Analysing the Transfer Gossip (19th 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?
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen striker Andre Schurrle, 22. The German club’s representatives are in London to finalise the transfer.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? This has been bubbling along for a few weeks and seems to be tying up now.
Does it make sense? I’m not at all convinced. He’s a very good player but he’s no Mata or Hazard.
Is the price right? Sounds like £20m which is the right money
Will it happen? 10/10 – yep.
Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 27, is a target for newly promoted Cardiff City as the Ivory Coast international, currently at Lille, wants a return to the Premier League.
Full story; Metro
What’s the story? Kalou has done okay in France but might fancy showing what he can do as a regular starter in England.
Does it make sense? I’d have thought he could join a more established club, but they will have money. The only other thing is that Mackay only signs players who used to play for Watford which eliminates Kalou.
Is the price right? Hard to tell but could be £3-5m, which is reasonable.
Will it happen? 5/10 – It could do if they can offer him enough money.
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 22, is ready to turn down a summer move to either Arsenal or Tottenham. The Belgian forward has scored 19 goals for Villa since joining for £8m from Genk last year.
Full story: The Sun
What’s the story? Ah, the good old Benteke rumours. Arsenal and Spurs could do with striker help.
Does it make sense? Well, would you turn down Champions League football for another relegation scrap? Moving to a big club could force him ahead of Lukaku, who might be bench bound in the Belgian national team shake up.
Is the price right? Got to be worth at least £15m
Will it happen? 7/10 – if he’s offered Champions League football, why would he turn it down in the year before a World Cup?
Galatasaray are ready to battle Manchester United and Liverpool for the signing of Porto’s 26-year-old striker Jackson Martinez.
Full story: talkSPORT
What’s the story? There’s mixed news coming out of Galatasaray. They’ve either got a lot of money, or none. Do they really need a striker with a certain Ivorian newly signed?
Does it make sense? Not really. They’ve got a lot in attack anyway. Also, is Porto to Galatasaray a step up? No.
Is the price right? Porto are so tough to buy from and don’t need to sell so it could even get up over £20m which is far too high.
Will it happen? 1/10 – Nope.
Promoted Cardiff City want to sign Reading striker Adam Le Fondre, 26, and QPR forward Bobby Zamora, 32, as Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay prepares to strengthen his squad for next season’s Premier League campaign.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Try to contain yourself Redbirds fans! Zamora? The man who has said he has no passion for football? In a relegation battle? How did that go, QPR?
Does it make sense? Zamora is not a player you want to be signing. Le Fondre has shown that he can grab goals as an impact signing, so might be a useful player to have.
Is the price right? QPR would drive Zamora and his £50k a week wages to Cardiff and even pay the £5 to get over the bridge for free. Le Fondre might be £4m or so.
Will it happen? 4/10 – Zamora: it shouldn’t but it might. 5/10 – Le Fondre: If Reading want to try to come straight back up then they need to keep him.
Manchester City are preparing to make a £17m summer move for Schalke’s 21-year-old Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Nice, a new name. Papadopoulos is one of the top young defenders on the continent.
Does it make sense? City laid out a similar amount to sign Nastasic last summer and he has shown promise. So it would be between the two youngsters to partner Kompany, who is himself only 26.
Is the price right? It’s more than he is ‘worth’ but it is a reasonable sale value given Schalke should have no prerogative to sell him.
Will it happen? 6/10 – It does fit in with City’s recent policy of signing younger players and they are very thin at the back but Schalke will put up a fight.
Arsenal are interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Japanese midfielder Takashi Inui. Gunners chief scout Steve Rowley has watched the left-footed 24-year-old, who can play in a playmaker role or on the wing.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? Inui has looked good in Germany, but is a playmaker-cum-winger with no big time experience. Haven’t we been here before Arsene?
Does it make sense? No. Chance creation isn’t the problem for Arsenal. They need someone to score and stop the other team far far more.
Is the price right? £4-5m or so. Doesn’t really achieve anything though.
Will it happen? 5/10 – Maybe but I don’t see the gain for Arsenal
Liverpool want Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after the 23-year-old produced a fine performance against the Reds when the two sides met last week.
Full story: Daily Star
What’s the story? Is this how teams sign players? It might be how Liverpool do.
Does it make sense? Only as a backup/development player. He’s a good shot stopper but he’s not Pepe Reina.
Is the price right? £3m or so. Worth a go for backup I guess
Will it happen? 7/10 – Rodgers does like his old favourites