Tomorrow, all hell breaks loose. Well, not quite, but it’s pretty close. The summer transfer window kicks off tomorrow, and though there’s already been a little activity, the start of the window means that a number of signings will become official, and many more will get on their way to being so in short order.
It may be Sunday, so the rumors aren’t running rampant, but since it is Sunday, that means the gossip pages do have a few juicy transfer tidbits for us today.
England
Redknapp to Return to Portsmouth Again?
Portsmouth’s new owner is looking at potential candidates to take over as the club’s new boss, and the man at the top is the list is Harry Redknapp. Redknapp has left Portsmouth for other destinations twice, but that part of his past history obviously isn’t being evaluated by the new ownership.
Analysis: Could he do it? He’s not even made his imprint on Tottenham yet, but with more funds than he ever had before and the chance to really work some magic at Pompey could make the opportunity very, very tempting for him.
Atletico Madrid Star In Chelsea’s Sights
Chelsea could be set to land Carlo Ancelotti any minute now, and one of the first targets he could pursue is Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Diego Forlan’s been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City, and the odds are high that he could leave in the summer, so if he leaves, then Aguero’s not going anywhere.
Arsenal to Move for Everton Defender
Arsenal could be set to table an £12m offer to Everton defender Joleon Lescott. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Lescott is one of Everton’s key assets, but £12m could allow David Moyes a nice little bit of cash to land a replacement, sign a striker, and possibly have enough left over to sign a promising prospect or two before getting to the money that is already set aside for summer spending.
Everton Favorites for Leeds Starlet?
Speaking of Everton and summer spending, they could be set to start the summer with a bang by landing Leeds star Fabian Delph. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Whoever lands Delph will have to pay more than you normally do for one of the best players from League One, but he’s not outside of Everton’s price range, and if he continues to develop as he has, he’ll be well worth the fee.
Tottenham Interested in Sunderland’s Richardson
Tottenham are reportedly willing to offer Sunderland £8m for midfielder Kieran Richardson. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: £8m would represent a profit for Sunderland, but they might not be too keen on letting Richardson go, at least until a new manager has come in and run the rule over the squad. He stayed healthy this past season and had a solid campaign after an injury-riddled one in 2007/08, and he could be viewed as a key player under the new regime.
Birmingham City Bid for Ecuadorian Star
Birmingham City have made an official offer for Ecuadorian striker Cristian Benitez. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: With Benitez’s agent saying that he would prefer a move somewhere that European football was a possibility, it’d seem to favor PSV or Villarreal, but with the recent takeover at Portsmouth, he could be sold on a move to Fratton Park.
Spain
Barcelona to Move for Arsenal’s Fabregas
Barcelona could be finally be set to bring Cesc Fabregas back home, as they’re planning a £40m bid for the Arsenal star. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Well, from a financial standpoint, considering what Barcelona sold him for initially and what they’re offering to get him back, the joke’s on them, har har har. Seriously though, Arsenal could considering cashing in on Fabregas if it means being able to make moves that benefit the team and its future prospects.
Could Hleb Leave Barcelona?
Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb could be set to leave after only a season after not even being on the bench for the Champions League final. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Remember how he was so eager to leave London behind for Barcelona? Funny how things work out, eh? He was Bayern Munich’s backup option if they didn’t get Diego, and since they didn’t get Diego, the chances are high that he’ll land a return to the Bundesliga, where he starred with VfB Stuttgart before his move to Arsenal.
Italy
Napoli to Seal Double Deal?
Napoli are reportedly set to pull off deals for Udinese star Fabio Quagliarella and Atalanta midfielder Luca Cigarini. Naples native Quagliarella is being signed for €16m, while Cigarini is coming for €4.5m. (Goal.com)
Analysis: It could be looked at as a lateral move for Quagliarella, considering that Napoli finished below Udinese in the table, and also considering that Juventus have been heavily linked with him. But, despite the disappointing finish, Napoli have a lot of promise, and his addition would give them a goal-getter that they lacked this season. The addition of Cigarini would also be big, as he’s one of the country’s top young prospects.
France
Bordeaux Lead for Le Mans Keeper
Bordeaux are favorites to sign highly-rated Le Mans keeper Yohann Pele. The 26-year-old is out of contract in June, and he’s been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Roma, and Valencia, but the newly-crowned French champions are thought to be in front to land him. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Ulrich Rame is turning 37 in September, and Bordeaux need to start looking to the future in goal. They have a couple of talented keepers behind Rame, but the chance to land one of Ligue 1’s best keepers as his replacement is a can’t-miss opportunity.
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