Bleacher Report - EPL

Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Latest Buzz About Blues' Potential Summer Moves

Tyler Conway — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:34:35 -0400

The summer transfer window is still in its infancy, yet it's already become apparent that Chelsea are setting themselves up as one of the offseason's most active clubs.

They've already landed their biggest top target in manager Jose Mourinho. The 50-year-old Mourinho is returning to his post at Stamford Bridge after a three-year stay with Real Madrid. He previously was the Blues' manager from 2004-2007, where he was among the longest-tenured and most successful skippers in club history.

With Chelsea having finished third in the Premier League table, Mourinho returns to a roster filled with top-level talent. And considering the level of fanfare that's come along with the legendary manager's return to his old stomping grounds, it's fair to say the pressure has been ratcheted up far higher than it was his first time through the world's most famous league.

Luckily, Mourinho has a plan to make Chelsea a competitor again—spend money. There have been rumors that the Blues will give Mourinho a £100 million transfer budget this summer, putting the club in position to land almost every player in the world not named Lionel Messi. And if you believe the rumors that have been flying around since Mourinho's hire, he might just be targeting each and every one of those guys.

With that in mind, here is a breakdown of all the latest rumblings about the Blues' summer transfer window plans.

Blues in "Pole Position" To Land Cristiano Ronaldo?

It’s become no secret that Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s second-greatest player, and Real Madrid aren’t on the best of terms. The 28-year-old striker first publicly declared he was “sad” in September, as contract negotiations between he and the club had gone south.

Though Ronaldo put on a brave face throughout the campaign and again was sterling as an individual, there’s been no real indication the two sides have mended fences. While Ronaldo commands a hefty fee for whichever team lands him, it’s expected that he will be sent packing elsewhere this summer.

Where is the question. Most of the initial speculation centered around Manchester United. Ronaldo starred for the Red Devils from 2003-2009 and has always been a fan favorite for fans at Old Trafford. He was sold to Real Madrid for a world-record fee of £80 million after Ronaldo grew unhappy and requested a transfer.

Well, absence makes the heart grow fonder. But it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford. According to David Kent of the Daily Mail, former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon notes that Chelsea have become the favorites to land Ronaldo rather than Manchester United:

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has raised the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo following Jose Mourinho to Chelsea... after dismissing Manchester United's chances of re-signing the Portuguese star.

Ronaldo played under Mourinho at Real. Though the two have had an up-and-down relationship to say the least, Mourinho has reportedly made Ronaldo a top summer target.

While there is a ton of logistics work to be done, Chelsea are one of a select few clubs with a transfer kitty high enough to land Ronaldo. It will be interesting to see whether he has more interest in discontinuing his relationship with Mourinho or Real over the next few weeks.

Mourinho Preparing Sizable Bid for Mario Gomez?

Landing the summer’s biggest fish may be a top priority for Chelsea, but reality is often far different from desire during transfer windows. That means having first, second, third and fifteenth options is necessary—even for a club as deep-pocketed as the Blues.

Much of the early window rumblings tabbed Wayne Rooney as Chelsea’s secondary attacking target behind Ronaldo. However, Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their offer and are willing to match Rooney’s current wages at Manchester United if the 27-year-old striker chooses to leave, per The Guardian’s Dominic Fifield.

With the Red Devils certainly looking to send Rooney outside the Premier League if he’s moved, PSG seems to be in the pole position should he be moved.

If that’s the case, it seems Mourinho and Co. already have their next target waiting in the wings. According to the Daily Mail's John Edwards, Chelsea are preparing to make a £25 million bid for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez:

Chelsea are lining up a £25million bid to make Mario Gomez the spearhead of a new-look attack under Jose Mourinho. Despite also competing with Manchester City and Monaco for Radamel Falcao, Chelsea-bound Mourinho wants a strong physical presence up front and has identified Bayern Munich frontrunner Gomez as the prime candidate.

The 27-year-old Gomez has emerged as one of Bundesliga's most respected and powerful attackers sine arriving with Bayern Munich. That all changed this past season, though, as Gomez was pushed to the outskirts of the starting rotation after the acquisition of Mario Mandzukic.

Gomez started just nine games in Bundesliga competition. Unsurprisingly, that has not sat well with Gomez and he's become an interesting buy-low candidate for Chelsea.

Still in his prime, Gomez would be a more than adequate secondary option if Rooney and Ronaldo fall through the cracks.

David Luiz on His Way Out?

One of the biggest positives of the 2012-13 season for Chelsea has been the development of David Luiz. The 26-year-old Luiz joined Chelsea the same year as the oft-maligned Fernando Torres and has become one of the world's best central defenders.

Known colloquially for his long, frizzy mop of hair, the Brazilian star has become a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge. His expert shift to the holding midfield role has been something to behold for Chelsea, as they stormed to a late-season run to finish third in the Premier League table.

By all accounts, Luiz was a complete steal and is one of the club's driving forces. He even became a bit of an offensive force down the stretch in the midfield.

One problem: Mourinho doesn't seem to be much of a fan of Luiz's style of play. According to a Daily Mail report (h/t ESPN), Chelsea will look to find Luiz a new home quickly this summer:

It seems a series of cracking goals and a successful move into the midfield wasn't enough for David Luiz to impress Chelsea's likely next manager Jose Mourinho. 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 report cites FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as two teams that would likely target Luiz—and for good reason. While Luiz isn't the greatest defender in the world, his versatility was apparent for Chelsea this past season and he's a fit for almost any scheme.

On the positive side of this development, Chelsea should be able to land a sizable fee in return for Luiz. Which, of course, is more than they can say about Fernando Torres.

Follow @tylerconway22

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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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David Luiz: How the Chelsea Defender Became One of the Best in Europe

Joe Krishnan — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:48:55 -0400

Many football followers will remember transfer deadline day of January 2011 for Fernando Torres' £50 million transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea, and rightfully so. It was the British transfer record, after all.

But another Chelsea signing slipped right through the net. Few seem to recall that a certain frizzy-haired Brazilian also made a significant career leap on the very same day.

Benfica defender David Luiz joined Chelsea in a £25 million deal, which saw reserve player Nemanja Matic move to the Lisbon-based club. This was the beginning of something great at Stamford Bridge.

While Torres was very much seen as the typical marquee signing made by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, due to the nature and the cost Luiz was the top transfer target for Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge of the Blues at the time.

The Italian coach must have seen the potential in the Brazilian, splashing out a hefty amount that easily trounced the Blues' previous record transfer for a defender, which was their signing of Porto centre back Ricardo Carvalho for £19 million in 2004.

