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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?
Part One is here.
Real Madrid are set to battle Chelsea for the signature of Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic. The 24-year-old has blossomed since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2011 as part of the deal that saw David Luiz head to the west London club.
Full story: Metro
What’s the story? A rare slip from Chelsea in the markets over recent years. They lobbed Matic in with deal to get David Luiz. He’d already shown glimpses of elite talent and he’s progressed rapidly as a starter at Benfica.
Does it make sense? Nope. Benfica won’t sell him for anything short of a fortune. Chelsea could use his physical presence in the destroyer role though. Real don’t need him at all. They already have Khedira and Xabi Alonso who are both hugely superior.
Is the price right? Benfica initially quoted £38m which is of course, clinically insane for any club to pay. Can’t really justify paying even half for his type of player given the options elsewhere.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Stays at Benfica this summer.
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven’s technical manager Marcel Brands says Manchester United midfield target Kevin Strootman, 23, has committed himself to spending another season at the Dutch club.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? Man United want to pair Strootman and Thiago to be their new Scholes and Keane. PSV have sold Lens and Mertens so probably would be loathed to sell another key player.
Does it make sense? It does make sense to keep him for another year and it would make sense for United to wait a year for him rather than signing an inferior player.
Is the price right? PSV would surely be tempted to drop this stance for offers up to £20m.
Will it happen? 8/10 – Not this summer, but quite probably next year unless United sign someone they don’t really want as much.
Arsenal are considering whether to make an offer for Manchester City and England midfielder Gareth Barry. The 32-year-old has a year left on his £100,000-per-week deal, and the Gunners would not be prepared to match those terms.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? The story that has all Arsenal fans wreching with worry.
Does it make sense? No, of course it doesn’t. Arsenal don’t hand out big contracts to old players who have lost what little pace they had in an area of the field where they want a truly dominant athlete like Lars Bender.
Is the price right? Not unless he took an 80% wage cut and City gave him away for free.
Will it happen? 0/10 – No.
Liverpool face competition from Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund to sign Armenian midfielder Henrik Mkhitaryan, 24, from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Full story: Goal.com
What’s the story? Dortmund want to replace Mario Gotze and have looked at a few different options. Liverpool seem to have squandered the advantage they gained by opening up talks first.
Does it make sense? Yes, kind of. There are other better value options around of the same ability though.
Is the price right? The quoted £25m seems like a huge amount for both teams to be paying out. He’s got an exceptional record though and Shakhtar will be hard to buy from.
Will it happen? 4/10: Liverpool – they’d built up early relations but it’s gone cold suddenly. 6/10: Dortmund – Champions League finalists possessing a squad who could do the same again this year.
Cardiff City are poised to make an £11m offer to Celtic for Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama, 21.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? What on earth is going on in Cardiff? They’re throwing huge bids around on players who are not all that special for the money. I guess they’re trying to make an impact but if this and the Ince deal went through they’d have spent their reported £25m budget on three players when they could have got about six quality options for the money if they’d shopped more wisely.
Does it make sense? Football wise it does but not financially. Wanyama is an athlete, a big imposing presence in central midfield. That’s great. But as a box to box athlete there is better value elsewhere.
Is the price right? No. Too much.
Will it happen? 8/10 – They have really zeroed in on him and are offering a massive amount. Celtic could buy the entire Scottish league for this.
Crystal Palace want to sign Leeds right-back Sam Byram, 19, for £3m.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Byram is thought of as one of the top young English players outside of the top flight and probably the best right back.
Does it make sense? Not for Byram but it does for Palace. Byram would be going to the Premier League for a single season which is pointless. Considering he’s been linked to Everton previously, Palace shouldn’t be an option for him.
Is the price right? Yep, good price.
Will it happen? 2/10 – Maybe if no one else comes in, but it’d be a real surprise if they don’t.
