So, Joleon Lescott is offically on his way from Everton to Manchester City, after numerous headlines over the past several weeks stating how close the move was to happening, what fee it’d be, and so on and so forth.
In the end, Everton get a truckload of money, so does Lescott, Mark Hughes gets his man, and we get to add Lescott’s name to our summer transfer lists. All’s well that ends well, right?
Besides that needlessly long saga finally coming to an end, today’s roundup discusses just what Everton are going to do with the aforementioned truckload of money and more much more, including a surprise swoop for a winger by Manchester United and striker moves for West Ham, Portsmouth, and Hull City.
England
Lescott Close To Man City Move
Joleon Lescott has completed a medical at Manchester City ahead of completing his long-awaited £24m move from Everton. The two sides agreed a fee yesterday, and after passing his medical, the 27-year-old center back is all set to sign on the dotted line. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: About time.
Spending Spree For Everton?
The £24m that Everton are set to receive from the sale of Lescott won’t go to waste, as Everton have lined up multiple targets to make some additions to their squad.
To fill the hole left by Lescott, David Moyes is looking at a host of targets. The Mirror has Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross and Middlesbrough’s Robert Huth as targets, while The Times adds Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Huth’s back line partner David Wheater to a list that also already includes Arsenal’s Philippe Senderos and Newcastle’s Steven Taylor.
Analysis: I’d have to narrow that list down to Taylor, Huth, and Senderos, just by process of elimination. I don’t see Bolton selling Cahill right now, and Stoke aren’t in serious need to sell Shawcross, though £9m could give them something to think about. With Huth and Wheater, if I had to pick one to be more likely to go, it’d be Huth.
One of the new names on the list is Lokomotiv Moscow and Russia right winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, who could be set to move to Goodison Park for £10m. (Daily Post)
Analysis: Why don’t we just make it easier on everyone who’s going to get tongue tied by his name and call him ‘Billy’? Looks to be a quality player though, and he also likes dogs, apparently.
However, one face who might not be showing up on Merseyside is Valencia midfielder Ever Banega. There were reports that Everton had sealed a work permit for Banega ahead of a loan move, but Valencia officials have said that no such deal is in place and that there have been no negotiations with Everton or anyone else. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Well that’s strange. It’d seem a bit silly for Everton to try to secure a work permit for someone that they’re not even in negotiations for, so either they’ve got a face full of egg or those Valencia officials are fibbing.
Man United To Swoop For Robben?
Goal.com says that Manchester United could make a 20m move for out-of-favor Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben.
Analysis: Even though Nani and Antonio Valencia look to be on their way to solidifying things on the flanks, Robben wouldn’t be a bad signing if he can stay fit, but a £20m investment would be pretty risky. If they do move for someone from Real, the smart choice would be Rafael Van der Vaart, not only because he wouldn’t come at a steep price, but also because they could do better to add a threat like him in the center than another one on the flanks.
West Ham Close On Pandev And Gudjohnsen
According to reports in Italy, West Ham have agreed a £4.3m fee with Lazio for Macedonian striker Goran Pandev. (Daily Mail)
West Ham are also close to ironing out a loan deal for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. (The Sun)
Analysis: Given West Ham’s current financial situation, being able to land a couple of quality, experienced front line reinforcements without having to break the bank is excellent business.
Wigan Agree Moses Deal
According to The Sun, Wigan have agreed a £4m deal to sign highly-rated Crystal Palace youngster Victor Moses. As part of the deal, the 18-year-old striker will move back to Palace on loan for the remainder of this season.
Analysis: It’ll be good for his development to be loaned back to Crystal Palace, since he’ll be able to continue getting regular first-team football there, as opposed to sporadic appearances for Wigan.
Portsmouth Move For Dindane
Lens striker Aruna Dindane has passed a medical at Portsmouth, and a deal is set to be completed within the next few days. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Another about time move. Dindane has been linked with a move to the Premier League for about as long as I’ve been closely following transfers, back to when he was a young-ish striker banging in the goals with Anderlecht and Manchester United were reportedly after him.
Hull Target Fryatt
According to News of the World, Hull are set to make a £4m move for Leicester striker Matty Fryatt. Fryatt topped the 30-goal mark last season to lead Leicester to the League One title, and he’s off to a good start this season with two goals in four Championship matches and another in the Carling Cup.
Analysis: Hull look to have done well with the signings of Jozy Altidore and Kamel Ghilas, who linked up for the winner at Bolton on Saturday, but adding a promising young goal-getter like Fryatt would only bolster their options up front for the present and future. This one might be more for later than sooner though, as I don’t see Leicester being too keen on parting with their star striker so close to end of the transfer window unless the offer is one that they simply can’t refuse.
Holland
Elm Set For Alkmaar?
Everton target Rasmus Elm is expected to join AZ Alkmaar this week. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: It looked like Everton were in pole position to land Elm, but I figured the longer it took for him to decide on his future, the less likely it was that he’d wind up there. But he’ll get Champions League football and a chance to develop and prove himself in a quality European league, so the move to Alkmaar is a good decision.
Greece
AEK In Nemeth Loan Talks
AEK Athens have held talks with Liverpool about a loan move for highly-rated young striker Krisztian Nemeth. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Getting regular first-team experience at a high level is something that Nemeth does need, so the move to Greece would do him good. He’s torn it up in wherever and whenever, but this would be a good test to see how he does in one of the higher-level European leagues and in European competition, if AEK can qualify for the Europa League group phase.
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