Well, it’s the start of a new week, and this week carries a great deal of excitement, as we’re only a week away from the start of the Premier League season.
Today’s transfer roundup isn’t as packed as I would have expected, but there’s plenty to run through, so you certainly won’t go lacking.
England
Kaka’s agent (well, you can only guess where this one’s headed, right?) says that Chelsea and AC Milan are talking about a transfer for his client, and that a deal before the end of August is a possibility.
Rumor Rating: 3 – I see the point of them wanting to buy him, but as for actually buying him? Still hard to see AC Milan giving in, but hey, if Chelsea’s offering a world-record sum, it could help the Rossoneri make the necessary additions to their squad to again become the force they’re capable of being.
According to the Mirror, Aston Villa could be planning a £17.5m bid for Chelsea’s Joe Cole. They surmise that since Cole’s opportunities could be limited by the arrival of Deco and the impending arrival of Robinho, which could lure him to somewhere like Villa.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Cole may not always be a 90-minute guy for the Blues, but he is one of their biggest sparks. If Villa somehow did land him, it would make one of the more entertaining sides in the Premier League all the more so exciting to watch.
Portsmouth have completed a £6m deal for Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul. Just a few days ago, it looked like Pompey might lose out to Aston Villa for the Frenchman’s services as they did with Nicky Shorey, but they’ve won the race to make a key defensive signing ahead of the new season.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Can he take penalties? I kid, I kid. Kaboul didn’t exactly pan out at Tottenham like he was expected to, but he’ll have a chance to be a key part of Portsmouth’s back line right away.
Everton have agreed a deal with CSKA Moscow for a deal for Brazilian striker Vagner Love. The deal will be a one-year loan deal with an option for a £13m permanent move, and all of the loose ends are expected to be tied up in the next few days.
Rumor Rating: 5 – If you haven’t seen Love in action before, here are some highlights. He’s as good a striker signing that the Toffees could have made without spending much money (well, at least not until next year).
West Ham are reportedly interested in Almeria defender Mane. The 26-year old left-back could be targeted as a replacement for George McCartney, who’s set to miss the start of the season due to injury.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Alan Curbishley is in a hurry to get someone to reinforce the back line, as another potential option for the Hammers is Ben Thatcher, who’s been on trial at West Ham. So, you can expect for a new defender to sign on at Upton Park sometime before next weekend.
Bolton defender Abdoulaye Meite has elected to move to West Brom over Hull, signing a three-year deal to put a capper on a £2m switch.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Bolton could receive a further £500k depending on appearances and West Brom’s survival in the top flight.
Spain
Mallorca are set to sign Real Madrid starlet Juanmi Callejon. They’re reportedly going to pay €1m for 75% of the 21-year old attacker’s rights, so Real will be able to reel him back into their ranks if he progresses enough.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Juanmi’s brother Jose was on the move from Real earlier this summer, as he moved to Espanyol after leading Segunda Division B’s scoring charts last season with 21 goals.
Italy
Napoli and Lecce are in the hunt to sign Sampdoria winger Reto Ziegler. The 22-year old Ziegler, who only moved permanently from Tottenham to Sampdoria last summer, could already be on his way out after not featuring regularly last season.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Ziegler has shown flashes of real potential throughout his career, but he hasn’t thus far been able to make it translate into being a consistent, high-impact player. But, a move to a Napoli side that’s full of promise could be what he needs to fully unleash that potential.
Sampdoria is about to wrap up a deal for San Lorenzo defender Jonathan Bottinelli. the Argentine club have reportedly accepted a bid of around €2.6m for the 23-year old.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Bottinelli has been a regular for San Lorenzo since 2005, and he’s made well over 100 appearances for the club, along with one for the Argentine senior national side.
Holland
Vitesse Arnhem are reportedly looking to make a move for Ajax attacker Kenneth Perez. The 33-year old Dane was recently dropped to the reserves by Marco van Basten, so his departure from the club appears to be imminent.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Perez bagged 15 goals last season for PSV and Ajax, so it’s not as if he’s lost it. But, with van Basten ringing in the changes at Ajax, he was one of the unfortunate names to get knocked down a peg.
Well, that’s it for the day in transfer news and rumors. There may well be a flurry of signings ahead this week, with the seasons already underway for some and fast approaching for several others. So, you know I’ll be back here tomorrow and for the rest of the month to keep you up-to-date on the latest deals and spec.
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