Analysing the Transfer Gossip (17th 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?
Tottenham manager Andre-Villas Boas is interested in signing 20-year old Porto winger Christian Atsu, to whom he gave a debut during his time in charge of the Portuguese club. Everton and Sunderland are also keen on the winger, who will have just a year left on his contract by the summer and has an £8m buy-out clause.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Three Premier League clubs, two of which are looking towards Champions League qualification, want to pay a truly ludicrous amount of money for someone who has made 7 starts, 6 of which he has been substituted off in…?
Does it make sense? See above. This is so bizarre.
Is the price right? Would you want to pay £8m for someone who hardly ever sees the field…in Portugal?
Will it happen? 0/10 – Not a cat’s chance
Paris Saint-Germain director of football Leonardo insists the club have not made an offer for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney but admitted that Manchester City’s Samir Nasri and Yohan Cabaye of Newcastle are on their radar.
Full story: the Independent
What’s the story? Hmmm. Where does Nasri fit? Cabaye is clearly a good option as he ran riot in France before moving to England, and PSG do have a whole deep in midfield next to Verrati which I imagine, considering Cabaye is French, they would like him to fill. Nasri though?
Does it make sense? Cabaye makes perfect sense. Nasri is an odd one because PSG don’t really need him. They play a rapid tempo, attacking style with three quick players behind the focal point of Ibrahimovic.
Is the price right? PSG can afford anything really so £20m a piece.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Cabaye: Newcastle are hard to buy from, see Andy Carroll. 5/10 – Nasri: I don’t see how he fits what PSG need.
Newcastle could be interested in re-signing Andy Carroll when his loan deal at West Ham expires at the end of the season. However, the Magpies are only willing to pay £10m for the 24-year old – £25m less than Liverpool bought him for two years ago.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Carroll is finding form at West Ham, who can’t afford him, so perhaps he can re-light the flame at Newcastle.
Does it make sense? I’m not sold that he fits Newcastle’s system. They’ve moved towards a more fluid, passing system than the one he thrived in.
Is the price right? £10m would be great value. He should reach nearer £12-17m given his nationality, age, position and potential.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Carroll is as good as gone and Toon would be a good home.
Chelsea are close to sealing a £20m deal for Brazil defender Dede, who the Blues believe can be John Terry’s long-term successor. The Vasco Da Gama centre-back, 24, has also been watched by Liverpool and Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Chelsea desperately need centre backs. Dede is the elite defender in South Ameria right now with a physique for England. Chelsea have recently bought Piazon, Oscar and Wallace from Brazil.
Does it make sense? Yes. Dede is tough and good on the ball, exactly what Chelsea need.
Is the price right? £20m is too high but Brazil is becoming ever harder to buy from.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Chelsea could sign him regardless of who is manager.
Manchester United midfielder Anderson, 25, could return to former club Porto in the summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson attempting to bring Colombia star James Rodriguez, 21, the other way.
Full story: the Daily Telegraph
What’s the story? Interesting. Anderson has shown glimpses of potential but never really strung it together like he did when starring at Porto. Rodriguez is a fabulously talented, goalscoring and most importantly, consistent winger.
Does it make sense? Yes, plenty. Port need something extra in midfield which Anderson could offer and United are aching for consistent wide play.
Is the price right? £10m and Anderson would make the notoriously tough negotiating Porto sit up and think.
Will it happen? 8/10 – It makes so much sense.
Southampton have launched a bid to sign 24-year-old Belgium winger Radja Nainggolan from Cagliari.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Nainggolan is not a winger. How can this have not been researched? He’s a box-to-box central midfielder. There is nothing about him that suggests winger. Nothing that a Wikipedia search, never mind actually, you know, watching him, wouldn’t immediately correct. However, for what he actually is, he would make a lot of sense for Southampton.
Does it make sense? Yes. If Saints move towards a 4-3-3 shape, then the grit and drive of Nainggolan would nicely compliment Cork and Schneiderlin.
Is the price right? He’d be expensive, somewhere in the £10m range. But you’re getting a player who could take the league by storm like his fellow Belgians.
Will it happen? 7/10 – I like this fit.
Arsenal will make a formal offer to Sunderland at the end of the season to sign their Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, 25.
Full story: the Independent
What’s the story? Mignolet was on top of my shortlist to solve the Arsenal keeper crisis. I’m glad people take notice.
Does it make sense? It makes perfect sense. No more worrying about the keeper position for the next 10 years.
Is the price right? It depends if Sunderland stay up. £12-15m if they do, half if they don’t.
Will it happen? 6/10 – Arsenal fans would love it. It make sense. But since when does that make a difference to Arsenal policy?