Well that was quite a month, wasn’t it? We’re already at the end of June, believe it or not, and it was quite the busy month in the transfers world.
Many pounds and euros have exchanged hands around Europe already, and it’s no surprise that the month ends with a couple more new signings to add to our summer transfer lists.
What does July hold in store for us? This evening’s roundup provides a few hints.
England
United Sign Valencia
Manchester United have completed the signing of Wigan winger Antonio Valencia for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian has penned a four-year deal with United. (ManUtd.com)
Analysis: Like I said, I was going to wait on the official word before saying anything more about Valencia, and there the official word is. Who’s next? Aguero? Benzema? Villa?
Alonso’s Future To Be Resolved Next Month
The future of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to be ironed out over the next few weeks, as the Real Madrid target has reportedly told his agent to resolve his situation by the time he’d be set to rejoin Liverpool on July 19. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: I don’t see him leaving Liverpool unless Real offer big, big money, and I mean more than the £20-£25m that they’re reportedly willing to pay.
Spurs In Again For Bellamy?
The Guardian reckons that Harry Redknapp could revive his interest in Craig Bellamy if he can successfully offload Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Bellamy was a prime target for Tottenham in January, but the Welsh striker moved from West Ham to Manchester City instead.
Analysis: With City signing Roque Santa Cruz and reportedly close on Carlos Tevez (and possibly not out of it for Samuel Eto’o), Bellamy might find opportunities hard to come by at City next season, so a move isn’t out of the question. But do Tottenham fans really want him?
Atletico Pushing Maxi To Tottenham?
The Daily Mail says that Atletico Madrid are looking persuade winger Maxi Rodriguez to move to Tottenham. The Argentine’s contract runs out next summer, and Atletico are also looking for cash to help fund a deal for £12m Argentine starlet Eduardo Salvio, who’s also drawing interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Porto (Tribal Football).
Analysis: Understandable from a business standpoint that Atletico would prefer to sell him now and get a nice fee for him instead of losing him for nothing next summer, but it looks like they’re going to have to push him pretty hard to convince him to move. Stay for the good of the club, leave for the good of the club?
Villa To Bid For Garcia
Aston Villa are set to make a £5m bid for Espanyol forward Luis Garcia. (Goal.com)
Analysis: After being a consistent double-digit scorer the previous last several seasons, Garcia scored only five times all of last season, so Espanyol are likely going to get a little less for him this summer than they would have last summer had they sold him to Tottenham. But if he can find his pre-2008/09 form at Villa, he could be a bargain.
Fulham Bid For Uche
Fulham have made a £2m bid for Almeria midfielder/forward Kalu Uche. The Nigeria international scored eight league goals in 17 starts (27 appearances) for Almeria last season. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Almeria’s technical secretary recently said that Uche, who’s also been linked with Tottenham, won’t be going anywhere unless a big offer comes in for him, so it’d appear that Fulham would have to significantly increase their bid to get him.
Italy
Inter Move For Cissokho
After Porto defender Aly Cissokho failed to get a move to AC Milan, Inter Milan could be set to swoop in and make a bid for the 21-year-old. (Goal.com)
Analysis: It’s a shame that he wasn’t able to land his move to AC Milan, but it looks like he’s going to land on his feet.
France
M’Bia Prefers Marseille
Everton have made an offer of €12m for Rennes midfielder Stephane M’Bia (Goal.com), but though their offer is superior to Marseille’s, the Cameroon international is said to favor a Marseille move, due to the opportunity to play in the Champions League and work with Didier Deschamps (Sky Sports).
Analysis: Can’t fault him for wanting Champions League football, but Everton certainly aren’t going to give up on him.
Ukraine
Shevchenko Offered Kiev Return
Dynamo Kiev have made an offer to bring Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko where he starred in the late 90s before moving on to AC Milan. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Wouldn’t be a bad opportunity, considering that Dynamo would offer him Champions League football. But he may well prefer the bigger payday that could await in Qatar, or Roma or Monaco could be a lot more appealing with his wife and family in mind.
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