'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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?
Tottenham’s technical director Franco Baldini will hold talks with David Villa, 31, before the end of the week as the London club intensify their bid for the Barcelona forward.
What’s the story? Spurs are pushing on with their search for a new striker and have set their targets on David Villa, Leandro Damiao and Alvaro Negredo seemingly.
Does it make sense? Yes. They just need someone who can put the ball in the net and David Villa is one of the best at that.
Is the price right? Unlikely that Barcelona would put up too much resistance given they’ve got Neymar now. Maybe something in the £8-9m region, Tevez type money.
Will it happen? 7/10 – It seems like Arsenal are no longer in this. He’ll want Champions League football probably, but a top notch English team is a good choice. Needs to start every week to have a chance of starting for Spain at the World Cup.
Real Madrid have offered cash and players – including 25-year-old Argentina winger Angel di Maria – to Tottenham in an attempt to deliver Gareth Bale for newly appointed boss manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Gareth Bale
What’s the story? This is the deal that makes the most sense if Spurs were to sell Bale. Di Maria plays the same position as him so they could use the money to strengthen elsewhere.
Does it make sense? Yes, this arrangement does. Spurs replace Bale’s spot in the team and would have a sizable chunk of money in order to secure other options. Di Maria is a borderline world class talent so it’s not like they’re being lumbered with Real’s leftovers.
Is the price right? Spurs haven’t revealed their hand, but the talk all along has been of £85m. Di Maria is probably worth about £30m which would logically mean £50m plus Di Maria?
Will it happen? 3/10 – Addition of Di Maria would be more beneficial than extra cash really but still a long way off.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has given director of football Joe Kinnear the names of Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, 29, and West Ham defender James Tomkins, 24, as the club look to strengthen before the start of the season.
Darren Bent
What’s the story? Newcastle have a very talented squad that underachieved and was misused last year. They don’t need much to get themselves back in that top six battle but these are two areas where they possibly do. Centre back and striker depth are logical additions.
Does it make sense? Tomkins doesn’t seem like he’d be atop the list really. He’s decent but his weaknesses are the same as what they already have. He’s basically the same player as Steven Taylor. Bent is a strong finisher who has always scored goals and is one of the best bargains on the market.
Is the price right? Bent could probably be had for around £6m or so which is good value for 15 goals. Tomkins would be much more expensive. He’s not worth it, but they’d have to look at £8m plus considering they are buying from West Ham.
Will it happen? 6/10: Bent – Connection to Sunderland won’t be popular and he won’t be coming to sit on the bench so where does that leave Cisse? 4/10: Tomkins – Surely too much money for no upgrade.
Swansea want to sign Liverpool‘s 21-year-old midfielder Jonjo Shelvey but will have to pay at least £5m to complete the deal.
Jonjo Shelvey (R)
What’s the story? Really? Swansea don’t exactly seem like a logical fit with Shelvey. Not a consistent passer and a very poor decision maker.
Does it make sense? Not really. He’d had to play in Michu’s position which means Michu would be upfront? So it’s a double downgrade. Not clever.
Is the price right? £5m is about right I guess but the fit is appalling.
Will it happen? 4/10 – Local press seem interested but this would be a radical change of policy for Swansea. Would Shelvey want to leave Liverpool?
Manchester City defender Micah Richards, 25, is a surprise target for Champions League winners Bayern Munich. The German champions are willing to pay £14m for Richards, who has two years remaining on his current contract.
Micah Richards
What’s the story? This is not true.
Does it make sense? Bayern Muncih, the European Champions, want to sign someone who has hardly played for two years because of injury when they can pretty much pick anyone in the world, when they already have the best full back in the world in Phillip Lahm?
Is the price right? Of course not. It’s nonsense.
Will it happen? More likely to sign Iniesta and Messi.
Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Spanish international attacking midfielder Isco, 21, from Malaga.
Isco
What’s the story? Real finally beat Man City to Isco, Spain’s potential superstar.
Does it make sense? There are a lot of highly paid, experienced players for him to get past so it could be frustrating for him. It makes sense for Real to sign a quality young Spaniard but is Isco going there for the right reasons?
Is the price right? Reports are saying £22m which seems about right.
Will it happen? 10/10 – It’s happening all right.
Italian Under-21 captain Luca Caldirola, 22, is to leave Inter Milan for Werder Bremen next season on a four-year deal.
Luca Caldirola (L)
What’s the story? Inter are bizarre. Last summer they appointed the ex-Coach of their very successful youth team with the remit of bringing through youngsters. When results got tough he was sacked. Now they are selling a top homegrown player. Erm…?
Does it make sense? No. It’s a good signing for Bremen though.
Is the price right? We’ll wait and see but can’t be more than £4-6m.
Will it happen? 10/10 – Seems inevitable, but could Inter regret losing patience yet again?
Here’s Part 2 of Transfer Gossips (27th June) - Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 27th June (Part 2)
