Analysing the Transfer Gossip: 16th April 2013
There’s always plenty of transfer talk throughout the season. So how much of it makes sense, and how much of it is just rumour?
PSG are convinced they will land Wayne Rooney and the Qatari-backed club are ready to make it a £40m double deal by also taking his United team-mate Nani, the 26-year-old Portugal winger.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? Rooney’s future is being questioned after an on and off season and PSG are one of the few clubs who could afford him. United seem to have lost patience with Nani.
Does it make sense? No. The last thing PSG need is more attackers as they already have enough of a task fitting them all in to the team. Nani is no better than what they have. The only possibility would be if they want Rooney to play in midfield.
Is the price right? Not really. Surely Rooney is worth about that on his own.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Both, 1/10 – Rooney
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has put his scouts on alert to find a new left-back – raising doubts over the long-term future of Benoit Assou-Ekotto. The 29-year-old Cameroon international is already trying to line up a move and is hoping to set up a deal in France.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Assou-Ekotto hasn’t found the form of a couple of years ago and could be upgraded on.
Does it make sense? Yes. As good as he has been, he hasn’t been the same after injury.
Is the price right? They’d be doing well to get £3m
Will it happen? 4/10 – he likes living in London
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, 26, says he is ready to leave the club this summer and that a move to England could be on the cards, with Manchester City leading the chase.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Cavani is playing as well as anyone right now and has the ideal game to thrive in the Premier League. City want a proper striker.
Does it make sense? Yes. I’m convinced that City is the best spot for him and he is City’s best option.
Is the price right? £52m, pay up or walk on.
Will it happen? 9/10 – It’s a perfect fit.
If Manchester City do not sign Cavani, they could opt for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, with Bayern willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? It’s hard to see Guardiola wanting Gomez for his system, so he could be up for sale.
Does it make sense? He’s not an ideal fit for City but what he does offer is a penalty box presence which City have lacked at times with all of their strikers liking to wonder out in to general play.
Is the price right? £20m would be a good price to pay for a goal machine
Will it happen? 4/10 – As they say, only if they can’t get Cavani or Falcao
Borussia Dortmund’s 20-year-old German midfielder Mario Gotze is set to stay at the club for another season, despite interest from clubs including Arsenal and Manchester City.
Full story: Inside Futbol
What’s the story? Despite interest from Arsenal and Man City? And you’d leave a Champions League semi-finalist for Arsenal?
Does it make sense? It would make Arsenal’s dreams come true. But why would he leave Dortmund for anyone other than Real/Barcelona?
Is the price right? I would think Dortmund would only put up more of a fight to keep Reus, so it’d be very expensive.
Will it happen? 0/10 – Arsenal 3/10 – City: only if Dortmund win the Champions League.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes any attempts to sign 24-year-old striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal from Liverpool might be scuppered following the implementation of next season’s Premier League Financial Fair Play regulations.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
What’s the story? Allardyce is unhappy that, in his words, he can’t ‘spend over budget’ to get Carroll.
Does it make sense? Boo hoo, poor West Ham. They’ve just been given the Olympic Stadium and now they’re unhappy they can’t spend themselves in to oblivion again too.
Is the price right? Carroll is an expensive package. £12-15m to buy and £80,000 a week to maintain.
Will it happen? 2/10 – I wouldn’t be surprised if this was bluster.
Swansea have denied goalkeeper Michel Vorm, 29, is set to join Barcelona after reports in Spain said the Dutchman travelled to the Spanish city with his family at the weekend.
Full story: the Sun
What’s the story? I went to Tesco at the weekend but I’m not planning on living there. Also, Spanish press have reported that Barcelona have already agreed a deal to sign Marc Ter-Stegen.
Does it make sense? Vorm would make sense for Barcelona if not for the above.
Is the price right? No reason for Swansea not to hold out for £10m or so.
Will it happen? 4/10 – only if their other deal falls through.