Transfer Chewing Gum – August 12
Just a few days to go until the season begins and squads are taking their final shape. But there’s still time for teams to make that marquee signing that’ll make all the difference.
Man City have finally confirmed the signing of Eliaquim Mangala for £32m from Porto. We’ve been expecting this for months, and a few weeks ago and the club accidently leaked a welcome vid for the young French defender. He’s 23 and he signs a 5 year deal. Pellegrini reckons he’ll make an immediate impact, which is nice for them given the injury history of talisman Vincent Kompany. It’s been a relatively quiet summer for the defending champs, only spending around £50m so far and mostly on squad players, not stars. As if they needed any more stars anyway.
Across town, Louis Van Gaal said something in an interview talking about his Man Utd formation where he said they don’t play with pure wingers because they don’t have the world class guys to pull it off, such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Angel Di Maria. And also that he only buys for needs, not at a whim. So the media took that out of context to say he was all in for the Argentinian winger. Even though he’s just said that he’s training his team in a different system and won’t buy players he doesn’t need. Real Madrid are probably gonna sell the guy after bringing in James Rodriguez, though it was expected PSG would make the move. Only they can’t afford him after cashing in their chip for a new David Luiz and the Financial Fair Play regulations weren’t gonna let them and a loan move fell through. Leaving Man United as the only party for the tabloids to play with. I’m still not convinced. Arturo Vidal meanwhile seems more likely than he has in a long time. LVG has issues with Vidal’s knees and his fitness but nobody who saw him with Chile at the World Cup has doubts over him as a player. United are also still potentially moving for Daley Blind and Kevin Strootman. However Barcelona seem to have the edge with Juan Cuadrado, having this week confirmed Utd interest Thomas Vermaelen for £15m from Arsenal. Tommy V had liked the prospect of ManYoo, but Arsenal refused to sell to a local rival. Also Mats Hummels has been confirmed as Dortmund captain and that’s probably that.
The word is also that Van Gaal has highlighted 5 players who he intends to sell, and they are: Marouanne Fellaini, Javier Hernandez, Nani, Anderson and Rafael. The last one’s a bit of a surprise, but the rest not so much. Hernandez is easily the most serviceable of them, though if he can get a starting role at another club, why stand in his way. Southampton want him, but he’s already rejected a move as a part of the Shaw deal. Juventus too are keen and he may be the tipping point with Vidal.
The rest of the big boys in the EPL seem pretty quiet. Jose Mourinho is putting his long term faith in Cesc Fabregas (although they’ve made an inquiry for Loic Remy), while Arsene Wenger isn’t likely to change much after his Arsenal side pummelled an admittedly weakened City in the Community Shield (maybe just a replacement for Vermaelen?). Liverpool are still looking for a striker or two, and Samuel Eto’o might be the man. Eto’o is still without a club, having been too costly for West Ham, and his offering himself up to Inter Milan seemingly not going anywhere. Daniel Agger is on his way out of Anfield, but to where we don’t know. He wanted Barca, but Vermaelen took that gig. Arsenal or Spurs? Tottenham are also on the verge of getting American DeAndre Yedlin, which would be a nice lil signing for them. Southampton have already signed Fraser Forster from Celtic, is Marcos Rojo next? Peter Crouch to West Ham? Salomon Kalou to Everton? The transfer window closes on the first of September UK time, and there’s plenty left to happen...
And to finish, a tribute to the great Miroslav Klose, who’s retiring on top from international football. 71 goals in 137 games, including a record 16 at World Cups. Legendary.