Bleacher Report - Transfer News

Alex Song: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Ed Dove — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:38:26 -0400

Sometimes the grass is not always greener—a reality that Alex Song seems to be learning by the day at Barcelona.

Perennially on the peripheries of the side, and allegedly ill at ease with some of his teammates, the time may well be right for the central midfielder to cut his losses and return to the Premier League.

AGE: 25

CONTRACT SITUATION: Signed to a five-year deal last summer, Song is currently contracted to Barcelona up until the summer of 2017.

CAREER STOPS: Bastia (2001-2006), Arsenal (loan 2005-2006), Arsenal (2006-2012), Charlton Athletic (loan 2007), Barcelona (2012-present)

CURRENT CAMPAIGN: La Liga—19 games, one goal; Champions League—eight games; Copa del Rey—five games, one assist; Supercopa—one game.

VIDEO SHOWREEL:

SCOUTING GUIDE: After finally beginning to establish himself in the EPL, English fans are familiar with the many talents that Song brings to the table.

A large unit, he is fairly effective as a destructive player in midfield, and perhaps perceptive enough to play the role of ‘water-carrier’ in the centre of the park (although not, perhaps, to contribute to Barcelona’s Tiki-taka).

In his final season in England he demonstrated his wonderful technique and vision, setting up some glorious goals for Robin van Persie with a collection of sumptuous passes.

Opportunities have been hard to come by in Catalonia since his £15 million transfer last summer, and Song may well be keen on a return to the league where he made his name.

WHERE NEXT? Once again the two North London giants look set to be scrapping together—this time for a signature rather than a place in the Champions League.

The Daily Mail reported this week that Tottenham could well be in line to bring the Cameroonian midfielder back to the Premier League. The move would be an understandable one for Spurs; while the player has an obvious Arsenal past, he has experience in the EPL and with Tom Huddlestone likely heading for the exit, and Scott Parker on his last legs, Song could be the answer.

The player himself is said to be keener on a return to Arsenal, but it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger would welcome him back so readily. Pragmatically, however, the midfielder’s reacquisition would be a sensible move—with Mikel Arteta coming towards the end of his career, and Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby permanently on the treatment table, Song could add some stability to some familiar surroundings.

Earlier in May, the Standard reported that Song would be inclined to stick it out in Spain a little longer—but don’t be surprised to see him return to British shores this summer.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Ed Dove — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:17 -0400

Few players in France have impressed quite like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season.

The Saint-Etienne forward has pillaged 19 goals this season, and while he may be hesitant to leave the stable surroundings of the Loire, according to French Football Weekly, Europe’s leading lights are sure to be making their enquiries.

Age: 23

Contract Situation: Arrived in January 2012 and currently contracted until the end of June 2016—three years remaining.

Career Stops: Milan (2007-11), Dijon (loan 2008-2009), Lille (loan 2009-2010), Monaco (loan 2010-2011), Saint-Etienne (loan 2011), Saint-Etienne (2011-present)

Current Campaign: Ligue 1—36 games, 19 goals, 14 assists; French League Cup—four games, one assist; French Cup—three games, two goals, one assist.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

A peripatetic start to a promising career threatened to derail one of Africa’s great hopes. Early excellence at Milan was only demonstrated in smatterings during a variety of loan deals across France as the promise began to fade.

Finally, Aubameyang settled in Saint-Etienne, and the stability has brought the best out of him. A superlative campaign this term has seen him named the best African star in the French top flight.

He is second only to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the French scoring charts, and it is evident that Aubameyang’s currency is well and truly goals.

He has an excellent turn of pace, an eye for the net and an elasticity that can see him pull away from many defenders. Also capable of offering width from the flanks, Aubameyang could be a major asset for a team in need of a confident and composed finisher.

Where Next?

Anyone short of a goal or two might be tempted to take a look at Aubameyang. The flow of talent from Ligue 1 to the Premier League has increased in recent times following Newcastle’s spending spree, and naturally a number of England’s top clubs will be keeping checks on the Gabonese goal-getter.

Tottenham’s failure to get the best out of Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe has been a constant source of frustration at White Hart Lane this season, while the club’s failure to invest up top in January arguably cost them Champions League qualification.

Expect Daniel Levy to attempt to cure these ills this summer.

Similarly, Arsenal have struggled to replace the goals of Robin van Persie as neither Olivier Giroud nor Lukas Podolski has proved particularly efficient. Don’t be surprised to see Arsene Wenger rekindle his love of the French market this summer.

According to Paul Collins of the Daily Mail, the player’s agent has announced that a large number of clubs are following his client’s movements. This is one to linger all summer.

Read more Transfer News news on BleacherReport.com

Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Must Move on After Stevan Jovetic Decision

Rob Goldberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:31:25 -0400

Arsenal is set to make some big moves this offseason, but the squad will have to look beyond its first option.

The club has made Stevan Jovetic its top priority this summer after watching him on several occasions this year. The Gunners could seriously use someone who scored 13 goals with five assists this year for Fiorentina. The fact that he is only 23 years old means that there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Of course, the Serie A club was well aware of his skill, and put a price tag of £30 million for the transfer, according to John Cross of Mirror Football. While this is a steep cost, it was still a possibility for Arsenal to spend the money.

Unfortunately, this appears to be a lost cause. According to Metro Sports:

The Gunners are believed to have made Jovetic their top transfer target, and reports this week claimed that negotiations were already underway over a £24.5million deal.

However, speaking after Fiorentina denied talks with Arsenal had taken place, agent Fali Ramadani says his client is not interested in moving to the Emirates.

‘Stevan prefers to stay in Italy rather than move away,’ said Ramadani.

It appears that Jovetic is more likely to go to a club like Juventus than move to the English Premier League. As a result, Arsenal needs to look for help in other places.

The best option on the table right now is Gonzalo Higuain. The Real Madrid star has more experience than Jovetic and has shown an ability to score at a high rate for a very good team.

Last season, he finished with 14 goals in La Liga, which ranked second on his club behind Cristiano Ronaldo. At 25 years old, he still has plenty of time left in his prime to succeed as well.

Cross reports that Real is asking for £22 million, but the club only values him at about £18 million. Still, his ability makes him worth the asking price.

Beyond that, there are few potential targets that will truly improve the front line. Fans have been clamoring for Manchester United player Wayne Rooney, but Arsene Wenger has denied any interest in the veteran, according to Fox Sports:

Arsenal has some talented offensive players, but it can always use more goal-scorers on the roster. While the club had a solid season earning a trip to next year's Champions League, it still has a long way to go to reach the top of the EPL.

Jovetic appears to be a lost cause, so the Gunners need to move on to acquire more talented players. Higuain is a great option for the club, and this transfer needs to be completed at all cost.

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Chelsea Transfer News: Highlighting Blues' Most Coveted Targets This Summer

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:03:56 -0400

Following a third-place finish in the English Premier League and earning a berth in the UEFA Champions League next season, Chelsea is set to enter the summer with plenty to build on.

The Rafa Benitez era at Stamford Bridge is over, but with the strong possibility of former Blues boss Jose Mourinho returning to England for another coaching stint, Chelsea is seemingly just a few moves away from returning to championship form.

Below we'll highlight Chelsea's most coveted targets this offseason.

Radamel Falcao

If Chelsea, and potential new manager Jose Mourinho could only land one player this summer, the Blues would love it to be Radamel Falcao, according to the Mirror's John Cross: "Mourinho, who will be free to join Chelsea on June 2, wants three defenders, two midfielders and a striker with Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao at the very top of his hit-list."

A 27-year-old striker from Colombia, there are few football fans around the world who aren't familiar with the Atletico Madrid forward.

Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals in the Spanish Primera Division last season than Falcao, who netted 28 in 33 league appearances in 2012-13.

Falcao's nose for goal has no doubt made him a coveted piece this summer for Chelsea, but it remains to be seen how his game would translate to the English Premier League game.

Isco

Chelsea would also love to bolster its midfield this summer, showing interest in Malaga's Francisco Alarcon Suarez, better known as Isco. Per Cross, "They also fancy Malaga's in-demand midfielder Isco who is set to leave this summer with Manchester City also keen."

A 21-year-old attacking midfielder, Isco led Malaga with eight goals in La Liga last season. He finished the season with 11 in 45 appearances in all competitions.

Prior to joining Malaga in 2011, Isco played for Valencia, where he blossomed into one of the continent's most effective young midfielders.

With many years of elite football still ahead of him, Isco's future looks bright, regardless of where his game takes him.

Thibaut Courtois

While Petr Cech is still the man for Chelsea between the posts, the Blues may have their eye on a potential replacement down the road. Once again, according to Cross, "Mourinho has also recommended that Chelsea recall Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid."

