Analysing the transfer gossip – 5th June Part One: Ronaldo, Robben, Spurs 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 in to overdrive. This will give plenty of opportunities for transfer rumour and gossip. So how much of it is realistic?
There is a huge bundle of transfer gossip today so I’ve had to split this in to two parts.
Manchester United have increased their efforts to sign Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, and they are prepared to offer £65m plus a player to prise him from the Spanish club.
Full Story: The Sun
What’s the story? Ronaldo has made no secret of his admiration for United who need to sign him to have a chance at winning the Champions League.
Does it make sense? How can signing Ronaldo not make sense? The bit that there is no player in exchange. Other than perhaps De Gea or maybe Rafael I don’t see who Real would want.
Is the price right? Not quite. Real paid £80m, and he’s still worth that, maybe more if Gareth Bale is worth £85m. If it’s the former, who are United offering that is worth £15m? It doesn’t add up.
Will it happen? 5/10 – It could do eventually, but not unless Real get Bale and not in this iteration.
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, 32, is poised to join his former club Monaco – paving the way for Leighton Baines to move from Everton to Old Trafford.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Monaco are throwing money around, need a left back, and Patrice Evra learned his football there. If they move him Moyes can sign Baines without worrying who to start.
Does it make sense? Yes, all around. Evra gets his big final pay day at his old club and United can get Baines to be their man for the future. Imagine all the chances he’d create for van Persie.
Is the price right? Baines could be as much as £15m which is a lot for a left back but he’d be a great signing. I guess they’d get a few million out of Monaco for Evra.
Will it happen? 9/10 – It makes an awful lot of sense.
Tottenham have offered 30-year-old England striker Jermain Defoe plus cash to Aston Villa in exchange for Christian Benteke, 22. Spurs face competition from Atletico Madrid, who are ready to bid £25m for the Belgium forward.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Spurs need to upgrade their attack, and Benteke would be a great place to start. Likewise for Atletico who have just lost Falcao and are cash rich.
Does it make sense? It does for Spurs but I’m not convinced it does for Villa. Much of Villa’s tactical game planning in 2013 centered on exploiting Benteke’s physicality. They couldn’t do that with Defoe who is a pure poacher. The Villa attack isn’t mature or sophisticated enough to operate with a poacher. For Atletico, Benteke is a big body like Falcao and although much less refined, is more of a physical threat. Benteke should stay at Villa another year though, and then move when he is ready to carry the load.
Is the price right? It’s hard to value him at £25m after one year of goal scoring but I dare say it would cost that to get him out of Villa so it’s probably about right.
Will it happen? 8/10 – Not with Defoe for Spurs but if they match Atletico’s money Villa won’t reject, as dangerous as it would be to sell.