The summer transfer window is coming to a close, and there looks to be a flurry of activity still yet to come before the window shuts.
There are still quite a few deals that are up in the air with the deadline approaching, and you’ve got to be on the lookout for at least a couple of surprises and some nutty speculation from here, there, and everywhere as the hours tick down.
Speaking of nutty speculation, we’ve got a little bit of that in this morning’s roundup, but we’ve got plenty of far less eyebrow-raising (and perhaps more believable) tidbits. With a lot more to come throughout the day, you can look for me to be back later on today with plenty to report on, and you can also check out the summer transfer lists to keep up with all of the confirmed signings as they’re completed.
England
United Make Unsuccessful Ireland Bid
According to The Mirror, Manchester United made an unsuccessful bid for Manchester City star Stephen Ireland.
Analysis: Is it true? Maybe, maybe not, but you can certainly add it to the pile of ‘ain’t gonna happen’ moves. Even if City’s situation was different, it’d be unlikely.
More Pompey Stars Set To Exit?
Portsmouth could finish off their summer star sale by selling goalkeeper David James and attacker Niko Kranjcar to Tottenham, as according to the Daily Mail, Tottenham are set to make an 8m bid for the duo.
Analysis: Tottenham have needs to fill in both areas thanks to long-term injury casualties, with Heurelho Gomes out with a groin injury and Luka Modric now out with a broken leg suffered against Birmingham on Saturday, so these wouldn’t be moves being made just for the sake of adding numbers to the squad.
West Ham Close On Chamakh?
Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh could well get his move to the Premier League this summer after all. According to the (Sunday People), Bordeaux have accepted West Ham’s 7m offer for the Morocco international, and the Hammers are set to win him over by tripling his current salary.
However, if The Mirror is to be believed, Arsenal could be set to make a final bid of 8.5m in an attempt to land Chamakh.
Analysis: Frankly, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he stays at Bordeaux.
Portsmouth Move For Shorey And Ben Haim
Portsmouth are set to bolster their defense before the window closes, as Aston Villa left back Nicky Shorey is set to arrive (Daily Mail), and Paul Hart is set to replace Sylvain Distin with Manchester City’s Tal Ben Haim, who is set to sign on a free transfer today (The Mirror).
Analysis: Portsmouth had a fairly solid defensive performance in their first league game without Distin, limiting Manchester City to a solitary Adebayor goal, but there’s still very much a need to bolster their defense for the long haul. Now, if only they could do something more about their attack…
Sunderland Close On Turner
The Mirror says that Sunderland and Hull City are in talks to hammer out a swap deal that would send Hull center back Michael Turner to the Stadium of Light and potentially bring Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell to the KC Stadium.
Analysis: It’s a little amusing that Campbell could wind up going to Hull after all, after backing out on a move to the club where he starred in 2007/08 in order to move to Sunderland.
Hull Swoop For Benjani
Whether or not they land Campbell in a Turner swap deal, Phil Brown does look set to make at least one addition to his front line, as Hull have agreed a fee with Manchester City for Benjani. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: I could see Campbell having some reservations about going to Hull if Benjani completes his move, considering that he could well end up in much the same situation he’s in at Sunderland right now. But hey, with the options that Phil Brown has right now not exactly lighting up the scoreboard, it doesn’t hurt to add as many useful options as possible.
Magpies Must Pay Up For Vaughan
If Newcastle want to land Everton striker James Vaughan, they’ll have to shell out 3m to sign the 21-year-old. (Sunday People)
Analysis: Vaughan is down in the pecking order at Everton, and the need for a new striker opened up when Newcastle’s lack of luck rose up and struck down their best performer in Shola Ameobi in the midst of his best run of form in ages. A loan might well be the best solution for Newcastle financially, but I’m sure they could squeeze out the 3m if Everton are looking to offload him permanently.
Notts County Eye More Big Names
Sol Campbell may be just the first of many aging former stars to join up with Sven-Goran Eriksson at Notts County.
According to The Mirror says that current Portsmouth striker Kanu could be set to join up with the League Two side once his one-month deal with Pompey expires in a few days.
Meanwhile, News of the World, Sven is looking to bring former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg and former Italy international striker Christian Vieri to the club.
Analysis: Who knows, if Kanu gets added to the squad, perhaps he and Campbell could convince former Arsenal teammate Ljungberg to come back to England, though I think he’s pretty content where he is.
Italy
Fiorentina Make Upson Bid
Fiorentina have made a bid for West Ham center back Matthew Upson, according to Sky Sports.
Analysis: The chance to play in the Champions League and test himself abroad would be a fantastic opportunity for Upson, but this could come down to Aston Villa and not just their rival interest in Upson, but whether they decide to move for Upson or the cheaper James Collins. If they go for Collins, then Upson’s going nowhere, whether it’s to Fiorentina or anywhere else.
Germany
Bayern Interested In Rafinha
Bayern Munich have confirmed that they are interested in Schalke 04 right back Rafinha, but chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says that there’s still a ways to go before a deal is completed. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Though there’s something to be said for continuity, the signing of Rafinha would give Louis van Gaal the chance to have a number of lineup combinations that he could turn to and have a strong side no matter what he puts out on on the pitch, thanks to the versatility of several members of his squad to be able to be effective in multiple roles.
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