Obviously the biggest transfer news of the day is Manchester United accepting an £80m offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo, and justifiably so.
However, there’s a lot more going on than Ronaldo’s impending world-record dream move to Real, and in today’s transfer news and rumors roundup, there’s a wealth of tidbits to discuss.
England
Valencia Reject Chelsea’s Villa Bid
Chelsea may or may not have been seriously rivaling Real Madrid for Kaka in the end, but they do look resigned to losing David Villa to Real, as Valencia have rejected Chelsea’s bid due to talks with Real Madrid being in an advanced stage. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: No surprise that Villa looks set for Real. With FC Twente’s Marko Arnautovic reportedly out of the running as well, Chelsea could turn to Sergio Aguero, but the fact that Atletico Madrid want as much as they do for him could put them off from chasing him.
Manchester United Interested in Robben
Manchester United could be set to do a little buying business with Real Madrid as well, as they could make a move for attacker Arjen Robben, who could be one of many players seeing the exit door at Real this summer. (Goal.com)
Analysis: One can only wonder how different things may have been had United not gone too low in their offer to PSV for Robben several years ago. Instead of frustrating Chelsea and Real Madrid fans with his propensity to get injured, he could’ve been doing that to United fans. All jokes aside though, Robben is a fantastic talent when he’s fit, and United certainly wouldn’t go wrong by signing him.
West Ham Make Move For Sturridge
West Ham could rival Chelsea for the signature of highly-rated striker Daniel Sturridge. The Manchester City academy product will be available on a free transfer after being unable to agree a new deal with City, though the club that lands the 19-year-old will have to pay City a sizable compensation package. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Chelsea would likely be able to offer the kind of wages that Sturridge would probably be looking for, but West Ham would allow him the opportunity to step in and be a regular much sooner than he would at Chelsea.
Fulham In Late Onyewu Bid
Fulham could make a late bid to trump Birmingham for defender Oguchi Onyewu. Onyewu is out of contract at Standard Liege, and the American international has been favored to sign with newly-promoted Birmingham, but the Cottagers could be set to steal in at the last minute. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: If Fulham could land Onyewu, they’d have one of the tallest, if not the tallest, center back pairings in the league, with Onyewu coming in at 6’4” and Brede Hangeland at 6’5”.
Birmingham Interested In Hart
Birmingham are interested in a loan move for Manchester City keeper Joe Hart. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: With Shay Given’s presence limiting Hart’s opportunities for the near future, a move to Birmingham or somewhere else he could be first-choice keeper is the right move. With nothing assured about England’s goalkeeping situation, a great season for Hart at Birmingham could land him a place in the World Cup squad next summer.
Midlands Move For Dann
Coventry captain Scott Dann is set to discuss personal terms with Wolves and Birmingham after Coventry accepted bids of £3.5m from both clubs. The 22-year-old center back is said to favor a move to Wolves. (Coventry Telegraph)
Analysis: The back line is definitely an area that I thought needed to be a priority for Wolves ahead of their Premier League return, and landing a quality defender like Dann is an excellent move if they can pull it off. I still think they should try to land a defender or two with Premier League experience (Nicky Butt has been mentioned), because you can never have enough of those when you’re one of the promoted sides.
Premier League Interest In Delvecchio
Fulham, Hull City, Stoke City, and Sunderland are all interested in Sampdoria midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio. The 31-year-old has a price tag of £4m. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Fulham could be the most promising opportunity, as they’d offer European football, but Sunderland could also be an attractive possibility, given the potential that they look to have for the future.
Spain
Barcelona Bid For Benayoun
Barcelona have reportedly made contact with Liverpool representatives to ask about the availability and asking price for Yossi Benayoun. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: I don’t think Rafa will be too happy about this, though he won’t have the same reaction that he has about Barca’s interest in Mascherano. Benayoun has scored some key goals and had some brilliant performances and moments over his two seasons at Liverpool, and his loss would certainly be felt. However, if Barcelona make an offer that’d represent a significant profit over the 4m that Liverpool paid West Ham two years ago, Benayoun’s expendable enough of an asset to take the money and run.
