Analysing the Transfer Gossip: 6th April
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?
Manchester United are ready to cut their losses on 26-year-old Portuguese winger Nani after his poor performance in the FA Cup defeat by Chelsea.
Full story: Daily Mirror
What’s the story? Nowadays if you have a lacklustre game for United, you’re immediately linked with moves everywhere. However, in this case there seems to be something to it. Nani’s game time has shrunk this year.
Does it make sense? Cut their losses is an absurd expression to use because they pay a lot for him and have trained him to be what he is.
Is the price right? They could probably get around £15m and shouldn’t be short of suitors
Will it happen? 7/10. It could be posturing but they took offers in the summer.
Coveted Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, 26, who is contracted to the Spanish club until 2016, says he has received no “concrete” offers to leave.
Full story: Sky Sports
What’s the story? Falcao again.
Does it make sense? He has a hard and fast release clause so unless someone meets it then no.
Is the price right? £52m for anyone who’s interested.
Will it happen? 6/10, if Chelsea or City want to ante up.
England striker Andy Carroll, 24, will not be allowed to leave Liverpool on the cheap, with manager Brendan Rodgers undecided whether the £35m striker is part of his plans.
Full story: Daily Mail
What’s the story? ‘I haven’t decided on his future so you’ll have to pay me more money for him. OK’
Does it make sense? Of course it does. If Rodgers said ‘I’ll take any thing for him’ it wouldn’t be the best negotiating position.
Is the price right? Well, this is the question. He’s still worth a good £12-15m due to his age, physical presence and potential.
Will it happen? 10/10. He won’t be at Anfield next year.
Uruguayan international striker Edinson Cavani, 26, thought to be a target for Manchester City and Chelsea, will not be allowed to leave Napoli cheaply this summer, having only agreed a contract extension last August, and is thought to have a buy-out clause of £53m.
Full story: Sky Sports
What’s the story? Oooh, Cavani and Falcao on the same day.
Does it make sense? City can flip a coin on Cavani or Falcao and be happy with either.
Is the price right? If Falcao is £52m then Cavani should be about the same.
Will it happen? 8/10. I think City will want to make a statement signing but who knows which one of them.
Lille’s Cameroon international defender Aurelien Chedjou, 27, has opened the door to a possible £12m switch to Newcastle.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? Well, Newcastle only sign players from France right?
Does it make sense? Not sure. Newcastle have the resource for that or the pull but he’d be a fabulous signing.
Is the price right? It’s towards the top end of his value but it’s a lot for Newcastle’s recent spending patterns.
Will it happen? 6/10. Maybe, if Newcastle can find enough pennies.
Arsenal are considering a £8.5m bid for Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez, 25, although Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is also an admirer of the striker, who played under him at Espanyol.
Full story: Daily Express
What’s the story? I guess this is the ‘new Michu’ bit. It also has a touch of Arsenal signing a decent player but not quite enough of a step up. But then, is Southampton a step down?
Does it make sense? Not quite good enough for Arsenal, is he interested in Southampton? Meh.
Is the price right? Yeah I guess £8.5m is the right area.
Will it happen? 4/10. I doubt it but if Southampton can offer a big enough wage then possibly.
Stories collected by the BBC Gossip Column
