There are only a few days left in the window, so I’m sure there’s a lot in store for what I hope will be a frantic few days in transfers. Today, there’s plenty to report on from around Europe, as clubs are trying to finalize their squads with the new season still fresh or not yet underway.
England
Manchester City have completed the £10m signing of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Certainly will be strange for him to go back, considering that he only wanted to go up after leaving Chelsea, but your Plan A doesn’t always work, does it? At this point, it’s the best decision for his future, and any City fans who might still hold something against him for having left in the first place will likely welcome him with open arms.
Tottenham are reportedly set to make a late move for Sporting star Miguel Veloso. The 22-year old midfielder has been linked with both Arsenal and Manchester United, among others, this summer, but Spurs, further looking to strengthen their squad in other areas besides up front, could make a move for the highly-rated Portuguese international.
Rumor Rating: 3 – They’ll have to pay a pretty penny for Veloso, if Sporting are even willing to sell.
Everton and Tottenham are being linked with Henrik Larsson, who’s still going strong at 37. Larsson was one of the top scorers in the UEFA Cup last season with six for Helsingborg, and besides Tottenham, Everton, and another unnamed Premier League club, his former club Feyenoord are also reportedly interested.
Rumor Rating: 4 – It’s amazing how well Larsson is doing at 37. I mean, look at his scissor kick goal against France. I don’t think I’ll be able to do that at 27… then again, I couldn’t do it at 17.
Everton are continuing their late rush of signings, as they’re set to sign newly-signed Inter striker Victor Obinna on loan. The 21-year old Nigerian international just signed for Inter from Chievo.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Why not have one young Nigerian striker named Victor when you can have two?
However, they’re not having as much luck with their pursuit of Rennes midfielder Stephane M’Bia, as the French club have rejected another offer, reportedly a £9m one.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Rennes – crusher of dreams.
Blackburn have finally completed the signing of MK Dons star Keith Andrews. Andrews had been mentioned as a target for former boss Paul Ince since he took over at Blackburn, but nothing had materialized up to this point.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Blackburn are also being linked with Czech defender Michal Kadlec, who plays for Sparta Prague.
Spain
Atletico Madrid, fresh off of qualifying for the Champions League group stage, have officially signed Valencia midfielder Ever Banega on a season-long loan.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Banega had been linked to Atletico for a good while, and this is a good move for him. He’ll have the chance to showcase the potential and ability that earned him his big-money move to Valencia, and he’ll be able to do it on the biggest stage.
Italy
Roma have completed a €10.5m deal for Monaco’s Jeremy Menez. The 21-year old forward’s price could eventually rise to €12m depending on Roma’s Champions League appearances.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Actually a little cheaper than expected, which is good for Roma, who’ve closed strong after not making a lot of noise through much of the summer.
The agent of new free agent midfielder Stephen Appiah says that his client could be set for a move to former club Juventus. However, he also says that Portsmouth, Everton, West Ham, Celtic, and Racing Santander are also interested in the Ghanaian’s services.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Appiah played for Juve from 2003-05 before moving to Fenerbahce, the club that he recently departed from. A return to Italy no doubt appeals to him, but he could well prefer a new challenge in either the Premier League or Serie A.
Inter striker David Suazo has spurned the chance to stay in Serie A with Sampdoria and Palermo in order to move to Benfica on loan.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Benfica have done a lot of spending this summer after missing out on both the league championship and a place in the Champions League last season, and Suazo could be the final piece of the summer puzzle, as they’d also pursued Espanyol’s Luis Garcia to boost their front line.
Germany
After it looked like AC Milan defender Massimo Oddo was all set for a move to Lyon yesterday, he’s now on his way to Bayern Munich on a one-year loan deal.
Rumor Rating: 5 – It’s a blow for Lyon, since they’re in need of defensive cover, but Bayern were able to steal in late and get the veteran Italian international.
Hamburg SV are set to complete a deal for another Brazilian Olympian in midfielder Thiago Neves. The 23-year old Fluminense star could fill the creative playmaker hole left by Rafael Van der Vaart’s move to Real Madrid.
Rumor Rating: 5 – If it’s worth noting – and it is – Neves was named the top player in last year’s Brazilian national championship, an award that has recently been won by Robinho, Carlos Tevez, Kaka, Liverpool’s Lucas, and Fenerbahce star Alex.
France
Tiago may not have wanted to come to Everton, but it appears that Monaco may be a lot more appealing, as Juventus are in negotiations with the Ligue 1 club over a move for the midfielder.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Merseyside may not hold a candle to Monaco in the looks category, but Everton do have European football, and Monaco don’t.
Well, that’s it for the day in transfer news and rumors. I’ll be back tomorrow to give you all the latest, but until then, chime in with your thoughts on today’s tidbits, chip in with ones you’ve read and heard, and make sure to keep up-to-date on the latest confirmed signings with the summer transfer lists.
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