Transfer Chewing Gum - July 22
Holy Haa-mess Batman! James Rodriguez is soon to make his long-expected move to Real Madrid. Los Blancos have worked out a fee with Monaco for something around the same area as Luis Suarez’s to Barca, which sees a healthy profit for the French club who paid about half that a year ago for the Colombian wonderkid. After his Golden Boot-winning World Cup it was gonna be hard to keep him, especially once he started singing his praises for Madrid and Ronaldo. The 23 year old will be unveiled to the press tomorrow, with a nice big stage being readied at the Bernabeu as we speak – no doubt there’ll be a scarf-draped juggling exhibition amongst the suits and ties. On the topic of Real Madrid, they’re also pretty keen on Rodriguez’s Colombian and Monaco teammate Radamel Falcao, and are hopeful of a deal to follow. Gareth Bale has some competition now on that left-flank, though these deals likely spell the end of Isco’s time at the club, and Angel Di Maria has been linked out for ages. Liverpool like the look of Spanish international Isco.
Over to Ol’ Blighty and Stevie G has retired from England duty. Fair ‘nuff. 114 caps is quite the haul. Now he can concentrate on keeping Liverpool in and around the top of the Premier League table. To do that he’ll need some help from non-Suarez named folks. In what’s been a busy transfer window, it seems there’s another name to tick off on the checklist: Loic Remy. The French striker did well at Newcastle last year on loan, and QPR are basically helpless to keep him, with Liverpool happy to meet an £8.5m release clause to join a Champions League side – of which LFC once again are. A quick, clever forward who can bag a few goals, all for a bargain price. Good call. Arsenal had been heavily linked with Remy, but seemed to drop out. Remy’s shipping out to Boston to complete a medical with the Reds (who are on tour in the US), and QPR are happy to see the back of him (very expensive wages, y’see). Southampton’s Dejan Lovren is in advanced talks once more for a move to Anfield. The Saints don’t wanna lose him, but may be resigned to. This after LFC have already signed Rickie Lambert & Adam Lallana from Southampton. Talk about raiding the vault. Divock Origi is probably signing by the weekend too, though is still expected to be loaned back for this season. Liverpool have accepted a £14m bid for Fabio Borini from Sunderland, but the man himself wants to stick around and fight for a place with LFC.
Manchester United are happy to spend money too. Ed Woodward says they have no fixed budget, and that seems clear given the names they’re linked with. Amidst rumours of an increased bid for Arturo Vidal and a swoop for Dutch lads Daley Blind and Kevin Strootman, it sounds like Mats Hummels is gaining traction. Despite Barcelona’s interest, the Spanish papers reckon that it’s ManYoo who’re on the verge of a 16m transfer. We’ll believe it when we see it, but just know that Hummels has started tweeting in English recently (some people will cling to anything…), and Dortmund have already seemingly replaced him. They signed Matthias Ginter, a young CB who had last season rejected the move because he wanted to be guaranteed playing time. Hmm.
Arsenal have come barging in on the William Carvahlo situation. With Chelsea and Man United already after the Portuguese midfielder, Arsene Wenger and co. apparently launched an audacious bid to steal the youngster away from their rivals. Only Sporting Lisbon batted it the hell back since it wasn’t even close to his £37m release fee. Ooops. Arsenal have gone a little quiet recently, but with talks that AC Milan are happy to let Mario Balotelli go on the cheap, maybe that’s their chance. Thomas Vermaelen definitely seems on his way, so long as Manchester United and Arsenal can agree a fee. Vermy spent is holidays with RVP so, yeah. Writing probably on the wall.
Tottenham are close to Morgan Schneiderlein of Southampton (do they have any players left?) and Michel Vorm and Ben Davies of Swansea. Mauricio Pochettino worked with Schneidy at the Saints, so there’s that, while Davies is a highly rated Welsh fullback. They may also be after Antoine Griezman, the French winger. With Hugo Lloris having signed a big extension recently though, bringing in Vorm as another keeper seems kinda dumb. Now that you mention is, Schneiderlein as a central midfielder is hardly addressing a need either. Ah, Tottenham. You never change!
Mohamed Saleh threw a spanner in the works of the Chelsea pre-season camp as it was revealed he’d been called up for military duty in his native Egypt. That service may have lasted 1-3 years, but thankfully he’s been spared. They still want Didier Drogba on a free, and Manchester City have also thrown their hat into that ring. His wages may be a bit much though for their each liking. Demba Ba has left officially for Besiktas. Jose Mourinho reckons that they’ve spent their last cent for the summer after Felipe Luis was confirmed, but who really knows? Manchester City meanwhile still haven’t confirmed the Eliaquim Mangala deal. It’s only a matter of time.
Leicester City are eyeing Algerian striker Islam Slimani to give Chris Wood some more competition. Southampton are keen on Ron Vlaar if Lovren does indeed leave. Newcastle have bought Daryl Janmaat. Hull want Danny Rose from Spurs. Micah Richards wants the hell outta Man City, but nobody wants to pay the £7m asking price for him (maybe a loan deal?). ‘Arry Rednkapp has vowed he won’t sign any “twatters” just in it for the cash for QPR, which basically defines his entire transfer strategy so he could be at a loss. Steven Caulker sounds close, and he’s got Rio Ferdinand on a free. Also, West Ham are just waiting on a work permit before Enner Valencia can be unveiled, and Joleon Lescott has signed for West Brom on a free and immediately started criticizing their transfer policies. What a dick. Yo, but then they bought this guy!
And errrrbody wants a piece of this kid. He’s 16 year old Oscar Borg, a star for the West Ham youths last year, He’s a left footed wing back, just like Gareth Bale, who also plays like Bale, and dammit even looks like Bale!
Some important continental stuff to cover now. Juventus are all over the news as they try to hang on to Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba (so far so good). They copped a massive blow as manager Antonio Conte unexpectedly resigned last week. It was thought he was lining up the Italy job, but his statement seemed to point to differences in opinion at the club’s direction. Selling too many players? Well they’ve kicked on from there by announcing new manager Massimiliano Allegri, and promptly signing Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid and Patrice Evra from Manchester United. Very decent, though it’s sad to see one of the great EPL fullbacks on his way out, especially just weeks after another legendary EPL left-back in Ashley Cole.
Juan Cuadrado is a wanted man. Bayern Munich are leading the race, with Barcelona, Man Utd, Juventus and every other major club after him. Barcelona have signed a 30 year old centre back (Jeremy Mathieu) as their busy summer continues. They’re all about defenders and keepers right now, and Daley Blind is being mentioned there too. While Angel Di Maria is still probably going to PSG, though they’re in a bit of a bind with FIFA’s financial fair play scheme. And to polish things off, Atletico Madrid have re-signed Thiago, and have told anyone after the core players of their squad that they can just bugger off right now. I wouldn’t wanna mess with Diego Simeone.