It's fair to say Luiz had a bumpy start to his Chelsea career, giving away a 93rd-minute penalty—which was saved by Petr Cech—on his full debut during the 0-0 draw against Fulham.

But one brilliant aspect about having the madcap defender in the Premier League is that you always receive exhibitions of his best and worst qualities. Despite almost costing his side a crucial away point, Luiz was chosen as the Man of the Match for his overall performance.

It's easy to see how similar Carvalho and Luiz are. They are not just connected by their large transfer fees. Luiz operates with the same erratic style that made Carvalho a household name in the Premier League. This, however, can lead to him being caught out by the defence.

He always plays with a smile on his face and his attitude towards football is something to be admired, with the 26-year-old shedding tears after Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final.

The natural passion that Brazilian players have for the game highlights why signing players from the region usually pays off. Their work ethic, technical ability and desire to progress gives some insight into why Brazilians are so successful in the Premier League.

Luiz also represents the upcoming breed of modern style centre backs. Standing at 6'2", he possesses great ability in the air. Despite his height, he shows confidence in his ability with the ball at his feet.

Additionally, having him play from the back is key to Chelsea's build-up. The ex-Vitoria man has shown on numerous occassions that he is capable of slicing the opposition open with a slick pass; the highlight being a pinpoint 60-yard pass to Fernando Torres, which the Spaniard finished, against Rubin Kazan.

No doubt the biggest improvement in David Luiz's game has been in the set-pieces department. Using his famed side-foot technique to strike the ball, Luiz has scored some stunning free-kicks, with his most recent coming in the final moments against FC Basel. The dip and swerve makes it difficult for goalkeepers to judge the flight of the ball. To his credit, Luiz rarely misses the target.

Using a lethal combination of pace and determination, Luiz is one of the best defenders around when it comes to closing on an opposing player. But like every player, there are downsides to his game that continue to hinder him.

One of his main vulnerabilities—which can lead to him being exposed at the back—is his positioning. As the last man before the goalkeeper is called into action, Luiz is prone to leave gaping holes behind him as he charges down his opponent.

In which case, Rafa Benitez must be commended for his improvisation for moving Luiz in front of the defence. The reason behind pushing him into midfield, where he can operate as a deep-lying play-maker, is so that a more conservative defender like Branislav Ivanovic can hold his position without straying.

Obviously, it must be strange for Luiz to have already played under four managers since he moved to Chelsea two-and-a-half years ago. Nevertheless, the improvement under each manager is clear.

Perhaps his biggest step towards becoming a world class centre-back has been under the guidance of Benitez, therefore explaining why the Blues star continues to praise the Spanish coach despite his impending departure.

Nevertheless, every player can improve. If rumours of Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea (per Goal.com) are true, the Real Madrid coach could work with Luiz to enhance his attributes, allowing him to make the next step up at Stamford Bridge.

The world may see David Luiz as a lighthearted character, but inside there is a burning desire to compete with, and be, one of the best players in the world.

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Fernando Torres: Working Under Mourinho Would Be a Big Motivation at Chelsea

Garry Hayes — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:39:05 -0400

Chelsea and Manchester City come face-to-face in St Louis and New York City this week in two friendlies as part of their end-of-season tour of America.

Ahead of their clash, Bleacher Report spoke with Blues striker Fernando Torres about the past season and his aspirations for the 2013-14 campaign.

Fernando, welcome back to the United States. How does it feel to be here with Chelsea again, facing your Premier League foe Manchester City?

It’s a real pleasure to come here. It’s always the same when we come here and the reception is warm. There are many Latinos here who do not get to see us play very often, so you can see the passion they have. Football is such a big thing here and we’re surprised to see so many fans wearing the Chelsea shirt.

We’re looking forward to the game and it’s been nice to have a couple of days off, walking around the city and meeting the people. We really appreciate the welcome we have had.

Looking at the club going forward, there is a lot of speculation about who the next manager will be at Chelsea and Jose Mourinho appears a strong contender to return. How would it be for you to play under him?

Well, the season is not finished yet so it’s important we show respect for Rafa [Benitez] as he is our manager right now. We know he is going to leave, but we have to wait until the club announces the new manager.

As you say, everybody is talking about Mourinho and he is obviously one of the top managers in the world. Chelsea is looking for a new manager and Jose Mourinho is free, so everybody is going to link him with the club because of his past and what he has said in the last few months.

We have players here who enjoyed working with him and have great memories of his time at Chelsea, so we’ll see what happens. Working under a manager like him is a big motivation for any player. But we must show respect for Rafa in his last week.

On a personal level, this has been your best year at Chelsea, with you breaking the 20-goal mark for the first time at the club. A lot of your goals came in the Europa League, so what was it about that competition that made you come alive?

I scored 23 goals this season, which is closer to the statistic that I should have. I’m thinking that I can still do better in the future, though. I think I scored a lot of goals in the Europa League as I was rested in the league matches. I was the only striker available in the competition, so I played all the games and to score in Europe is always nice—especially when you help the team win trophies.

This season has been a strange one. We started well, were top of the league, but then had a couple of months where we lost too many points and couldn’t reach the top of the table above Manchester United and City.

We were focusing on the Europa League, but in the end it was OK. We know we have to be consistent next time.

You say you want to improve, so what will be different for 2013-14?

Obviously, to score more goals. Always. This season I scored 23 goals and next season I want to score more. The team is going to be better next season, the Premier League is going to be better and so too the Champions League.

I want to improve my goals and especially what I give the team. I can be better next season, I am sure about that.

How important was it to end your Premier League goal drought before the end of the season, which you did against Everton on the last day?

That goal was important as it secured third place for the Champions League, which was our priority. We were really disappointed to drop out of the competition when we did as it’s so important for this club to be in the Champions League. That goal helped us do that.

As you say, that goal secured Champions League football, while you also scored in the Europa League final. How does it make you feel when Chelsea are linked with so many high-profile strikers?

It’s the summer months and all the big clubs are linked with top players. We’ve discussed the rumors with Jose Mourinho and players are no different. Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, strikers—the summer comes and the rumors start. A number of players get linked, but at the end of the day only three or four are signed. But whoever comes to Chelsea is going to be made to feel welcome.

Was the belief in your ability and place in the team ever tested when Demba Ba signed in January and also with those rumors about other strikers?

The rumors aren’t coming from the club. It’s normal, though. When I was at Atletico Madrid I was linked with every team in the world and at Liverpool it was the same. And now at Chelsea it is no different—the rumors never stop. The rumors are one thing and the reality, another.

When Daniel Sturridge left for Liverpool, we needed to sign Demba. It is normal for clubs to have three or four strikers.