Courtois is one of the most promising young goalkeeping prospects in Europe at the moment.

The 6'6" Belgian was strong in Atletico's 2-1 win over rival Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final this May, and he recorded 77 saves while conceding just 28 goals in 35 appearances for Los Rojiblancos in La Liga this past season.

If Chelsea could acquire Isco and Courtois this summer, the Blues would be off to a great start in terms of building a young, talented core to keep them in contention for years to come.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

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Iker Casillas: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Garry Hayes — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:25:14 -0400

It's been the talk of football and the question we've wanted answered ever since Jose Mourinho dropped Iker Casillas at Real Madrid—just what is going at the Bernabeu?

The Spanish No. 1 came through the ranks at the club, and, similar to Raul before him, he has a God-like status in Madrid. To fall out with him is to fall out with every Madridista, which has happened with Mourinho this term.

A mixture of injuries and Mourinho's insistence that he remain benched has meant he hasn't featured for Real since late January.

With Mourinho's departure now confirmed, it seems there's a light at the end of the tunnel for Casillas as he bids for the nightmare to end, or will this season have proved his last for Los Blancos?

Age: 32

Contract Situation: As you would imagine for one of the club's proudest sons, Real Madrid have Casillas tied down to a long-term deal, His contract runs through to June 2017, when he will be aged 36.

Career Stops: Real Madrid (1999-current)

Current Campaign: La Liga: 19 games, eight clean sheets; Copa del Rey: three games, two clean sheets; Spanish Super Cup: two games; Champions League: five games

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Despite being in his early 30s, Casillas remains as agile as he was when Europe first caught a glimpse of the talented stopper in his teenage years when he became Real's No. 1.

He hasn't given up the jersey until this season for good reason, either. He is athletic and reads the game excellently, proving a commanding presence in the box.

Despite his 6'1" frame—relatively short for a goalkeeper in the modern era—he is rarely intimidated. Ahead of Mourinho dropping him earlier this term, he did admittedly have a drop in form, but make no mistake, even at his worst, Casillas is a fine goalkeeper.

What's Next?

Now that Mourinho is leaving the Bernabeu, it should be a case of business as usual for Casillas. Be truthful, can we really imagine him leaving Real Madrid?

Whoever replaces the Portuguese manager will need to win over the dressing room instantly, and what better ally to have than club captain Casillas?

That said, Arsenal were rumored to be looking to make the most of the Mourinho-Casillas fallout, although the The Mirror's April report of a potential bid now seems rather premature.

In early May, Sky Sports reported that Casillas had no intention of leaving his boyhood club.

Read more Transfer News news on BleacherReport.com

Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Interested in France International Adil Rami

Jason Voss — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:51:35 -0400

Arsene Wenger looks keen on improving Arsenal's defensive contingent heading into the summer transfer window as the Gunners have been linked with Valencia centre-back Adil Rami.

The Frenchman will leave Valencia this summer, according to Football-Espana, with a bid of £8 million thought to be enough to secure his signature.

The 27-year-old joined Valencia from Lille back in 2011 and has emerged as one of the most reliable defenders in La Liga. He's made 74 appearances for Valencia during his tenure at the Estadio Mestalla, including a whopping 53 appearances in all competitions in the 2011-12 campaign.

Injuries plagued him this season, but since winning a first team spot at Lille back in 2008, Rami made at least 33 league appearances in every season since then, up until this season.

Standing at a towering 6'3", Rami excels in the air, using his height and physicality to great effect, winning aerial duels against opposing forwards. He has a deft passing touch for a centre-back, and while he doesn't boast a world-class passing success rate, just 82.5 percent, his penchant for playing long balls is undoubtedly a detriment in that respect.

He doesn't average many tackles at all, just 1.4 per game, yet his two interceptions per game speak to his ability to read the game. When he does decide to tackle, he does it cautiously, not lunging into them like many other players.

He won his first cap back in 2010 and became an integral part of the France set up, winning 25 caps and scoring one goal in his time with Les Bleus. France coach Didier Deschamps named a 23-man squad ahead of two friendly matches against Uruguay and Brazil, and Rami was one of the names, beating out Philippe Mexes, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa,Younes Kaboul and Raphael Varane.

He joins Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny and PSG defender Mamadou Sakho as Deschamps' three centre-back options. Should Deschamps prefer a centre-back pairing of Koscielny and Rami, it would give Gunners fans a preview of what they can expect should Wenger move for Rami.

Arsenal has a crowded defensive corps with a number of talented players, and adding Rami could only further complicate the situation. Captain Thomas Vermaelen did not enjoy his best season this year, yet his past performances have proven that the Belgium international can excel in the Premier League. Vermaelen is versatile enough to be fielded on the left—however, the addition of former Malaga man Nacho Monreal has given Wenger his first choice left-back.

Laurent Koscielny is a resolute defender but he made just 20 starts this season. Per Mertesacker has been the Gunners best option at centre-back this season and has played well enough to earn a starting role for next season and beyond. Adding Rami would be a nightmare for the depth chart, as one of the aforementioned defenders currently at the London club will likely see even less time on the pitch and could experience a fate similar to the one Kolo Toure has undergone at Manchester City.

Having a great defensive corps is of paramount importance for a top flight club, and Arsenal already seem to have one, as the Gunners' defense ranked as the Premier League's second best in terms of goals conceded. Considering Rami could be available for less than £10 million and he's 27, which is widely considered to be the prime of a footballer's career, the buy would not be a bad one, but Arsenal must not overpay for him.

Arsenal only have two options at right-back: an aging Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson, who really is not Arsenal grade. Instead of putting money into the centre-back position, of which they have three viable options in Vermaelen, Koscielny and Mertesacker, not to mention promising youngster Ignasi Miquel, Arsene Wenger should search for Sagna's future replacement.

In truth, centre-back is one of the positions that Arsenal must pay the least attention to, instead focusing on acquiring a new goalkeeper and a defensive midfield hardman. Striker is another position that could use some improvement, as players such as Gonzalo Higuain have been linked to the Emirates Stadium outfit, representing an improvement over Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

Rami is a quality player and would give Arsene Wenger a four-man centre-back rotation that would rank amongst the world's best, but the question remains as to whether or not Arsenal really need centre-back help considering how well the defense played last season.

Considering that Wenger will reportedly have £70 million to spend in his transfer kitty, £8 million for Rami wouldn't make a huge dent, and he's certainly worth the money, especially considering that Vermaelen is injury prone.

The Valencia defender must know what he's getting into at Arsenal, as he'll have to contend for his spot week-in and week-out. With the World Cup coming up, Rami will want to hold down a first team spot and prove to Deschamps that he deserves a starting role for France.

As good as Arsenal's defense was last season, Wenger could opt for a partnership of Koscielny and Mertesacker, the centre-back pairing the French tactician preferred for most of the season. This would leave Rami out of the first team and could put his spot in the France national team in jeopardy, as Yanga-Mbiwa, Mexes, Kaboul and Varane will be nipping at his heels.

Adil Rami must decide if he wants to compete for his spot and possibly improve because of the high competition level or join a side where he'll be a guaranteed starter. Should he choose to move to Arsenal, £8 million is a very reasonable price that would leave more than enough money for Wenger to improve actual areas of need.

Read more Transfer News news on BleacherReport.com

Real Madrid Transfers: Could Isco Be Heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's Throne?

Michael Cummings — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:57:02 -0400

Real Madrid and Malaga have reportedly begun talks over the transfer of attacking midfielder Isco to the Spanish capital. If the deal goes through and Isco takes a significant step forward in his budding career, his talent and potential could mean he becomes the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's throne of superstardom in Madrid.

According to Spanish newspaper Diario AS, Real are holding discussion about Isco with Malaga sporting director Mario Husillos and general manager Vicente Casado, as well as the player's lawyer and father.

“Madrid are very interested in him. But so far there is nothing official,” said Malaga director Francisco Martin Aguilar.

"It fills us with pride that a lad that has come through at Málaga to become the player he has," Aguilar told Marca.com. "If he goes it will be to a big club and it will be to the benefit of the coffers at the club."

Isco's contract has a release clause of €35 million, according to the Marca.com report. Diario AS wrote that Real Madrid want to include players in the deal to lower the price.

Isco himself confirmed the rumors, according to Deportes Cuatro (h/t Football España), which quotes Isco as telling a fan: “Well there are talks, so we’ll see what happens.”

That suggests a transfer is not only possible but perhaps even likely. So what do we make of Isco and his chances of becoming a superstar at Real Madrid?

Scouting Overview

Isco, 21, plays both centrally and on the left side of the attacking midfield for Malaga. This season, he has scored eight goals in 35 La Liga appearances, according to WhoScored, with three more in Malaga's run to the Champions League quarterfinals.

