Every transfer window, there are at least a few moves that completely catch you by surprise, which is surprising in itself, considering that there are so many deals that are public news well before they’re actually completed.
Check out today’s tidbits below, and check out the latest confirmed signings in our football transfer lists.
England
Chelsea Bid For Johnson
Chelsea are said to be considering an £8m bid for Middlesbrough’s young winger Adam Johnson. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Johnson is a highly promising talent, and 8m is a decent price for him, especially considering his lack of first-team experience. But for the sake of his development, it may be better for him to get more starts under his belt, and his chance to shine at Boro could come this season, with Stewart Downing to be out for an extended spell due to injury, or perhaps even on the move.
Arsenal Close On Matuidi
Arsenal are close to landing St. Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi for £2.5m. (The Mirror)
Analysis: He’s already got a wealth of experience as a young age, and at 2.5m, would be quite the bargain, considering that much higher prices have been mentioned in the past.
Blackburn Eye Jones
Blackburn’s latest strike target is Sunderland star Kenwyne Jones, who Sam Allardyce could make an £8-9m move for. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Jones would make up for the physical presence lost by the departure of Roque Santa Cruz, and Allardyce would still have some money left over to possibly sign another striker or make additions elsewhere.
Wigan Target Moses
Wigan could make a £2.5m move for Crystal Palace midfielder Victor Moses. (The Mirror)
Analysis: If Wigan can get the deal to go through, I’d think that there’s a good chance that Moses could be loaned back out to Crystal Palace or another Championship side so that he can continue to get regular first-team football. He’s already gotten a lot of experience under his belt, and it might only be a matter of time before he’s making an impact in the Premier League if he can continue developing like he has.
Wolves Return For Mancienne
Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne will return to Wolves on loan after the England U-21 man had an impressive loan stay there last season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Good move for Mancienne, since it’ll allow him to gain a lot of Premier League experience and ready himself to be able to make a dent in Carlo Ancelotti’s first team, or at the very least, put himself in position for a move to another Premier League side in the near future.
Spain
Barcelona Confirm Villa Bid, Set For Alves Bid
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club have made a bid in the €40m range for Valencia striker David Villa. (ESPN Soccernet)
Analysis: With Real Madrid out of the race, it’d seem that this one’s a matter of when and not if, and there are reports that it could be on the verge of completion. But given that Valencia have done anything but move along expeditiously when it comes to selling Villa, I won’t say it’s over until it’s officially over.
Barcelona are also on the verge of tabling an offer believed to be in the €30m range for FC Porto center back Bruno Alves. (Goal.com)
Analysis: They were able to get by in the end with a back line that had issues with injury and shakiness, but this is
Atletico Land Asenjo
Atletico Madrid have signed highly-rated Valladolid keeper Sergio Asenjo for €5m. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Asenjo will have a free run at the starting spot right off the bat with Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet leaving, and he’ll get an immediate opportunity to make an impression in the Champions League, so this deal works out a lot better for him than a move to Barcelona would have.
Malaga In Zaki Talks
Malaga are in talks with El Zamalek over a loan deal for former Wigan striker Amr Zaki. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Maybe Zaki will be more inclined to be more punctual at Malaga than he was at Wigan, and hopefully the goals won’t dry up there like they did at Wigan.
Pennant Signs For Zaragoza
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has signed for newly-promoted Real Zaragoza on a free transfer, penning a three-year deal with his new club. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: A bit of a surprising decision, at least to me. But he’s 26, and it’s as good a time as any to test himself in a new league, and it’d be even better for him if he can establish himself and play a key role in keeping Zaragoza up.
Italy
Juve Seal Melo Deal?
Juventus have reportedly finalized their deal for Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo, with Juve sending €21m + young winger Marco Marchionni to Fiorentina. (Goal.com)
Analysis: No surprise to see that the small holdup that was the Marchionni deal get ironed out. Disappointing for Arsenal fans though, if they were hoping that it could cause the whole thing to collapse and give Arsenal a chance to steal in late and get Melo.
Palermo Sign Pastore
Palermo have signed highly-rated Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore from Huracan. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Pastore has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but this might be the best step for him at this point. He’ll get to play for one of the better sides in one of Europe’s top leagues, and if he can make a big impression there over the next few seasons, a move to United, Arsenal, or one of Europe’s other top clubs could be forthcoming in the near future.
Germany
Stuttgart’s Huntelaar Offer Accepted
Real Madrid have accepted an offer of €20m from VfB Stuttgart for striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Stuttgart have the money to spend after selling Mario Gomez, and Huntelaar might be as perfect as it gets when it comes to replacing Gomez’s production.
Wolfsburg In For Nilmar
VfL Wolfsburg are preparing to make a €15m bid for Internacional striker Nilmar. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Could this be a sign that they’re open to the idea of selling Edin Dzeko?
France
Bordeaux Sign Plasil
Bordeaux have sealed a €3m deal for Osasuna midfielder Jaroslav Plasil. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: This is a solid signing for Bordeaux. Plasil has more than 40 caps for the Czech Republic, and he several seasons of Ligue 1 experience, having been at Monaco from 2000 until his move to Osasuna in 2007. During that time, he was a part of Monaco’s run to the Champions League final in 2004, so that will prove valuable as Bordeaux attempt to make a deep run in the CL in the upcoming season.
Scotland
Rangers Bid For Trezeguet
Rangers are set to make a €10m bid for Juventus striker David Trezeguet. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Well, they offer Champions League football and a chance to win a lot of trophies, but I’m not sure how realistic their chances are. He has been linked with a move to Lyon, but that may be out of the question with Lisandro Lopez on the way to Lyon, but recent reports have him staying at Juventus, so…
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