Analysing the transfer gossip – 6th July: Part 2: Premier League special

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?

Part 1 is here.

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Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, 26, is in advanced talks over a move to Chelsea.

Full story: Daily Express

What’s the story? This is so weird. Chelsea don’t need another goalkeeper, John Ruddy needs to play first team football, Norwich need John Ruddy. So..?Does it make sense? You might have gotten the impression that it doesn’t. Chelsea already had to loan out Thibaut Courtois, the best young goalkeeper in the world, now they want another one? If England manage to get to the World Cup then Ruddy is in contention for a spot in the squad, but not from Chelsea’s bench.Is the price right? Norwich have rejected £5m and Chelsea are supposedly willing to go higher. It’s so much for a third choice.Will it happen? 7/10 – Somehow it seems increasingly likely.

Queens Park Rangers are preparing a £4m offer for Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 25, who is also wanted by Norwich City.

Full story: The Sun

What’s the story? OK…So Celtic rejected £8m from Norwich in January and now are accepting £4m? And Hooper is willing to give up on playing in the Premier League?Does it make sense? Only for QPR. He’d be a good Championship striker but a borderline Premier League one.Is the price right? Yes, actually. The £8m Norwich offered was desperate. This is a decent amount.Will it happen? 3/10 – I don’t see him giving up Champions League football for the Championship.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup is ready to join the chase for Blackburn Rovers forward Jordan Rhodes, 23, after making a firm inquiry about the Scottish international.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

What’s the story? What on earth are Swansea doing at the moment? They were massively successful by avoiding the English premium and finding bargains. Now they are paying absurd money for inferior domestic product?Does it make sense? No. Blackburn paid £8m (yes, in the Championship) for Rhodes last summer and aren’t going to sell at a loss. Rhodes is unproven in the top flight. He’s not as good as other options in the same price range. So…noIs the price right? No reason for Blackburn to sell having spent so much on him unless they get a good profit. But that means at least £10m which is just insanity.Will it happen? 1/10 – No. I have faith that Swansea will divert from this ridiculous ‘buy British’ path they’re on and see the light.

Manchester City are set for talks with Roma with a view to buying 27-year-old striker Pablo Osvaldo.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

What’s the story? Blimey, this doesn’t sound good for City. They’ve missed out on Falcao, Cavani and Lewandowski. Maybe they’ve missed out on the next tier of Soldado, Negredo and so on. Now they’re down to Osvaldo?Does it make sense? No. He’s worse than Aguero and Dzeko and more damningly, worse than Balotelli and Tevez. Why sign him? It’s pointless.Is the price right? Supposedly £10m. No reason to spend that.Will it happen? 2/10 – I don’t see this.

Swansea City have stepped up their efforts to sign striker Wilfried Bony, 24, from Vitesse Arnhem with an improved £13.7m package.

Full story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? This is more like what we expect of Swansea.Does it make sense? Yes. Bony is a real physical threat and capable of putting up big time goalscoring numbers if he finds his feet quickly.Is the price right? It needs to stop climbing here or it will get in to risky territory but it’s good value at this range.Will it happen? 8/10 – It sounded more imminent last week and if Swansea are getting distracted wasting money of Shelvey or worse still Ince, then they might not have enough left.