Sport

The Rumour Mill

The Rumour Mill

Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid to Manchester United
Likelihood: 4/5

This one just won’t go away. Ramos, who seems to have grown tired of life in Madrid, is clearly edging for a move away from the Spanish giants. He’s 29, and probably only has one or two seasons of being at the top of his game remaining, but he’d still be a smart buy if he can be snagged on the cheap. That, however, is unlikely. Manchester United have reportedly put in an offer of around £29m for the Spaniard and that, quite frankly, is hardly justifiable. If LvG has that kind of money to splash on a centre-back then there are far better and far younger players that could be targeted; Ramos’ Madrid teammate Varane, for one. This deal could end up being a tremendous bit of business for Real, especially if it gives them the leverage required to purchase De Gea. I expect this one to go through, but I can see the fee coming down.

Asmir Begovic, Stoke to Chelsea
Likelihood: 3/5

After what seems like an eternity, Petr Cech has finally swapped the blue of Chelsea for the red of Arsenal. If the reported fee of £11m is accurate then it seems like a pretty good deal for both parties; Arsenal finally have a world class stopper, and Chelsea have a decent wedge with which to spend on a replacement. Begovic has, for a number of years, been linked with a move to a top club, but the switch has never materialised. To my mind, the main problem has always been that Begovic would be unwilling to play second fiddle, thereby reducing the number of teams he could potentially move to. However, it seems he’s had a change of heart; the Mirror is reporting that the 28-year-old has set his sights on a move to Stamford Bridge, and does not mind being second choice. If that is the case then I fully expect this deal to go through, but until we hear such a declaration from the man himself I’ll hold back on placing a bet.

Christian Benteke, Aston Villa to Liverpool
Likelihood: 4/5

This move, so prevalent in the papers at the beginning of the summer, appeared to have died completely, but now it’s back with a vengeance. talkSPORT is reporting that a deal is more or less complete, and that the Belgian could move to Anfield ‘within days’. Is the 24-year-old worth the rumoured fee of £32.5m? Hardly. He’s a good, strong forward that has the ability to score an array of goals and constantly trouble defenders, but he has a tendency to go missing; and that refers to months rather a couple games. He’d score goals for Liverpool, but is he the signing of a team that has hopes of a top 2 or 3 finish? In my opinion, no. Expect this deal to happen, and for Sherwood to use the fee wisely.

Rickie Lambert, Liverpool to Bournemouth
Likelihood: 2/5

On the face of it this deal makes a lot of sense. Lambert has a few years of Premier League experience behind him and will likely be able to grab the vital goals that Premier League newcomers Bournemouth will require to stay afloat in the top division. He’s 33 now so is no longer in his prime, but he’s still a real handful for defenders and gives his fellow attackers plenty of space to occupy. The main issue that will hold up this move will be Lambert’s reluctance to leave the club he supported as a boy. After working his way through the lower divisions and finally earning his dream move, would he be willing to give it all up to be involved in what will likely be a season-long relegation battle? If I were Lambert, I don’t think I’d be able to leave.

Paul Pogba, Juventus to Manchester City
Likelihood: 0/5

Twitter went into overdrive yesterday after a number of ‘sources’ reported that Manchester City were going to swoop for sought-after midfielder Paul Pogba, and would lure him to the Etihad with wages of around £9.4m per year. Unfortunately, while it would be a sensational story, this move will not happen. As soon as Barcelona or Real Madrid declare an interest in a player then there’s only one way said story is going to end. Barcelona are currently under a transfer ban, but that hasn’t stopped them announcing a deal for Sevilla’s Aleix Vidal already this summer. Pogba will end up at either Real or Barca, and it seems the Catalan club has won the race for his signature.