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As we move in 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?
Liverpool and Manchester United are set to miss out on Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, 21, as he nears a £10m move to Borussia Dortmund.
What’s the story? I suggested Eriksen as the best out of club replacement for Mario Gotze and they would be a great place for him to go. He is one of the most technically gifted young players in Europe, earning admiring comparisons to his idol Michael Laudrup. He’s not really a need for United and Liverpool wouldn’t have a sniff against the Champions League finalists.
Does it make sense? Yes, perfect sense. Eriksen has a very similar skill set to Gotze and plays in exactly the same position. Signing him would allow them to move Marco Reus back out wider where he’d have more space to use his pace and directness. It will depend on who replaces Lewandowski to get the most of Eriksen’s talents but Dortmund are more than capable of doing so with high quality.
Is the price right? £10m is about right all things considered. He’s a free agent in 2014 and he’s not proven beyond the Dutch league.
Will it happen? 9/10 – This is such a Dortmund signing, following in the pattern of the Sahin to Gundogan, Kagawa to Reus methodology of reinvesting to replace and keeping the profit.
Hull could move for 37-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, who is available for £1m.
What’s the story? Given lost his place to Brad Guzan at Aston Villa and Hull had David Stockdale on loan from Fulham last season so he needs replacing.
Does it make sense? Yeah I guess so, although I feel Steve Bruce would prefer to keep Stockdale behind a good defence if Fulham would sell. Villa want his £50k a week wage off their bill. This wage could be a stumbling block for Hull.
Is the price right? Villa would take less so they’d be ecstatic with this. Hull shouldn’t be paying anything considering his age and wage.
Will it happen? 4/10 – It’s hard to predict Hull with no evidence in the top flight under the current regime but it would fill a need.
Crystal Palace and West Ham are vying to sign Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, 22, on loan.
What’s the story? No, they’re not. Palace were promoted on Monday and Holloway has already said they haven’t spent much time planning for what-ifs. And as for West Ham, are we talking about direct football, physical defending West Ham? Can you see Bartra fitting in there?
Does it make sense? No. For one thing, Bartra started the Champions League semifinal so he’s not exactly peripheral. Secondly, neither of these teams play anything approaching a style of play where Bartra could be successfully developed. If he was going on loan, there’s no reason for it not to be in Spain.
Is the price right? N/A
Will it happen? 0/10 – Of course not.
Real Madrid are confident they will win the battle for winger Gareth Bale, 23, and have set a 15 June deadline for the deal to be done with Tottenham.
What’s the story? I guess the battle is between Spurs and Real. Why would they need a deal done by June 15th of all dates? It’s nice to get stuff done early but trying to bully Daniel Levy will not work. They clearly haven’t set a deadline but still.
Does it make sense? Well, he’d be amazing opposite Ronaldo and the pace deficient La Liga could be torched by him, but does he want to play second fiddle? It’s Gareth Bale, wait until August 31st if you have to.
Is the price right? You’ll hear otherwise but Falcao – £50m. Bale is younger and has more dimensions to his game. Plus, much more pace. £60m. Spurs shouldn’t, and probably won’t, take a penny less.
Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head with Arsenal for Fiorentina’s £25m-rated striker Stefan Jovetic, 23.
What’s the story? This is the type of story that I find hard to understand. Jovetic isn’t a striker, he’s a number 10. He can certainly score goals but is best when given licence to roam behind a central striker, as he does at Fiorentina. He’s not a pure finisher which is what Chelsea need. Sure, Arsenal have every reason to be interested but how about the fact that not every English club wants to sign the same players as each other.
Does it make sense? You’ve probably got the impression that it doesn’t for Chelsea. It certainly does for Arsenal.
Is the price right? It’s sounding like Fiorentina won’t take less and indeed, that Arsenal and Juventus are willing to pay it.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Chelsea: They don’t have any use for him. 7/10 – Arsenal: The Italian press think he would prefer a move to Juventus but Arsenal have bid really strongly.
Tottenham are looking at a new £30m strikeforce of Barcelona’s David Villa, 31, and Internacional’s Leandro Damiao, 23, to fire them into the top four.
What’s the story? Are they really? Really? Andre ’433/451? Villas-Boas wants a strike partnership suddenly? He wants to move Gareth Bale further back where he can cause less damage and wants a two man midfield that he has never operated in his entire career? Is that what’s happening?
Does it make sense? They’d both be wonderful signings but how can they sign both? Unless they sell Bale, but then why would they be attracted to join Spurs if they are selling their Champions League ticket anyway?
Is the price right? It’s what they’d cost, but then you’ve got a £10m striker on the bench.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Both. 9/10 – One of the two.
