Jerome Boateng, Xherdan Shaqiri and more in this week’s Transfer Rumor Mill
Welcome back to our weekly piece dedicated to looking into transfer rumors of the past week involving EPL clubs – let’s dive right into it.
Daley Blind: Ajax Amsterdam to Tottenham
Spurs supporters will be wary of the summer transfer window given it’s failures before the current season, but this would be a transfer they should be excited about. Spurs are reportedly eyeing a swoop for the talented young Dutch defender/midfielder who has been sensational for the Amsterdam club this season to the point that he may very well be on a plane to Brazil this summer. Capable of being deployed either in a holding central role or at left back, he offers versatility and a work ethic that Spurs are craving right now.
Prediction: I see it happening, but will Spurs? He fits the bill for what they need right now but it may all come down to the manager (whoever that may be) or Daniel Levy if they make a swoop for the player. He would not cost more than 10million (any more would be ridiculous) so that should be an added bonus.
Siem de Jong: Ajax Amsterdam to …
Reports surfaced over the last week that Siem de Jong, brother of on-loan Newcastle striker Luuk de Jong, wants out of the Amsterdam Arena in the summer. There has not been reports of clubs in for him yet, but I am adding this in there because I feel Spurs should swoop for him as well. They struggle to score goals this season and with Soldado being a flop and Emmanuel Adebayor not good enough to lead the line in truth, they need a striker in. The beauty of signing de Jong is that he will already have ready-made chemistry with former Ajax teammate Christian Eriksen. He is also more talented than his older brother, and like Blind, de Jong is all but assured a seat on the Dutch plane to Brazil. Not sure what the price-tag on him would be, but I cannot see it being north of 15million
Prediction: I have no idea where he will end up truthfully, but I can see Spurs being a good fit. It will be tough for them to compete in the market for a true top class striker, but the ready-made chemistry with Eriksen and the smaller transfer fee may prove to be enticing in the end.
Ravel Morrison: West Ham to Newcastle
Currently on-loan at QPR, Morrison is proving his worth with one impressive display after another. He played well in a West Ham shirt as well but still needed some seasoning. Would a transfer to Newcastle be the best thing for the young England man? Moving to Newcastle would not be a step up, but rather a lateral step sideways as both clubs really are in the same tier as of right now. And if Hatem Ben Arfa is struggling to be in the first team each match, can Morrison hope to be? The money garnered from Morrison leaving Upton Park would be hard for the London club to pass up however.
Prediction: It shouldn’t happen, but it very well may. Newcastle supporters will want to improve the squad in the summer, namely with a striker as both Luuk de Jong and Loic Remy are both on loan so that will be their priority. There is a lot of upside to Morrison as he is young, but given the position he plays, he would not be a guaranteed selection. West Ham won’t block a move if the price is right and a pay raise by way of a transfer would not be passed up by Morrison either.
Josip Drmic: Nurnberg to Arsenal
The 21-year old Swiss striker has been turning heads this season in the Bundesliga with many inspiring performances and he has registered on the radar of none other than Arsene Wenger. Given his age, he immediately fits the bill for the recruitment checklist of the Gunners headmaster. He has pace to burn, he has proven he can finish and given his young age, the future could indeed be bright, but is he the player Arsenal need? There have been cries from Gooners the world over that Wenger bring in a striker, as many feel Giroud does not make the grade, but surely Drmic is not the player to bring Arsenal to the next tier.
Prediction: Nurnberg are by no means swimming in money so they will be hard pressed to rebuff a bid in the region of 10-15million that Wenger would have no problems paying for a talented young player. Wenger’s faith in Giroud means that he is looking for depth at the position and long term solutions rather than a big name now – I think this will certainly happen.
Matthias Ginter: Freiburg to Arsenal or Manchester United
Word on the street is that high-rated German center back Matthias Ginter is a transfer target for both Manchester United and Arsenal. Ginter has rose to prominence over the last two years in the Bundesliga and many in the country see him as a huge talent for the future at both club level and for the national team. United will no doubt embark on a massive squad overhaul in the summer so there is a high possibility of an automatic starting birth for him at Old Trafford. The appeal of Arsenal however, would be the likelyhood of Champions League football and the ability to play in a team that is building a strong core of German players, plus the added benefit of learning directly from Per Mertesacker. This could end up in an interesting bidding war.
