It’s a somewhat quiet day in transfer news and rumors, but there are still several tidbits to report on from multiple leagues.
England
Talks between Carlos Tevez and Manchester United over a permanent deal are reportedly at a stalemate due to Tevez’s demands for £120k a week.
Analysis: The deal will get done, simple as that. I’ve been a little iffy about United spending so much on Tevez, but look at his goal tally this season, and most of them have been necessary for United to get a result, whether in the league (winner v. Stoke on Boxing Day), Carling Cup (winner v. QPR in the 4th round, four v. Blackburn in the quarters), or in the Champions League (equalizer v. Aalborg).
Middlesbrough don’t want to sell Stewart Downing to Tottenham, but he may want try to force their hand by submitting a transfer request on Monday. (The Guardian)
Analysis: Be that as it may, Boro are still likely going to try to get a fee as close to 15m as they can, which means Spurs are going to have to go just a little higher.
It’s looking like a given that Shay Given will leave Newcastle in January, but who will he be replaced with? Sorry Steve Harper, it’s not you, but Celtic’s Artur Boruc. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Well, there goes most of Newcastle’s January transfer budget in short order. Celtic may be reluctant to sell Boruc unless they get most of what Given will likely be sold for.
However, some money will have to be left over if Newcastle want to win the race for highly-rated Sheffield United starlet Kyle Naughton, who’s valued at £8m. (The Mirror)
Analysis: The 20-year-old right back is certainly one for the future, but for the price they might pay for him, Joe Kinnear would likely throw him into the fray early on. But with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal also showing interest, they could be fighting an uphill battle to land him.
If Craig Bellamy moves to Manchester City this week, West Ham have reportedly tabbed Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner to replace him up front. It’ll come at a cost though, as Matthew Upson would go back to his former club in a swap deal. Sunday Mirror
Analysis: Bendtner’s got potential, but I’m not sold on the idea of replacing a key player in one position by sacrificing a key player in another position. But, if it’s an offer that comes along for Arsenal, they can get rid of Bendtner and get a quality defender at the same time. Not a bad deal, eh Arsene?
Italy
Jermain Defoe to Juventus? Sounds crazy, but Juve have made a 20m bid for Defoe, which meets Portsmouth’s asking price and is 4m ahead of the 16m that Tottenham have upped their offer to.
Analysis: Defoe really wants the move to Tottenham, so as nice as the offer is to Portsmouth, it won’t matter if he’s dead-set on going back to Spurs. However, the chance to prove himself abroad could be very appealing, and I don’t think there are many crazy Portsmouth supporters there are in Turin.
Germany
Hamburg SV striker Ivica Olic is set to move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season on a free transfer. (Setanta Sports)
Analysis: It no doubt has to sting for HSV to lose him for nothing, but Bayern gets what Bayern wants, especially when it comes to the best in the Bundesliga.
If you have a rumor that we missed and you would like to make note of it, just post it in the comments, along with the link to the source.
Also, if you would like to keep up with all of the latest confirmed January transfers, just check out our transfer lists, which are in the process of being updated.
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