Summer Transfer Window: As New Campaign Nears, Silly Season Is Now Open

The major leagues of Europe sit dormant as the new season approaches, but for now, a different kind of season reigns.

It's a time for speculation, innuendo, truth and rumor in every shade of black, white and gray.

It's a time for transfers, loans, personal terms, buyout clauses and swap deals.

It's the silly season, and it's completely bonkers, deranged and unhinged—yet somehow tidy in its own way—all at the same time.

Prepare yourself. The fun won't stop until the end of August, well after the meaningful matches have begun.

Last spring, Manchester United narrowly—and dramatically—missed out on a 13th Premier League title. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson immediately set out to strengthen his squad, especially his midfield, ahead of a renewed title challenge.

Shinji Kagawa joined from Borussia Dortmund, and Nick Powell joined from Crewe Alexandra. Next on the agenda was 19-year-old Brazilian playmaker Lucas Moura. That's how it was supposed to happen anyway.

Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly as United sent a "delegation" to Brazil with a view to signing Lucas (Daily Mirror). This week, though, the silliness began.

On Tuesday, Lucas' agent said he thought the deal was dead, with United apparently unwilling to increase their already massive bid. Only one day later, Sao Paulo's vice-president reportedly cast new doubt on the old doubts over Lucas' potential move to United (ESPN.co.uk).

Got all that?

The North London rivalry never really stops, but it often reaches its most absurd levels during the offseason. Take the current summer for example.

For as long as Arsene Wenger has filled the manager's chair at Arsenal, the red half of North London has been a destination for French players, from Thierry Henry to Robert Pires to, uh, Pascal Cygan.

Few fans would be surprised, then, to hear that the Gunners have been linked with French international goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (ESPNSoccernet).

For Tottenham Hotspur, however, Arsenal's supposed interest in Lloris is little more than a disingenuous ploy to push up his price (Metro).

J'accuse!

Spurs and Arsenal, meanwhile, both find themselves caught up in long-running transfer sagas.

For months now, Arsenal's Dutch striker (and captain) Robin van Persie has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium. The saga has grown steadily more ludicrous over time, and B/R's own Dan Talintyre has every gory detail here.

Just down the Seven Sisters Road, Spurs are fighting to keep Croatian midfielder Luka Modric at White Hart Lane. Modric, 26, has long been linked with a Tottenham exit, but this summer Real Madrid seemed to up the ante with concrete interest (Daily Telegraph).

Modric went AWOL then made up with his bosses. All the while, Tottenham and new manager Andre Villas-Boas have been playing hardball, sticking to their reported £40 million asking.

The only problem? Paris Saint-Germain might be willing to buck up, regardless of whether or not Modric is actually interested (The Guardian).

But that's nothing. Just wait until the Carlos Tevez rumors crank back up. On second thought, too late.

Just a few months ago, we thought Eden Hazard's protracted transfer to Chelsea was ridiculous. But as past transfer windows have shown, the craziness probably hasn't even begun yet.

Not that all that's necessarily a bad thing.

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