Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 25th June: Part 2: Cavani to Man United? AC Milan, Liverpool and more

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

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Manchester United are preparing to make a record-breaking £50m move for 26-year-old Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

Full story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? Wow! Where has this come from? From what we’ve been told, it’s near enough certain that Cavani is going to Real Madrid but with Lewandowski apparently unwilling to consider anyone other than Bayern Munich, perhaps United are serious contenders.Does it make sense? It’s not exactly something they need to do, but it’s always better to have Cavani than to not have him. It would give Moyes more tactical versatility with Robin van Persie and allow him to sell Rooney with less of a headache.Is the price right? £55m to activate the release clause.Will it happen? 3/10 – Still think he’ll end up in Madrid but this is an interesting new option.

New Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is set to lose out to Real Madrid in the race to sign midfielder Isco, 21, from Malaga.

Full story: The Guardian

What’s the story? At one point it seemed set in stone that Isco would be heading to City but Real’s late interest was always likely to turn Isco’s head. We’ve suggested in the past that he’d be better off at City in the short term, but that the opportunity to be a star at Real Madrid has huge sway with Spanish players.Does it make sense? It’s risky. With Ozil, Modric and Kaka at the club already, plus the possibility of Gareth Bale, it’s a crowded area of the field. However, Real have made noises about showing they can have more Spanish players so he might be fast tracked if he gets in the team early and shows form.Is the price right? Malaga initially insisted on £30m but that seems to have come down to £22m. Good price for both teams really. Malaga are in financial trouble and Real can easily justify it.Will it happen? 9/10 – Spanish media seem certain now.

Liverpool may miss out on Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 24, after the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder rubbished reports linking him to Anfield.

Full story: Daily Express

What’s the story? This is a weird one. Liverpool seem to have veered from having the signing complete and pictured with a Liverpool shirt to the player himself saying he’s not coming. All very confusing.Does it make sense? Clearly not. It’s a bizarre situation. Perhaps it was outside influences making it sound like the deal was further ahead than it was. Perhaps it is this story which isn’t on the mark. Who knows?Is the price right? Liverpool seemed to be prepared to pay Shakhtar’s £22m asking price so it’s unlikely to have been the cause of the problem.Will it happen? 5/10 – In limbo at the moment.

Birmingham have accepted £2m bids from Norwich and Swansea for 19-year-old winger Nathan Redmond.

Full story: Daily Star

What’s the story? Redmond is one of the better prospects in an otherwise shallow pool of English players at the moment. He combines pace and direct running from wide areas. Norwich and Swansea both play systems that suit.Does it make sense? Yes. At this price he can be eased in. Norwich manager Chris Hughton worked with Redmond at Birmingham and Swansea play with two real wide men.Is the price right? It’s possibly a little on the cheap side for Birmingham to be selling but good value for the buyer.Will it happen? 9/10: Norwich – Hughton has worked with him before so has a real advantage. 7/10: Swansea – Only marginally less likely but playing for a club on the rise and in Europe will be tempting.

AC Milan have had “offers from Spain” for Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, 28, but the player is not for sale, according to club CEO Adriano Galliani.

Full story: Tuttosport

What’s the story? It’s believed that ‘offers from Spain’ means an offer from Sevilla.Does it make sense? Sevilla have the Jesus Navas money available to them and possibly some Negredo money if they sell him. Montolivo is a key player in an exciting looking Milan team so they won’t have any motivation to sell him.Is the price right? Can Sevilla realistically pay £10m+ for him?Will it happen? 5/10 – It’s unusual, but perhaps just unusual enough to happen.