A member of Spain's 2009 U-17 World Cup and 2011 U-20 World Cup teams, Isco earned praise following both competitions for his dribbling skills, overall technique, field vision and passing and shooting ability (h/t B/R's Allan Jiang).

He has shown all those skills in abundance with Malaga.

(GIF via squ-e.tumblr.com)

(GIF via Sillyseason.com)

Isco joined Malaga from Valencia in 2011 in a deal Yahoo! Sports estimated at €6 million. Since then, he has earned the title of "Spain's next big thing" for his consistently strong performances—first under the guidance of future Arsenal standout Santi Cazorla and then as Malaga's playmaker.

In his scouting report, Jiang writes:

Isco has repeatedly shown exceptional positional awareness, especially against struggling defenders like Pepe, who was outwitted by the Spaniard's smartness.

When the Málaga midfielder is on song, he takes over games as evidenced with braces vs. Zenit Saint Petersburg and Levante.

It's not just the goals, he can conjure up moments of sheer brilliance, and he was No. 1 in dribbles per game (4.8) during the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

He has the passing range and the aptitude to seamlessly switch to a midfield conductor, which is what Andrés Iniesta does for Barcelona.

Jiang also notes that Isco's shot-to-goal ratio is significantly lower than Valladolid's Oscar, which indicates Isco has not been clinical with his finishing this season. At 21, though, he has time to develop and mature into a more clinical finisher.

For now, as B/R's Nick Akerman notes, Isco's "dribbling skills, ability to retain possession and creative passing" were enough to earn him a debut with Spain's loaded national team in February.

How Much Potential?

Isco already has silky skills, excellent close control and a superb touch. He needs to improve on his finishing, but he has the ingredients necessary to become a star in the intense spotlight of Real Madrid.

But can he reach the level of a player like Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ronaldo has an absurdly strong talent set, from his finishing—both with feet and head—to dribbling, technique, vision and awareness. He is a complete player that defenses find unplayable when he is at his best.

Isco has much work to do if he wants to reach that level, but he clearly possesses plenty of talent. With dedication and the right coaching, Isco could become a player of that class. As we saw in this season's Champions League, Isco is already a major talent capable of impressing at the top level.

And in a team as famous as Real Madrid, he could become an international superstar—especially after Ronaldo leaves, whether that is this summer or in a few years.

Learning from the best—in this case Ronaldo—can only help Isco's development. Given the right circumstances, it could even help Isco blossom into that category.

Follow @MikeCummings37

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Liverpool Transfer News: Andy Carroll Should Accept Permanent Move to West Ham

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:10:47 -0400

Andy Carroll must focus on restoring his status as a talented young striker with upside. It's a reputation that faded during his brief Liverpool stint, so although West Ham United might not be his first-choice club, it's the best place for him right now.

West Ham agreed with Liverpool on a £15 million deal that would make Carroll's loan at Upton Park become permanent, and now the Reds are hoping for a quick answer from the striker, according to Andy Hunter of The Guardian.

The report states Carroll remains unsure about committing to a full-time stay with the Irons. He still prefers making a return impact with Liverpool or going back to where he initially skyrocketed to prominence, Newcastle United, but those options are fading.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said he already talked with Carroll about the situation and will continue to do so moving forward until a resolution is found:

It's a difficult one. I spoke to him and we had a good chat. The boy is a talent. It's just something we need to assess between now and the end of window. In terms of the money, that's something out of my control. But he's a talent so we will assess the whole situation. The objective at the beginning of the season was for him to go out and play. He's gone away to think of what we spoke about and we will talk again through the weeks.

Even though Carroll might want to mull his options before accepting the move, the England international needs to understand he's not in a position of great power right now. The fact Liverpool is so willing to sell him illustrates that.

His stock has fallen considerably since he netted 30 goals over his final season and a half with Newcastle. He parlayed that into a marquee move to Anfield. He's struggled to match the hype and expectations ever since.

With the Reds and Irons both trying to plan their summer transfer approaches, he will probably feel the pressure from both sides to decide his future sooner rather than later.

That's why his best option is accepting the permanent switch to West Ham. He can then focus completely on returning to full strength after a heel injury and then hope to reestablish himself as a coveted Premier League striker next season.

While Carroll might be thinking about the short-term concerns of staying at Upton Park, he should be thinking about his long-term future. If he can revitalize his career during a longer stay with West Ham, it will open up more opportunities moving forward.

There were signs of progress near the end of the campaign. He netted four goals over his last eight appearances, frequently flashing the form that helped him become a valuable asset. He needs more of that in order to restore his prior status.

West Ham, where he should receive consistent playing time while staying in the Premier League, is the safest bet. It's the best chance for him to show the Liverpool struggles were only a minor setback.

Liverpool and West Ham eagerly await his decision.

Read more Transfer News news on BleacherReport.com

Wayne Rooney Needs to Leave Manchester United to Become the Player He Can Be

Will Tidey — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:05:25 -0400

To say Wayne Rooney has underachieved on his talent is to accept his talent compares to that owned by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and perhaps every player bar one who put on a Manchester United shirt before him.

Rooney hasn't scaled the heights of Messi or Ronaldo. He won't go down as a peer to Sir Bobby Charlton or Eric Cantona in the affection of United fans, and his genius is not in the George Best league. But he should be remembered as a United great, whatever happens next.

Let us not confuse the Rooney who fell flat at World Cup 2010 and made little impression at Euro 2012—England's brightest, most frustrating prospect for a generation—with the force of nature who has won a Champions League, five Premier League titles and scored 197 goals for his club (Manutd.com).

Only Charlton, Denis Law and Jack Rowley have prompted the celebration of United fans more times.

To label Rooney anything other than a success at Old Trafford is to ignore the heavy weight of evidence. Without him, Sir Alex Ferguson's teams of the last nine seasons would have been short 156 Premier League goals and 86 assists (Premier League).

How many players in the world could have contributed at that level, with that consistency? It's hard to think of many, if any, outside of Messi and Ronaldo.

But there remain nagging doubts over Rooney's mentality and his consistency. The street-fighting footballer has honed his raw ability and become an accomplished player at the very highest level, yet there were times last season Ferguson thought his team were better off without him.

Rooney was dropped at the start of the campaign, having returned from his summer holiday overweight (Metro). He didn't start for United's biggest game of the season, away at Real Madrid in the Champions League, for tactical reasons. In six of his last eight games, he was either a substitute or substituted for—only twice playing the full 90 minutes.

That just doesn't happen to the elite players we might consider in Rooney's class at Europe's top table. Little wonder Ferguson said the 27-year-old was "frustrated" as the season drew to a close (Yahoo!). Little wonder he has asked for a transfer.

Deserved or not, it can't be easy for a player of Rooney's temperament and reputation to find himself sitting on the bench or pulled from the field in the midst of a battle. Rooney will be desperate to avoid a similar fate next season, and the smart move is to leave United behind.

Some will argue he should stay and tough it out, but patience has never been Rooney's strong suit. Should he stay and find himself behind Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and whomever David Moyes brings in this summer, Rooney may struggle to keep his feelings bottled. Nobody would benefit from a mutiny, not least Moyes as he succeeds the greatest club manager in history.

If Rooney leaves now, he can do so with dignity and a fine United legacy behind him. There will be fans who resent his going, but in time they will reflect on a player who lent his considerable gifts to their club and provided considerable entertainment along the way.

The one-club approach works for some players, but in the case of Rooney, a new environment may be exactly what he needs to become the player we always thought he would be. A new challenge, in a new league, would instill a new sense of purpose in him.

Maybe he's gotten too comfortable at United. Maybe he's stopped developing as a player. Maybe the learning process needs to start all over again.

Rooney needs to change something or risk seeing out the remainder of his peak years without truly touching the heights he's capable of. A move would be a risk, but the potential reward is his further evolution and the chance to truly claim his place among the best players in the world.

When you weigh the pros and cons, it's a risk worth taking.

Follow @willtidey

Read more Transfer News news on BleacherReport.com

Liverpool Transfers: 4 Players Who Shouldn't Be Loaned Out, and 4 Who Should

Karl Matchett — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:21:41 -0400

Liverpool have been linked with a number of transfers for the forthcoming summer window already—even though the Premier League campaign has only just finished. While it is probable that the Reds will be bringing a few players in, there is also plenty of speculation about who might be leaving the club, be it permanently or on temporary deals.

Stewart Downing is the latest to be linked with a move away from Anfield, after Mirror Football reported that Fulham wanted to take him on loan for the 2013-14 season.

As a senior player for the Reds first team, it seems unlikely that the club would contemplate letting him go on loan, but Liverpool have set a tiring precedent in recent seasons of letting high earners and expensive acquisitions leave for a season, rarely benefitting Liverpool themselves in the process.

