasea’s demand of £10m is fair, as he is their captain and one of their key players but no club can justify paying £10m for a 29 year old centre back not named Giorgio Chiellini.
Will it happen? 3/10 – All of them are unlikely at this price and stage of the summer.
