EPL Transfer Rumours: Analyzing the Weekends Biggest Transfer Rumours

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With so much speculation filling the back pages of newspapers it seems that the main bulk of transfer activity has yet to happen this summer.

Despite the free spending by the likes of Manchester United, Sunderland and Liverpool, many Premier League teams have not yet made any major additions to their squads.

Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have yet to make any big name signings—could any new names be arriving soon?

Arsenal Have Joined the Race to Sign Stewart Downing

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Mail on Sunday

Despite positive progress surrounding Gervinho’s transfer, Arsene Wenger has turned his eye to yet another winger as he hopes to add more of an aerial threat to the Gunner’s attack.

If the reports are true, it may come as a surprise to Arsenal fans to hear that their club is being linked with a move for Stewart Downing.

Realistically, the Gunners need to sign a solid centre back and a striker to relieve some of the pressure on front man Robin Van Persie, not another winger. Arsenal already have an abudance of top quality wingers.

The transfer, if it does happen, could see Theo Walcott become Arsenal’s second striker, playing alongside Robin Van Persie. The talented Englishman has proven himself to be a gifted finisher but his decision making and crossing ability have made him slightly unreliable on the right wing.

One thing Arsenal may want to consider would be getting more height up front. Downing is one of the best crossers in the Premier League. However, the Gunners' squad is not one of the tallest in the Premier League. They may find it difficult to finish the opportunities that Downing is able to create.

Wenger could be buoyed by reports that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has apparently turned his attention to Charles N’Zogbia (Caught offside). The Anfield club has been strongly linked to both players in recent weeks.  

Real Madrid Set to Launch a Very Agreeable Bid for Carlos Tevez

Despite recent success, the Argentine striker remains unhappy with life at Eastlands.
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After months of complaining, the troubled Argentine striker finally looks set to get his wish—an exit from the City of Manchester.

However, Manchester City has continually stated that they are not willing to sell their star asset for less than £50 million.

Real Madrid have made it publicly known that they are not willing to pay such a hefty fee for the striker. However, reports on goal.com claim that they have offered Manchester City a bundle of £25 million plus the choice of either Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain in exchange for Tevez.

Although both of these strikers are unproven in the Premier League they each have a respectable scoring record throughout their careers. They are both 23 years old, four years younger than Carlos Tevez—meaning that they could potentially become the spearhead of Manchester City’s attack for years to come.  

It remains to be seen if Manchester City would be interested in this deal. They are already reported to be persuing Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and have plenty of fire power in Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli.

Steve Bruce Continues to Raid Manchester United

Danny Welbeck impressed during his season long loan at the Stadium of Light
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News of the World

Having already raided his former employers for John O’Shea and Wes Brown, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce also hopes to secure the services of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United.

Danny Welbeck has completed an impressive season on loan at the Stadium of Light, despite his low tally of 6 goals in 26 appearances. Steve Bruce wants to extend Welbeck's loan to last another season.

Having lost Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent in recent transfer windows, the Black Cats are a little short up front. Although they have signed the promising teenager Conor Wickham, the northern club only has one experienced striker in Asamoah Gyan. Having already spent a season playing alongside Gyan, Welbeck is potentially the best striker that Sunderland could hope to sign.

Sergio Aguero Seems Destined to Join the Premier League, but for Which Club?

Aguero has been attracting attention from Chelsea scouts for several seasons.
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Sergio Aguero has long been linked with a move to Chelsea. However, the emergence of Manchester City as a leading force in European football has seen the Citizens force their way into the transfer saga.

The Mail on Sunday claims that Manchester City are set to land Diego Maradona’s son in law for a fee believed to be around £40 million. If the transfer was to go through, it could compromise Real Madrid’s chances of offering Higuain or Benzema in part of the exchange for Carlos Tevez. With Dzeko and Balotelli already in the squad, Manchester City already have a heavy artillery of fire power up front.

Despite reports linking Aguero with Manchester City the same paper has also recently claimed that Chelsea is monitoring the situation surrounding the Argentine striker’s future.

Despite the signing of Fernando Torres the Blues are still lacking in fire power up front. Aguero has the ability to both create and score goals which could provide Torres with vital assists, while at the same time alleviating some of the goal scoring pressure.

Fabregas Will Be a Barcelona Player by the End of the Week

Reports linking Fabregas with a move to Barcelona have dominated headlines for several seasons
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Arsene Wenger has continually stated that he has no desire to sell club captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, but it now seems that even the resilient Frenchman is powerless to stop his best player from leaving for the Nou Camp.

The Sunday Mirror claims that the deal will be completed by the end of the week. For Arsenal the blow may not be as bitter as it once could have been.

The emergence of Jack Wilshere in the centre of midfield, combined with Ramsey’s return from injury, has left the Gunners with two very capable centre midfielders that are oozing with potential. If Wenger is able to hold onto Samir Nasri as well, Fabregas may not be sorely missed.

The saga has dominated the rumour mill for several years and has become a bore for many observers. Even Arsenal fans will be relieved when the transfer is finally done. Fabregas wants to go.

Roy Hodgson Wants to Make Ben Foster His New No. 1

Fosters current employers, Birmingham City, were relegated at the end of the season
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Having lost first choice goal keeper Scott Carson to Turkish club Bursaspor, West Brom desperately needs someone to fill the gap. Birmingham City goal keeper Ben Foster seems like the perfect replacement.

The Daily Mail reports that the Baggies have offered £6 million for the England international. However, Birmingham seems to holding out for an additional £2 million. Birmingham paid a total of £6 million for Foster and would want to receive some kind of profit for losing their first choice goal keeper.

It is a transfer that is essential to West Brom who have proven that they have a good enough squad to be competitive in the Premier League. They are, however, lacking a goal keeper of sufficient quality to ensure their survival next season.

The Future of Samir Nasri Remains Uncertain

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A report in The Metro claims that Arsenal have gone against their balanced wage policy by offering want- away midfielder Samir Nasri £110, 000 a week to remain at the Emirates, a figure that Nasri has long been demanding.

Despite the lucrative wage package being lined up by the Gunners, it is reported that Manchester United, City and Chelsea are prepared to offer the Frenchman the same package—if not more.

Arsenal has found themselves in a difficult situation in which Nasri is able to dominate proceedings. If Arsenal fails to sell him and the Frenchman continues with his refusal to sign a new deal, he could leave the Emirates for free next season.

Wenger faces a difficult dilemna. He cannot afford to lose Nasri for free, but with the transfer of Fabregas seeming a distinct possibility, he needs to hold on to his best players. Losing Nasri in the same window as Fabregas could be crippling for the Gunners.