It’s anything but a quiet Sunday on the transfers front. Today’s rundown of the top transfer rumors from around Europe include several players who had starring roles for their country at the World Cup and a couple who still have a key part to play for their national sides in South Africa.
While the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart might have another few days – or longer before having to shift their focus, that doesn’t stop the speculation train from running, does it?
So with that said, let’s settle in and get ready for another ride through Rumorville. All aboard!
England
Chelsea To Make VDV Offer
Chelsea are set to make a £10m bid for Real Madrid playmaker Rafael Van der Vaart. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: This could certainly force Manchester United’s hand, as they’re also in the hunt for Van der Vaart. No matter who lands him, they’ll do so for a bargain, given his ability.
Liverpool Eye Bougherra Swoop
Liverpool could be set to try to land Rangers and Algeria center back Madjid Bougherra for £5m. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Bougherra raised his stock by performing well at the World Cup, and with that in mind, Rangers won’t let him go for cheap. You can imagine they don’t want to lose him, his sale would definitely help with strengthening the squad ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.
Eduardo To Leave Arsenal?
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal striker Eduardo is set to leave the club after Arsene Wenger told the Brazilian-born Croatia star that he isn’t in his plans for next season.
Analysis: If this is the case, it’s extremely unfortunate. Eduardo was in fine form before his horrific leg break in February 2008, but he hasn’t been able to fully rediscover that form since his return, and the addition of Marouane Chamakh might well make him expendable.
Spurs Seek Sessegnon Swoop
Tottenham are planning to make an £8m move for PSG midfielder Stephane Sessegnon. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Sessegnon has made it clear that he wants to leave PSG, so it seems to be a matter of when, not if, he’ll be on the move. Everton and Sunderland have also been linked with him, but Tottenham have an edge, both when it comes to funds and when it comes to being able to offer Sessegnon an immediate chance to play in Europe.
Gudjohnsen’s Future To Be Decided Soon
With Tottenham not yet having made a move to either extend Eidur Gudjohnsen‘s loan deal or sign him permanently, Fulham could be set to swoop in and thrash out a deal with Monaco for the former Chelsea and Bolton man. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Gudjohnsen isn’t exactly a priority for Tottenham, and even if they did hold on to him, there’s a good chance he’d be little more than a bit-part player, with several new names likely set to come to White Hart Lane this summer. So, the chance to have more of an important role at Fulham could appeal to him, along with being able to remain in a familiar place in London.
Everton Return For Donovan?
Everton are considering an attempt to bring Landon Donovan back to Goodison Park after his highly successful loan stint at the club last season. (News of the World)
Analysis: Bruce Arena won’t be keen on losing him with the LA Galaxy looking every bit like a championship team this season, but I’d like to see Donovan return to the Premier League. He showed he has what it takes to succeed in England during his short stint last season, and that was huge for both he and the national team. Perhaps it will have to wait until January, but the time has come (not only in age, but in his maturation and development as a player) for him to make a permanent move to Europe.
Wigan Near Boselli Deal
Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli has undergone a medical at Wigan. A transfer fee still has yet to be agreed, but the 25-year-old could well cost the Latics more than £5m. (News of the World)
Analysis: Outside of Hugo Rodallega, Wigan weren’t much of a threat in front of goal last season, netting only 37 goals all season (10 from Rodallega, no more than five from anyone else). And whether or not Rodallega is sold this summer, Wigan are in serious need to beef up their attack, and adding a scorer like Boselli would certainly accomplish that.
West Brom Eye New Striker(s)
West Bromwich Albion could be set to make a £2m bid for Stoke City striker James Beattie, and an offer could also be forthcoming for Mallorca striker Pierre Webo, who is valued at £3m. (News of the World)
Analysis: Both would be solid additions for West Brom. Beattie’s best days are behind him, but he can still score from time to time and provides a wealth of top flight experience. Webo hasn’t been able to hold down a regular starting place during his time with Mallorca and Osasuna, but as his impressive scoring rate for Cameroon (17 goals in 43 appearances) shows, he knows how to find the back of the net.
Blackpool Close On Koren
Blackpool are moving to land Slovenia captain Robert Koren, who was released by West Brom after the midfielder helped them earn immediate promotion back to the Premier League. (News of the World)
Analysis: Koren was a key part of West Brom’s squad during their Premier League campaign two seasons ago, and he acquitted himself quite well in the top flight. His Premier League experience and quality (as shown in Slovenia’s brief but impressive World Cup run) will be a significant help for the newcomers in their quest to stay up.
Italy
Inter To Tempt Liverpool With Cambiasso?
Inter Milan could try to sweeten their offer for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano by including Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso with their cash bid. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Well, it’d certainly worth be pondering if the right amount of cash was offered. Cambiasso’s long been a top performer in midfield, and he’d be a great addition to Liverpool’s side.
Milan Target Klose?
According to Bild, AC Milan could make a €7m move for Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Klose dropped down the pecking order last season thanks to a combination of injuries, inconsistency, and the success of Thomas Muller and Ivica Olic, and there’s also 30m investment Mario Gomez in the mix up front. Perhaps there’s not much to read into this particular rumor, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Klose finally make a move abroad.
Spain
Valencia Renew Emana Interest
Valencia are once again in for Real Betis and Cameroon midfielder Achille Emana. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Last summer, it looked like Emana was all set to make a return to his former club (he was a trainee at Valencia in his younger days), but it didn’t happen. Emana went on to have an excellent season with Betis, scoring in double figures for the second straight campaign. But with Real Betis missing out on a quick return to La Liga, there should be no problems with Valencia being able to pull the deal through this time.
Osasuna Land Lekic
Osasuna have beaten fellow La Liga side to the signature of Red Star Belgrade striker Dejan Lekic. The 25-year-old scored 12 league goals for Red Star last season. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Osasuna were one of the weaker attacking teams in La Liga last season, scoring only 37 goals in 38 league matches. The addition of Lekic, who has an impressive scoring rate (a goal almost every other game through his career) will help take a lot of pressure off of Walter Pandiani, and with Pandiani’s career winding down, it’s also an excellent signing for the future.
Germany
Schalke Turn To Tuncay
Schalke 04 could be set to make a £4m swoop for Stoke City forward Tuncay, who looks set to leave the Britannia Stadium after only one season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Schalke have already landed Erik Jendrisek from Kaiserslautern, but Schalke could certainly do to add an established, experienced forward to their attack. They lost a third of their production from last season with Kevin Kuranyi’s departure, and past him, no one else netted in double figures.
Scotland
Celtic Close On Bullard
Celtic have been given permission by Hull City to hold talks with midfielder Jimmy Bullard in regards to a potential season-long loan move. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Championship or Champions League? That’s an easy choice. It would also be a great benefit for Hull City to not have to have his £45k per week salary on their books right now, so it’s a good move for all involved.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
