Analysing the Transfer Gossip: 8th June - Part One

Liverpool will attempt to beat Everton boss Roberto Martinez to the capture of Wigan striker Arouna Kone, 29, by making a bid for the Ivory Coast international. Kone has a £6.5m release clause in his contract.

Full story: The Sun What’s the story? Is this Liverpool, who already have Daniel Sturridge, and Everton, who need a striker who can score them into the Champions League spots?Does it make sense? I guess so, but he’s not a definitive answer. He’d be a depth option at Liverpool; and with the striker position their only severe weakness, would this be enough for Everton?Is the price right? £6.5m would be good value for either club and is the kind of price you can pay for a rotation option.Will it happen? 9/10 – Everton: Martinez loves him and you never know, he could be excellent with the superior supply. 5/10 – Liverpool: He’s cheap, quick and technical but can they persuade him to sit on the bench?

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Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has made a £4m bid to bring Blackpool winger Thomas Ince to Selhurst Park.

Full story: The Sun

What’s the story? So much to doubt about this. Holloway is hated in Blackpool for deserting them last season. Ince has set his heights higher than immediate relegation and the price is half of what Blackpool demanded in January.Does it make sense? He’d be a great signing for Palace to replace Zaha and Ince would be better served going somewhere he’ll start every week; but he doesn’t seem to want to go down that road, preferring the leap to Spurs or similar.Is the price right? It’s fair for a player with no Premier League experience, but Blackpool are holding out for £8m; and because he is young and English, someone will pay it.Will it happen? 0/10 – No.

Here’s Part 2 of this article.