There are a few players who fit that profile this summer, as well as a few younger lads who could benefit from a spell away. Here are four players who shouldn't go on loan and four who should.

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Summer Transfer Window Gossip: Jose Mourinho, Isco, Wayne Rooney

Michael Cummings — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:02:13 -0400

The Special One is returning to a Bridge near you.

Jose Mourinho, the once and former manager of Chelsea, is heading back to Stamford Bridge this summer, at least according to a report in the English press.

When is the big day? How much will Chelsea pay him? That story leads this Thursday edition of the B/R Summer Transfer Window Gossip roundup. Inside, we also have updates on Isco, Wayne Rooney, Thiago Alcantara and more.

Keep reading for all the details.

Begin Slideshow

Javier Hernandez: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Laura Greene — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez is among the many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Mexico international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next season.

Age: 24

Contract Situation: Hernandez’s current five-year deal runs out in June 2016.

Career Stops: Chivas de Guadalajara (2006-2010), Manchester United (2010-current)

Current Campaign Stats:

Premier League—22 games, 10 goals, 5 assists

Champions League—6 games, 3 goals

FA Cup—6 games, 4 goals, 2 assists

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Javier Hernandez, or "Chicharito," is a natural goalscorer. He is quick, good with both feet and a great header of the ball. Used mostly as an impact substitute for Manchester United, he rarely fails to make an impression when coming off the bench. The 24-year-old goal poacher’s finishing skills have seen Sir Alex Ferguson likening Hernandez to former United player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Where Next? In the 2012/13 season, Chicharito started nine Premier League games for Manchester United and came on as a substitute 13 times.

Although he has a healthy return of 18 goals in all competitions, it hasn’t stopped speculation that he could be about to leave Old Trafford.

The Express has reported that Real Madrid want to sign him as part of a swap deal with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, in the Daily Mail, Juventus have also been linked with the Mexican striker.

And Atletico Madrid seem to be keen on securing his services too, according to the Daily Mail.

However, last month, Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted in the Mirror insisting that United’s No. 14 will not be leaving Old Trafford.

With Wayne Rooney’s future unclear, Robin van Persie edging towards 30 and Danny Welbeck’s name a rare sight on the scoresheet, it would be surprising to see Hernandez leave Manchester United. With a new manager at the club and summer spending on the horizon, the future remains to be seen.

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Luis Suarez: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Nick Akerman — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:17:59 -0400

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is one of many names being tipped for a possible move in the summer transfer window. Here's a scouting guide and breakdown of the Uruguayan's recent stats, along with a few hints as to where he may reside next season.

Age: 26

Contract Situation: Suarez's current contract is set to expire in 2017.

Career Stops: Nacional (2005-2006), Groningen (2006-07), Ajax (2007-11), Liverpool (2011-current)

Current Campaign: Premier League—33 games, 23 goals, 5 assists; Europa League—6 games, 3 goals

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Suarez is one of the world's most technically gifted strikers who is virtually unplayable when in top form. The Uruguayan's dribbling skills and ability to retain the ball make him consistently difficult to tackle. When given great responsibility, Suarez is usually able to deliver a prolific—and often spectacular—array of goals.

The entertaining forward squirms past defenders, often looking to draw a foul in dangerous areas. He is also known to dabble with the darker side of football; whether it's racism, biting an opponent or diving, Suarez is one of the game's more controversial characters.

Where Next? The Daily Mail reported Juventus could be set to make a move for the striker. Antonio Conte's Serie A champions are in the market for world class forwards and may be tempted into splashing out on his services.

Atletico Madrid are ready to launch a £40 million raid for Suarez, according to The Daily Mirror. The Spanish side is resigned to losing Radamel Falcao and can utilise the big-spending power of Azerbaijan's state government to complete the transfer.

The Daily Mirror also suggests incoming Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola could bring Suarez to the Bundesliga. Even so, this move is unlikely to take place unless the player hands in an official transfer request.

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Leandro Damiao: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Nick Akerman — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:17:06 -0400

Internacional striker Leandro Damiao is one of many players being tipped for a move in the summer transfer window. Here's a scouting guide highlighting the Brazilian's recent statistics, along with a few suggestions as to where he could end up next season.

Age: 23

Contract Situation: Damiao's current contract will expire in 2017 and includes a £47 million buyout clause.

Career Stops: Atletico Tubarao (2008), Atletico Ibirama (2008-2009), Internacional (2009-current)

Last Campaign: Brasileirao 2012—19 games, 7 goals, 2 assists; Gaucho 2012—13 games, 10 goals, 3 assists (ESPN)

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Damiao is a well-rounded centre-forward who can offer his team an effective outlet when moving forward. His 6'2" stature and deceptive pace gives centre-backs plenty to think about, especially when you consider the Brazilian's excellent close control. He likes to stretch the opposition with clever movement and is a dangerous finisher in both ground and aerial situations.

Where Next? Tottenham Hotspur were linked with Damiao in the January transfer window and are ready to open negotiations now the Premier League season is over, according to Sky Sports.

Metro reports Internacional president Giovanni Luigi has ruled out a bid by Napoli and will consider a £16 million bid from Spurs. Right now, all the signs are pointing towards Damiao moving to White Hart Lane.

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David De Gea: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Laura Greene — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:15:02 -0400

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is among the many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Spanish shot-stopper, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 22

Contract Situation: De Gea’s current five-year contract runs out in June 2016.

Career Stops: Atletico Madrid (2009-2011) Manchester United (2011-current)

Current Campaign Stats:

Premier League—28 games, 11 clean sheets

Champions League—7 games, 1 clean sheet

FA Cup—5 games, 1 clean sheet

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Filling the boots of Edwin van der Sar was never going to be an easy task. However, David de Gea is rising to the challenge and winning lots of acclaim.

Skilled at saving both long- and close-range shots, De Gea has quick reflexes and is a confident keeper in open play and dead-ball situations. The 22-year-old is also good with the ball at his feet, a trait he has in common with the much-lauded Van der Sar.

Dealing with crosses is an aspect of De Gea’s game that needs work, but as a 22-year-old he has lots of time to improve.

His inclusion in the 2012/13 PFA Team of the Year speaks volumes about how his fellow pros rate his ability between the sticks.

Where Next?

It’s hard to believe that De Gea will leave Manchester United any time soon.

He is a Premier League title-holder with three years left to run on his current deal, and his game is beginning to blossom for the Old Trafford side.

However, the Mirror reports that he is the subject of interest from Real Madrid.

Perhaps this is to be expected after his fine performance against Los Blancos in the Champions League this term—arguably his best showing in a Manchester United shirt so far.

Barcelona and Chelsea have also registered their interest, according to the Mirror and the Express, respectively.

But, quoted by Sky Sports, De Gea has insisted that he is not leaving Old Trafford.

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Heung-Min Son: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Daniel Edwards — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

Hamburg striker Heung-Min Son is among many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the South Korea international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 20

Contract Situation: Son's contract finishes in

Career Stops: Hamburg (2010-present).

Current Campaign Stats

Bundesliga: 33 games, 12 goals.

DFB Pokal: 1 game, 0 goals.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

In spite of his tender age, Son is already a fixture in the Hamburg first team, where he debuted at just 18 years old. This left-footed star is equally adept at playing in the centre or out on the wing, where he compensates for a lack of explosive pace with exemplary ball control and vision to find his teammates or ghost past a marker.

Allied with this brilliant talent while in possession is a wicked shot once he comes to an end of a run, meaning that although Son is not a traditional penalty area forward, his scoring rate is more than respectable. A lot of his goals have been of the spectacular variety, from outside the area, and this young Korean star is definitely one to watch in the next few years.

Where to Next?

An impressive 2012-13 campaign for HSV has put this youngster firmly in the transfer spotlight, with a number of clubs reportedly interested in completing a deal over the summer. According to The Mirror, sides such as Borussia Dortmund, Inter and Arsenal are all following Son's movements, but it is Tottenham Hotspur who are closest to getting their man.

That is, of course, if Hamburg are willing to let him go; something that is far from a certainty as they look to build on an underwhelming Bundesliga campaign over the last 12 months. Coach Thorsten Fink recently told Kicker (via Crunchsports) that he did not want his team's "piece of gold" to leave, and that in any case he had yet to receive a formal offer from any club.

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Christian Benteke: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Daniel Edwards — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke is among many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Belgium international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 22

Contract Situation: Benteke's current deal expires in June 2016

Career Stops: Genk (2007-09), Standard Liege (2009-11), Genk (2011-12), Aston Villa (2012-present)

Current Campaign Stats

Premier League: 34 games, 19 goals

League Cup: 5 games, 4 goals

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Along with promising stars such as Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, Benteke is part of a golden generation of Belgian talent, and the rangy striker was one of the few bright spots in an extremely disappointing season for Aston Villa fans. His 19 league goals broke the record set by Dwight Yorke in the club for a single season, and he proved that the £7 million spent in 2012 was money well invested.

