Today’s transfer roundup is relatively short, what with it being the weekend and all, but there’s some pretty good spec to serve up.
AC Milan have reportedly thrown their name into the Samuel Eto’o race, as they’ve made a bid of 20 million euros for the striker, who’s also on Inter, Tottenham’s, and apparently Chelsea’s wish list.
Rumor Rating: 2 – He’s going somewhere sometime soon, but with Inter and Tottenham – and Chelsea too, if they actually are in for him – in a position to pay more than Milan, the Rossoneri are going to have to step it up if they really want him.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are interested in Werder Bremen star Diego, who’s set the Bundesliga alight in the last two seasons, as a potential replacement for Alexander Hleb, who’s trying to bitch and moan his way out of London.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Diego would be an upgrade over Hleb in the goalscoring category, and he’s just as adept at creating them as well. Unfortunately, he’ll cost more than Arsenal are probably willing to pay at this time, unless his current club is pretty generous.
Portsmouth chief exec Peter Storrie says that any talk of Pompey being involved in negotiations over Peter Crouch is untrue, as the club’s focus is on the FA Cup final.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Well, give it time. Then again, is 15 million (the price that Rafa Benitez said would be enough to nab Crouch) too steep for Pompey to pay?
As for Crouch’s current club, they’re being linked with a 15 million pound move for Blackburn’s David Bentley (well, there’s your funding, eh?), with Jermaine Pennant set for an exit.
Rumor Rating: 4 – Pennant likely doesn’t figure much, if at all, into Liverpool’s plans for next season, after his role diminished over the second half of this season, but as for Bentley, can Mark Hughes hold on any tighter?
West Ham have made a 5 million pound bid for Manchester City’s Richard Dunne, who has been a hot name in the rumors lately.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Could things calm down somewhat with City now having a place in Europe for next season? We’ll see, but until something happens one way or another with the managerial situation (or Thaksin decides to mercifully sell the team to someone who won’t do more harm than good),
Mikael Silvestre says he’s open to a move to Bordeaux, who he’s recently been linked with.
Rumor Rating: 4 – Well, he appears to be one of the players that will see the exit door at Manchester United this summer, so there’s a good chance Bordeaux will be one of his suitors.
Sevilla could be set to steal Genoa star Abdoulay Konko from Inter, as their bid of 9 million euros is apparently enough to sway Genoa after Inter had made a verbal agreement to sign the 24-year old Frenchman.
Rumor Rating: 4 – Well, until a contract has been signed, a player is still up for grabs, isn’t he?
Our last news of the day doesn’t involve a player, but it is noteworthy, as in-demand manager Michael Laudrup, who led Getafe within moments of the UEFA Cup semifinals, is a free agent now, which will certainly perk up the ears of many at major clubs around Europe.
Rumor Rating: 5 – My guess is that he remains in Spain, but with there sure to be some openings with some notable in England or Italy, Serie A or the Premiership could come calling.
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