With only a week left in the summer transfer window, time is running out for those clubs looking to make some much-needed additions to their squads.
Between now and Tuesday, we should see plenty of transfer signings and speculation, so strap in and get ready for the ride. The top clubs might not be dominating the headlines right now, but don’t count out a few big moves on or before deadline day.
Will one of those moves involve Real Madrid’s Arjen Robben? It just might, and it could be a battle between fierce rivals, at that.
England
Liverpool In For Robben
Liverpool could rival Manchester United for Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: If they had to go the bargain route for a new defender, it wouldn’t appear that the funds would be freed up to sign Robben. However, with the start that Liverpool have had, the money men may be willing to allow Rafa to make one more big signing. That’s a big, big if though, so if they were to land him, the best hope might be on loan, which Real would rather not do.
Everton Sign Bilyaletdinov
Everton have signed Lokomotiv Moscow winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov in a £10m deal. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Bilyaletdinov had a decent scoring record at Lokomotiv Moscow, so he’ll be add yet another scoring threat to Everton’s midfield, but his ability to create opportunities for others should really pay off big dividends when Yakubu returns.
Distin Or Hangeland To Replace Lescott?
Everton could be set to pip Aston Villa to the signature of Portsmouth center back Sylvain Distin, who has handed in a transfer request, according to The Sun.
Another option on David Moyes’ list of potential replacements for Joleon Lescott is Fulham’s Brede Hangeland. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Joleon who? Hangeland or Distin (hey, why not both?) would more than make up for the physical presence lost with the departure of Lescott. Distin would seem to be the more likely option of the two, as he’d come cheaper and he wants out at Portsmouth, who need to sell, while Fulham aren’t in a hurry to sell, much less to a rival for a high finish, and if they were going to, it could be for at least double what Everton would have to pay for Distin.
Tottenham Eye Lell
Tottenham are tracking Bayern Munich defender Christian Lell. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Tottenham are solid at right back with Vedran Corluka and Alan Hutton, but adding depth at the back isn’t a bad thing when defensive injuries have been a real concern for Harry Redknapp. That being said, it wouldn’t be too positive of a sign for Hutton’s future at the club, as his only appearance thus far this season came when Corluka shifted to center back in place of Ledley King against Hull City.
Villa Swoop For Dunne
Aston Villa are ready to make a £6m move for Manchester City defender Richard Dunne. (The Mirror)
Analysis: With City searching for multiple center backs this summer, it was all too clear that he was expendable, and now that Mark Hughes has his two new center backs, Dunne’s days at Eastlands are officially numbered.
West Ham Near Diamanti Deal
West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Livorno striker Alessandro Diamanti. (Daily Telegraph)
Analysis: Their financial situation puts them in a pretty difficult position to have to sell to buy, but hopefully they won’t have to risk severely weakening one area of the squad to strengthen another area. They’d no doubt like to avoid having to sell Matthew Upson or Scott Parker, but if the Collins deal can’t go through quickly enough, push might have to come to shove.
McShane Set For Hull
Hull City have agreed a fee in the region of £2m for Sunderland defender Paul McShane. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Another Roy Keane signing bites the dust at Sunderland, but the move to Hull is a good one for him. McShane’s already familiar with the club, having had a loan spell at the club last season, so he’ll be able to fit right in without a problem.
Notts County Land Campbell
The coups keep on coming for Notts County, as free agent defender Sol Campbell has penned a five-year deal with the ambitious League Two club. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Campbell still has the goods to play in the Premier League, so he should have no problem doing the business three divisions down, right? If he doesn’t, you can expect a lot of comments about him being in it for the paycheck and not the football, though there might be at least a few people making those sentiments already.
Italy
Inter Close On Sneijder…Or Are They?
So, is Wesley Sneijder staying at Real Madrid, or is he going to Inter Milan? That’s anyone’s guess, as there were reports yesterday saying that Sneijder was close to finalizing his move to Inter (like this one, from The Guardian), and at the same time, there were just as many saying that he was set to turn down a move to Inter in favor of staying and fighting for his place.
Analysis: If he does stay, he best hope that he can force his way into regular playing time, because if he spends more time getting splinters in his backside than he does on the pitch over the first few months of the season, no one’s going to feel any sympathy for him for not leaving when Real were doing their best to sell him.
Greece
AEK Loan Liverpool Starlet
AEK Athens have snapped up Liverpool striker Krisztian Nemeth on a season-long loan. (The Sun)
Analysis: I’ll bet the house on him being one of the top three scorers in the Greek top flight this season.
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