We’ve got a couple of new signings to add to our lists of confirmed summer transfers this morning, and those new additions could soon be followed by a few more, according to the latest transfer speculation.
Who’s on the move, and who could be on the move soon? Find out here.
England
Chelsea To Land Sturridge
Chelsea are set to sign young Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge. The 19-year-old turned down a new deal at City, but they won’t be losing him for nothing, as a tribunal will decide how much compensation Chelsea will have to pay out, with City reportedly looking for £10m. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: City did all they could to keep Sturridge, and honestly, his limited track record doesn’t justify the kind of salary numbers that he reportedly wanted. He’s a promising talent, sure, and one day, he might deserve that and then some, but that time hasn’t come yet.
Zhirkov Close To Chelsea Move?
CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov is expected to seal an £18m move to Chelsea within the next week. The Russia international left winger/left back has stated a preference for Barcelona, but he’s set to sign a four-year deal at Chelsea that will see him earn £80k per week. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Doesn’t hurt to have some competition and depth, and Zhirkov will certainly add that. Florent Malouda is coming off of a solid season and has just penned a contract extension, but anytime you’ve got a new manager, very few starting places are assured.
United To Move For Aguero Or Nilmar?
Manchester United could soon try to open talks with Atletico Madrid over a move for forward Sergio Aguero. Aguero’s buyout clause is €60m, but even if United can’t agree a deal for below that, they’re reportedly willing to fork out the €60m. (Goal.com)
Another target on United’s list is highly-rated Brazilian striker Nilmar, who United could make a £20m bid for. (The Mirror)
Analysis: United’s primary forward targets won’t come cheap (Benzema – 30m or more, if he’s even available, Eto’o – salary more so than the transfer fee, Aguero – the large buyout clause mentioned above), so Nilmar could prove to be a more attractive option due to his lower price.
Liverpool Interested In Fernandez
Liverpool and Lazio could be set to battle it out for Dynamo Moscow defender Leandro Fernandez. Both clubs have held preliminary talks with Dynamo over the Argentine center back, who stands to cost at least £8.5m. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Liverpool do need to add depth in the center of defense, what with Sami Hyypia leaving and injuries always being a concern no matter if you have three center backs or thirteen, but do they need to fork out that much to do it?
City To Bid For Lescott And Hutton
Manchester City are ready to bid £15m for Everton defender Joleon Lescott and 6m for Tottenham defender Alan Hutton. (The Mirror)
Analysis: I can’t say I’m all that keen on Everton selling Lescott, but if they could land Dunne in a deal involving Lescott, that could free up all of the money received to be able to make reinforcements elsewhere.
Premier League Return For Gudjohnsen?
Everton, Aston Villa, Fulham, and West Ham are among the clubs interested in Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen. The former Chelsea star is set to leave Barca this summer, and it could cost as little as £4m to land him. (The Mirror)
Analysis: All of those could be good options for him, with three playing in Europe next season and the other likely to push for a European place in the coming season.
West Ham Sign Jimenez
West Ham have signed Inter Milan midfielder Luis Jimenez on a season-long loan deal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Good bit of business done by West Ham, making a low-risk, high-reward move for a quality player. If it works out, they’ll only have to pay £7m for him. If it doesn’t, then no harm done.
Fortune To Sign For Hull
Hull are set to complete a £2.5m deal for Nancy striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Fortune made a good impression at West Brom, scoring five goals in 17 starts, and the front line is definitely an area where Hull need reinforcements. They likely aren’t done yet either, with a deal for Fraizer Campbell still a possibility and with Michael Owen also a serious target.
Italy
Adebayor Offered To Milan Rivals
Arsenal have reportedly offered striker Emmanuel Adebayor to AC Milan and Inter Milan. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Interest in him is nowhere near as high as it was last summer, and as I’ve said before, that’s when they should’ve sold him. Maybe they can get a deal done, but it won’t be nearly as easy – or for as much – as it would’ve been last summer, and in the end, they might have to do business with Chelsea to get rid of him.
AC Milan Interested In Gago
AC Milan are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago. AC Milan want the Argentine international for £8m, but they may well have to pay £12m for the 23-year-old, who has 26 caps for his country. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: The asking price mentioned is a little surprising, and with it, the fact that he’s being linked with a move away from Real. Real bought Gago for €20m (£17.1m) in December 2006, and he’s been a regular the past couple of seasons, and in that time, he’s also become a regular for Argentina.
Roma Sign Guberti
Roma have signed Bari midfielder Stefano Guberti on a free transfer. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Guberti only signed with Bari in February, but he made a huge impact in that short time and was a big reason why they were able to win the Serie B title and return to Serie A for the first time since 2000/01.
France
Vieira And Erding In PSG’s Sights
Paris Saint-Germain have held talks with Patrick Vieira over a move to the club, and they have also made a €7.5m bid for Sochaux striker Mevlut Erding. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: A move to PSG would be beneficial for Vieira, who needs regular first-team opportunities ahead of the World Cup, but if Lyon enter the race, this one could be a losing battle.
They could stand to have a little more luck with Erding though. Even if Guillaume Hoarau remains at PSG, he needs a little support, and Erding, who’s had back-to-back solid seasons with Sochaux, would be a good signing.
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