Benteke's height and aerial ability are key factors in his success, making him the perfect target for crosses fired in from across the pitch. But while the Kinshasa-born target man's physical attributes gain most attention, he also possesses ample talent with the ball at his feet as well as a natural eye for goal which makes him a menace in the area.

Where to Next?

Amid strong rumours that Benteke will be the subject of fierce bidding in the upcoming transfer window, Aston Villa have already moved to assure his future in Birmingham. According to the Birmingham Mail, the club have begun talks with the Belgium international to extend his contract, which has three years left to run.

If the striker rejects Villa's advances and opts for a switch, he will have no shortage of options. The Guardian asserted back in December that Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas had identified Benteke for a summer approach. According to the Mirror, clubs as varied as Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Arsenal are all also closely following the youngster's intentions should he decide against prolonging his stay in the Midlands.

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Wayne Rooney: Why the Man United Man Would Find a Role at Real Madrid

Tim Stannard — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

Unless you are a big fan of Tahiti’s national football team, the most unlikely participant in the summer’s Confederations Cup, the summer is going to be a boring one. After all, there is no World Cup, no European Championships, no Copa America or even the Olympics to pass the time. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Nichts. Rien. Except pie-in-the-sky transfer speculation of course, which is an international sport in itself.

One of the most fun dream sequences is to imagine new Manchester United manager David Moyes screaming at Wayne Rooney to “get yee out of my noooo huussss” (Scottish for "please leave Old Trafford, sir") and for the forward to follow the path taken by Cristiano Ronaldo and head to Real Madrid.

Of course, there is great sport to be had with whipping out a tactics board and shuffling around the potential Real Madrid pieces to make way for Rooney. However, the special, big-fun entertainment is wondering how the 27-year-old will adapt to a brand new football culture and Spain’s bottomless obsession with ham and beer.

The latter looks a better bet for success.

Real Madrid’s striking sofa is looking a little full at the end of the current campaign, so one or two players will have to be shoved off for the Englishman to truly enjoy his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There are three centre-forwards in the shape of Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata. Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria are the wide players in the 4-2-1-3 formation preferred by the outgoing Jose Mourinho, whilst there is quite a gaggle of footballers who can play behind the lone poacher. Mesut Ozil is currently the No. 1 choice, but Kaka and Luka Modric are also knocking about.

The big advantage that the Manchester United man has is great versatility, with Rooney able to play in all four forward positions and even a little deeper if necessary. What is key, though, is that some space is made to ensure that the former Evertonian would be able to participate fully in a Real Madrid campaign, rather than suffer a gloomy few years watching most of the action from the bench.

Gonzalo Higuain looks likely to be making a move to Juventus, according to Marca, whilst the 20-year-old Morata might realise that a boost to his development would be spending a season or two away from Real Madrid to get more minutes.

That would leave a straight fight between Benzema and Rooney for the No. 9 position. However, Angel di Maria and Mesut Ozil are gifted, world-class players on their day, but both lack consistency week-in, week-out. The English import would find plenty of opportunity by snuffling up their roles too.

Of course, there is the small matter of Cristiano Ronaldo, nominally a left-sided forward player but a footballer who pops up all over the pitch.

The nightmare scenario for any Real Madrid manager and fan is what would happen to the team if something were to happen to the Portuguese goal poacher. The addition of Wayne Rooney to the squad would help ease the pain of such an eventuality. It was only two seasons ago that the frowning forward scored 27 league goals for the Premier League club.

An already impressive forward roster at the Santiago Bernabeu would see Rooney having to compete for a place like any other squad player. Nevertheless, immense goalscoring talent, undeniable skill, stamina, drive and great versatility suggests that finding a rightful role at Real Madrid would not be too much of a problem for the Englishman.

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Chelsea Transfer Rumors: Analyzing Blues' Potential Summer Moves

Dan Talintyre — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Being European champions once again (albeit not the type they would have imagined at the start of the season), Chelsea continue to have a slew of players linked with them about potential moves over the 2013 summer transfer window.

And as always, some are definitely wilder transfer rumors than others!

There are the long-standing rumors like Radamel Falcao coming in and Fernando Torres going out, but there are also fresh rumors that arise seemingly every day.

And as mentioned, some are a little more out-there than others.

Read on to see a full breakdown of all the Blues' latest summer transfer buzz.

Andre Schurrle, Bayer Leverkusen

Having been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen winger Andre Schurrle has confirmed he will leave his current club this summer.

According to Metro, speaking out after his last game of the season, Schurrle said:

We'll see [about my future]. Certain things were promised to me. I hope they will keep these promises. It also depends on Leverkusen. I think this was my last match [for them].

Schurrle has netted 14 goals in the Bundesliga and is thought to have signed a pre-contract with the Blues according to FIFA. Chelsea have not stated any official position regarding the attacker—despite Leverkusen's general manager, Wolfgang Holzhauser, stating the Blues' strong interest.

Any deal for Schurrle will likely cost upwards of £20 million, according to The Telegraph, but given the strength of reports, you'd have to think this one is a done deal.

I fully expect Chelsea to end up signing Schurrle this summer.

Fernando Torres, Chelsea

Unsurprisingly, Torres has again been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, with Napoli now reportedly interested in signing the striker.

The Daily Mirror reports that Napoli could lose Edinson Cavani over the summer transfer window, and Torres would therefore be after a replacement if that happens.

They report that the 29-year-old Torres, who scored in Chelsea's Europa League final, could be a possible transfer if the Blues land another high-profile striker.

It's hard to know exactly what will happen with the Torres rumor.

The rumor might have made sense 12 months ago when he was sputtering, but with a good season behind him, it doesn't seem as logical to sell him now.

The key will seemingly be whether Chelsea opt to sign another striker this summer, and how high-profile that guy is. With Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba waiting in the wings, they won't have a need for Torres and his high wages, and they could look to move him out as a result—especially if they can get a bid in the vicinity of £25-30 million for the Spanish international.

If a big name comes, then I think Torres goes. If not, he could well stay.

Radamel Falcao, Atletico Madrid

Falcao may well be that big-name player to come to Chelsea, with the Blues seemingly in a three-way battle with Monaco and Manchester City for the striker.

After being told by Atletico Madrid that he could "decide his own future," as reported in this article by the Daily Mirror, Falcao appears to be out on the open market this year. But with reports already emerging that Manchester City, according to the Daily Mirror, and Monaco, according to Radio RCN (h/t Yahoo Sports), have had huge bids accepted for Falcao, it's a little unclear as to just how "open" the striker is for transfer this summer.

And that, for me, could kill any deal for Chelsea.

As much as Roman Abramovich likes to throw his money around, I don't think he's as desperate to sign Falcao as Manchester City and Monaco appear to be.

And as a result, I don't think he'll want to get in a bidding war with them.

There are other good strikers out there, and he could be able to get someone like Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain (who played with Jose Mourinho at Madrid) or any number of other world-class players instead of Falcao.

Falcao is brilliant—no doubt—but I'm just not 100 percent convinced that he's the direction Abramovich wants to go in this summer.

He tried desperately last season to do it and failed, and I don't think he'll want to go there again and potentially miss out on signing other players as a result. Mourinho and Falcao share the same agent, and so if a deal was going to be made, I think it would have been made by now.

I may well be well off the pace, but I'm saying no deal for Falcao and Chelsea.

Hulk, Zenit St. Petersburg

One final rumor here worth noting for the Blues, and it's the re-emergence of one we've seen before as Brazilian striker Hulk is linked with a move to west London. The Daily Mirror reports that if Mourinho misses out on signing Falcao, he will make Zenit St. Petersburg striker Hulk his No. 1 priority after the striker nearly joined Chelsea last summer transfer window.

However, even with that pre-existing interest, there's no way this one is happening.

According to The Telegraph, Hulk was reportedly unhappy at Zenit earlier in the year and was thought to want to leave the club—which then prompted an array of transfer rumors.

However, as more details started to emerge, it was clear that there was more to the story than we first saw. As Yahoo Sports reports, Hulk was subject to bomb threats and the like in Russia, but once settled he quickly came to appreciate the league and didn't want to leave it for anything.

He was quoted via Brian Homewood at Reuters (h/t Yahoo Sports):

I thought hard about it and I don't regret it. I wanted a different adventure. I like playing in the Russian championship, it may not be the (English) Premier League but it's improving and in a few years will be one of the best in Europe.

