'%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?
Read the first part here.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will switch his sights back to Borussia Dortmund’s 24-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski if he is unable to sign Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, 26.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? It’s Chelsea versus Real Madrid for Cavani by the sounds of it, unless Real are using interest in Cavani as a smokescreen to try and hurry things up with Luis Suarez. Lewandowski has said he’s going to Bayern or no one.
Does it make sense? It does football wise, but unless Lewandowski has a dramatic about face in his desires, then it is extremely unlikely he’d go to Chelsea. Simply because they are not Bayern.
Is the price right? It had been reported that Chelsea had agreed a fee for Cavani with Napoli of £49m but that’s not really progressed publically. Lewandowski would be more like £25m given his contract situation.
Will it happen? 2/10 – Dortmund are stubbornly digging in over Lewandowski not going to Bayern but the only way he’d consider not going there is if they panic, for some reason, and sign someone like Suarez instead.
West Bromwich Albion are interested in Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair, 24, with the former Swansea player hoping to go out on loan.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? Sinclair had a good season as the main man in a decent team but was never going to be usable for Man City. Surprise, surprise, he hardly saw any time on the field and looks welded to their bench. West Brom need to replace the attacking vibrancy that Lukaku gave them last year and although Sinclair isn’t in that category, he’d be a nice addition.
Does it make sense? Yes. Sinclair is a good player for teams looking to solidify the top ten and push toward the top six which is a category West Brom fall in to.
Is the price right? The loan is a good idea for West Brom rather than sinking £5m in to him and finding that he can’t reach previous levels.
Will it happen? 7/10 – West Brom have been quiet so far but have done excellent business over recent years so this would be a logical move. However, it’s likely that Pellegrini will want a look at him before packing him off.
Liverpool are monitoring Mamadou Sakho’s situation as the Paris St-Germain defender, 23, stalls on signing a new contract. Sakho made his senior international debut for France in a 2-1 win over England at Wembley in November 2010.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Before PSG got rich, there were fears they’d lose Sakho as he became a star. For various reasons though, not least a proneness to silly errors, he’s lost his untouchable status and spent time on the bench which is why he is considering leaving. He won’t be going to the World Cup from PSG’s bench.
Does it make sense? Liverpool are thought to be looking at centre backs, and so they should but they have tended to be more of the rock solid defender types. Sakho can be impassable or he can make daft mistakes. A little like what they already have.
Is the price right? PSG aren’t going to be in a rush to sell a rare homegrown player but he is a free agent next summer and it’s risky to let that wind down.
Will it happen? 2/10 – new coach Laurent Blanc knows him well so will want to keep him at the club.
Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace have agreed a fee to sign Peterborough United striker Dwight Gayle. The 22-year-old spent the 2011-12 season on loan at non-league Bishop’s Stortford.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? Gayle came from non-league straight to the Championship last season with great success. He’s quick and tough, a real trier. Holloway has had success with a similar player before. DJ Campbell scored 10+ goals for him at Blackpool after a similar ascent.
Does it make sense? I guess so, but it’ll be a real concern for Palace fans as to whether they have enough capacity to get goals in the Premier League. He’s very raw. More like a signing for a good Championship team really.
Is the price right? £3m seems about right.
Will it happen? 8/10 – It’s a Holloway type signing.
Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 27, has hinted he would be happy to follow striker Carlos Tevez in taking a pay cut and moving to Juventus.
Full story: Guardian
What’s the story? Kolarov made his name in Serie A with Lazio and the slower pace of the game suits him.
Does it make sense? Juventus have just spent £7m to sign left wing back Kwadwo Asamoah so this would hardly seem to be a priority.
Is the price right? Hard to value Kolarov. He has exceptional technical quality but isn’t great defensively or fleet footed enough to play as a winger. £6m or so?
Will it happen? 4/10 – Juventus have been doing some excellent business lately but I don’t see where this fits in.
