The summer transfer window has only been open for a day, and we’ve already got our first big signing in the Premier League, as Gareth Barry is making the move from the Midlands to Manchester in a £12m move to Manchester City.
Barry may be the only notable signing of the day, but he’s not the only notable name making headlines today. Who else is being linked with moves in today’s transfer news? We’ve got quite a few juicy bits to go over today, so let’s get on with it.
England
Aston Villa’s Barry Makes Manchester City Switch
Manchester City have made their first big capture of the summer, signing Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry for £12m, with the England international penning a five-year deal with his new club. (Setanta Sports)
Analysis: Whether or not you think Barry is overrated or any other unflattering adjective, Manchester City stand to have one of the Premier League’s best midfields next season.
Tevez’s United Future To Be Decided Tomorrow?
In a last-ditch effort to land Carlos Tevez, Manchester United chief executive David Gill will meet with Tevez’s rep Kia Joorabchian with the hope of being able to land the Argentine striker for £20m. (The Mirror)
If Gill is unable to persuade Joorabchian to cut £5.5m off of the asking price, then United could be set for a move for Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who could leave Madrid after only half a season. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: With several other clubs all too ready to pay the £25.5m asking price, Joorabchian might not be all that interested in giving United a discount. That’s unfortunate if you’re a United fan and the sight of Tevez at Liverpool or Manchester City makes you cringe, but Huntelaar could prove to be a better option based on value and output.
Pato and Johnson In Ancelotti’s Sights
New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is already busy making moves, as a £30m offer has been made to old club AC Milan for young striker Alexandre Pato, and he’s given the green light for a £12m offer to Portsmouth for Chelsea old boy Glen Johnson. (The Sun)
Analysis: Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see AC Milan selling one of their prized assets and cornerstones for the future at all, much less for £30m. Pato’s coming off of a 15-goal season, and he’s not even 20 yet.
As for Johnson, pre-takeover, a deal probably could’ve been likely. But, Portsmouth don’t need to sell now, and I think if Johnson was to move, he’d have to have assurances that he’d be first-choice, because he wouldn’t want to jeopardize his hopes of being England’s first-choice right back at the World Cup.
Liverpool Consider Real’s Offer for Alonso?
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has repeated time and again that midfielder Xabi Alonso isn’t for sale, but the most recent reports say that Liverpool could be tempted by an offer from Real Madrid that includes cash and striker Alvaro Negredo, a Liverpool target. (The Mirror)
Analysis: It’s a tempting offer, if Real offer the right amount of cash. But, just as well as they could take a £20m + Negredo offer, they could keep Alonso and just buy Negredo with money they already have.
Everton Make Offer to Owen
Could former Liverpool star Michael Owen be making a return to Merseyside? Everton have offered the veteran striker a £50k per week contract, and the signs are positive that he could accept. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Adding an injury-plagued striker when injuries to your strikers was your biggest problem last season could be viewed as silly, but this is the right move for both parties. Money isn’t an object for Owen, and moving to Everton makes sense for him because of location. If he and Yakubu can stay healthy, Everton could be a real threat for the top four.
Blackburn Sign South African Midfielder
Blackburn have signed former Club Brugge attacking midfielder Elrio Van Heerden on a free transfer. The 25-year-old played with FC Copenhagen before moving to Brugge in 2006, and he has 25 caps for South Africa. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: It’s always good to be able to add players with European and international experience for little or nothing, and that’s the case with Van Heerden.
Hull Interested in Newcastle’s Nolan
Hull are looking to open talks with Newcastle over a move for midfielder Kevin Nolan. Newcastle only bought Nolan in January, but with the club’s relegation, Hull are looking to loan him out, or even sign the 26-year-old permanently. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Being able to land Nolan would be a low-investment, high-reward signing for Hull. He won’t cost them too much, which fits their budget, and he’d add quality and several seasons of Premier League experience to Phil Brown’s side.
Spain
Real Madrid In Talks For AC Milan Star Kaka?
Kaka has once again proclaimed that he wants to stay in Milan, but according to Spanish reports, AC Milan exec Adriano Galliani and Kaka’s father/agent are in Madrid, holding talks with Real Madrid over a possible move. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Spanish news sources aren’t always exactly the most reliable ones, so we’ll just have to see how this one plays out over the next several days.
Real to Offer Inter Milan Swap Deal for Ibrahimovic?
Real Madrid are considering a €40m + Wesley Sneijder offer to Inter Milan for Zlatan Ibrahimovic – but only if they don’t sign Kaka. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Inter may wish to hold on to him, but it looks like it’s going to be a case of ‘best offer wins’ for Ibrahimovic between Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea. Real’s offer is pretty tempting, especially if Sneijder plays to his abilities.
Barcelona To Swap Eto’o For Lyon’s Benzema?
Barca are also in the running for Ibrahimovic, and if they aren’t able to land the Swedish star, they could look to make a cash + Samuel Eto’o offer to Lyon for Karim Benzema. (Goal.com)
Analysis: If Lyon were presented with such an offer, they should take it without a second thought. Given how quickly they churn out top young talent, they’ll have another Benzema in their ranks in no time, and there are few strikers as lethal as Eto’o when he’s in top form. The only stumbling block is whether or not Eto’o would actually want to swap Barcelona for France.
Italy
Napoli Star Lavezzi Set for Exit?
After claiming to be disrespected by the club in an emotional letter to the fans, the rumors are running rampant that Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi could leave. Italian reports say that Manchester United have already held talks with Lavezzi’s reps about a move, and his agent says an offer is on the table from a Champions League club. (ESPN Soccernet)
Analysis: While all of this is going on, Napoli have been busy completing a big-money deal for Udinese striker Fabio Quagliarella. They could make quite the dangerous duo next season, but in the wake of Lavezzi’s comments, the spotlight could be all Quagliarella’s.
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