Never Ending Transfer Roumours!!

I don’t know about you, but, are all these transfer rumours starting to really bug you? I think it could just be the fact that there is no football on at the moment but the rumours are in full swing now, and they’re everywhere I look. My Twitter and Facebook feeds are full of articles about certain players going to certain clubs. There is so much money being spoken about its frightening.

The Gareth Bale saga is going to drag on al summer and I can understand why the big clubs want him, but you just know its going to go on all pre-season and he’ll end up staying where he is. Which I believe is the best thing for him, for another year at least.

Since the appointment of David Moyes at Manchester United I have seen so many players being linked to the club. The fact that United need to bolster their midfield is no secret but it seems every decent midfield player is heading to United. Then there’s the Rolando link and the Lewendowski situation at Dortmund which refuses to go away. I personally think the biggest thing United need to do is to convince Wayne Rooney to stay on before making any “major” signings.

Of course it would be great for the old Trafford club and the fans if United signed the players they are linked with but can they really sign them all and keep Rooney in the process? I’m not too sure. Here’s a few players that have been mentioned in the media over the last few weeks.

Eziquel Garay

The argentine defender has become a well sort after player after some cracking performances for Benfica this year. Sir Alex sent scouts to watch him and fellow team mate Niko Gaitan several times last term and Moyes is also an admirer of the clever centre half. But United do not lack options in that position with Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Smalling and Phil Jones, I don’t think he will be a priority for Moyes

Leighton Baines

Baines has been linked with the red devils in the last two transfer window and with his former boss Moyes now running things at United it wouldn’t surprise me if this happens. Even though united have Evra, Buttner and the returning Fabio to fill that position David Moyes is clearly a fan. With Evra being linked with his former big spending club Monaco this is one rumour that could very well be true.

Kevin Strootman

The Dutch central midfielder has also been on United’s radar for a long time. He was sounded out as a replacement for Scholes the first time the United legend retired. Although I see him as more of a Roy Keane type of player rather than a Paul Scholes. Strootman is currently captaining the u21’s in Israel at the moment and will not answer question son his future until after the tournament. He has been urged to join united by Holland national team manager Luis Van Gaal and his club PSV may be forced to sell their man.

Thiago Alcantara

The young Barcelona midfielder is also in Israel for the u21’s tournament and will also decide his future after it finishes. The Spanish u21’s rely heavily on Thiago who’s magnificent eye for a pass is almost Xavi like. He is the driving force of the young Spanish team and with his price tag dropping from £38m to just £18m due to lack of 1^st team appearances for Barcelona last term and the world cup in brazil next summer both Thiago and united would welcome the move. Moyes wants to build a young team at united which has both potential and hunger and Thiago could be the 1^st “big” name in the old Trafford door

Cesc Fabregas

As much as I would love to see Cesc in a united shirt, I cannot see this transfer happening. Both player and club (Barcelona) have come out in the media and have said that no deal will be done to allow Fabregas to leave this summer. Even though the Catalan club have purchased £50m brazil star Neymar, Vilanova sees Fabregas as a key player for him next season. When Cesc is eventually allowed to leave the Nou Camp I cant see him being disloyal to his arsenal roots and going to old Trafford. He may even go back to the emirates. This is another transfer I cant see happening for united.

Marouane Fellani

Am I the only person who thinks Fellani is nothing more than an average player? He certainly doesn’t warrant his price tag. He’s very ill disciplined and only has a handful of ‘good’ games every year. Yes he’s an awkward player to deal with but I don’t think he is Manchester United material. I really hope this transfer doesn’t happen because I think he will be a huge flop at united and cause more harm than good!

Yohan Cabaye

The Newcastle ace has been a terrific signing for Pardews men and his class performances has made him a regular in the French national team. He recently spoke of his admiration for Manchester united in an interview and suggested he would like to play there under the new Moyes era. As good a player as Cabaye is, its whether or not the Frenchman can stay fit for the duration of such a long season that united encounter. Similar questions were asked of Van Persie I know but with Cabaye I think it would be a huge gamble giving his injury background.

Robert Lewendowski

There is no denying the polish striker has had a fantastic season and there is no wonder he is being linked to a host of top clubs other than united. You don’t score four goals against Real Madrid and fly under the radar. Even though he has been on United’s radar for some time now there is a very good chance that the player will be heading to German and European champions Bayern Munich. But if Wayne Rooney decides to leave old Trafford then you can be sure they would want Lewendowski to replace him. This transfer really hinges on whether or not Rooney stays, which will be the best thing for Rooney and United.

Christiano Ronaldo

Its all I have heard from other United fans is the return of fan favourite Ronaldo. It was in the papers the weekend that a deal had actually been done and the player would be unveiled to the English media and the united faithful on the 8^th of august in time to play in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial. These allegations are clearly wide of the mark with the player willing to discuss new terms at Madrid. Ronaldo, apparently is asking for silly money to stay at the Bernabau. A reported £615k a week, that’s £32m a year. How true those figures are we don’t know but I can’t see Madrid giving him that. He would play at united for far less even though Sir Alex isn’t in charge anymore. He formed a good relationship with the scot and always saw him as a father figure, but would still relish the challenge under Moyes, especially with Fergie upstairs. Whether united will follow up any interest with a formal bid is another matter and I personally don’t think they see Ronaldo as a necessity but would still jump at the chance should he become available.

