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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?
Part One is here Part Two is here
Real Madrid are set to make a move for Luis Suarez.
Full story: The Sunday Times
What’s the story? Yeah, maybe, but it seems they are focusing their attentions on Bale at the moment. If Spurs really dig in and refuse to sell regardless of the offer then they might come back to him but he’s firmly second choice.Does it make sense? The rumblings from Madrid are that the club are happy to go with Benzema and Morata as their strikers but if they want a bit of devilment and creativity and miss out on Bale, Suarez would be a reasonable second option.Is the price right? Liverpool are supposed to want £50m for Suarez. It doesn’t seem like Arsenal are in any rush to pay that and Real evidently have money available.Will it happen? 4/10 – He’s probably still more likely to end up in Madrid than at Arsenal even with the bidding on Bale.
Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri has denied that the French league club want to buy winger Nani, 26, from Manchester United.
Nani
Full story: Goal.com
What’s the story? Well, they should do. Rather than spending a preposterous £52m on Hulk, they have the chance to spend £8.5m on the far far far far superior Nani.Does it make sense? It doesn’t if they’re not interested. A forward line of James Rodriguez, Falcao and Nani could give PSG a run for their money.Is the price right? It’s down to £8.5m which is very cheap. Why no one is willing to pay that is beyond me.Will it happen? 7/10 – Ranieri has no say so it still could well do. They’ve got the silly money to lob around with abandon as they’ve demonstrated so far.
Newcastle United have increased their offer for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, 27, to £6.9m.
Newcastle have increased their bid for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis (R)
Full story: Newcastle ChronicleWhat’s the story? Maybe there’s a breakdown in communication here. Lyon have asked £8m and Newcastle have offered €8m.Does it make sense? They should really stop messing about and get it done. He’s cheap even at the higher price and gives them a big physical and importantly, goal getting, threat up front.Is the price right? £8m is fair for a physically talented striker with 7 consecutive double figure goals seasons in a row in a good league.Will it happen? 8/10 – It’s getting closer. Surely even Newcastle wouldn’t lose out on him for the sake of £1m.
Newcastle are also trying to get QPR forward Loic Remy on a season long loan made permanent in the summer but QPR are reluctant.
Loic Remy
Full Story: Daily Telegraph
What’s the story? Remy made a good impression in his few months at QPR in the Premier League with his pace, directness and goals and has a release clause of £8m.Does it make sense? Not really for QPR. They may as well keep him rather than loan him, because he has the talent to score 25-30 goals in the Championship and fire the club to promotion.Is the price right? The £8m release clause is fair enough. Again, it’s odd that no one is taking it up. The issue could be that he is supposedly on £80k a week at QPR which no one else would be willing to pay him.Will it happen? 5/10 – It might be one of those that bubbles along until the deadline before exploding in to life.
Celtic have denied making bids for Sunderland’s James McClean and Porto’s Christian Atsu.
James McClean
Full story: Scotland on Sunday
What’s the story? Celtic have £17m from selling Wanyama and Hooper and will be looking to make some improvements. Atsu has been linked to everyone and most players at Sunderland are for sale.Does it make sense? It’s weird really, considering most English papers won’t have seen Atsu play, he is being linked to about half of the Premier League. However, he and McClean could both be excellent in Scotland.Is the price right? Atsu’s price is supposedly £3m but that seems remarkably low for Porto to sell a player supposedly so well regarded. McClean might cost more like £4/5m. Both would be affordable for Celtic.Will it happen? 1/10 – Atsu: even if Celtic had bid for him it wouldn’t happen. 6/10 – McClean: McClean to Celtic looks an obvious move for some many on and off pitch reasons.
