It should come as a shock to few, if any, but John Terry has finally come out and said that he’s…(drumroll, please)…staying at Chelsea.
Not only is Mr. Chelsea staying at Chelsea, but apparently leaving for Manchester City was never a possibility. I’m not the only one wondering why, if it wasn’t ever a possibility, he waited until all sorts of rumors had come out (even a few this morning, as it happens), but maybe he just has a sick sense of humor.
Since that’s now that, as I thought it would be (though my comments a few days ago were a little premature), we can move on to the next fresh batch of transfer sagas, because as you know, where one ends, another several begin, and there are already a few in the queue to pique our interest until…well, the next few come in.
Believe it or not, this is actually one of the few days you’ll see during this period where none of the tidbits involve confirmed signings, but there is more than enough almosts and maybes to shake a stick at.
England
United Rekindle Silva Interest
Manchester United could be set for a move for Valencia winger David Silva, according to reports from Marca. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Great signing? Yes. Going to happen? Hard to see it happening this summer, because Valencia seem all too bullish about keeping their stars, and Silva, like the other David (Villa), appears to be all too happy to remain in Spain (whether with Valencia or someone else), but it’s not an impossibility.
Arsenal Target Vucinic And Kalou
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are in talks with Roma for striker Mirko Vucinic.
Analysis: I said before that I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsene just sits on the Adebayor money and goes with what he has up front, but Vucinic would be a good investment, especially with the Champions League in mind (seven goals in nine starts/16 total appearances in the last two seasons).
Another possible target is Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou, who could be the subject of a £7m move. (News of the World)
Analysis: Kalou’s contract does run out next season, and his prospects to be a regular starter sooner rather than later would better at Arsenal than at Chelsea, so it’s not out of the question.
Arsenal To Land Wellington
Arsenal could be set to beat out the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid for Brazilian wonderkid Wellington. (The Mirror)
Analysis: If I had a dime for every time I saw a Brazilian youngster labeled a wonderkid, I could retire early.
Arsenal And Sunderland Battle For Cattermole
Sunderland are ready to up their bid for Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole to £10m, but they could face a battle from Arsenal for the England U-21 man. (Daily Star)
Analysis: The chance to work with Steve Bruce again could no doubt be appealing, but it’d be hard for Cattermole to turn down a move to Arsenal.
Tottenham’s Crouch Bid Accepted
Portsmouth have accepted a bid in the region in £10m from Tottenham for striker Peter Crouch. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: This one’s not in the bag yet for Tottenham though, with Fulham still heavily involved, but the Redknapp factor may well win it for Spurs.
City Close On Toure, Upson To Follow?
Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Arsenal defender Kolo Toure. (The Times)
Analysis: Not a real surprise with this one if it comes through, since they’ve been on him for quite a while, and I never pictured both Toure and William Gallas being at Arsenal through the summer.
City could also be set to make a £15m bid for West Ham center back Matthew Upson. (The Mirror)
Analysis: West Ham weren’t intent on selling him to City in January even when they appeared to be in dire financial straits, and as is the case with Everton and Joleon Lescott, I don’t see £15m being enough to convince them to part with him now.
Everton Move For Hutton
Everton are ready to make a £7m move for Tottenham right back Alan Hutton. (News of the World)
Analysis: It might be looked at as a big gamble for Everton given Hutton’s long injury layoff last season, but if he’s fit, he could be a key player for the Toffees.
Blackburn In For Angulo
Blackburn are lining up a move for Valencia’s versatile Miguel Angelo Angulo. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Hopefully he’s a little more ready to make a move to England than he was five years ago, when he was all set for a £3.5m move to Arsenal then backed out due to not being ready to move to London…after having already completed part of his medical.
Ashton Close to West Ham Exit
Fulham, Stoke City, and Hull City are battling for West Ham striker Dean Ashton. (Sunday Express)
Analysis: Risky investment due to his injury history, but if he’s healthy, £5m could be a real bargain.
Zamora To Reject Hull?
Fulham manager Roy Hogdson says that striker Bobby Zamora is going to reject a move to Hull, even if Peter Crouch moves to Craven Cottage. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Well you certainly can’t question Hodgson’s optimism and confidence. Not only does he feel good about Zamora staying, but he’s also confident that Zamora’s going to find the net a lot more than he did last season. If he does, it’ll be yet another sting for Phil Brown, but if he doesn’t, well, there are times when rejection actually does the rejected party a favor.
Spain
Barca Close On Ibrahimovic
Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was set to undergo a medical and wrap up his move to Barcelona today, with the club hopeful of being able to unveil him to the supporters tomorrow. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: After all of the fuss at the start of the summer about Ibrahimovic making a move, when he actually does, it’s being done rather quietly and quickly in comparison to how quite a few mega deals go about getting completed.
Arbeloa Set For Real
Real Madrid are expected to wrap up a £4.5m move for Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa in the next week. (The Sun)
Analysis: Unfortunately for Real, a deal for Arbeloa carries no weight with their attempts to sign Xabi Alonso.
Italy
Fiorentina Close On Luisao
Fiorentina are set to seal a €9m deal for Benfica defender Luisao within the next few days, according to Portuguese paper Record. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Injuries have been a problem over the years, but a healthy Luisao will form a formidable partnership with Alessandro Gamberini, which will make Fiorentina even better at the back than they were last season (fourth-best defensive record in Serie A last season).
Holland
Jol Sets Sights On Bale
Martin Jol could try to swing a deal with his former club, which would see Gareth Bale move to Ajax with young Croatian striker Darko Bodul moving to Spurs on a season-long loan. (Daily Star)
Analysis: Considering Bale’s rather extreme lack of luck when it comes to being on the winning side of a Premier League match with Tottenham (0 for 24 – not a typo), it might not be a bad idea to get a change of scenery. Ajax know a thing or two about molding young talent, so that’s all the better reason to go.
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