An A for an A, a tooth for a tooth?
Excuse the weak comment there, but it is early, so I won’t be at my cleverest for another few hours or so. That being said, Liverpool have sold an A(lonso) and are immediately replacing him with an A(quilani), with money still to spare.
That’s the big news of the morn, but at least a few deals should filter through the wires throughout the day, which will give us a few more names to add to our summer transfer lists.
Spain
Real Sign Alonso
Real Madrid have signed Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso in a £30m deal. (The Guardian)
Analysis: I didn’t really like the idea of Liverpool selling Alonso initially, but it was all too obvious where the guy wanted to be. They’ve gotten pretty good money for him, and it looks like it won’t be going to waste…
Barca Target Kompany
Barcelona are considering a move for Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Just like I don’t see anything coming from their interest in Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, I don’t really see anything coming out of this, at least for right now. City’s summer reinforcements have certainly shaken things up, but with his versatility, he should still feature prominently when he returns from injury.
England
Liverpool Close On Aquilani
The void left by Alonso’s departure won’t be empty for long, as Liverpool have agreed a £20m fee with Roma for midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The 25-year-old has already inked a five-year, £85k per week contract, and provided he passes his medical, the signing should be completed today. (The Guardian)
Analysis: That’ll be an interesting medical, but I’m going to take a wild guess and say that they wouldn’t be going through the trouble of trying to sign him in the first place if he wasn’t going to pass the medical without a problem, given that his injury history is pretty common knowledge.
Arsenal To Up Chamakh Bid
Arsenal are set to up their offer for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh from an initial bid of £6m to £7.5m. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Would still seem to be a fair amount short of what Bordeaux want for him, but they’re making progress.
City Near Lescott Deal?
According to The Sun, Manchester City expect to complete their move for Everton defender Joleon Lescott today. The report says that Everton have accepted a bid of £22m plus incentives, and Lescott is set to pen a five-year deal worth £90k per week.
Analysis: Well, if it does go through, the pain of having to deal with the prolonged saga and letting go of a prized asset will be somewhat softened by the nice financial windfall, some of which will be spent on Philippe Senderos, it appears.
Bassong Set For Spurs
Newcastle defender Sebastian Bassong has passed a medical at Tottenham and is close to sealing an £8m move to White Hart Lane. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: A big sigh of relief for Harry Redknapp, I’m sure, as his defensive worries will be eased ever so slightly by the addition of Bassong. You just have to hope that there’s no center back curse at Tottenham that will befall Bassong as soon as he steps on the training pitch for the first time (knock on wood).
Bent Signs On At Sunderland
Sunderland have finally, finally, finally completed the signing of Tottenham striker Darren Bent for an initial fee of £10m. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Everyone wins here. Steve Bruce gets the striker he wanted, Bent goes to the club he wanted to go to, and Tottenham get what they should consider good money for Bent (with more set to come based on incentives).
Neill In Sunderland Talks
Free agent defender Lucas Neill is in talks with Sunderland about a potential move. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Remains to be seen if this develops into anything more, but it’d be another quality addition in a solid summer for Sunderland, who’ll have done an excellent job in strengthening their front line, midfield, and defense without spending as much money as they could have.
Pompey Loan Piquionne
Portsmouth have signed Lyon striker Frederic Piquionne on a season-long loan deal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: It looks like Piquionne may well be counted on to play a pretty prominent role, because The Mirror says that Portsmouth are trying to offload David Nugent in the wake of his curtain rod fight with teammate Marc Wilson.
Olofinjana Set For Hull
Hull have agreed a £3m fee with Stoke City for midfielder Seyi Olofinjana. (The Guardian)
Analysis: Finally, some good transfer news for Hull. It’s certainly about time!
Italy
Genoa And Palermo In Keeper Swap
Genoa and Palermo have completed a straight swap that will send Genoa keeper Rubinho to Palermo and Palermo keeper Marco Amelia to Genoa. (Goal.com)
Analysis: This one works out well for both clubs, as both land quality keepers that have proven their worth in Serie A, and at 27, have time on their side.
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