England
Manchester Move For Ibrahimovic?
The agent of Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to meet next week with officials from Manchester United and Manchester City. (Goal.com)
Analysis: It’d seem that the only way United would be able to work a deal out for him is if he significantly dropped his wage demands or if United went well above their current wage structure, neither of which I see happening. One can never say never, otherwise they wouldn’t be meeting with his agent, but I’d have to say that he’s bound for City or AC Milan.
United Target Not For Sale
Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo says that winger Alexis Sanchez, who is a target of Manchester United and Roma, is not for sale this summer. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Sanchez made a big step from his first season at Udinese to his second, and he’ll be a big part of Udinese’s hopes to get back into Europe after last season’s surprising 15th place finish. If he continues his progress, I fully expect him to make a move next summer.
Fulham Want Fair Fee For Schwarzer
Arsenal have offered £2m for Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer, but that’s not going to cut it, as the Cottagers are looking for £4m for the experienced shot-stopper. (The Sun)
Analysis: 4m for a 37-year-old keeper might be considered a bit much, but given how long he’s been one of the best in the business, his importance to Fulham, and the fact that he still has plenty left in the tank, 4m isn’t really that much at all.
‘Pool Eye Park
According to the Sun, Liverpool are set to make a £6m bid for Monaco and South Korea star Park Chu-Young.
Analysis: Now, his numbers at Monaco might not blow you away, but there’s no doubt that he has the talent to be the next Korean success in the Premier League.
Birmingham Back For Babel
The Daily Star reports that Birmingham have rekindled their interest in Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, with an £8m bid set to be made soon.
Analysis: Roy Hodgson is still very much evaluating who he wants to keep and who he doesn’t, so he might yet decide that Babel still has a future at Liverpool. But with no guarantees as to how much Babel will figure into his plans, the need to raise funds for strengthening the squad, and an all-too-willing buyer in Birmingham, perhaps there will be less bumps in the road with this move this time around.
Fresh Sunderland Bid For Valdez
Sunderland have made a second bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Nelson Valdez. The 26-year-old, who started four of Paraguay‘s five World Cup games, is also receiving interest from PSV Eindhoven, among others. (The Mirror)
Analysis: If there is a Paraguayan striker that plays for Borussia Dortmund that Sunderland should be after, it’s Lucas Barrios, but he might be out of their price range.
Keinan Set For Blackpool
Israeli defender Dekel Keinan is set to undergo a medical ahead of signing a two-year deal with Blackpool. The 26-year-old recently had a trial with the newly promoted club, and he‘s set to become their first new acquisition of the summer. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: We’ll see how prominently he figures into Ian Holloway’s plans, but he has a great deal of experience on club and international level, including experience in Israel’s 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and in the Champions League last season with Maccabi Haifa, which will prove valuable.
Italy
Milan Target Podolski
AC Milan executive Adriano Galliani says that the club could move for German forward Lukas Podolski, but it‘ll happen only if Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leaves the club this summer. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Considering Podolski’s propensity for profligacy on the club level in recent seasons, perhaps AC Milan might as well keep Huntelaar instead of giving Cologne a friendly cash injection.
Cavani Set For Napoli
Napoli have reportedly reached an agreement for Palermo striker Edinson Cavani. Napoli will take the Uruguayan on loan for the upcoming season and then pay €16m next summer to make the deal permanent. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Well, there are certainly no excuses for Napoli not making a serious push for a Champions League place (at the very least) and going deep in the Europa League. Defensively, they should be solid once again, but with one of the most dangerous front lines in Serie A, with Cavani, Lavezzi, and Quagliarella, we should see a lot fewer 0-0 and 1-1 draws (11 of those last season).
Germany
Bayern In For Van Der Wiel
Bayern Munich have made an approach for Ajax right back Gregory Van der Wiel, who‘s coming off of an impressive World Cup showing in the Netherlands‘ run to the final. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: This will only serve to increase speculation about the future of Philipp Lahm, who stands a good chance of leaving Bayern this summer, with Manchester United once again interested in him.
Surprise Contender For Campbell?
Newly promoted Bundesliga side St. Pauli have offered defender Sol Campbell a one-year deal worth €90k (£75k) per week. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Well, I don’t see this one as being too likely to come to anything, though it’s certainly worth it to take a shot. Not a bad offer monetarily at all, and it wouldn’t tie him to the club even if they immediately go back down, but I imagine he wouldn’t want to jump into a relegation battle at this point in his career.
Wolfsburg Loan Cicero
Wolfsburg have signed Brazilian midfielder Cicero on loan. Cicero spent the last two seasons at Hertha Berlin, starting 61 games and scoring 10 goals and assisting on nine more. (ESPN Soccernet)
Analysis: Another solid signing for Wolfsburg. Cicero has been a quality performer in the Bundesliga over the last couple of seasons, and he was one of the bright spots in a dismal campaign for Hertha Berlin last season. He should step in and be an impact player from the outset for Wolfsburg.
Scotland
Rangers Swoop In For Eagles
Rangers have made an approach for Burnley winger Chris Eagles. The former Manchester United starlet scored two goals and assisted on three more in 20 Premier League starts last season. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: With Eagles out of contract next summer and not a sure thing to remain at Burnley past the end of that deal, it’s best to cash in now and at least get something back for him. And with Burnley back in the Championship after a Premier League season in which Eagles yo-yoed in and out of the starting lineup, the timing isn‘t bad.
USA
Henry Seals MLS Move
Thierry Henry has officially completed his move to Major League Soccer, as the New York Red Bulls have confirmed that they’ve signed the veteran striker to a multi-year deal. (ESPN Soccernet)
Analysis: Isn’t it only fitting that, given his longtime ties to Arsenal, that he’ll be making his debut in a friendly against Tottenham?
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