Now with all the hype surrounding new managers at new clubs and players getting tipped to go here there and everywhere its no wonder many people get sick of the rumours flying about the place, ‘cause that’s all they are at the moment is rumours. There’s nine top players I have just named there and I’m sure there will be a lot more being linked to the new era at united, not to mention other clubs.

I just can’t wait for transfer window to open officially on July 1^st and the rumours that are forever circling will start to come to a close.

Crazy football!

Manchester City must be one of the craziest clubs in football right now. The Club has spent £50m+ on new signings Jesus Navas and brazilian Fernandinho in the last couple of weeks yet they still require a replacement,  for the unfairly sacked, Roberto Mancini. We All know that Pellergrini will eventually become the the boss at the Etihad but it really makes you think, who is actually runnings things at City?
Of course it's possible that the incoming manager is already in contact with his soon to be employers about what player he would like the club to sign. But, it all seems a bit backwards to me. Surely you appoint a manager first and then you get to work on who to bring in and for what position needs strengthening. Let's look at the signings.

Fernandinho
Man City paid a reported £30m+ to aquire his services from Shaktar Donetsk, who reportedly wanted a lot more. The midfielder is described as a "defensive" midfielder but I'm not so sure that will be his role for his new club. He's more of a "box to box" type player with a great engine and a powerful long range shot. He has the ability and energy to turn defence into attack and has an eye for a pass. At 28 years old he is probably in the prime of his career and would be a welcome addition to the premier league. How will he fit into a Man City midfield which already consists of Barry, Rodwell, Garcia and Tourè. What role will he be given? And if he is worth that fee why hasn't he been snapped up before now. I can see a completely different midfield set up for City under Pellergrini and one I think the club and the fans would welcome.

Jesus Navas
The tricky spanish winger has shown a lot of improvement over the last couple of years and his consistent performances for Sevilla have helped them achieve silverware in spain. He has a lot of experience at international level too and was a well respected member of the 2010 world cup winning squad. He has won trphies with club and country so he will have the hunger to add to his collection. He usually operates on the right wing and has blistering pace and tricky feet. He is a very good crosser of the ball and loves to get to the byline. Navas is some what of an old fasioned winger who loves to set up goals for others as well as contributing with his own eye for goal. Again, at 27 years old, he should be at his peak and City need pacey wingers so it should be a good signing for them.

Isco??
This young spaniard excites me. He's one of the hottest young talents in Spain and is a key player for the spanish u21's. Although he's yet to find out where his best position is, he has an influence on most games where ever he operates. I personally think he's best on the left wing. He doesn't have the blistering pace but he is one of the most skillful youngsters in Europe. He's an exciting player that will get City fans on their feet. He is only 21 but he has so much potential and knows Pellergrini very well.

The thing I don't understand is who has identified these players as signings for City? Who has the first and final say when it comes to potential targets? We all know about Chelsea's Abramovic and how much say he has in signing players. Look at Shevchenko, Mourinho didn't want him yet Abramovic went ahead and bought him anyway and even threatened to pick the whole team himself if Shevchenko didn't start. All that was the start of the end for Mourinho's first tenure at Chelsea. And then there's Tony Fernandez at QPR. He is the one that has the final say on incoming and outgoing players there and it seems to be coming a bit of a formality for these rich owners who want to "play manager" with the clubs they own. I  can't help to think that the same is happening at Man City. With the mega rich owners willing to splash the cash, who's to say they won't interfere with the day to day running of the squad? Incoming manager Pellergrini will want to do things his way and there could be a rift there in years to come.
It's become the norm for these owners to want to be involved in decisions that should be down to the managers. I don't think a football club should conduct their business this way. City should employ a manger first before concentrating on spending a fortune on players that may not even be wanted. But that appeaes to be modern day football. It's a crazy business. Maybe these owners need to take a leaf out of the Germans book and see how the clubs are run out there because the way things are at these clubs mentioned can only end in tears for everone involved.... Except the owners of course!

Will Bale go?