Has there been anything that Rafa Benitez did to help you improve this season?

I think Rafa helped the team and not me especially. The games I have played under him are less than the managers before, but I have been doing a lot of hard work to increase my level. Everybody has helped me—Benitez, the fitness coach and my teammates. Benitez has helped the team and all the players improve.

Despite the drama of losing managers in recent seasons, Chelsea have still won major honours, including two European trophies. How do you think the team has managed to do this?

Since I’ve been here, I think it looks a lot worse than it really is. The results are good, as we’ve won the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League. Hopefully we can build on what we have achieved in the last couple of seasons and next year we have to target more trophies. The Premier League has been difficult to win, but it’s a trophy the fans want and we do, too.

• Fernando Torres was speaking ahead of Chelsea’s match against Manchester City at Yankee Stadium on Saturday May 25. For tickets, visit: www.yankees.com/soccer

• As a mark of respect for those affected by the tornado in Orlando on Tuesday, Chelsea and Manchester City have joined forces to help raise money for the Oklahoma Recovery Fund. One dollar from every ticket sold for the game at Busch Stadium on Thursday will be donated, while both clubs will match the donation. Both teams will also wear commemorative black armbands as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives. Members of the St Louis Fire Department will also be collecting donations at the gates.

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Manchester City 2012-13 Review and End-of-Season Awards

Phil Keidel — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:57:02 -0400

Manchester City football fans never thought the end of the 2012-2013 season could end like this.

It began with a remarkably destitute and abbreviated run in the Champions League.

It continued with a pitiful, insufficient defense of the Premier League crown that saw the trophy repossessed by loathed Manchester United.

And it finished with one of the saddest, weakest efforts to win an FA Cup that the storied prize has ever been witness to.

Yes, the team finished second in the league and it boasted the stingiest defense in the league.

All told, though, City's season fell far below their own expectations, not to mention those of the fans.

So there are some awards to hand out. Not all of them are so nice to give or to receive, though.

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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 EPL news on BleacherReport.com

Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Red Devils Should Sell Wayne Rooney to PSG

Timothy Rapp — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:47:27 -0400

Is it time for Manchester United to move on from Wayne Rooney?

You'll get varied answers to that question, but you may be hard-pressed to find anyone—including the most hardcore Rooney fans—that would turn down the rumoured transfer package that Paris Saint-Germain might be putting together to lure Rooney away from Old Trafford.

From John Cross of the Mirror:

Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to put together a staggering £100 million deal to land Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United striker Rooney has emerged as the French side's No. 1 target this summer, and their mega-rich Middle Eastern owners are prepared to pay him a staggering £15 million-a-year—after tax.

That would put the England star, 27, on the same wages as PSG's current star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is being tipped for a move back to Italy this summer just one season after moving from AC Milan.

The new Ligue 1 champions would be willing to go to £40 million as a transfer fee, and hand Rooney a four-year contract to try to lure him away from the Old Trafford giants.

I highly doubt Manchester United would ever get £40 million for Rooney again on the transfer market, especially if he sticks around and replicates his performance from this season.

It's obvious he never took to a deeper-lying role with Robin van Persie manning the striker role, and with Shinji Kagawa waiting in the wings and capable of playing as an attacking midfielder behind RVP, Rooney is more expendable than he's been in years.

To be fair, we don't know how new manager David Moyes will employ all of his new toys. Maybe he'll move Rooney further up the pitch and pair him with RVP in a two-striker set. Perhaps Rooney simply needs another season to adjust to a deeper-lying role.

At his best, Rooney is both a scorer and a facilitator, and he has always liked to drop deeper into the play. If he can adjust to RVP being the focal point of the attack, perhaps a role as an attacking midfielder would be a natural evolution.

Then again, perhaps Rooney won't want to play under Moyes again as he did in his Everton days, or perhaps Moyes would be fine with moving Rooney. After all, with that sort of cash, he may be able to secure the signatures of two of his ex-players at Everton, left-back Leighton Baines and midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who would be perfect additions for United.

Plus, whether Rooney did in fact hand in a transfer request or the Red Devils are trying to push him out, this is now the second time in three years United has had Rooney drama. Last time, he ended up signing a new contract.

This time, the Rooney era could come to an end. And with £40 million potentially lining the pockets of the Red Devils if it does, the Rooney era should come to an end.

Read more EPL news on BleacherReport.com

Wayne Rooney Best Suited to Leave Manchester United and Start Fresh This Summer

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:38:20 -0400

After requesting a move from Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney's run with English powerhouse Manchester United seems all but over.

Following nine seasons as a Red Devil, Rooney has finally reached a point where he is better off starting fresh with a new club this summer, regardless of whether it's a Premier League squad or French Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old striker was forced to play second fiddle to Robin van Persie for the Premier League champions last season, and he was even left out of the starting lineup for a critical UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.

While Sir Alex Ferguson's departure certainly changes things, it does little to change the fact that Rooney has been displaced in United's lineup.

Van Persie, who scored a Premier League-leading 26 goals last season, has become the alpha dog at the top of United's squad. Meanwhile, Rooney, who netted 12 goals and recorded 10 assists in league play last season, was forced to play in midfield at times in order for both stars to coexist in the same starting XI.

The Daily Mail's John Drayton thoroughly explains Rooney's current situation at Old Trafford:

With two years left on his contract, United are under pressure to tie Rooney to a new deal this summer or sell him.

However, the feeling is that the newly-crowned Premier League champions will find it difficult to keep the striker after he asked to leave the club for the second time.

It is possible that Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City will offer Rooney an escape route in the Premier League. Otherwise, the options could be limited to France.

After watching last season pan out and given Rooney's multiple transfer requests, you can't help but feel that his time with United is set to come to a close.

His role with the club has diminished significantly as of late, and as he heads into the prime of his career, he's in need of a change in scenery—one where he'll be called on match in and match out as the go-to goalscorer.

Plus, with Rooney and wife Coleen recently welcoming their second child into the world, a transfer would allow the star forward to begin a new chapter on and off the pitch:

Rooney can't afford to stick around and risk another wasted season in terms of maximizing on his full potential as a player. A fresh start in a new kit would present the Liverpool native with an opportunity to begin a brand new relationship with different management in another world-class organization, and it would also allow him the chance to build upon his legacy in a new city.

There's no going back now for Wayne Rooney. He's repeatedly asked for a change of scenery, and there doesn't seem to be enough room for him to shine alongside van Persie in the United lineup. Until he moves on to a new club or signs an extension with United, the drama surrounding him and his future will only continue to distract Rooney from his offseason preparations.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

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Premier League: Top 8 Goal Assists During the 2012-13 Campaign

Sam Tighe — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:54:24 -0400

As we continue to look fondly upon the 2012-13 English Premier League season, cast your minds back to some of the wonderful goal assists we've seen.