I enjoy my work and I am enjoying playing there. Everyone knows me well in Europe, I play in the Champions League. It's always the same thing, this speculation about my future, but I have a five-year contract and I'm still young.

I'm fine, I'm at Zenit and my future is in the hands of God.

It seems Chelsea's chance to sign Hulk has passed and, as such, I can't see him leaving Zenit St. Petersburg for Stamford Bridge this summer transfer window.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre

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Manchester United Transfer Rumors: United Shouldn't Move for Thiago Alcantara

Dan Talintyre — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

With transfer rumors aplenty for Manchester United at the moment, it seems absolutely anyone could end up at Old Trafford next season.

That is, if you believe the rumor mill, and the slew of players that it's already linked with a move to the Premier League champions in 2013.

The latest name thought to be on United's radar is Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, with Goal.com reporting a possible move is imminent from United.

Which, if true, is a move they must not make this summer transfer window.

Here's the original report from Paul Clennam at Goal.com:

Manchester United's new manager David Moyes has identified Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara as a key transfer target this summer.

The former Everton boss, who arrived at Carrington on Monday to meet with club staff after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, is set to maintain United's long-standing interest in the 22-year-old. Sir Alex made informal enquiries regarding the youngster's availability two years ago but was rebuffed by Barcelona, who rewarded Thiago with a four-year contract in 2011.

Thiago has been deployed as both a creative and deep–lying pivot midfielder at Camp Nou since making his debut in 2009, but has seen his first-team opportunities restricted following the arrivals of Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song from Arsenal.

In his 27 appearances for Barcelona this season, Thiago picked up two goals and five assists, and won a man-of-the-match award against Zaragoza too.

He was a very capable and effective passer in Barcelona's system (completing at over 90 percent) and showed that he can have a great future in midfield at Camp Nou—be that in the immediate future with Xavi and Andres Iniesta or over a longer period of time.

Thiago is a very talented midfielder and has a bright future ahead of him at only 22 years of age. He wants to play first-team football so that he can make Spain's 2014 World Cup team—something that he isn't going to get at Barcelona—and is therefore potentially open to a move this summer.

However, despite all of that, it's the wrong move for United to make.

The biggest point has to be his style. Playing in Barcelona's possession-based system is going to be very different to playing in United's attacking system. That's not to say his skills wouldn't be appreciated, but they would be less effective than they have been in Spain.

Thiago would be forced into hitting more long balls and crosses, which he wasn't that adept at last season. He would also be forced into doing much more work defensively which he's good at in La Liga, but might not necessarily be as effective at in the Premier League's physical style of play.

Standing at just under 5'8" and 156 pounds, Thiago doesn't have the physical size that a central midfielder is going to need to have in the English game.

For who's going to win—him, or Yaya Toure?

The other big question surrounding Thiago is his price.

Goal.com reports that the 22-year-old has a staggering £77 million release clause in his contract, which is very hard to see United paying. However, according to the report, United officials are confident a bid in the £15 million range would be enough to convince Barca to sell. However, it's still a lot of money to pay for a player that doesn't fit their system that well.

If they were going to spend that type of money this summer, Manchester United would be much better off picking up Marouane Fellaini from Everton instead.

As good as Thiago might be, he's just not a good fit in the Red Devils' system, or in the everyday rigors of the Premier League. And until the Spanish international can prove himself somewhere other than Barcelona's tiki-taka system, he's not worth United spending the money on this summer.

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Juventus Would Be Wise to Keep Arturo Vidal from Joining Real Madrid

Salvatore Landolina — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:11:24 -0400

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal continues to be linked with a big summer exit, but fans of the Serie A champions are unlikely to approve any sale of the 26-year-old Chile ace. Manchester United and Bayern Munich have been reported to hold an interest in the combative midfielder by talkSPORT, but most recently, Spanish paper Marca claims Real Madrid have set their sights on him.

In one word, Vidal has been magnificent since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen two years ago. Coach Antonio Conte changed tactics when the Chilean landed in Turin, switching to a 3-5-2 formation to accommodate Vidal with Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo—a change that has worked.

So, the big question is why would you sell such an influential player as Vidal? The Chile ace has been central in shaping the Juventus dominance we have seen, and he is a key figure in the starting XI.

Vidal scored 10 goals in Juve’s title-winning campaign and added a plethora of assists to his game. He has passed Claudio Marchisio’s nine goals of last term, as well as the legendary Pavel Nedved’s tally of nine during the 2002/2003 season.

Despite being an all-rounder, Vidal is a match-winner; his importance is unquestionable, and he is Juve’s best midfielder simply based on the work he puts in. Perfectly tuned, Vidal creates harmony in the team with his sequential passing, box-to-box runs and possession-winning tackles making for classy play throughout this Bianconeri side.

On one hand, Juve would have plenty to gain from a bank-breaking transfer as Vidal will not be cheap for those keen on signing him, but they will also lose on the field. With him gone, who will pick up the pieces in crucial situations?

Doing away with Vidal would instantly see standards drop in midfield as the club, in all effects, will be selling their most prized asset, and a repeat of the Zinedine Zidane-to-Real Madrid sale of 2001 would be best avoided.

Juventus have the ideal squad right now, they are the best team in Italy and one of the fastest-developing teams in Europe, and Antonio Conte has everyone in their allotted place, playing football with ambition.

Perhaps a top-class forward is needed to complement the powerhouse midfield that is Vidal, Marchisio and Pirlo.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Football Italia) report Juventus have reached a consensus for Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. Wisely, they have reportedly struck a deal that would not include Vidal heading the other way.

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Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Must Resist Spending £30M on Stevan Jovetic

Dan Talintyre — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Arsenal and Stevan Jovetic is the transfer rumor of the century, with The Telegraph among many to have reported the Gunners' interest in the Fiorentina man.

Not because's it's that great of a deal, but because it's what we've been hearing for several weeks now as the summer transfer window rapidly approaches.

Trust me, I've written about it that much to know how a big transfer rumor it is.

And for the most part, it's a deal that makes sense.

Arsenal are in need of a new striker to partner with Olivier Giroud and they finally have a decent transfer budget to play with this offseason. Moreover, Jovetic isn't playing Champions League football next season and has shown himself to be a good striker throughout this career so far—making him worth a fair bit of money, but not so much that the Gunners can't afford to grab him.

He's also not that much of a bargain either, so clubs around the world aren't going to be battling the Gunners to try and sign him—which is a plus for Arsenal.

As a football writer—but even just as a fan—it's easy to see how this deal fits.

But fits doesn't necessarily mean works.

And in the case of Jovetic and Arsenal, just because the Gunners need a striker and Jovetic is, well, a striker, doesn't mean he makes a great transfer target this summer—especially in the light of Fiorentina's current asking price.

Just because there's a transfer rumor surrounding Arsenal and a striker doesn't mean that Arsene Wenger should be forced to pull the trigger—especially if it's not the best deal for the club.

Part of the problem with not winning trophies is the animosity that's grown towards Wenger's lack of spending. With news of a strong budget this year, there's a great desire to ensure that the money is spent, and while I don't disagree with that for a minute, what I am saying is that Arsenal cannot afford to over-spend on their big-name signing this summer.

Given the state of Arsenal's Premier League rivals and the squads they're developing or have developed, the Gunners cannot afford to get their biggest summer signing wrong. They cannot afford to fall behind any further than they already have and so their summer signing must be the right guy and for the right price.

That might sound like a tangent, but it's important. So often we think that the priority should be to spend, when it really should be to spend effectively.

That must be the focus of Arsenal's summer—effective spending.

Anyway, back to Jovetic.

With all of that in mind, Jovetic then becomes the biggest question mark for the Gunners this summer. As their No. 1 transfer target—and certainly their most-talked-about target this summer—Jovetic is seemingly the most likely player for Arsenal to buy.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Jovetic and I think he would be great. I've written about him and Arsenal countless times (it really is countless) and I genuinely think that this would be a good deal for Arsenal to make. But there's a catch—and it comes as part of that effective spending idea.

Arsenal should not be spending more than £20 million on Jovetic.

I know they have all this money there and Jovetic is good, but he's not worth more than £20 million. The Gunners shouldn't pay any more than that.

Seriously. He's not worth it.

Last season, Jovetic netted 13 goals in 31 Serie A appearances. Break down his numbers further—as Transfermarkt did—and that equates to a goal every 192 minutes.

Every 192 minutes Jovetic found the back of the net this season—and that was when he was the sole option in attack. Imagine how those numbers would drop were he to partner Giroud, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla in attack, where he wouldn't be the sole goal-scoring option.

Some will perhaps want to say that those numbers don't reflect Jovetic's true worth, and that he had better seasons previously. But again, look at the numbers, and then compare that to the striker options that Arsenal already have in their squad.

