Well how’s that for starting July with a bang? The start of a new month and the official first day of the summer transfer window brought another big-money signing for Real Madrid.
Real have been the biggest spenders by far this summer, and they’ll likely come out on top in that list when all’s said and done, but they aren’t the only club out there spending big or trying to spend big.
Of course, in the end, it’s not about how much you spend, but the return you get on your investment, and those who spend small may well get more return on their investment than those who are doing the biggest spending.
Whether it’s spending big or spending small, you can find out all the specifics in today’s roundup, and you can also catch all of the latest confirmed signings in our summer transfer lists.
Spain
Real Agree Benzema Deal
Real Madrid have sealed their third big-money signing of the summer, landing Lyon star Karim Benzema for a initial fee of £29.7 (35m euros) (ESPN Soccernet). The 21-year-old France international striker has agreed a six-year deal with Real, and the value of the deal could rise to £34.8m (41m euros) based on incentives. (RealMadrid.com)
Analysis: No surprise here, in the end. He’d been linked as a prime target for Manchester United, but he’d stated that his dream destination was Real Madrid, and Lyon worked to make it happen for him. Another big signing for Real, another big cash windfall for Lyon.
Barcelona To Bid For Mascherano
Barcelona are set to make a £25m bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. (The Mirror)
Analysis: The giant cash windfall would be lovely, but it’s highly unlikely that Liverpool will sell both Mascherano and Xabi Alonso, so either Barcelona or Real Madrid will come away disappointed.
England
United Target Gignac And Bid For Kacar?
United may have missed out on Benzema, but they could very well still sign a French striker, as they’re being linked with Toulouse star Andre-Pierre Gignac. Gignac led Ligue 1 with 24 goals, and his excellent season helped the 23-year-old earn his first three caps for the French national team. (Goal.com)
Analysis: He’d be one of the cheaper striker options still available to United, but he may be someone that United don’t go after unless one of the other options proves to be a little too costly.
Manchester United could be set to make an £8m bid for Hertha Berlin star Gojko Kacar. (The Sun)
Analysis: Kacar’s versatility as a defender and a midfielder and his abilities as a threat in attack and on set pieces make him an attractive prospect, and he’s shown that he’s got the talent and potential to compete at the highest level. He’s not someone that Hertha would like to lose, especially since they signed him only last summer, but if United come in with a sizable offer (might have to be a little more than 8m), it’d be too hard to turn it down.
Tottenham After Loach
Tottenham could be set to make a £6m move for Watford keeper Scott Loach. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: The future of Gomes hasn’t exactly been painted as secure thus far this summer, but the signing of Loach would mean he’d be around for at least one more season, since it’s pretty likely that Loach would be used as a #2 for at least a little while.
Villa Interested In Senderos
Aston Villa are interested in Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Villa do need to pick up another center back after the retirement of Martin Laursen, and Senderos would bring Premier League, European, and international experience to Villa’s back line for a relatively inexpensive price.
Wolves Sign Surman
Wolves have signed Southampton midfielder Andrew Surman for £1.2m. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Now that they’ve addressed the midfield and the attack, along with adding a proven Premier League goalkeeper, it’s time for Wolves to bolster the defense, which was their weakest link last season.
Burnley Sign Edgar
Burnley have signed Newcastle defender David Edgar on a free transfer. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Wolves and Birmingham may have spent more thus far, but Burnley have done very well this week, adding a talented young striker in Steven Fletcher and bolstering their defense with two players that have Premier League experience in Edgar and Tyrone Mears.
Ipswich To Sign Martin
Ipswich are set to sign Manchester United starlet Lee Martin for £2m. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Another United academy product that may not have broken through at Old Trafford but has the potential to be a success elsewhere. Martin has Championship experience from stints with Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, and Stoke City, and he could jump and have an immediate impact for Ipswich like Chris Eagles did for Burnley last season.
Italy
Genoa Target Demirel
Genoa could make a move for Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Demirel. The 27-year-old, who has 54 caps for Turkey, is available on a free transfer after his contract with Fenerbahce expired. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Genoa are in the market for a new keeper, with Rubinho’s contract expiring, and landing an established, quality goalkeeper in Demirel would be a very, very impressive signing.
France
Marseille To Land Lucho
Marseille are set to land Porto star Lucho Gonzalez. The Argentine international playmaker will cost Marseille 18m euros initially, and the deal could rise to 24m euros based on his performances. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Safe to say that they’ve got the Ligue 1 title and a European run in their sights, after suffering disappointment in the league (pipped at the end by Bordeaux) and in Europe (lost to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup quarters).
Turkey
Besiktas Interested In Mutu?
Besiktas are interested in Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: They have Champions League football to offer him, but I can’t say I see him leaving Fiorentina for a step back when he’s still very much at the top of his game.
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