Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 1st June: Suarez, Rooney, Chicarito and more
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 into overdrive. This will give plenty of opportunities for transfer rumour and gossip. So how much of it is realistic?
Liverpool say Luis Suarez is not for sale but the Anfield club will consider selling the striker if they can get more than the £50m for which they sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea.
What’s the story? Is it just me, or is this much less interesting/exciting than the other chatter? He’s going, he’s not going, he’s going. Anyway, he doesn’t have a release clause and Liverpool will only sell if they get a jackpot and he asks to move.
Does it make sense? For all his undoubted off field talents, he’s an exhausting presence. They’ve sullied the name of the club to defend him on many occasions and this is how they are rewarded.
Is the price right? Yes, it will look much better if they can squeeze out more than they got for Torres. Despite his own protestations that he’s as valuable as Cavani the wider world would believe otherwise.
Will it happen? 10/10 – It will do eventually. Standard Real Madrid transfer policy is to make the player unsettled before forcing the club in to a sale. Pretty much this.
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, 27, has been told by Paris St-Germain that he can name his own terms for a £30m move to France.
What’s the story? PSG are pretty much the option for Rooney. However, where does this sit with Financial Fair Play which they are already in breach of?
Does it make sense? Yes, he needs a clean break and could offer something different to PSG. However, with a newborn son and not exactly having a reputation as a man who could adapt to French language and culture, there are off-field question marks.
Is the price right? Pretty much yes, considering that United don’t openly want to sell. However, given the new manager is David Moyes and the dip in output from Rooney, this would actually be a good return for them.
Will it happen? 5/10 – The money and football makes sense but would he really leave England?
Italian champions Juventus want to sign Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 24, if they fail to land Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain.
What’s the story? Juventus have already signed Fernando Llorente but certainly seem eager to add more firepower to compete for the Champions League. There is a massive difference in quality between these two though. Higuain is borderline world class. A player who has only ever scored lots of goals. Hernandez is not. He’s a good poacher, an on the shoulder type forward but nothing else.
Does it make sense? Possibly. Juventus’s main weakness was chance taking. Hernandez could possibly be given reign just to position himself in and around the box sniffing out tap ins.
Is the price right? Very difficult to value. No more than £15m certainly, but I’m not sure Juventus would pay that. United would give some thought to £12m if he’s going to be stuck on the bench.
Will it happen? 7/10 – Last year they signed Bendtner and Anelka so they are obviously desperate for any solution. If they don’t get Higuain, Hernandez is by all measures an upgrade on those two.
Newcastle United are ready to pay £10m to sign Derby midfielder Will Hughes, 18.
What’s the story? Where to start? Do we mean Newcastle who shop abroad so as to avoid the inflated prices of the domestic market? Do we mean Newcastle who haven’t spent eight figures on a player under Mike Ashley?
Does it make sense? Meh. Newcastle’s woes won’t be cured by an 18 year old. He’s a classy young player though, capable of dribbling and goal scoring from attacking midfield areas and a nice technician.
Is the price right? He is young and English so there is always a premium on his type. However, it’s too much for him and way too much for Newcastle.
Will it happen? 3/10 – Not unless Newcastle completely change tact in the markets.
West Ham have their sights set on 26-year-old Real Betis goalkeeper Adrian, although they face competition from Espanyol and Getafe.
What’s the story? West Ham might be looking to get younger in goal with Jussi Jääskeläinen, now 38, but he is coming off his best season in years, maybe the best of his career. Adrian is a free agent this summer and is coming off a decent season in La Liga, keeping 11 clean sheets.
Does it make sense? Not really. This is at best a sideways move and quite un-Allardyce like.
Is the price right? Always good to get players for free, particularly from overseas as it lessens the risk.
Will it happen? 2/10 – I don’t see it. Jääskeläinen doesn’t need replacing and Adrian is good enough to start so wouldn’t want to sit on the bench.
Serbian winger Milos Krasic, 28, says that Sunderland are interested in signing him from Turkish side Fenerbahce.
What’s the story? Paolo Di Canio’s knowledge of Serie A comes in to play here after Krasic’s previous stint at Juventus. A few years ago, when Juventus were seen to have gotten in coup in Krasic from under Chelsea’s noses, he was considered an elite prospect. After an excellent World Cup in 2010 he was much coveted. He’s not followed through on that but is still a really solid player.
Does it make sense? Yes. He would bring energy, speed and trickery to the Sunderland wing. They badly need creativity and difference makers which is what he would be.
Is the price right? Maybe £5-6m or so, which would be solid business.
Will it happen? 7/10 – This sounds about right. Di Canio’s moves haven’t been very secretive so far.
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