Jovetic is no better—or worse—than anything the Gunners already have.

Player	2012-13	2011-12	2010-11
Stevan Jovetic	223 mins/goal	180 mins/goal	199 mins/goal
Theo Walcott	148 mins/goal	312 mins/goal	212 mins/goal
Olivier Giroud	158 mins/goal	151 mins/goal	248 mins/goal
Lukas Podolski	180 mins/goal	175 mins/goal	224 mins/goal

(It's also worth noting that Jovetic was injured for the entire 2010-11 season, and did not play a single minute of Serie A football for Fiorentina that year).

Looking at those statistics, the question must be as to why Jovetic is worth anything more than Walcott, Giroud or Podolski. Few would say that those three would fetch well over £20 million if they were put on the transfer market, so why is Jovetic worth so much more?

The answers aren't that forthcoming for the Montenegro international.

Jovetic is good with the ball with his feet, as we've noted before, but he's not Cazorla in terms of his dribbling. He's not anywhere the class of Giroud in the air and he's not the clinical finisher that Walcott has shown to be this year—nor does he provide the assist-levels of the Englishman.

Jovetic—as good as he is—is not the clinical striker that Arsenal are looking for this summer, and he should be treated as such how much money they offer him.

The Daily Mirror reports that Jovetic is going to cost Arsenal around £30 million to sign him. Fiorentina don't want to part ways with him (obviously) and so they've stuck a huge price tag on him to try and ward off any interest. And despite how tempting it might be for Arsenal, they must avoid paying giving into that interest if it's going to cost them that much to sign him.

He's not worth £30 million, and Arsenal could quickly find that out the hard way.

I've made no secret of the fact that I like Jovetic going to Arsenal.

I think he would be a great complement to their attack, I think he can handle the physical game of the Premier League and I think that purchasing him is a good signal to send to the fans that Arsenal are serious about winning titles once more.

Having said all of that, however, I also think he's being terribly overvalued.

I think that if Arsenal can't get him for less than £20 million, they need to look elsewhere. For there is absolutely no way in the world that Jovetic—with his history and previous performances—is anywhere near as good as Robin van Persie when he left the Emirates last summer for £24 million.

Arsenal need a clinical goalscorer who's worth big money this summer.

But Stevan Jovetic, as good as he is, isn't that guy.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre

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Neymar: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Tom Sunderland — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:08:00 -0400

One of the hottest properties in world football right now, Neymar’s immediate future and just whether it lies outside of Brazil is a topic to have been discussed ferociously in recent months. Read on for all the Samba starlet’s key scouting information heading into a hectic summer transfer window.

Age: 21

Contract Situation: Currently contracted to Santos until 2014, after the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup in his native Brazil.

Career Stops: Santos (2003-present)

Current Campaign: 2012 Brasileiro Serie A—17 appearances, 14 goals, eight assists; 2012 Copa Libertadores— 12 appearances, eight goals, three assists.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Like many young wunderkinds to come out of Brazil and the rest of South America, Neymar’s greatest talents undoubtedly lie in his trickery and ability to dribble.

That being said, the forward does have a remarkable knack for finishing when in front of goal, proving himself to not just talk the talk but walk the walk amongst the Brazilian elite.

However, doubts rest over Neymar’s physical attributes and just whether his frame would allow him to enjoy similar success in Europe.

Where Next?

Although a number of European outfits have certainly raised interest in the forward, Neymar’s most likely destination, if there is to be one, would appear to be Spain at this point.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been heavily linked with Neymar’s services in the last two years and a titanic battle between the two La Liga giants looks set to ensue.

Joinville goalkeeper, Ivan, is quoted by Goal.com as saying that after a recent match against Santos, Neymar told him he can’t reject a European move any longer as "it’s too complicated.”

This comes just several days after Barcelona were reported to have had a second transfer bid for the young maestro turned down, as Goal.com reports.

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Where Will Gareth Bale Play His Football Next Term?

Gareth McKnight — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:02:40 -0400

Gareth Bale’s future is well and truly up in the air after Tottenham missed out on the Champions League once more in 2012-13. The north London side were edged out by local rivals Arsenal on the last day of the campaign, and as such Andre Villas-Boas’ men will feature in the Europa League again next season.

Gareth Bale had a fantastic campaign once more, developing into one of the best players in Europe with outstanding performances. The Wales international proved the online sports betting and odds correct by being awarded the PFA Player of the Year award, and has also been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane this summer. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are just three of the clubs believed to be interested in the flying attacker, according to the Mirror.

But where will Bale play his football next season?

It is only natural that Bale will have thoughts of leaving White Hart Lane. The best players want to play at the best possible level, and that means Champions League football. Spurs have missed out for the last number of seasons, and there is no guarantee that they will finish in the top four next term. A move to a bigger club would deliver the chance to play in Europe’s top tournament on a regular basis.

Financially, a move to a bigger club would also boost Bale’s wages and would also give him the chance to play alongside some of the top players in the world game.

However, there is no guarantee that the talented forward will leave Tottenham. When Spurs missed out on the Champions League last term, it was obvious that Luka Modric would leave. The same cannot be said about Bale.

It is clear to see that Bale has an allegiance and gratitude to the club and also revels in the fact that he is the best player in the squad. There is still a buzz around the club, despite finishing fifth, as Spurs recorded their record points total this term in the Premier League.

In Andre Villas-Boas, Spurs have a boss that Bale clearly gets on with, and someone who is looking to build something special at a historic club. Bale, if he stays, will be the fulcrum of a young, ambitious team that will look to challenge for the Premier League title in years to come.

Should Bale decide that he wants to leave, there is no guarantee that Tottenham’s asking price will be met. With a number of years left on the player’s contract, Spurs are in no position to have to sell Bale and will want to paid top dollar. A transfer fee of at least £50 million will greet all potential suitors.

Bale’s future is certainly still up in the air, and Tottenham’s near future could well depend on the attacker’s decision.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney: Could They Play Together?

Karl Matchett — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:40:31 -0400

Manchester United are set for a summer of change with long-serving manager Alex Ferguson retiring and David Moyes coming in to take his place, leaving the futures of some of the playing staff up for discussion too.

One of the players whose future is under speculation is Wayne Rooney.

The attacker was reported to have handed in a transfer request, as reported in this BBC article, around the end of the season, and now there are rumours circulating that French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to shell out serious money to take Rooney abroad, according to Mirror Football.

It's an interesting move to consider, not least of all because PSG already have themselves a world-renowned centre-forward, none other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Could he and Rooney gel to form a partnership?

PSG's Season

PSG still have one match left in their domestic season, but are 10 points clear at the top ahead of Marseille and will be keen to make an impression on the European stage next season as well as solidify their new-found domestic domination.

With boss Carlo Ancelotti in charge this season, they have generally favoured a fairly narrow 4-2-2-2 system with two holding midfielders, Javier Pastore and Lucas Moura, in the attacking roles—the latter offering rather more width than the former—and Ezequiel Lavezzi playing up top alongside Zlatan.

The Swedish forward has been the star of the show, scoring 29 league goals to take the top scorer award and win the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, as reported by BBC.

Some changes will be in the offing over the summer, though, with the BBC reporting that Ancelotti has asked to leave the club. He is a target for the Real Madrid manager vacancy.

PSG are known to have huge reserves of money to spend, as they already have done so to bring the likes of Thiago Silva, Lavezzi, Lucas Moura and Pastore to the club, so the estimated £40 million fee to sign Rooney would present no issue.

Rooney and Zlatan

While Ibrahimovic is the go-to man up front, he does not remain central. A player of his natural talent and sizable ego merely moves where he feels he will receive the ball in the most dangerous areas, and it is not uncommon to see Zlatan drifting wide or dropping a little deeper.

Lavezzi has provided the industry and pace to make the most of the spaces Ibrahimovic leaves around him, though his scoring record has been nowhere near as good, netting just three times in the league this term.

Zlatan isn't only a goalscorer for PSG, as he claimed seven assists and made more key passes per game on average than any of his teammates. It might be the view of the technical and coaching staff that replacing Lavezzi with another forward with a better eye for goal might be the best way of getting even more out of Zlatan.

Rooney hasn't had his best season in terms of goals at Manchester United, scoring just 12 league goals, but he does have a proven history of hitting the back of the net and averages a goal every 2.2 games in his entire Premier League career. This doesn't drop much when Champions League football is considered, with Rooney finding the target every 2.6 games in that competition.

Aside from goals, when he is fit and in form, Rooney works hard, is tactically aware and conscientious. This is important if PSG hope to overcome the bigger and better sides in Europe next season.

In addition, he is capable of playing as a true striker or in a supporting act—both useful when dealing with the unpredictable nature of Ibrahimovic's movement and decision-making.

