The transfer news and rumors aren’t as plentiful tonight as they were in the morning, but sometimes, it’s about quality, not quantity, and in tonight’s roundup, we’ve got a couple of big-money (well, small, if you’re Real Madrid) signings to report and add to our summer transfer lists.
The headline takes away the element of surprise, of course, but those moves aren’t the only bits in the news. Who else could be on the move in the near future?
England
Liverpool Land Johnson
Liverpool have held off competition from Chelsea (and possibly Manchester United) to sign Portsmouth right back Glen Johnson for £18m. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Big signing for Liverpool, big profit for Portsmouth, big blow for Chelsea and for Bayern Munich at the same time.
City Sign Santa Cruz
Roque Santa Cruz finally has his move to Manchester City, as the Paraguayan striker has completed an £18m move from Blackburn. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: About time. Judging by the comment in the linked article, not every City fan is enthusiastic about the signing. I can’t say I am either, but that’s what proving people wrong is for.
United Agree Deal For Lopez?
Manchester United reportedly have a £17m pre-contract agreement in place with Villarreal for goalkeeper Diego Lopez. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Can’t really put a lot of stock into this one, but they have been linked with Lopez for quite some time, so it wouldn’t be a shock if he does wind up at Old Trafford at some point in the near future.
Wolves Lead Race For Doyle?
As reported last week, Wolves are heavily interested in Reading striker Kevin Doyle, and with the club meeting his £6.5m release fee, they could be in pole position to land the Republic of Ireland international. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Considering Everton’s shrewdness (and the fact that Michael Owen may be bound for Goodison Park), Wolves might have a free run at Doyle. But don’t count out a late move from Sunderland, who have money to spend and are looking for an established striker to add to their squad.
Italy
Inter Close On Arnautovic
Inter Milan have agreed terms with FC Twente forward Marko Arnautovic, with the Austrian set to pen a five-year deal if the move goes through. That, however, is no certainty, with Arnautovic currently recovering from a serious knee injury. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: The injury might well be a concern, but provided it’s not something that’s going to hamper his future development, it shouldn’t stand in the way of Inter signing one of Europe’s promising young talents.
Germany
Pavlyuchenko Set For Stuttgart…Then Roma?
Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko could be the subject of a deal that could see him bought by VfB Stuttgart then immediately loaned out to AS Roma. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Interesting proposition, but it would be a little silly for Stuttgart to buy him and loan him out to Roma when they need new strikers themselves.
France
City And Spurs Target Wants Lyon Move
According to the agent of FC Porto striker Lisandro Lopez, his client is up for a move to Lyon if the two clubs are able to agree a fee. Porto reportedly have a €22m valuation for Lopez, who has recently been linked with Manchester City and Tottenham. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Their interest in Lopez and PSG’s Gillaume Hoarau would seem to indicate that they’re planning for life without Manchester United target Karim Benzema.
However, there wasn’t a lot of firepower outside of Benzema and the Qatar-bound Juninho last season, and that was especially obvious when their title charge faded over the second half of the season. So, this could be just as much of a move to land a regular goal-getter to link up with Benzema as it is to find a replacement (or replacements) for him.
Turkey
Onyewu To Sign For Fenerbahce
American defender Oguchi Onyewu looks set to move to Fenerbahce. Birmingham appeared to be favorites for Onyewu, who’s soon to be out of contract at Standard Liege, but he has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with Fenerbahce. (Goal.com)
Analysis: A season in the Premier League would’ve been a great test ahead of the World Cup, but he’ll get European football and the chance to add more to his trophy haul. The Turkish top flight is a competitive league (even more so if the likes of Sivasspor and Trabzonspor can build off of last season’s successes), and it’ll certainly pose a challenge.
Greece
Leto Close To Panathinaikos Move
Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto has revealed he is on the verge of a move to Panathinaikos. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Unfortunate that he never got his chance at Liverpool, but if he can make the most of his chance at Panathinaikos, it could open the door to a return to Liverpool in the future.
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