'%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 into the off-season, an unprecedented amount of managerial movement around Europe will surely see an already frantic transfer market go into overdrive. This will give plenty of opportunities for transfer rumour and gossip. So, how much of it is realistic?
Tottenham’s 23-year-old playmaker Gareth Bale is an £80m target for Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Here. We. Go! It’s transfer season folks. Gareth Bale is the most dangerous player in the league, three big clubs who will be locked in a footballing arms race all eying him up and down? Yep. That will do nicely fans of transfer gossip.
Does it make sense? There’s no scenario where signing Gareth Bale doesn’t make sense. These three are fairly finely split in terms of quality, that signing him would make whichever team achieves it favourite to win the league. For Spurs, obviously losing him doesn’t make sense but they’ve got a new ground to pay for and a lot of other weaknesses to address.
Is the price right? I’ve been saying for ages that these £40m rumours were nonsense. I feel he’s ‘worth’ £60m as it equates to the likes of Falcao and Cavani’s price, but is less than Ronaldo. However, perhaps only Real Madrid could offer that. Spurs will surely resist other English clubs more heartily.
Will it happen? 5/10 – I can’t really guess at this yet until it gets up some steam. He’s just as likely to go to any of these but I’d suggest Man United would have the greatest pull. City need to make the biggest statement. But, will Spurs sell to Chelsea of all teams?
Manchester United and Manchester City are also competing to bring former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, back to the Premier League next season.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Spanish media believe that United have bid on Fabregas. They could certainly do with a player of his undoubted quality in the midfield. As with Bale, if Man City are to keep up with the full speed recruitment going on around Europe, they need a marquee signing.
Does it make sense? Yes. Fabregas gives both clubs added quality that they do not have. He is better than the incumbents and will offer so much to both sides, getting the best out of some under performing attackers from both teams. He’s stuck on the bench at Barcelona. However, Arsenal have first dibs and would be mad not to take advantage.
Is the price right? He cost £35m, it’s hardly going to be less. But, he’s still only 26 and is overflowing with ability.
Will it happen? 4/10 – He has said he wants to fight on at Barcelona and would surely be more likely to join Arsenal if they front up.
New Napoli manager Rafa Benitez wants to take Chelsea defender David Luiz, 26, with him to Italy.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? There’s no doubt David Luiz played his best Chelsea football under Rafa Benitez, so much so that Real Madrid and Barcelona are supposedly circling. As big a club as Napoli could be, at this stage, it’s a big step down in theory. However, there is real doubt as to whether he is going to have a role to play for Jose Mourinho.
Does it make sense? It does in a lot of ways. With the World Cup in Brazil, he needs to be playing every week to secure his spot alongside Thiago Silva. Serie A is a good competition and Napoli are in the Champions League. His best stuff came with Benitez and Napoli could use defensive help for sure. However, can they afford him and can they persuade him?
Is the price right? He cost £24m. They have no reason to sell, and it’s hard to see why Napoli would reinvest all of their Cavani money on a defender rather than striker.
Will it happen? 2/10 – Only if Mourinho doesn’t want him and neither do Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 22, is being targeted by Atletico Madrid as a £17.5m replacement for Radamel Falcao, who has moved to Monaco
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? Atletico Madrid are going to need replace Falcao and can offer Benteke Champions League football. His physicality and pace could be a major danger in Spain.
Does it make sense? Yes, but not on it’s own. Atletico’s main weakness has been creativity this year and even despite having Falcao, they needed some extra impetus. If they get someone to supply Benteke as well, Cristian Eriksen for example, it makes a lot of sense. For Villa, selling him would not be a good idea unless they are certain they have a good enough replacement, but it’ll be hard to turn down a team in the Champions League.
Is the price right? It’s a tad expensive for someone with only one year of top level football but the raw potential is so immense, and his importance to Villa so crucial, that it’s about right.
Will it happen? 6/10 – He might not be first choice, they seem to have homed in on Luis Suarez, but it makes enough sense.
Arsenal could make an approach for unsettled Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 28, in the summer.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Really? Arsenal want to disrupt their good central defence with someone ousted by 35 year old Jamie Carragher and now surplus to requirements at Liverpool?
Does it make sense? No. Maybe 3-4 years ago but not now.
Is the price right? Someone will pay £4-5m but it won’t be Arsenal.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Why spend money on a squad player from a worse team?
Newcastle and Liverpool could be ready to rekindle their interest in 22-year-old forward Bojan Krkic after AC Milan decided against keeping the Barcelona outcast.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? Bojan was considered the next great Barcelona star 4 years ago but he’s fizzled out. Loan spells at Roma and AC Milan have failed to rekindle that sparkle that had him destined for the stars. He’s small, tricky and technical but hasn’t been productive offensively.
Does it make sense? Rodgers doesn’t really need another little technician having just signed Iago Aspas to compliment Philippe Coutinho. But the challenge of making the most of his potential could be too much to resist. Newcastle would be an interesting spot. Pardew doesn’t have a ‘number 10? in the squad and experiments with Sissoko and Cabaye in that role didn’t really succeed.
Is the price right? Maybe £6m or so, paying mostly for the skill levels which are obvious, and hoping he can become what he could be.
Will it happen? 6/10 – Newcastle: Despite not being from France, this is a modern Newcastle signing in the mould of Hatem Ben Arfa or Bemba Ba. 7/10 – Liverpool: Rodgers has got his eyes elsewhere but if he’s cheap enough, he might feel he can coach him up.