In some cases it's not about the finish but all that precedes it, and here the beauty is very much in the buildup play.

Did we miss one? Add it in the comments below as we look to garner the very best of the season's assists.

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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.

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Arsenal Transfers: Gunners Need to Sign the Right Player to Boost Attack

Mikhail Turner — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:10:11 -0400

All the talk concerning Arsenal's possible transfer signings for the attacking third have centered mainly on Stevan Jovetic and, more recently, Gonzalo Higuain.

Given Arsenal fans' preference for a big name signing, as well as their obvious quality, these two players make sense.

The Gunners need a forward who will score goals consistently, and while some fans have their doubts about Jovetic's ability in that respect, Higuain is proven in that area.

Still, enough has been said about the duo in relation to Arsenal in recent times.

There are other names that have cropped up as potential additions, or replacements, for the Gunners, and each option has to be weighed.

Christian Benteke, Loic Remy, and Wilfried Bony are the players in question.

Like Jovetic and Higauin, plenty has been said about Benteke and fans have seen him in Premier League play throughout the season.

Of all these options, he's the only one who can fully pass that "Premier League-proven" test.

Loic Remy's half-season with Queens Park Rangers showed he may be able to produce in England. The French international would bring title-winning experience, versatility and his best years to the London side.

Bleacher Report's own Karl Matchett broke down the tactical pros and cons of signing the former Marseille forward.

Remy has never been a prolific scorer, though, and his similarities to Theo Walcott make it difficult to see that he would improve Arsenal that much more.

Wilfried Bony is an exciting prospect coming off the back of a season where he scored 35 goals in 29 games for Vitesse Arnhem.

According to ESPN FC, Bony could be available for £10 million this summer, and that's another plus considering his price could be inflated that much higher after this season's exploits.

He is a forward in the poacher category, who has the physical tools to survive in the Premier League, but Olivier Giroud is already at the club, and Higuain would be a better addition on merit.

Every Arsenal fan has their preference and opinion as to who would be the best option for the club moving forward.

Barring a departure by the likes of Lukas Podolski, only one of the top two targets—Jovetic and Higuain—would be a possibility due to their cost.

With Goal.com reporting that Higuain is strongly linked to Juventus, that may leave only the Fiorentina star as an option.

Interestingly enough, it may come down to a "You get one, I get one" situation with Arsenal and Juventus, as ESPN FC reports that the Italian giants may be interested in Jovetic as well.

In any case, Arsenal may only need one of these players given Sky Sport's report of the impending arrival of Yaya Sanogo.

The Auxerre youngster is only a raw prospect at this time, but he would add depth to the Gunners' attacking third, and may progress well under Arsene Wenger's tutelage.

Arsenal could also face the prospect of another extremely frustrating transfer window, with Wenger just as likely to consider none of these options.

According to Talksport, the Gunners have been linked with skillful Montpellier attacking midfielder Remy Cabella. With seven goals and nine assists this season, the Frenchman has shown he can be productive.

Cabella has enough skill and versatility to fit into the Arsenal side, but there are more cons than pros to his signing.

He wouldn't start right away, there are enough players like him in similar positions in the squad and it's unknown if he would survive the Premier League.

We get through all that before even mentioning an Express report of the ridiculous £85 million valuation Montpellier have put on the player.

While Montpellier are unlikely to expect even half that much should any interest become real, it does suggest that they will expect a sizable amount for his services; an amount that could be used sufficiently elsewhere.

So which of these players would be the right one to boost the Arsenal attack?

Is it Jovetic's youth, potential and skills that, if harnessed correctly, could produce on of the biggest signings of the summer?

Is it Higuain's proven goal-scoring record, Benteke and Remy's Premier League experience, or Cabella's skill and versatility?

Wenger changed his policy a bit with the signings of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla last summer, and the results have been mixed.

Cazorla was the best of the three, and the fact that he was the only non-forward may weigh heavily on Wenger's mind.

All these candidates have their pros and cons, and Wenger likely won't win with all the Arsenal fans, whichever option he chooses.

The only thing certain with any of these transfers is that nothing is certain.

Unless otherwise stated, all statistics courtesy of ESPN FC.

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Manchester United Transfer Rumours: What Would Robert Lewandowski Add to Team?

Michael Cummings — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:24:25 -0400

Manchester United remain interested in Borussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski, according to a recent report from ESPN FC. Though it is unclear whether United will sign the Polish international, it is clear that Lewandowski would bring a multi-faceted and potent threat to the team's attack—even if he would not fill the most pressing need in United's squad.

Already a sought-after transfer target, Lewandowski secured his status as an elite European striker with his famous four-goal performance against Real Madrid in this season's UEFA Champions League semifinals. In 12 Champions League appearances this season, Lewandowski has scored 10 goals, second only to Real's Cristiano Ronaldo. In 31 Bundesliga appearances this season, he scored 24 times.

In April, the agent of Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes claimed Bayern had a deal in place to sign Lewandowski this summer (Goal.com via Yahoo! Sports). Lewandowski's contract with Dortmund runs one more season, and United remain interested despite the reports linking him to Bayern.

According to the ESPN FC article, United would increase their efforts to sign Lewandowski if Wayne Rooney decides to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Transfermarkt estimates Lewandowski's market value at €28 million.

So, what would Lewandowski bring to United if he signs with the club?

Varied Threat

In a recent scouting report of Lewandowski for B/R, Joe Krishnan writes:

As Real Madrid discovered after his four-goal haul at the Signal Iduna Park last month, Robert Lewandowski is presently one of the most lethal finishers in front of the goal in Europe. A strong and powerful striker, Lewandowski possesses superb technical skills, including a deft first touch which allows him to race away from his marker.

With an infinite tank of energy and a raw, blistering pace, the Pole scored the first goal of Euro 2012 and at just 24, his goalscoring record shows why signing him would be a shrewd piece of business.

In other words, Lewandowski can hurt opposing defenses several ways. Most obviously, he is a strong finisher, especially with his favored right foot. His four-goal performance against Real Madrid demonstrated this in arresting fashion.

Standing 184 centimeters (about six feet), Lewandowski possesses good physical traits. A striker by trade, he can play deeper and help link the attack. He is strong in the air and wins back possession for his team. He also features an excellent first touch and close control.

His third goal against Real showed off most of those abilities.

Passing, however, is an area in which Lewandowski could improve. He completed 72 percent of his passes in the league this season while committing 2.7 turnovers and being dispossessed 2.7 times per match (WhoScored).

