We’ve got a laundry list of transfer news and rumors in today’s roundup, from England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. Who’s being linked with big (and small) moves for names from here and there? It’s worth noting that Steve McClaren might not be too happy of a man if he read today’s roundup. With that little hint, why don’t we get to the good stuff?
England
Liverpool Bid for Portsmouth’s Johnson
Liverpool have made a £15m bid for Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: £15m is a lot higher than the prices that have been previously mentioned with Johnson, but Portsmouth certainly won’t be complaining if they do get that for him, given their financial situation.
Arsenal and Manchester City to Battle for Everton’s Yobo?
Everton defender Joseph Yobo has turned down a new contract, which could see Arsenal and Manchester City step up their interest in the Nigerian. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: He may not be a regular starter at Arsenal, but I see him as a great fit there. Not only could he help provide some depth at left back, but in the center, he could see some regular time depending on who Arsenal sign in the summer and what they do with William Gallas and Kolo Toure.
Scotland
Celtic Target Everton’s Moyes As Next Manager?
Celtic could be targeting Everton manager David Moyes if Gordon Strachan elects to leave his post after the Scottish Premier League season ends this weekend. (The Mirror)
Analysis: As a Glasgow native and a former Celtic player, it would no doubt be a huge honor for Moyes to manage Celtic. Besides that, he’s almost virtually assured of Champions League football every year, and though the transfer budget isn’t massive, there are few better managers that know how to work within monetary bounds than Moyes. However, it all depends on if he feels that he’s taken Everton as far as he can, and whether or not he thinks that Celtic are a lateral move or a step up.
Spain
Real Madrid to Offer 23m for Liverpool’s Alonso
Real Madrid are set to tempt Liverpool with a £23m bid for star midfielder Xabi Alonso. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Liverpool are going to be spending big in the summer, and they might have to make a few sales to do so, but Alonso won’t (or at least he shouldn’t) be one of those who are offloaded.
Valencia Offer Contract to Toulouse’s Mathieu
Valencia have made a four-year contract offer to Toulouse defender Jeremy Mathieu. The French international will be available on a free transfer next month, and he’s also drawn the interest of Roma, Genoa, and Palermo. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Being able to land quality players for free makes for excellent business for Valencia, so being able to secure the services of a top left back like Mathieu would be a huge addition to kick off what should be a busy summer at the Mestalla.
Atletico Madrid Move for Udinese’s D’Agostino
Atletico Madrid have made a £5m bid for Udinese midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: D’Agostino has had a career season in helping Udinese stay within reach of a UEFA Cup slot, and though Atletico Madrid could prove to be an enticing offer if they land a Champions League spot again, he could hold out for a move to Inter, who have also been linked with him.
Italy
Inter Complete Double Deal for Milito and Motta
Inter Milan have completed the signings of Genoa duo Diego Milito and Thiago Motta. In exchange, Genoa are receiving Inter striker Robert Acquafresca and an undisclosed amount of money. (Goal.com)
Analysis: As I said a few days ago, losing Milito and Motta is a big loss for Genoa, but it’s offset by the acquisition of Acquafresca, and they’re also already putting the cash received to good use by getting another solid striker in Atalanta’s Sergio Floccari.
Inter in Talks for Austrian Striker Arnautovic
Inter could be looking to further bolster their front line with FC Twente attacker Marko Arnautovic. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Only natural that they help replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the guy known as the next Ibrahimovic, right? Arnautovic is young (just turned 20), versatile (can play as both a striker and a winger), and like Ibrahimovic, is quite the physical presence at 6’3”.
Sampdoria Defender to Sign with Fiorentina
Sampdoria defender Hugo Campagnaro could be set to sign with Fiorentina in a £4m deal. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Campagnaro has been limited to only 11 Serie A starts this season due to injury issues, but if he can avoid the same at Fiorentina, he’ll help add experience and depth to Fiorentina’s back line as they chase Serie A and Champions League glory next season.
Germany
Bayern Munich in Pole Position for Twente Star?
Bayern Munich are reportedly leading the queue for FC Twente winger Eljero Elia. The is also garnering interest from several top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: The 22-year-old had a real breakout season in helping Twente secure the runner-up spot in the Eredivisie this season, and though it’s not likely that Steve McClaren will be able to hold on to him through the summer, he will land a good fee for him.
France
Marseille and PSG Battle for Arsenal’s Gallas
Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain are both in the hunt for Arsenal center back William Gallas. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: The chance to link up with former Chelsea teammate Claude Makelele at PSG could be appealing, but I think he would prefer to make a return to his old club Marseille, where he could have Champions League football and a chance to win the Ligue 1 title.
PSG to Bid for Former Liverpool Striker
PSG are set to make an offer for former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle. The Atletico Madrid man is reportedly one of PSG’s top transfer targets for the summer. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Sinama-Pongolle hasn’t exactly justified the €10m fee that Atletico Madrid paid for him last summer after two solid seasons at Recreativo Huelva, but he might not be too quick to return to France, especially if Atletico happen to sell Forlan in the summer.
Daily Links
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