'%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?
As always, Sunday provides plenty to look at so I’ll deal with this in two parts.
A new-look Arsenal frontline could feature 29-year-old Chelsea striker Fernando Torres partnering Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, 25, if Gunners manager Arsene Wenger gets his way.
Full story: Sunday People
What’s the story? Haha. Really? Arsenal are moving to a two man attack are they? Just a clue to anyone wondering about this, the last time Wenger regularly played with two orthodox strikers like these two was…? Never. Always one deep and one on the last shoulder. Bergkamp and Wright, Bergkamp and Anelka, Bergkamp and Henry, van Persie and Adebayor, Fabregas and Van Persie. Never two out and out strikers.
Does it make sense? Erm…
Is the price right? Not really sure what to say here. Torres is really hard to value, not to mention the fact that this isn’t going to happen.
Will it happen? 0/10 – I can’t see any possible justification.
New City boss Manuel Pellegrini will attempt to sign Sevilla’s 27-year-old striker Alvaro Negredo, who has an £18m buy-out clause in his contract with the Spanish club.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? City have missed out on Falcao and Cavani and seem to want to a new striker.
Does it make sense? I really like this. Negredo is a quality player, with a quality strike rate. A pure finisher which is what City need to score the chances they create.
Is the price right? £18m is nice value actually. Probably towards the top end of what he’s worth but it’s certainly not an overpay.
Will it happen? 6/10 – They’ve got a good relationship with Sevilla and Negredo wants to play in the Champions League but since missing out on the elite band of strikers they’ve got so many to choose from that it’s hard to pin them to one.
Aston Villa have placed a £25m price tag on 22-year-old Belgium striker Christian Benteke to put off interested clubs.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
What’s the story? Benteke is critical to Villa’s future. Their end of season upsurge was based on Lambert getting the best out of him so having to completely reshape everything by selling him is not a good idea.
Does it make sense? Yes, but with a caveat. It’s all well and good turning offers down based on having him on a long cheap contract, but they do need to reward him with a pay rise. It’s one thing trying to keep things cheap but it’s always better rewarding players who have played well for the club over new signings.
Is the price right? It is for Villa but no one should be paying this for a player who hasn’t got a second good season under his belt.
Will it happen? He’s not going anywhere unless a team misses out on everyone and panics late in the window. See Carroll, Andy.
Villa have yet to receive a bid for out-of-favour forward Darren Bent, despite Newcastle, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Hull having been linked with the 29-year-old.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? Bent is a real bargain this summer. He’s got an amazing strike rate, up there with the best recent English strikers.
Does it make sense? I’m really surprised no one has dived in yet. You pay your money, you get 15-20 goals.
Is the price right? £5-6m to get his contract off the bill. But it’s great value.
Will it happen? 9/10 – He’ll move somewhere, too many teams need goals.
Newcastle have said it would take £25m for them to sell midfielder Yohan Cabaye, 27, as they seek to fend off interest in the France international from Arsenal, Manchester United, Monaco and Paris St-Germain.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Cabaye will be annoyed at being referred to as ‘Yohan Kebab’ by new Director of Football Joe Kinnear, quite apart from the fact that he doesn’t want to end up in another relegation scrap. Realistically, Newcastle have top six quality, but they always look on the verge of self destruct.
Does it make sense? Well, he’s not really a need for United, maybe Arsenal but they seem to be focusing on Fellaini. PSG have Verratti but are openly courting Cabaye but Monaco could certainly use him.
Is the price right? £25m is too much. He’s a good player certainly, but £25m for a midfielder is near enough Modric money and he’s not in that league.
Will it happen? 6/10 – Chances are he’s marginally more likely to leave than not.
Wolves winger Bakary Sako, 25, wants the League One club to lower their asking price so he can move to Fulham, who are unwilling to pay £4m for the Frenchman.
Full story: The Observer
What’s the story? This is a rare story where a player wanting to leave is fully justified. Sako joined a newly relegated Premier League club, scored 9 and made 11 and now finds himself in League One.
Does it make sense? Sako is on the borderline between really good Championship player and decent Premier League player. Probably worth a roll of the dice for Fulham who need a bit of x-factor in the attack aside from Berbatov.
Is the price right? £4m is fair for both teams so it’s surprising if Fulham won’t.
Will it happen? 8/10 – These kinds of deals eventually get done. One way or another he won’t have to play in League One next year.