Match Reading

Combined with all those abilities, Lewandowski's ability to read a match makes him difficult for defenses to handle. His goal against Malaga in the Champions League quarterfinals illustrated this.

In a fast, flowing move that started around the midfield line, Lewandowski positioned himself well and read Marco Reus' defense-splitting flick expertly. Then, of course, he applied a lethal finish with his right foot after beating the keeper one-on-one with excellent close control.

Such anticipation and awareness can and often does torment opposing defenses.

Yet Another Forward

It is worth pointing out that a move to United would reunite Lewandowski with former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa. The two played together from 2010-12 and would benefit from a familiarity with each other on the pitch.

Yet it's not entirely clear United need another forward. Rooney, Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck currently compete for first-team minutes, and adding Lewandowski could over-stuff an already crowded attack.

Then again, Rooney could join PSG this summer, creating room for Lewandowski. But would incoming manager David Moyes pair Lewandowski with van Persie or rotate the two?

As B/R's Max Towle points out here, United's most pressing need this summer is a box-to-box midfielder with creative inclinations. Kagawa would benefit from the arrival of Lewandowski, but Michael Carrick was United's only true standout performer this season in midfield.

Signing Lewandowski would not fill that need for United, but he would bring a potent, varied threat to the Red Devils' attack. As one of the top strikers currently playing in Europe, Lewandowski would make a fine addition to any team. For the right price, United would be wise to sign him, even if other needs are more pressing.

Follow @MikeCummings37

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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

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Manchester United and Rio Ferdinand Reportedly Agree on 1-Year Deal

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:25:23 -0400

Longtime Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has reached an agreement to remain with the club for another season, reports Sky Sports.

Ferdinand's contract was set to expire this summer after helping United win their 20th league title. Instead, he will remain with the club at least through the summer of 2014. Based on his continued strong form, he should still play a vital role in the center of defense.

The 34-year-old star said he was happy to have a new deal in place (via ESPN):

Who wouldn't want to play in this fantastic team in front of 75,000 fans each week, it has been an incredible journey and I am glad it will continue. I can now fully concentrate on my club career, which has worked well for me over the past few years.

This is a great team to be part of and we are now moving into a new era with the club which is very exciting.

In the same report, incoming manager David Moyes stressed the importance of keeping him at United:

It is clear for everyone to see that Rio has had one of his best seasons with the club and I think even from the outside you can see what a big character Rio is around the dressing room so I am delighted he has signed a new contract and I am looking forward to working with him.

Ferdinand appeared in 28 matches during the club's latest championship campaign. He showed no signs of slowing down in competing for his sixth career Premier League title, which made United's decision to bring him back easier.

He arrived to Old Trafford in the summer of 2002 from Leeds United. He almost immediately established himself as a key piece of the perennial title-contending squad and has remained a stalwart member of the squad ever since.

The veteran stability he provides can't be understated. It will be extremely difficult to replace whenever Ferdinand's United career does come to an end, so Moyes is probably happy he doesn't have to worry about filling the void in his first summer with the club.

At the same time, United are wise to handle the situation on a yearly basis. As long as Ferdinand maintains his elite form and expresses his desire to continue playing, it's hard to imagine him playing anywhere else. But a short-term commitment is still the way to go with an aging star.

Ferdinand and United are a perfect match. It's been illustrated time and again over the past 11 seasons, and it shouldn't be expected to change when the Red Devils return to the pitch to defend their title.

With the potential center-back void eliminated, United can now focus on upgrading elsewhere in the coming months.

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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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Luke Shaw Would Be a Smart First Signing for David Moyes at Manchester United

Nick Akerman — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

David Moyes' first Manchester United signing needs to set a precedent for the future.

The incoming boss—who spent 11 years turning tiny transfer funds into successful teams at Everton—has finally got the luxury of playing the game with an expansive budget. With greater cash comes greater responsibility, and inevitably, links to many world-class players who could fit the bill at Old Trafford.

According to The Daily Mirror, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines may follow Moyes to Manchester United. Spanish newspaper Marca say the Red Devils are ready to drop €18 million on Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, while The Daily Express reports United could invite PSV Eindhoven destroyer Kevin Strootman into their ranks.

Despite the need for a combative midfielder, Moyes would be best placed to give this decision plenty of time before making a call. United have been linked with numerous midfielders across the past year and Moyes must not let this influence his decision. He will arrive with his own ideas and preferred style, so the left-back position should become his first area of focus.

While the aforementioned rumours may excite United fans, The Daily Mail's suggestion that Moyes is considering a bid for 17-year-old Southampton left-back Luke Shaw is perhaps the most interesting of all. As a first signing, the Englishman's arrival would not only fit straight into United's current plans, it would signal the beginning of an exciting future.

The Premier League champions have considered purchasing a new left-back for quite sometime. Leighton Baines' link to the club has been ongoing since 2011, but as documented here, is no longer the most viable option for a team that is currently shifting towards younger players.

Everton's 28-year-old defender is an excellent player, and would certainly be an asset to United's team, but he is not a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra. The £20 million man would be well into his 30s after one average length contract and doesn't represent great value for money unless he is going to play with the same ferocity until the end of his career.

Despite an improved performance during the 2012-13 season, Evra's positional discipline and concentration levels have diminished across the past few years. The full-back has relied on athletic ability to rescue him from trouble throughout his career, but now the 32-year-old's body has slowed, his weaknesses are amplified.

The Frenchman's attacking prowess is still a key weapon for United, especially when you consider he produced four goals and five assists during 32 Premier League appearances last season. He is an important figure at the club who will take on greater responsibility now Sir Alex Ferguson has moved upstairs.

Even so, it's time Evra receives real competition for his place in the starting lineup. Alexander Buttner's handful of displays have shown decent quality, but once again, mainly in attacking areas. Although the 24-year-old is a strong tackler and offers endless energy down the left, Buttner's defensive responsibilities are secondary to a player who wants to attack at every opportunity.

Realistically, the Dutchman is not the answer to United's left-back position after Evra's power is overcome. Although Fabio continues to mature as a player, he will also need time to regularly challenge. For Moyes, the long-term answer could rest with a teenager who currently resides in the South of England.

What would Luke Shaw offer Manchester United? The 17-year-old made 25 appearances in Southampton's 2012-13 Premier League season, helping the side to excellent results against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. He is a speedy, technically gifted dribbler who delivers a wicked cross and loves to get stuck into the opposition with dogged tackling.