Drawbacks?

Does Rooney want to go to France? That would be the first question. He has been linked with moves away from Old Trafford before, but this seems to be the closest he has come to actually departing. There do not appear to be too many other clubs in the Premier League who could, or would, sign him, so heading abroad might be Rooney's only option.

He doesn't fit at Barcelona, Bayern Munich will not need him, Juventus have a whole host of forwards already and are seemingly signing Gonzalo Higuain, according to Goal.com—that perhaps leaves Real Madrid, or PSG and Monaco in France.

Though Rooney's wages are extraordinarily high at United, both PSG and Monaco would likely be capable of competing at that level. Playing alongside top names in the European game would certainly help, and PSG have no shortage of those. They also reached the Champions League quarterfinals this season, one round further than Rooney's present team, Manchester United, managed.

The image of Wayne Rooney in Paris isn't, culturally speaking, one that seems the easiest to imagine, but a huge sporting project, vast financial incentives and a chance to restart his career as he moves into what should be his prime years might be extremely tempting for the former Everton forward.

Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a strike partnership has the potential for fireworks and compelling viewing, and it also has the potential to fire PSG to significant title glory.

Follow @karlmatchett

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Julio Cesar: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Peter Brownell — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar is among many players being tipped with a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Brazilian, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 33

Contract Situation: Cesar joined Queens Park Rangers in 2012 and is under contract until June 2016.

Career Stops: Flamengo (1998-2005), Internazionale (2005-2012), Chievo (2005, loan), Queens Park Rangers (2012-present).

Current Campaign: Premier League—24 games, 37 goals conceded, one assist; League Cup—one game, three goals conceded; FA Cup—one game, one goal conceded.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Julio Cesar is a goalkeeper for English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers.

He sports a big frame, making him capable of covering much of the goal. However, he is also athletic and quick enough to make excellent reaction saves.

Cesar owns his box and can pick off crosses and corners with ease.

Where Next?

If all indications are true, the Gunners could be employing Cesar very soon.

The Mirror suggests that Arsenal might be the most likely destination for Cesar. A move to the Emirates would be excellent for the Brazilian as he prepares to host the World Cup in 2014.

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Jonathan Dos Santos: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Peter Brownell — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:00:00 -0400

Barcelona midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos is among many players being tipped with a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Mexican international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 23

Contract Situation: joined Barcelona in 2012 and is under contract until 2015.

Career Stops: Barcelona (2009-)

Current Campaign: Primera Division—three games; Copa Del Rey—three games.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Dos Santos is a midfielder who plays as an attacking central midfielder for Barcelona and the Mexican national team.

He fits in nicely with Barcelona's tiki-taka style of soccer, competently capable of playing one-touch in tight areas. His distribution is often incisive and he is a very technical player.

Where Next?

With scant playing time this season, all indications are that Dos Santos is on his way out of Barcelona.

Seeking more first-team minutes, the English Premier League club, Liverpool, might well fit the bill as a new home for dos Santos. This piece in the Metro suggests as much at least.

Word from the Mail suggests that both Chelsea and Arsenal could also be potential landing spots for dos Santos as Barcelona try to figure out how to make room to land Gareth Bale.

Regardless of where he ends up, it will be critical for dos Santos' international career to find a club he can play for on a more frequent basis. That will likely be the main motivation behind his decision.

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Chelsea Transfer Rumors: Blues Must Keep David Luiz for Long-Term Success

Dan Talintyre — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:38:15 -0400

Despite a brilliant season for Chelsea in both attack and defense, David Luiz has been rumored as a possible departure over the upcoming summer transfer window.

Luiz, who spent time in both central defense and midfield this year, has been touted by The Daily Mail (h/t ESPN) as a genuine candidate to leave this summer under the potential new reign of Jose Mourinho, who has been constantly linked with the vacant managerial post at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Daily Mail, Luiz could be the first casualty of Mourinho's reign, with the Real Madrid boss not a fan of the 26-year-old's defensive abilities. The Mail reports Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid would consider making a move for Luiz if he becomes available in the summer, with Chelsea looking to make a profit on the £21 million they paid for the Brazil international in 2011. While Luiz responded well to a shift into a holding midfield role, Mourinho would aim to recruit a more established player for that position, as well as a defender and a striker.

While it's important to consider all transfer rumors as speculation and understand that the rumor mill doesn't spare any player from finding his name in the papers, the reality is that this is a serious deal for Chelsea, and one that they cannot afford to have come true.

Luiz has been simply superb for the Blues this year, and while he isn't the strongest defensive midfielder in the world, he has certainly justified himself in the position.

And that, it seems, makes this a big deal for the West London club.

Frank Lampard has agreed to another one-year deal, and John Obi Mikel doesn't look like he's leaving any time soon. However, outside of that pairing, there aren't too many other players that can play in the defensive midfield role as well as Luiz can, and with Lampard on the wrong side of 30, it seems that Luiz may be their best option for long-term success in the position.

Of course, Mourinho could bring in someone—like the original report suggests—but it's hard to see that player being any better (or worse) than Luiz this season.

The Brazilian international has offered a great go-forward in attack and has shown to be an exceptional goalscorer at times.

He has thrived with the ball at his feet and has developed a great combination with Juan Mata ahead of him in central midfield—a long-term combination for the Londoners that they would be seemingly mad to try and break up this summer.

Luiz and Mata are the future in central midfield. They're both young, talented and have shown great success at Chelsea—why would anyone want to disrupt that?

Mourinho arriving (assuming it does happen) will be enough of a disturbance for the Blues. Whatever players they choose to bring in will no doubt do the same, and in order to catch the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City in the English Premier League next season, they need to ensure that they hit the ground running in 2013 without any additional problems lingering around.

Selling Luiz, or trying to sell Luiz, would be one of those problems.

His leadership and skill-set is greatly appreciated by Chelsea and to lose him this summer—for any amount of money—would be a huge blow for the club.

Chelsea must ensure that this is just another transfer rumor without a whole lot of substance behind it. For if it isn't, it could well derail their 2013-14 title campaign before it even began—such is the importance of keeping Luiz.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre

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Manchester City Star Samir Nasri on Gareth Bale, Radamel Falcao Summer Transfers

John Greely — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:18:09 -0400

Samir Nasri has big ideas for Manchester City's summer transfer window. Namely, he's keen on Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. The two superstars have been the subject of constant transfer speculation in the buildup to the window, and City are one of the few clubs that might just be able to afford them.

"[Gareth Bale] has so much pressure, because he's the main guy of the team," Nasri told Bleacher Report during a charity event in New York City. "Maybe a move to Manchester City would be good for him. Same for Falcao."

The event, held at Staten Island's St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, was organized by the club to donate soccer equipment to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Nasri, along with five of his Manchester City teammates, participated in drills with and signed autographs for local kids.

He and striker Edin Dzeko took time out of the festivities to chat about the transfer window, their American tour, charity work and more. Check out the video above for their comments, and leave your own below.

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Andre Schurrle: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Garry Hayes — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:58:27 -0400

As ever, the fashions and trends in football are evolving, and right now, the latest fad is the Bundesliga and German players in particular.

It seems every major club across the continent must have one within its ranks, and Andre Schurrle is just one of the many German names being linked with a big-money move this summer.

He is certainly a talent, but coming with a price tag in the region of £20 million, will he prove good value for whoever persuades him to leave current club Bayer Leverkusen?

Age: 22

Contract Situation: Like many Bundesliga clubs, Leverkusen are very astute when it comes to their transfer dealings. Knowing the talent they had on their hands when they signed Schurrle from Mainz in 2011, the club put him on a lengthy five-year deal, meaning he still has three years to run. It gives the club all the bargaining power it needs when negotiating a fee for his services.

Career Stops: Mainz (2009-11), Bayer Leverkusen (2011-current)

Current Campaign: Bundesliga: 34 games, 13 goals, seven assists; German Cup: three games, one goal, one assist; Europa League: six games, two goals, one assist

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: During his two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, Schurrle has shown himself to be a versatile player, featuring on the wing or through the middle when required.

He has bags of skill and pace to burn, too—a combination that, when put to good effect, often sees defenders lagging behind, especially as he is direct.

The 22-year-old has shown plenty of promise in domestic competition, while his seven goals in 22 Germany appearances is also a record not to be dismissed.

What's Next? The rumors have been rumbling on for the best part of two months that Schurrle will be landing in West London with Chelsea this summer.

BBC Sport reports a deal has been long done for the young German, while the Mirror, among others, echoes those sentiments.

Jose Mourinho is expected to return to Stamford Bridge this summer, so we can expect any potential deal for Schurrle to be announced in the aftermath of his appointment.

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