Not too many days are going to go by this summer without at least one Manchester club being mentioned in the transfer news and rumors headlines, and on many days, you can expect to see both United and City in the news.
One of those days is today, as City are being linked with that one, that one, that one, and that other one. All the same, United are being linked (again) with this guy, this guy, this guy, and that guy. And speaking of United, there’s a nice little summer contest going on at The Republik of Mancunia, where you can win a RoM t-shirt.
Safe to say though, that the transfer world doesn’t (fully) revolve around Manchester, and there’s plenty of other transfer tidbits to whet your appetite if you’re a fan of other clubs or other leagues. And hey, we also have a couple of new signings to add to our summer transfer lists, which is a nice way to finish off the week.
England
United To Use Nani To Sweeten Valencia Deal?
Manchester United could use Nani as bait to help beat Real Madrid for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Throwing in a ready-made new starting winger would certainly eliminate the need to have to spend any funds on someone new, but I wonder how much cash they’d include in such a bid. That could well tip the scales if Real come in with a cash offer that trumps United’s total offer.
United Track Mariga
Manchester United are also keeping tabs on Parma midfielder McDonald Mariga. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Bolstering the midfield is every bit as important as adding more firepower, and though Mariga’s not exactly the biggest of names, United (usually) know quality when they see it.
Manchester City Make Offer For Maicon
Manchester City are set to offer €22m and midfielder Elano for Inter Milan right back Maicon. (Goal.com)
Analysis: If he prefers a move to someone playing in the Champions League, that would give Chelsea or Real Madrid the edge.
Everton And West Ham Make Keita Approaches
Everton and West Ham have made contact with Lyon about forward flop Abdul Kader Keita. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Keita didn’t quite work out at Lyon, but if he comes to the Premier League and shows the kind of form that earned him the move in the first place, he could be a low-risk, high-reward signing.
Fulham Interested In Sidwell And Altidore
Fulham are interested in Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Sidwell only started 11 league games last season, but I don’t see him leaving Villa this summer. If he’s fit, he can play a big part for the club next season.
The Cottagers could also look to make a loan move for Villarreal forward Jozy Altidore. (Various)
Analysis: Altidore didn’t really make much of a splash in his first season in Spain, and though spending the season on loan with a Spanish club could be better for him in terms of getting acclimated to the Spanish game and the culture even further, Fulham’s an opportunity worth jumping at.
Stoke After Martins
Stoke City are the latest club to be linked with Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, as the club could make a £5m move for the Nigeria star. (Daily Star)
Analysis: Stoke could be an excellent opportunity for Martins, and they have the funds to land him. But the likes of Everton and Aston Villa offer up European football, which could give them an edge if they come in for him.
Bolton To Bid For Fletcher
Bolton will make a £4m bid for Hibs striker Steven Fletcher. (Daily Express)
Analysis: I still think he may well hold out for a move to Celtic, but if they land Marc-Antoine Fortune, that could give Bolton and Wigan a free run at Fletcher.
Middlesbrough Sign Yeates
Middlesbrough have signed Colchester winger Mark Yeates for an undisclosed fee. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Yeates had a solid season in the Championship with Colchester in 2007/08, scoring eight goals, so he should have no problem being able to fit in well for Boro.
Italy
Serie A Return For Toni?
Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has revealed that he’s held talks with both Inter Milan and AC Milan. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: With Bayern signing Ivica Olic and Mario Gomez, things stand to get a little tight in Bayern’s front line next season. The odd man out would seem to be Toni, so it’ll be no surprise if he moves to one of the Milan clubs in the coming weeks.
AC Milan Move For Andre Santos
AC Milan are in serious discussions over a move for Corinthians defender Andre Santos. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: He’s certainly helped his value at the Confederations Cup, where he’s started Brazil’s last three games after making his national team debut as a late sub in their opener against Egypt.
Napoli Sign Zuniga
Napoli have signed Siena right back Juan Camilo Zuniga for €8.5m. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Napoli’s busy summer continues, and methinks they’re not done spending yet either. All that spending best result in a much higher finish next season, otherwise some heads will be rolling.
France
Marseille Make Run At M’Bia
Marseille are attempting snatch longtime Everton target Stephane M’Bia by making a 7.7m bid for the Rennes midfielder. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: M’Bia seems to have a hankering for the Premier League, but he could be swayed by the prospect of Champions League football with Marseille. I think this one’s going to drag out for a while longer though, if the last year is any indication.
Greece
Liverpool Accept Pana’s Leto Offer
Liverpool have accepted Panathiniakos’ £3m offer for winger Sebastian Leto. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: The experience that Leto gained at Olympiakos last season will no doubt prove helpful with Panathinaikos, and with Djibril Cisse (and perhaps Royston Drenthe and/or more Real Madrid fringe players) joining up for next season, Olympiakos’ run of dominance is going to be under serious threat.
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