The Sunday papers always make for interesting reading when it comes to transfer gossip, so this morning’s roundup is no exception.
From the looks of Sunday’s gossip, we’re in store for quite the busy week as clubs try to make some late reinforcements before their seasons get underway.
We’re finally going to have an end to the long-running Darren Bent saga in the next day or two (I think), but as is always the case, when one saga ends, another three or four are already there with a few more ready to hop into the forefront, so keep that in mind as you check out this morning’s transfer tidbits.
England
United Back In For Aguero?
According to the Sunday Express, Manchester United are considering a £35m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.
Analysis: I’m still not sold on United being done with their summer spending, but it seems like Sir Alex Ferguson is pretty set on his front line of Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, and Macheda. if they did try to land Aguero, it might be with the thinking that it’s now or never instead of now or next summer.
Chelsea Chase Trio
United are set to have some competition for Aguero, as according to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are expected to seal the signing of AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo this week. And along with securing Pirlo’s signature, they’re also going to step up their pursuit of Aguero and Franck Ribery.
Analysis: Pirlo? Quite likely? Aguero? Maybe, but a little less likely. Ribery? I still stick to what I said the other day about what it might take for Bayern to consider selling him for around £35m-40m, but minds can be changed.
Liverpool In Aquilani Talks
Liverpool are in talks with Roma over midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who could cost Rafa Benitez 18m. (Daily Star)
Analysis: Right or wrong move, Liverpool fans? That’s a lot to pay for someone who, but his talent makes the risk a little more worth taking.
Arsenal In Swap Deal For Hangeland?
According to Norwegian reports, Arsenal could land Fulham center back Brede Hangeland if they’re willing to send striker Carlos Vela to Fulham on loan. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Vela is due for more first-team opportunities at Arsenal this season, but he could find a more regular starting role at Fulham, so it’d be a good move for him to gain a little more Premier League experience. That being said, even though, further depleting his forward line would put even more pressure on Arsene Wenger to add at least one new striker in the next few weeks.
Lescott To Request City Move?
According to the News of the World, Everton defender Joleon Lescott will submit a written transfer request sometime this week to try to push through a move to Manchester City.
Analysis: No doubt that he’s been unsettled by all that’s gone on with the endless speculation and City’s persistence, but we’ll see if he actually takes this step. It might be the only way to convince Everton to sell, because Manchester City’s bids certainly don’t seem to be doing the trick, but whether he stays at Everton or leaves for City, I can only wonder how hard David Moyes has been hitting the headache meds the last several weeks.
Tottenham Target Trio
Harry Redknapp is considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole. (The Guardian)
Analysis: He’d be an excellent signing for Tottenham, but what are the chances of it actually happening? There’s no telling what his role might be under Carlo Ancelotti, but it’d appear that he still has a key role to play for Chelsea. But if he does move, the chance to remain in London and to work with Harry Redknapp again could make Tottenham an attractive option.
Tottenham haven’t yet made a bid for Newcastle defender Sebastian Bassong, as reports had claimed, but Harry Redknapp has confirmed his interest in the 23-year-old (The Guardian). However, he’s set to face competition from Manchester City, who are set to make a bid soon (The Mirror).
Analysis: With Michael Dawson set to miss at least the first few weeks of the season due to an Achilles injury, and with Jonathan Woodgate also expected to be out for some time and Ledley King also a constant fitness concern, it’s no wonder that Redknapp is looking for another quality center back. But the entrance of Manchester City into the fray could drive an already high price up, which could scupper their hopes of being able to land him.
Spurs could also make a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Mark Van Bommel. (News of the World)
Analysis: Van Bommel is still very much a key player at Bayern. However, he does have one year left on his contract, and with him being 32, the chance to move to the Premier League while he’s still playing at a high level could be appealing.
Sunderland Eye Bent And Dawson
Sunderland are eying a £16m double swoop for Tottenham’s David Bentley and Michael Dawson. (The People)
Analysis: £16m for the both sounds pretty reasonable, I’d say, though there’s no telling what Tottenham might try to ask for after the way things have gone with the Darren Bent negotiations. Bentley’s future still appears to lie away from Tottenham, and that could also now be the case with Dawson. Dawson found himself on the bench pretty often last season but still had a semi-regular part to play due to Ledley King’s chronic knee issues, but if Tottenham land Bassong or another center back, that’d limit his opportunities even further when he does return.
Bent Finally Set For Sunderland
Despite a late bid by Stoke City (Daily Star), it looks like Darren Bent is finally about to seal his £15m move from Tottenham to Sunderland. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: I didn’t really see him ending up anywhere but Sunderland, but maybe Daniel Levy wanted to make him sweat a little. One can only imagine how angry Bent would have been had things not been worked out with Sunderland.
Wolves Target Maierhofer
Wolves are pondering a bid for 6’7” Rapid Vienna striker Stefan Maierhofer. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Rapid just sold their other star striker, Erwin Hoffer, to Napoli, so they may not want to sell him as well, unless an irresistible offer came in. For what it’s worth, check out his goalscoring exploits and his dance moves (good moves for a big guy, no?) here. He’s certainly not short on passion, which is a good thing.
Italy
Inter Agree Sneijder Deal
Inter Milan are set to land Real Madrid’s Wesley Sneijder in an initial €4m loan deal that will include an option for a permanent deal at a fee of €18m. (Goal.com)
Analysis: There’s interest from Aston Villa (according to the Daily Mail), but I think the only way Villa would beat out Inter is if they were offering a permanent deal. Even then, Inter have the funds to immediately work out a permanent deal for Sneijder, so I’d have to say he’s Inter’s to lose.
Germany
Stuttgart Sign Pogrebnyak
VfB Stuttgart have completed the signing of Zenit St. Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak. Initial reports had the fee at €10m, but Stuttgart general manager Horst Heldt has said that the actual fee was closer to €5m. (Sky Sports)https://sportslens.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=32802
Analysis: True enough, his contract was running out in a few months, but to be able to fill their need for a top-class striker without having to spend very much to do so is good business for Stuttgart. Just in time too, as he can get acquainted with his new teammates before the Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday.
Werder Target Lopez
Werder Bremen are interested in FC Moscow’s Argentine striker Maxi Lopez, who’s currently on loan at Gremio. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Werder may not be able to bring Claudio Pizarro back from Chelsea, and Boubacar Sanogo doesn’t appear to have a future at the club, so there’s a hole there for another striker.
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