You’ve got to love the transfer window. It’s only inevitable that there’s going to be at least one major saga in any transfer window, and just a few days into the summer window, we’ve got quite the saga brewing involving Kaka, Real Madrid, and Chelsea.
Of course, there’s a lot more in the transfer news pages than this, but it’s safe to say that it’s going to be dominating the headlines until there’s some sort of resolution one way or another.
Kaka To Real Madrid? Or To Chelsea?
It looks like it’s only a matter of time before AC Milan star Kaka takes his act somewhere else, but will it be to the Premier League or La Liga?
It looked like Real Madrid had beaten Chelsea to his signature in a £56m deal, but at the same time, AC Milan were refuting reports that any such deal was done. All the while, Chelsea were reportedly doing their best to hijack any deal that may or may not have happened, and reports trickled out this evening that Chelsea had supposedly made a £73.5m bid for him, with an offer of an after-tax salary of £10m.
But, the latest reports – and these, unlike many others short of confirmed signings when it comes to transfers, are coming from a very official source – are that Chelsea have never made a bid for Kaka and that there have been no contract negotiations either.
Spain
Real Madrid To Pursue Vidic
Real Madrid are pretty busy with their pursuit (and potential signing) of Kaka, but he’s only one of many potential transfer targets, though some are more realistic options than others. One such target could be Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, who could be the subject of a £30m bid. (Belfast Telegraph)
Analysis: Keep dreaming.
England
Chelsea Undaunted In Pato Chase
Despite the fact that AC Milan star Alexandre Pato has said he wants to stay where he is, Chelsea are set to step up their interest with a £45m bid for th (Daily Mail)
Analysis: See above.
Manchester City And Aston Villa Join Lescott Chase
Manchester City (The Times) and Aston Villa (Metro) are rivaling Arsenal in a battle for Everton defender Joleon Lescott. Arsenal were linked with a £12m offer for Lescott on the weekend, but now City and Villa are throwing their hat in the ring for the 26-year-old.
Analysis: Moving to Aston Villa and City (at least right now) would be lateral moves for Lescott, but there’s a chance that Everton could accept a sizable offer for Lescott to help them fund a few summer moves.
Tottenham Move For Everton’s Arteta?
Lescott isn’t the only key Everton player being linked with a move away, as Tottenham could be lining up a bid for midfielder Mikel Arteta. Spurs aren’t the only club interested in the Spaniard, however, as Manchester City could also lodge a bid soon. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: As is the case with Lescott, it’d take a sizable offer for Everton to consider selling Arteta.
Sunderland Set To Land Tottenham’s Bent
Steve Bruce has been confirmed as Sunderland’s new manager, and it looks like his first signing will be Tottenham striker Darren Bent in a £10m deal. (Daily Mirror)
Analysis: Bent may not have been able to hold down a regular place for Tottenham under Harry Redknapp, but he did finish the season with 17 goals in all competitions. If he can form a solid partnership with Kenwyne Jones, Sunderland can be a lot better in front of goal than they were this season – and a lot higher in the table.
Birmingham City Make Record Move For Benitez
Birmingham City have sealed a club-record £9m deal for Santos Laguna striker Cristian Benitez. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian has signed a three-year deal with his new club. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: I had my doubts about Birmingham beating out the likes of PSV and Villarreal, or even Portsmouth, but their hopes of staying up and having a successful return to the top flight have been given quite the boost with this signing.
Bolton Target Tottenham’s Huddlestone
Bolton are set to make a £6m bid for Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone. However, they could face competition from Aston Villa and Fulham for the 22-year-old. (Daily Telegraph)
Analysis: Huddlestone may not have developed as expected at Tottenham, but he’s still young, and a change of scenery could be a catalyst to him putting himself in the frame for consideration by Fabio Capello in the near future. World Cup 2010 might be out of the question, but 2014 could be a real possibility if he makes the most of his next move.
Wolves Close On Red Star’s Milijas
Wolves are closing in on a £2.5m deal for Red Star Belgrade star Nenad Milijas, according to the player’s agent. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: This is another one where I seemed a little doubtful about the outcome, since it looked like Borussia Monchengladbach were well on their way to landing him.
Hull Make Offer For French Striker
Hull City have made an offer of £800,000 for Le Havre striker Amadou Alassane. Le Have finished bottom of Ligue 1, but the 26-year-old was their brightest spot, scoring a club-leading 10 goals. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Alassane is far from a proven quantity, but he did make a good account of himself in his debut season in Ligue 1. Hull lacked a real threat in front of goal last season, and that’s something that should be heavily addressed this summer if they’re to avoid another serious relegation scrap.
Italy
Napoli To Sign De Sanctis
Napoli are close to sealing a deal for veteran Italian Morgan de Sanctis on a free transfer. The 32-year-old, who was Galatasaray’s #1 last season, was Udinese’s #1 for five seasons before moving to Sevilla in 2007. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Napoli actually had one of the better defensive records in Serie A last season, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to a goalkeeper with the experience that de Sanctis has.
Daily Links
Who Will Replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United?
The transfer gossip pages have been busy linking Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid, and instead of ripping up your newspaper or breaking your monitor, why not make light of it?
Goal-Line Referees for Next Season’s Europa League
UEFA are going to test out goal-line referees in next season’s Europa League.
Everton to Play in Canada This Summer
If you’re an Everton fan in Canada, you’ve got reason to be excited, as the Toffees are set for a friendly in Edmonton on July 25.
Abbey Clancy Interview
In case you hadn’t checked out the Soccerlens Babes blog recently, this month’s Babe of the Month is Peter Crouch’s lady Abbey Clancy. On top of checking out a nice collection of pictures and videos, you can also read Soccerlens’ interview with Miss Clancy.
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