Italy
Inter Want €40m For Maicon
Inter Milan are said to want €40m for Real Madrid and Chelsea target Maicon. The Brazilian defender isn’t happy at Inter, and he looks likely to leave this summer, but it’ll come at a cost for his suitors. (Goal.com)
Analysis: I’d have to think that Chelsea would prefer to move for Glen Johnson, who they could land for half of what they’d have to pay for Maicon, so that could free him up to be yet another big buy for Real. I certainly don’t see him staying at Inter, that much is obvious.
Trezeguet’s Future Set To Be Decided
The Juventus board are set to decide the futures of forward David Trezeguet and defender Olof Mellberg tomorrow. (Goal.com)
Analysis: I don’t see Trezeguet staying, and he certainly has no shortage of suitors, with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Napoli, among others all being linked with him. But, if they don’t want to sell him to a Serie A rival and see that he has at least some part to play in the squad next season, he could stay. As for Mellberg, he made regular appearances for Juve last season, but his future could be bleak, with Juve having signed Fabio Cannavaro.
Gattuso’s Agent Opens Door To Move
The agent of AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has said that AC Milan can’t afford to lose his client, but he refused to rule out a summer move. Manchester United have been linked with the former Rangers man, and Chelsea are also being mooted as a potential destination, given AC Milan’s attachment to Carlo Ancelotti. (Goal.com)
Napoli In Talks For Sampdoria Duo
Napoli are currently in talks with Sampdoria for defender Hugo Campagnaro, and they could also be looking to strike a deal for midfielder Paolo Sammarco. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: The only Serie A side that’s been as busy as Napoli has thus far in the transfer window is Genoa. On paper, the moves that Napoli have been busy making (and they won’t be done after this deal – or deals) should pay off in a much higher finish than last season’s 12th-place finish, and a place in Europe could be well within reach.
Germany
Bayern Confirm Interest In Bosingwa
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has confirmed that the club are chasing Chelsea right back Jose Bosingwa. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: As I’ve stated before, this one all depends on what happens with Chelsea’s pursuit of Glen Johnson and potentially Maicon. It looks like they’ll land one of those two targets, and if they do, it’s only a matter of time before it’s bye-bye Bosingwa.
France
Rennes Give Green Light To M’Bia Move
Rennes general manager Pierre Dreossi says that the club hasn’t received an offer from Everton or anyone else for midfielder Stephane M’Bia yet, but that if the offer meets their £5-6m asking price, that they are ready and willing to sell the Cameroon international. (Clubcall)
Analysis: It must be that Rennes realized that M’Bia wants a step up and that they aren’t going to get what they were trying to ask for last summer. But David Moyes must be thinking to himself, “If only they’d said this last summer…”
Portugal
Sporting Loan Return For Nani?
Sporting have contacted Manchester United about a move for former winger Nani. One option could be an extended loan spell, but if it’s a permanent deal, Sporting could be prepared to offer star midfielder and captain Joao Moutinho to sweeten the deal. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: With Ronaldo set to leave, Nani could well be counted on in a more expanded role next season, but the offer of one of Portugal’s top young talents in Moutinho (and Nani’s lack of development in his two seasons at Old Trafford) could make things worth thinking about seriously.
Greece
Panathinaikos After Real Madrid Trio
Panathinaikos are interested in Real Madrid fringe players Ezequiel Garay, Royston Drenthe, and Javier Saviola. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: None of the above look to have much of a role to play at Real next season (or beyond, depending on just how busy Real are in bringing in new faces), and the opportunity to play in the Champions League with Panathinaikos would be a good one. And, as Matt Derbyshire’s spell with Olympiakos has shown, Greece can work out pretty well for you if you want it to.
Don’t forget to check out the latest updates to our confirmed summer transfers lists. Remember, if you have a confirmed transfer that you know of that should be added to any of the lists, contact Soccerlens and we’ll put it up.
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