As we have seen with his play at Southampton, Shaw is a bright spark whose ability to cover ground often opens up opportunities for his teammates in vital moments of play. He certainly has improving to do, namely holding onto possession and converting his attacks into goals and assists, but the 6'1" defender has everything in place to strengthen United's defence in years to come.

Moyes' appointment suggests the Old Trafford board is looking for an era after Ferguson. The new boss must prioritise the long-term and sustained success of the club over an immediate run of trophies. Although Baines is a complete player who would contribute straight-from-the-box, the Scotsman will make a bigger statement by landing the young talents of Luke Shaw.

As a first signing, this acquisition couldn't fulfill the Manchester United criteria any better.

Follow @Nakerman

All statistics in this article are courtesy of Who Scored.

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Top "What If" Questions from Newcastle's Season

Marley Anderson — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:58:48 -0400

As the 2012/13 season comes to an end, Newcastle fans cannot be blamed for asking themselves what might have been had things been different this season.

Eventually slumping to a 16th-place finish, the Magpies only secured their Premier League safety with one week of the season remaining, despite enjoying a successful Europa League campaign earlier in the season.

In that competition, the highlight of Newcastle's season took place, as they knocked out Russian giants Anzhi Makhachkala in the round of 32, before pushing Benfica all the way in the quarter finals.

The distraction of the competition affected Newcastle's season though and damaging defeats against bitter rivals Sunderland and Liverpool left the Geordies in dire straits.

Here, we look at the biggest questions Newcastle fans have been asking themselves all season.

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Tottenham: Why Finishing 5th Shouldn't Affect Gareth Bale's Short-Term Future

George Cushnie — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:53:33 -0400

We all know by now that despite putting in a tremendous effort, and playing well for large parts of the season, Tottenham's quest to finish in the top four of the Premier League ultimately failed on the final day.

They came tantalisingly close to qualifying for the Champions League, missing out by the slenderest of margins. In fact, when it came down to it, only six points separated Manchester City in second and Tottenham in fifth, so as disappointed as Spurs fans will be, they should be proud of what was yet another fantastic season.

Of course, we're now at the end of the season, and it's normally the time when the rumour mill goes into overdrive, especially about the best players in the league.

Spurs fans must be worried that their star man, Gareth Bale, might seek a move away from Tottenham because of their failure to qualify for the Champions League, but in my opinion, Bale shouldn't decide his future on a whim. Instead, he should think long, hard and very carefully about what he chooses to do this summer.

Let's look at both sides of the coin shall we?

If the worst were to happen, and Gareth Bale decides he wants to move on, where would he go? You would have to think he would command a transfer fee in excess of £50million and there are very few clubs in Europe who could afford a fee of that size.

In England, you would be looking at teams like Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. The Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona might also be able to stretch to that, and there's Bayern Munich in Germany, as well as PSG in France.

Even if Bale does decide to leave North London, moving clubs isn't a guarantee of success. Other players have moved for big transfer fees, like Fernando Torres at Chelsea and Torres has had a tough time of it.

Cesc Fabregas chose to move to Barcelona from Arsenal and he's found games hard to come by. When Cesc does start games, he's substituted more often than not. Who's to say it would be different with Bale? As good as Bale is, nobody knows what the future holds, and it may not work out for him.

Tottenham had a very good season last year, but they know what they have to do to go that extra mile and keep up with their rivals at the top end of the Premier League table.

In my opinion, Bale would be best served staying at Spurs, at least for the short term. By staying loyal to them, Bale has the chance to be part of something special.

I've got absolutely no doubt that chairman Daniel Levy will help Andre Villas-Boas invest in the squad during the upcoming transfer window and if Bale sees that Spurs are making the right moves, it could be enough to persuade him to stay.

Spurs need to add more attacking options to the squad. Only having Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor up front hindered them at times last season and that's something Andre Villas-Boas will want to address in the summer.

I've already mentioned that I believe Bale would be better off staying at Tottenham for at least another season. He's only 23 (he'll be 24 in July), so has plenty of time to win trophies during his career, whether that's at Tottenham or elsewhere.

Earlier this year, Bale was being mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of being one of the best players in the world. By staying at Spurs and proving just how good he is for another full season, he might just end up making believers out of all of us.

Although finishing fifth in the league must have been a disappointment for everyone at Spurs, my gut feeling is that Gareth Bale will stay to try to help them get back in to the Champions League. It's all about ambition. If Bale believes he can achieve his goals of competing for trophies and qualifying for the Champions League at Spurs, then he won't go anywhere.

It'll be interesting to see what happens, but I think that ambition, not money, will determine where Gareth Bale's future lies.

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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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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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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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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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Arsenal: 7 Reasons for Fans to Be Excited About Next Season

Charlie Melman — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Don't let the excitement of Arsenal's thrilling top-four finish wear off just yet. Though it's only been a few days since the Gunners clinched fourth place, the sheen of that grand imaginary trophy might be beginning to wear off, and thoughts of the busy summer ahead might take over.

Try to prevent that from happening. If that unfortunate transition has already begun to occur, try your best to reverse it. Arsenal's accomplishment is one to truly relish, as it has massive implications for the club in both the short and long terms.

In short, there is a lot to be excited about. Let's attempt to keep that optimism flowing right up until the start of next season in August.

I'll do my bit by giving you seven reasons to be excited for the 2013-14 season.

Begin Slideshow

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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Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Why Gunners Need Backup Plan for Target Stevan Jovetic

Timothy Rapp — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Stevan Jovetic may be Arsenal's top target this summer (if you believe the rumors), but the Gunners will need to have a backup plan in place if Fiorentina's purported—and massive—asking price for their star forward is true.

From John Cross of the Mirror:

Arsene Wenger has been quoted a staggering £30 million for No.1 striker target Stevan Jovetic.

Arsenal boss Wenger, who is set for a big summer of spending, is understood to have held talks with the Montenegro striker's Italian club Fiorentina, while agents have also been trying to broker a deal for the 23-year-old.

But the Florence-based side are determined to hold out for a huge price for Jovetic, as they know their Serie A rivals Juventus are also keen on him.

In that article, Cross also mentions Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (realistic) and Napoli's Edinson Cavani (not a chance in Hades) as potential targets at forward.

Other targets that have been floated in the past include Queens Park Rangers' Loic Remy and Aston Villa's Christian Benteke.

I think Jovetic is the ideal addition, but at £30 million, I'm willing to change my tune. I love that he is both a goalscorer and creator, capable of playing as a central forward, dropping back as a second striker or attacking midfielder or even playing out wide if necessary.

With strong dribbling skills and the ability to beat defenders one-on-one, he would fit Wenger's system well.