Gareth Bale is probably the hottest property around at the moment and we are sure to see a tug of war for his services during the summer transfer window. But where will he be playing his football next season?
After such a terrific season last term, where he had a clean sweep of personal awards, the welsh wizard is high in demand and could probably name his own terms too.
I've been an admirer of Bale since he came on the scene as a young left back at southampton and was praying for Sir Alex Ferguson to snap him up back then. Since then, with his £7m move to Spurs, the welshman has grown and flourished into one of the most exciting and deadliest forward players in Europe.
With his dynamic speed and robust power and a rocket left foot there's no wounder why Europe's top clubs want him. This year AVB was almost forced to move Bale to a more central role for Spurs due to injury to Defoe and Dembele but that decision was justified with the performances and goals Bale produced.
So... where will he go? He won't be short of options and there are a host of clubs that want his services. The biggest rumour circling at the moment is the £85m bid from Real Madrid. Will that be to replace Ronaldo we can only wait and see but I'm not sure Real is the right move for Bale. Yes they can offer him the wages, the life style and champions league football but a move to Madrid also comes with added pressure. Bale would have to have a good start to his carrier at the Bernabau to win the fans and the media over and that's not easy, just ask Luka Modric. Madrid are a great club with a great history but the fans are a hard audience to impress and given the start he had to his Tottenham carrer, I think he'll struggle to settle in the spanish capital.
With the price tag that Bale possess, there are only a few more clubs that could afford him. Two teams from the french league in PSG and Monaco, although I don't think the french league will appeal to him all that much even if the wages will.
Then there's Bayern Munich. The German treble winners have already aquired Mario Götze from rivals Dortmund and are also being linked with Liverpool's Luis Suarez with winger Arjen Robben heading to Anfield in part exchange, there could well be a place for Bale in new manager Pep Guardiolas team. They have the money to pull off the transfer and the resources to offer him the mega wages and with German football set to dominate Europe for the next few years, a move to Germany can't be ruled out.
I personally think that Gareth Bale should and will stay at spurs for another season at least. Yes chairman Daniel Levy will be tempted to sell his prized asset, especially if there's a sum of £80m+ on offer but with Bale signing a 4 year contract last year the decision will lie solely with the player. Staying one more year at Spurs won't decrease his value dramatically and if he has another season like the last then who knows what that valuation will become.
I think Gareth will want to stay in the premier league though and it's clear he wants to play champions league football, so that leaves the 3 big teams in the league who can afford him. Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea. Will he be tempted to join Mourinho at chelsea? Where would he fit in with Mata, Hazard, Oscar and co? Man City clearly have the resources to purchase Bale and would fit in the team well as City lack quality and pace on the wings. The most desirable destination would be United though. The current champions are going through a new period under Moyes and Sir Alex has left a good footprint for a successful club for years to come. With the incredible history of the club and the amount of silverware that seem to end up at Old Trafford, it would surely be hard to turn down a move to United.
For the moment though Bale is a Tottenham Hotspur player and I for one think he will remain in north London for at least one more season.

lost with out football

              So... the season is finally over, with only a couple of internationals to keep me ticking over (great). Clinging on to any kind of football now just to see me through pre season. It happens every 3 seasons where there is no major summer tournament to look forward to, just the excitment of spending a saturday afternoon being dragged from shop to shop by the mrs while she tries on clothes she doesn't even want!
             The fact that this season promises to be one of the best premiership season ever doesn't help either. With everything that's going on at the big clubs ie: new managers and returning managers, it just adds to the excitement but also makes the wait for the start of the season much more agonising.
              With David Moyes taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson a new era dawns over the Old Trafford club and I for one think David Moyes is the ideal man for the job. What he did at Everton with so little resources is nothing short of a miracle. The Glaziers have vowed to give Moyes the funds to make a 'marquee' signing to help him start his own united chapter and that could well be former fan favorite Christianio Ronaldo. What a story that would be. Reports suggesting that Ronaldo is interested and with his villa being put on up for sale the rumours have surfaced again, and if Wayne Rooney decides to stay at United and the possibility of maybe a midfielder and a top defender then United will be a formidable force yet again.
             The thing that I am most looking forward to is the return of Jose Mourinho to the premiership. He is such a charismatic manager. He puts all his emotions into the game from the touchline and his post and pre match interviews are just great viewing. He's coming into a very different but exciting chelsea team and with the pull that he has in the transfer market and the finacial backing of Abramovic, I'm sure he'll add some more quality to that team. Mourinhos teams have always been difficult to beat and score against so it wouldn't surprise me if he brings in a couple of defenders this summer. The biggest decision he has for me though is what he does with young striker Lukaku. The belgian was impressive on loan at West Brom last season with a return of 17 goals which included a final day hat-trick vs Man Utd in a thrilling 5-5 draw. He started on the bench that game too. I for one think Mourinho should keep hold of him. I think his big frame, strength, pace and finishing is very Drogba esque. With Hazard, mata and Oscar around him he could well break the 25 goal barrier for Chelsea this coming season.
             With Mancini being sacked by Man City and Pellegrini set to replace him I expect City to spend big this summer. Jesus Navas has already joined the club, providing a medical can be passed. The rumours about Napoli forward Edinson Cavani refusing to go away suggests City are in tbe market for a forward, especailly if Tevez and Dzeko are allowed to leave.
             3 of England's top clubs have got new managers going into the new season and I'm sure all 3 teams will sign at least 3 new players. The situation at Manchester United will be the one to watch though. A United team without Fergie on the touchline will certainly take time to get used to but I still think United will be the team to beat with chelsea not far behind.
             I for one can't wait for the new seaon to start and the summer transfer window will be an exciting and busy one. Only another 73 days to go..... not that im counting.