Transfer Grades: Tevez, Mertens, Maher, Benat and Pieters
The transfer window has been flung open by Monaco and this summer could be spectacular for player movement given the number of high profile clubs that have changed manager or who are coming off perceived down seasons. Over this summer, I will be explaining and analysing the major moves around and giving each one of them a grade.
Carlos Tevez – Man City to Juventus (£8m)
What’s the deal? Tevez has been agitating to get out of Manchester to be nearer to home. So obviously, he moves further east.
Is the price right? It’s a huge bargain for Juventus who seem to have finally signed a player worthy of Alessandro Del Piero’s number 10 shirt. City are saying that they sold him so that they could save £17m in wages and bonuses in order to help their FFP balance sheet. But that’s because they wasted £34m on Fernandinho.
Why sign him? Juventus needed a ‘number 10? type striker to partner new signing Fernando Llorente. A new Del Piero and Trezeguet.
Why sell him? To get rid of the headache.
Will it work? Yes. Serie A is much slower paced than the Premier League so his relative speed will be a real asset. He is what they need to add sparkle to a hard working and determined Juventus team that lacked a Plan B last season.
Grade: A Incredibly good value for a really good player in a position they needed. This is how to do it. Only question is where his head is.