But Higuain is intriguing. He is older than Jovetic, yes, but he is also the more proven and clinical finisher, with 17 goals in just 28 starts (46 total appearances) this season for Real Madrid. In total, he scored 20 or more goals for Real Madrid in three of the past five seasons.

Higuain is a true poacher, a reason I've heard a lot of folks desire Arsenal to land him along with Jovetic. That seems unrealistic, but one or the other would certainly be nice.

Though Benteke has been very impressive this year, he's a similar player to Giroud (solid in the air, good at holding up play, fairly athletic for his size) and wouldn't give Wenger much versatility at forward. Remy certainly would, however, with the sort of pace and dribbling prowess to also play wide on the wings.

Still, if given the option of Jovetic or Remy, I'll take Jovetic any day of the week. Well, if the price is right, that is.

And it may not be.

Wenger supposedly will be flush with cash this summer, but the team also seems interested in upgrading at keeper, will probably need to replace Bacary Sagna at right-back and needs to add a holding midfielder as well.

In other words, £30 million for Jovetic may handcuff the team's other plans. One thing is for certain—this summer is going to be very intriguing for the Gunners as the team looks to end its trophy drought. If the money truly will be flowing in North London, a whole lot of Gooners will be very happy come August.

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Why Liverpool Should Fight to Keep Goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Mark Jones — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Plenty of people have a comfortable pair of slippers―something that they know will always be there no matter how tough the day and how difficult the situation.

These slippers make you feel completely at home whatever the setting and almost never let you down.

Until the weekend, Liverpool’s comfortable pair of slippers was surely Jamie Carragher.

The long-serving defender was turned to whenever his club needed him, such as this January when manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned the lack of characters in his team and brought the club’s vice-captain back for a home fixture against Norwich City. The Reds beat the Canaries 5-0, and Carragher was only on a losing Premier League side on one occasion for the rest of the season.

Rodgers knew that Carragher wouldn’t let him down, but now he’s retired the Reds boss will need to rely on someone else.

The logical choice would surely be the next longest-serving player after Carragher, Steven Gerrard, but there is nothing about the skipper that can be described as "comfortable." He’ll continue to buzz around the pitch and not let anybody down because that’s simply what he does best. He can’t be described as an old pair of slippers.

But then who can?

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina may have had his moments where he has looked far from comfortable over the past couple of seasons, but he can still be relied upon to be a crucial part of Liverpool’s plans as and when he’s needed.

There might still be swirling transfer rumours that centre on the Spanish international’s future at the club he’s called his home for the past eight years―with the most recent of those rumours linking Reina with a return to his former club Barcelona, as reported by the Daily Mirror―but Liverpool really should be doing all they can to keep hold of a player who has served them with such distinction throughout his career in England.

That career began in 2005, when Rafael Benitez plucked Reina from Villarreal and brought him to the then-European champions.

He’s deserved to win far more than just an FA Cup and a League Cup between then and now, but for years Reina was a solid, dependable last line of defence who seemed almost superhuman at times. He played in every single one of Liverpool’s Premier League games in 2007/08 and 2010/11.

Just recently, though, that superhuman stance has softened somewhat with niggling injuries and losses of form blighting his performances and ensuring that the campaign just gone saw him play the least amount of matches he’s ever managed for the Reds in a season: 39 in all competitions.

You can read into that what you want, but Reina is still an important part of Liverpool’s present and future. He doesn’t turn 31 until the opening weeks of next season, whilst he still has three years remaining on the extremely long-term contract he signed with the Reds in 2008.

He’s still one of the best goalkeepers in the business too, and after demonstrating an upturn in form in the closing months of the 2012/13 season, the Reds would surely be foolish to get rid of a player who seems at home bringing his young family up on Merseyside.

As with all foreign players it is highly likely that he’ll return to his homeland one day, but with goalkeepers able to go on playing for many years, Liverpool and Rodgers should be determined to keep him around for at least the foreseeable future.

After becoming as trusted and comfortable as an old pair of slippers Reina surely isn’t in the mood to be replaced, and Liverpool shouldn’t be looking to replace him either.

There’s life in the old favourite yet, and next season he can prove that.

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The Greatest Obstacles Facing David Moyes as Manchester United Manager

Max Towle — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:24:52 -0400

It is still hard to believe that Sir Alex Ferguson won't be manager of Manchester United next season.

The parade, the speeches, the trophy celebration—it all passed a little too quickly for comfort. A year-long mix of celebration and mourning may have been more apt.

But this is the man he is—like the retiring Paul Scholes, he would rather go quietly into the night than overshadow the club for an extended period.

Sir Alex is Manchester United—the two are inextricably linked. I, like so many young fans of the Red Devils, have known nothing else in my lifetime.

There was Sir Matt Busby, and there is Sir Alex Ferguson. These men were irreplaceable and yet must be replaced. It is the toughest job in the game.

The weight of responsibility that falls on the newly appointed David Moyes is immense. He will face countless obstacles and challenges in his United career, both immediately and in the long term.

Here is an in-depth look at what those might be.

The Wayne Rooney Situation

It is unfortunate that the first order of business David Moyes has to deal with at Old Trafford is the want-away intentions of one of the club's stars.

Wayne Rooney hasn't had the best season, but when Sir Alex revealed to Sky Sports that Rooney had requested a transfer, it was quite a shock.

"I think he's maybe a bit frustrated at being taken off once or twice in the past few weeks," Ferguson said.

The English forward demanded to leave United in 2010, citing the club's lack of ambition in the transfer market, but he was persuaded to stay.

Now, in 2013, the Red Devils are Premier League champions, and they have the strongest squad on paper since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet Rooney again wants to leave, whether due to a lack of playing time or otherwise.

Another reason which is possibly fueling his desire to leave is his strained relationship with Moyes—his first manager at Everton. The two were engaged in a bitter legal feud in 2006, when Moyes sued Rooney for libel for defamatory remarks made in the forward's autobiography, My Story So Far.

Though they have supposedly patched up their differences, there is sure to be some lingering awkwardness or ill feeling.

So how does Moyes deal with this first challenge?

Does he go out of his way to persuade the English forward to stay? Or does he look for the quick sale, ridding the squad of any bad blood?

He wouldn't want his first significant act as manager to be to sell a top player, but this situation was not of his making. All he can do is act in the club's best interests.

Earning the Respect of the Players

There have been few managers in the game who have as much gravitas as Sir Alex Ferguson.

David Moyes will not be able to walk straight into Old Trafford and assume the respect of the playing staff; he will have to earn it. After all, so many United players have given their all for Sir Alex, so asking them to do the same for Moyes immediately is unreasonable.

