Liverpool take centre stage in today’s ‘Transfer Lens’, with rumours concerning Manchester United and Arsenal also under scrutiny.
1. Yann M’Vila to Liverpool?
The former Rennes destroyer only signed for Russian club Rubin Kazan last year for a fee of around £9.6m, but now it seems Liverpool are in with a shout of snapping up the 23-year-old.
The Frenchman’s agent Werner Baader said this week that his client is thinking about a switch to the Premier League,
‘I think many players dream of playing in the Premier League – Yann is no different,’ said Baader.
‘I will not deny there is interest from many European clubs, including English teams.
‘We will see what happens.’
Liverpool are linked with a move for the player, but may face competition from Serie A side Napoli according to Sky Sports Italia (via Football Italia).
Saikat’s Verdict: Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Liverpool stopped talks over M’Vila one week ago. That probably means the interest has died down, with Brendan Rodgers having other plans. We will have to wait and see…
2. Ezequiel Garay to Manchester United?
The Argentine centreback has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but following the revalation that Nemanja Vidic will probably leave the club at the end of the season, David Moyes has stepped up his bid to bring Garay to the Premier League.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola have carried the story, claiming that a deal could well happen due to the the player being unwilling to extend his contract at the Estádio da Luz.
Tom’s Verdict: With Ferdinand past it at 35, and Vidic set to leave in the summer, United certainly need a new, commanding centre-back.
Garay certainly fits the bill, and considering his contract with Benfica expires in 2015, a cut-price move for the defender this summer could well be on.
3. Michy Batshuayi to Arsenal?
Soccerlens reported this potential transfer back in December, and the rumours have not abated since, with the Standard Leige striker still being linked with a January move to Arsenal.
Now the player’s agent Christophe Henrotay has claimed that a club can purchase his client if they trigger the player’s £8m buyout clause,
“Several Premier League clubs are following him closely, that is so,” Christophe Henrotay told Belgian publication ‘Sudinfo‘,
“There are also opportunities in other leagues.
“The situation is simple. If a club triggers his buyout clause then he can sit down and negotiate.”
He continued: “At this moment there are no clubs that offered the full amount to trigger the clause. My player is still happy at Standard. For sure. But there’s a lot of interest in him. It’s getting hot. When a club decides to trigger his clause, it’s up to Michy to decide.”
Standard Liege have taken exception to Henrotay’s words however, and have filed a complaint with FIFA (statement via the Daily Mail), making the situation decidedly more complicated than the agent made it out to be!
Tom’s Verdict: A tricky one this. Arsenal certainly need a striker to provide more depth, and in light of Walcott’s injury, but it is hard to tell where the truth of the matter is here.
Perhaps the Gunners should keep an eye on proceedings, while following up other promising transfer leads?
What do you think? Agree with our verdicts? Let us know in the comments below…
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