So, now that John Terry’s staying at Chelsea, surely there’s nothing to fill up the transfer pages, right?
Far from it, as Monday saw plenty of money change hands (or get ready to). We’ve got a few big-money deals to add to the latest updates to our summer transfer lists, and there are a few more that are not too far behind, according to this morning’s roundup of transfer tidbits.
And of course, there’s the beautiful Abbey Clancy moving to London this week.
England
Toure Set For City Move
Arsenal and Manchester City are doing business yet again, as center back Kolo Toure is moving to City in a £15m deal that will see the Ivorian double his salary to £120k per week. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: There might not be a lot of Arsenal fans who sweat over the losses of Adebayor and Toure, but with £40m in the coffers, there might be a lot of displeased people if at least some of that money isn’t spent wisely, or worse yet, isn’t spent at all.
Tottenham Sign Crouch
It’s back to where it all started for Peter Crouch, as the England striker has completed his £9m move from Portsmouth to Tottenham. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Roy Hodgson will no doubt be disappointed about losing out on Crouch, but it’s no surprise that Crouch elected to move to Spurs.
Portsmouth Snap Up Kalinic
Portsmouth have moved swiftly to replace Crouch, with the Daily Mail claiming that Pompey have struck a £5.5m deal for Hadjuk Split striker Nikola Kalinic.
Analysis: Having a compatriot at the club in Niko Kranjcar will help make Kalinic’s transition a lot smoother. It may take a little while to adapt to the new league and the style of play, but he’s got time on his side and looks to have the potential to be a big hit (see here).
Villa Target Warnock
Aston Villa are interested in Blackburn left back Stephen Warnock, who could be the target of a £6m move if Nicky Shorey leaves this summer. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Warnock has been a rock at the back for Blackburn over the last few seasons since his move from Liverpool in January 2007, but perhaps the right price can tempt Blackburn into selling.
Trio Chase Jovanovic
Everton, Aston Villa, and Sunderland are all interested in Standard Liege’s Serbian attacker Milan Jovanovic. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Talented, no doubt about that. He’s been one of the top players in the Belgian top flight over the last few seasons, and he’ll be on his way to a bigger league, whether it’s this summer or next, when his contract is set to run out. But…Premier League defenders be warned.
Blackburn After Pogrebnyak
Blackburn are chasing Zenit St. Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, but Zenit’s asking price of £9m could well prove a stumbling block. (The Mirror)
Analysis: It’d be better financial business to wait to try to land him on a free when his contract runs out at the end of the season, but with a striker being a real need for Blackburn and the season quickly approaching, not to mention the fact that Pogrebnyak will attract his share of suitors, Sam Allardyce might just have to pay up right now.
West Brom Eye Reid
West Brom could make a bid for 21-year-old Rotherham striker Reuben Reid. (The Mirror)
Analysis: After not making a breakthrough at Plymouth and going through a number of unconvincing loan spells, Reid moved to Rotherham last summer and promptly netted 18 times in 38 League Two starts. Blackpool and MK Dons are also reportedly interested in him, but you’d think that he would jump at the chance to play for a side that could be in line for a quick return to the Premier League.
Leicester In For Phillips
Leicester are set to make a £750k bid for Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Phillips may have just turned 36, but 750k for someone who’s going to get you goals on a regular basis like Phillips still can is a bargain.
Spain
Ibrahimovic Seals Barcelona Move
Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has completed his move to Barcelona. The total amount of the deal is worth €66m, with Inter receiving €43.25m in cash, Samuel Eto’o, and Alexander Hleb on a season-long loan. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Jose Mourinho may be none too happy about the sale of Ibrahimovic, but the cash windfall plus one of the world’s best strikers and a more than useful part in Hleb might help ease his displeasure.
Italy
Milan’s Elano Bid Rejected
Manchester City have rejected AC Milan’s €14m offer for midfielder Elano. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: City could sell him for a few pennies and it wouldn’t make much difference either way, but business is business, and they’re not going to go cheap on someone who (despite the internal issues of last season) provided a more than solid return on an £8m investment. Shelling out a few more million euros shouldn’t be a problem for AC Milan though, but considering the stance they took on the Luis Fabiano deal, they likely won’t go much higher.
Napoli Close On Dossena
Napoli have agreed a €4.5m fee with Liverpool for defender Andrea Dossena. (Goal.com)
Analysis: A bit of a surprise that Liverpool are settling for that low of a fee, but they were going to take a loss on him no matter what, and it’s a move that’s best for all parties.
Germany
Stuttgart Want Love
VfB Stuttgart are currently in negotiations with CSKA Moscow for Brazilian striker Vagner Love, with the Russian side reportedly looking for more than the €20m that Stuttgart have offered already. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Love’s stock was already high before, but after netting 11 times in the UEFA Cup to top the scoring charts, he’s all the more a hot property. Whoever lands him will have to pay generously to do so, but he’s well worth the investment.
France
Olofinjana Set For Monaco
Stoke City midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is set to move to Monaco after Monaco’s £2.5m bid was accepted by the Potters. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Stoke are taking a small loss on someone they paid 3m for just last summer, but Olofinjana fell out of favor last season after being a regular for much of the first half of the campaign, and his opportunities this season would’ve been even more restricted, so it’s best for him to move on now.
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