Moyes must be glad that tears were shed in the dressing room when Sir Alex announced his retirement—he will eventually ask that same loyalty.

But it's reasonable to assume his authority will be tested. It would be impossible to drive all thought of Sir Alex from the team meetings and half-time team talks, and that is a difficult presence to parallel.

The good news for the Red Devils is that those who played under Moyes at Everton rarely had a dissatisfied word to say about him.

In an interview with The Sun, former United and Everton player Phil Neville sung the praises of the Scotsman:

David Moyes is the best candidate, 100 percent. You can put him alongside any coach in the world for that job and he is the best candidate.

[...]

He sucks everything out of everyone. That shows you he’s got something. Of course, the pressure will always be there and he'll have to win games and trophies—but he'll do that.

The Return of Chelsea

Manchester United romped to Premier League glory this term without any real challenger to the throne. Next season, it would be difficult to envisage the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea dropping so far off the pace.

In the case of the latter, the potential return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge could worry the Red Devils.

Say what you want about the man; he gets results. He has won at least one league trophy at every club he has managed since Porto, including two at Chelsea.

Should Mourinho return to his old club, Roman Abramovich, the Blues' owner, is certain to pour a vast amount of money into new signings for the Portuguese boss.

The Mirror recently reported that Mourinho's transfer wish list includes Radamel Falcao, Hulk, Isco and Marouane Fellaini.

How many of those wishes are granted (and if Mourinho will indeed be managing Chelsea) will be determined in the coming months. Nonetheless, the potential there makes it seem as though Chelsea will pose the biggest threat to United's domestic dominance next term.

With the wealth of talent already in the squad, if a free-scoring goalscorer like Falcao were to arrive, they will be a very hard team to stop.

Moyes hasn't had the best record against top-five teams in recent seasons. Even with the enhanced talent at United, he will need to devise ways of beating the league's best.

On paper, next season's Premier League seems too close to call. Moyes' primary job will be elevating United above their rivals.

Managing a "Big" Club

Much has been made of David Moyes' nose for a bargain. At Goodison Park, he worked with a slim budget that forced him to sniff out potential stars from near obscurity.

Manchester United are a completely different prospect.

As soon as the Red Devils' interest in a potential target becomes known, his price tag inflates. Other clubs then typically follow suit—such is the high reputation of the United scouts.

There will be some clubs that try to exploit Moyes and United, asking them to pay ridiculous sums of money for transfer targets. This is an obstacle of which he must be wary.

At Manchester United, anything less than first place is seen as disappointing. Conversely, at Everton, gaining a European place was the only real goal.

It is worth mentioning that Moyes never won a trophy at Goodison Park. He will have to right that wrong as soon as possible at Old Trafford.

There will be bigger egos in the dressing room, bigger contracts and a bigger media spotlight shone on his every move.

In his post-match interview after United's recent 5-5 draw with West Brom, Sir Alex briefly referred to this aspect of managing Manchester United.

"I think the enormity of the club—[Moyes] will soon realise that anyways," said Ferguson. "The global brand and number of sponsors we have here, he has to fit into that."

The pressures he will face will be 10 times bigger than anything previously in his career.

Some men would buckle under this burden, but Moyes must thrive.

Longevity

In the grand scheme of things, David Moyes' biggest challenge will be trying to replicate the longevity of Sir Alex's Manchester United career.

Part of what made Fergie so special was his ability to adapt to the changing nature of the game—to build and rebuild teams of winners. Thus, over 26 years, trophies were never very far from his grip.

No one is asking Moyes to coach the Red Devils for 26 years—perhaps not even 16—but he is no stopgap solution.

This is why Jose Mourinho was overlooked. The Glazers and Sir Alex wanted stability—a man who wouldn't get a wandering eye or be tempted by other challenges.

In his interview with The Sun, Phil Neville explained that he believes this is why Moyes was hired:

He’s not at United for two or three seasons. If Mourinho came to Man United you’d think, with his track record, that in maybe three seasons he’d be gone.

People talk about Mourinho being the Special One but the gaffer has something special about him in his own way. United are looking at the next 20 years. They’ve just given Moyes a six-year contract, and he’s probably going to be there for the rest of his managerial career. It’s that kind of club.

They invest in a certain kind of manager and that’s why he’s the best man for the job. There’s no one else they could have invested in who would offer the same longevity as the previous manager.

Moyes must win too—and regularly. United officials won't make a Chelsea or Manchester City move and fire him after one barren campaign. But expectations at Old Trafford are just as high as, if not higher than anywhere else.

Fans will be patient, but not if it seems as if the club is in decline. But that's not to say an improvement is necessary.

Moyes is arriving at a club which has won five of the last seven Premier League trophies. Keeping things at status quo would be more than enough.

There's the real challenge.

What will be the greatest obstacles in David Moyes' way at Old Trafford?

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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 has been 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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Nani: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Tom Sunderland — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:24 -0400

With David Moyes taking the reins at Old Trafford, it’s unclear what the future holds for numerous Manchester United stars, winger Nani more so than most.

Here’s a rundown of the Portuguese maestro’s current situation, scouting report and just where you might expect to see Nani end up come September.

Age: 26

Contract Situation: Nani’s contract has just over a year left to run and will expire in June 2014.

Career Stops: Sporting Lisbon (2003-07), Manchester United (2007-present)

Current Campaign: Premier League—11 appearances, one goal, three assists; Champions League—four appearances, no goals, one assist; FA Cup—five appearances, one goal, two assists; Capital One Cup—one appearance, one goal.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide: The last two seasons have seen Nani become a less and less prominent component in the Manchester United setup, with the 2012-13 campaign in particular leaving the Portuguese international with just seven league starts to boast of.

With that in mind, the 26-year-old may have a chance of rediscovering past form should a starting spot come his way once more, a style illustrated fantastically by the winger’s fantastic celebration—the death leap.

Although a deep, deep bag of tricks lies in his arsenal, Nani’s overzealous nature can sometimes get the better of him, with decision-making and a trend of selfish behaviour letting him and his teammates down on occasion.

Where Next?

Sources had been linking Nani with a return to his native Portugal in previous months but those rumours appear to have simmered slightly of late.

Instead, the Mirror have suggested that the winger could be used as a makeweight in order to bring Juventus star, Claudio Marchisio, to the Theatre of Dreams.

With Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Wilfried Zaha, Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney and even Danny Welbeck or Javier Hernandez able to play out wide, central reinforcements would certainly appear as more of a priority for United, adding some sense to the proposed deal.

This news comes just several months after the Metro alleged that Nani had told friends of his intentions to leave his current surroundings having become disillusioned with his chances there.

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