The summer transfer window doesn’t actually open for another two months, but with seasons coming to a close in Europe’s major leagues, the transfer rumors are already flying in full force.
Here’s a look at the latest transfer rumours and gossip from England to Holland to Italy to Spain in the return of our daily transfer roundup column.
England
Tevez Likely to Leave Manchester United
Despite the best efforts of some Manchester United fans, Carlos Tevez has resigned himself to the fact that he may not be at the club much longer. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: This is no surprise. If United could sign him purely on effort and heart, then they would. Alas, the whole package doesn’t justify spending the required price on him. If it drops, that could change, but it’s not looking good right now.
Santa Cruz In, Adebayor Out at Arsenal
Emmanuel Adebayor looks set to leave Arsenal this summer, and in the door could come Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz, who Arsene Wenger believes he can land for 10m. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Should’ve sold him for the big bucks when you could’ve, eh Blackburn? Disappointing form, injury, and a potential relegation for Blackburn could all drive Santa Cruz’s well down from what it was in January.
Double Standard Swoop for Manchester United?
Manchester United are reportedly the front-runners for young Standard Liege midfielder Axel Witsel, though they could face competition from the likes of Arsenal and several others. (Tribal Football)
Witsel’s teammate, striker Dieumerci M’Bokani has also been watched by Manchester United and Liverpool scouts, and he’s angling for a move to either one of those clubs, or Bayern Munich. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: United have been chasing Witsel for quite a while. As for M’Bokani, he’s had a lot of success over the last couple of seasons at Standard, and you know what happens when you mix young, African, and striker together. All hype jokes aside, I don’t think he’d be too high on United or Liverpool’s list at this point, and Bayern may not have striker at the top of their wishlist, with Ivica Olic set to come in the summer.
Manchester City After Robben
Real Madrid could be ready to offload injury-prone Arjen Robben in the summer, and at the head of the queue for the former Chelsea star’s signature could be Manchester City. (The Mirror)
Analysis: A return to the Premier League could appeal to Robben, but how interested would he be in City? The 18m asking price would be no problem, but reciprocal interest could be.
Cana to Replace Alonso at Liverpool?
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was on the verge of a move to Juventus last summer, and if the move happens to pull through in the summer, Rafa Benitez has already earmarked Marseille’s Lorik Cana as his replacement. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Whether or not Liverpool should sell Alonso is one thing – the answer is a resounding no, unless they get a huge offer. But, he might be itching for a new home, and if he is, he’d fetch more than enough money for Rafa to afford Cana.
Bentley Told He Can Leave Tottenham
It’s no surprise that Harry Redknapp is going to cut loose a number of members of the Tottenham squad in the summer, and one of the players that he’s opened the exit door for is David Bentley. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: For Bentley’s sake, pretend to act surprised for a second. Things just haven’t worked out for him at Tottenham, and the sooner it ends, the better for both parties.
Benitez Out of Bruce’s Budget?
Wigan manager Steve Bruce won’t be emptying his pockets for Santos Laguna’s Ecuadorian striker Cristian Benitez, who is also being tracked by PSV. However, Bruce could opt to try his luck with Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell, who’s currently on loan at Tottenham. (Sporting Life)
Analysis: Wigan need to add at least one striker in the summer, and they’ll likely go the loan route as they have with Mido and Amr Zaki for at least one of them. If they sell Antonio Valencia, that could not only free up money for Benitez, but the deal could also include Campbell if Sir Alex Ferguson has him down on his pecking order for next season.
Spain
Valencia Could Sell Villa and Silva
Cash-strapped Valencia have faced up to the reality that they might need to cash in on one or both of prized Davids in the summer. (Setanta Sports)
Analysis: Coming to a Premier League club near you? Real Madrid and Barcelona might do their best to keep them in Spain, but Manchester United, Manchester City, and potentially Liverpool (only if a takeover happens) and Chelsea could all make a play for one or both of these guys.
Italy
Juventus Plot Walcott Bid
Juventus could be lining up a bid for Arsenal star Theo Walcott. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Waste of time, Juve.
Cannavaro Choose Juventus Over Manchester City
Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has rejected the chance to move to Manchester City and Bayern Munich and instead looks set to make his return to old club Juventus.
Analysis: It’s a shame that he won’t get the return to Napoli that he wanted to, but a return to Juve offers up some sentimental value and a chance to end his career on top. (Sporting Life)
Adriano Set for Return to Brazil? (Setanta)
Analysis: A return to Brazil has worked wonders for Ronaldo, and it could do the same for Adriano, provided he doesn’t get too distracted.
Lazio to Make Zarate Deal Permanent
Lazio have agreed terms with Argentine striker Mauro Zarate to make his loan move a permanent deal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Qatari side Al Sadd are going to benefit from this one, but so are Lazio. Not only are they tying up a talented young striker, but they haven’t had to worry about paying the transfer fee all at once.
Holland
Heerenveen Star Drawing Interest From England and Spain
Heerenveen winger Daniel Pranjic is reportedly drawing interest from Liverpool, Sevilla, and Real Betis, according to his agent. (Setanta Sports)
Analysis: Pranjic is having a career season, hitting the 20-goal mark. Considering the amount of scoring there is in the Eredivisie, you can’t be sure how much to read into those numbers, but Pranjic could at least fit into the rotation on the left wing.
Portugal
Benfica Step Up Chase for Middlesbrough’s Alves
Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves looks likely to leave the Riverside regardless of whether or not Boro stay up, and according to his agent, Benfica are leading the race for his signature. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Alves hasn’t quite panned out as Middlesbrough expected when they paid a club-record fee for him in the January window last year, but a move to Portugal could see Alves return to his prolific ways.
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