The transfer news isn’t as plentiful today as it has been in the last several days, but there are still some big names in the gossip pages today.
Manchester United are busy looking for a new striker, and while Karim Benzema may or may not be on his way to Old Trafford sometime this summer, there’s no shortage of targets on United’s striker wishlist, including one potentially surprising name.
Who else is in the transfer news today? Check out today’s roundup, and don’t forget to keep up with all of the latest confirmed signings with our summer transfer lists.
England
United Knee Deep In Striker Links
The craziest rumor of the day is United being linked with a move for Arsenal star Robin van Persie. Van Persie has just a year left on his current contract, and he has yet to agree a new deal, with the club having offered him a new deal worth 80k per week. (The Sun)
Analysis: Arsenal would much rather try to iron out a new deal with van Persie, but if it comes toward the end of the summer and he still hasn’t signed on, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say they could consider selling instead of risking losing him for nothing.
If that happens, it’s highly unlikely that Arsenal would consider selling one of their stars to one of their fiercest rivals, but United could conceivably just wait, see how things play out, and try to land him for free if he sees that the success he wants isn’t going to happen at Arsenal.
Another option for United is Roma’s Mirko Vucinic, who United could soon make an offer for. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Consistency has been an issue for Vucinic. If he does wind up at United, there’s a good chance the Old Trafford faithful could see him in his skivvies, so be prepared.
Analysis: Out of the options mentioned above, he’s undoubtedly the best one. However, his wage demands could make him a question mark. Then again, he might be willing to accept a lot less at United than he supposedly wants from City.
Villa Considering Young-to-Tottenham Swap Deal?
Aston Villa are reportedly considering a two-for-one swap deal with Tottenham that could see Ashley Young go to White Hart Lane in exchange for David Bentley and another player. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Tottenham have been linked with a move for Young, that much is true, but this is a joke, right? Until the very end of the season, Young’s contributions had dwindled over the second half of the season, but it wouldn’t seem that Martin O’Neill would change his tune that much on someone who’s supposed to be such a key piece to his future.
Bassong In Talks With Two Clubs
Newcastle defender Sebastian Bassong has said that he is in talks with two English clubs. The 22-year-old has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham (Football365)
Analysis: Bassong made a great impression last season after his summer move from Metz, as shown by the interest that the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham have shown in him. Newcastle are set to make a nice profit on him when they do sell him, which is good news for the spending ability for whoever gets named manager.
Wolves Close On Doyle?
Wolves are being linked with a 6.5m move for Reading striker Kevin Doyle. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international scored 18 goals last season for the Championship side, who lost to Burnley in the promotion playoff semifinals. (Reading Chronicle)
Analysis: Scoring wasn’t an issue for Wolves last season, but to avoid over-relying on Sylvain Ebanks-Blake, Wolves could use another quality scorer, and Doyle has both the quality and the Premier League experience to fit the bill. Not only has he been prolific in the Championship, but he also scored 13 goals in Reading’s first Premier League season in 2006/07.
Wigan To Sign Gomez
One of Roberto Martinez’s best signings in his last season at Swansea will be his first signing at Wigan, as the club are set to sign midfielder Jordi Gomez. The Spaniard will sign from Espanyol for 1.7m, with Wigan beating out Birmingham and Celtic for the 24-year-old’s services. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: If Birmingham were to land him, it would’ve had to happen before Martinez signed on at Wigan, but they didn’t, and Martinez has worked quickly to land one of his stars from last season. The Premier League is certainly a different animal than the Championship, but Gomez showed last season at Swansea that he sure has bags of talent.
Germany
Bayern Admit Bosingwa Approach
Bayern Munich have admitted that they have been in talks with Chelsea right back Jose Bosingwa, but no deal has been struck with Chelsea yet. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: With Liverpool looking to have won the race for Portsmouth’s Glen Johnson, Bosingwa may have renewed hope about his future at Chelsea. If that is the case, Bayern may be left hoping that Chelsea go hard after Inter Milan’s Maicon.
Stuttgart Plan Pizzaro Move
Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro is a prime target for VfB Stuttgart, as they look to replace the departed Mario Gomez. Pizarro starred on loan at Werder Bremen last season, scoring 17 league goals for the UEFA Cup finalists. (Setanta Sports)
Analysis: There’s still a chance that Pizarro could extend his stay with Werder Bremen, but if he doesn’t, he’d be a great fit to replace Gomez at Stuttgart. He’s a proven commodity in the Bundesliga from his two spells with Werder Bremen and his time with Bayern Munich, scoring more than 160 goals overall in nine seasons in Germany.
M’Gladbach Bid For Arango
Borussia Monchengladbach have tabled a 4m bid for Mallorca attacking midfielder Juan Arango. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Arango is highly regarded as one of South America’s top talents, and hehas been a star for Mallorca since moving to Spain in 2004, playing a big part in not only keeping them in La Liga, but producing top-half finishes in the last couple of seasons. If M’Gladbach could get him in their ranks, their chances of improving their league standing next season would drastically improve.
Holland
Elia To Sign For Ajax
Highly-rated FC Twente winger Eljero Elia looks set to sign for Ajax in the next few weeks. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Though Elia has garnered interest from the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and others, this is probably the best solution for him at this time. If he continues to develop well over the next season or two and establishes himself in the Dutch national team, a move to one of Europe’s top sides will await him before long.
Portugal
Sporting Lisbon Continue Caicedo Pursuit
Sporting Lisbon are set to make a new offer for Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo after their initial offer of 5m was rejected. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Caicedo showed a lot of promise down the stretch last season, scoring five goals in his last 11 appearances and earning regular starts for City, but with the club in the market for a bigger, more proven name to add to their front line, his opportunities could be limited. However, if they come up short in their attempts to land bigger names, he could have his chance to shine full-time at City next season.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
