Sunday is normally one of the slower days when it comes to transfer news and rumors, and while it’s not coming thick and fast today, there’s still plenty to talk about.
Manchester City are expected to sign Hamburg SV’s Nigel de Jong for £15m (Daily Mail) and Craig Bellamy for £14m, but Real Madrid may be trying to hijack their move for Kaka (News of the World).
Analysis: This is one battle Real won’t win in terms of cash, but they can offer him more on the pitch than City can immediately. But, my guess is that it’ll be either City or bust.
It also appears that it is City, and not rivals United, who become the late entrant into the race for Wigan’s Wilson Palacios. (News of the World)
Analysis: Like I said earlier in the month, whatever the record is for January spending, City are going to break it, and they may not even have to sign Kaka to do it.
However, United do have their heart set on another Wigan star, in winger Antonio Valencia, who they will try to sign in the summer. (The Mirror)
Analysis: So who’s going to make way for him when he arrives? The article hits it spot on with Nani, though Fergie might try to give him one more season to prove himself.
Arsenal will up their bid to as much as £15m in order to get Andrei Arshavin (Daily Mail), but he could actually come to the Emirates for £17m. (News of the World)
Analysis: If Arsenal are going to make him the club’s highest earner (and record signing as well), he best show that he’s worth the investment.
Tottenham are interested in Newcastle keeper Steve Harper. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Go somewhere else to be the backup for a relegation candidate when he could be about to have an opportunity to start for another relegation candidate? Easy choice, right?
Portsmouth are looking to make a move for former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira, either through a loan move or a free transfer, if Inter are willing to let him go for free. (Tribalfootball)
Analysis: I don’t know how feasible of an option he is wage-wise, but if they can get him, his experience would be valuable down the stretch.
Everton are expected to make an increased bid of £2.5m for Genk striker Elyaniv Barda, but the Belgian side have put a £3.5m price tag on the Israeli star (The Mirror).
Analysis: Well, at least he’s realistic about his value, eh?
If you have a juicy rumor that we may have missed, post it in the comments with the link to the source.
And if you want to keep up with all of the latest confirmed transfers, check out our updated January 2009 transfer lists.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