Prediction: Ginter was not ready to leave Freiburg previously, but the time may be right for him to do so. Freiburg, like most German clubs, will never say no to a substantial offer and and given the reported 200million that United could be ready to spend, Old Trafford may be the front runner for his next home ground. Do not count out Arsenal’s German players speaking to Ginter to convince him of a move to London instead however, but will Wenger really want to get in a bidding war? That remains to be seen.
Jerome Boateng: Bayern Munich to Manchester United
Reports have emerged that the Munich and German international center back has caught the eye of David Moyes and Manchester United in preparation of their impending summer spending spree. With Nemanja Vidic leaving the club, Rio Ferdinand nearing the end of his club days and Phil Jones and Chris Smalling not reaching the level required yet, a top quality defender is needed in. Boateng does feature for the Munich club, but he is not always a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola. Regular first team football will be appealing but it would have to be at the expense of playing in continental competitions. Munich are also unlikely to want to sell unless United pay over the odds to get their man.
Prediction: United will not shy away from offering in excess of 20million for the player. He certainly is the type of center back they would like to see in a United shirt, but the question will be if he wants to move away from Munich and if he does, there is a strong chance he will opt for a club that is in Champions League. United will have to offer him a very large wage packet if they should expect to get him. I am on the fence on this one as it can truly go either way.
Julian Draxler: Schalke to Manchester United
Keeping with the United theme, it is rumored that the German prodigy is now on the extended list of players that United will target in the summer. Truthfully, who in the world does not want Draxler, and that will prove the first stumbling block for the club. Not being in Champions League is their second. His admiration for Arsenal is the third and the fourth and final stumbling block is the interest of Bayern Munich. It was rumored the Munich club blocked his move to Arsenal in January by telling Schalke they will buy him in the summer. United will no doubt be down the pecking order of clubs he would go to should he leave Gelsenkirchen.
Prediction: No – even if the Munich move never materializes, Draxler was very high on Arsenal and a move to the London club would seem to be the most likely outcome. United however would have a chance to outbid the Gunners for the services of the high-flying German, as Wenger prefers to be sensible with his funding and he may not match a massive bid should it come from Manchester.
Xherdan Shaqiri: Bayern Munich to Liverpool
Intriguing reports surfaced detailing that Brendan Rodgers is keeping his eye on young Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri. The talented youngster is currently on the books at Bayern Munich, but is not a regular for Pep Guardiola. More often than not, Shaqiri is a substitute or features in cup matches but has not nailed down a place in arguably the best first team in Europe. Shaqiri is a very well rounded player, who adds a physical aspect to his game that would suit him well to the EPL. Liverpool are currently lighting the EPL with their impressive attacking football under Rodgers, which begs the question if another attacking player is needed. Depth is incredibly important, but will Shaqiri want to trade one bench for another?
Prediction: As stated before, depth is the key to success in the EPL so making a move for Shaqiri would be a smart move and could probably be landed for 15million or less. Liverpool will have to understand however that Shaqiri would want the opportunity to be a first team regular as swapping the Bayern bench for a spot on the Anfield racing seats would not be appealing. He is an exciting prospect, but Liverpool will most likely address other positions first so I do not see this happening.
Rodrigo: Benfica to Liverpool
There is no doubting the attacking prowess of what Liverpool have in Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Rahem Sterling. Despite their dominance, it is reported that Liverpool are planning a 25million pound transfer raid in Portugal this summer for the highly-rated Rodrigo. If you saw Spurs lose to Benfica this past Thursday, then you would have noticed Rodrigo. An excellent young attacking player, capable of performing different roles going forward who has an eye for goal. He has quickly become one of the top players in the Portuguese league, but would he trade what he has for Liverpool? He is guaranteed European football for Benfica and he is in the XI each week, at Liverpool he would be rotated amongst the attacking options. Despite Liverpool’s pedigree, the Spanish U-23 standout may opt to move to a club where he is assured a starting birth and it is rumored that Zenit St.Petersburg are also monitoring the player.
Prediction: Rodgers will not want to enter into a bidding war with Zenit, so he will hope that the prospect of playing for one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs will cause the player to opt for England rather than Russia. 25million is a lot for a player you plan to rotate however and further risks of sabotaging the SS&S trio must be considered. Liverpool will be in Champions League next season most likely so added quality will be needed and it is for that reason that I can see this happening.
Watch out for Transfer Rumor Mill each and every Monday from WeAreHooligans and as always, do not forget to follow us!
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