B/R Gossip Roundup: City in Hunt for Barkley, Tevez Future in Doubt and More
The transfer window is finally open for business, so things are likely to move at a pace over the next few weeks.
But January is not the only window in focus, with clubs and players also having their eye on summer changes.
The newspapers have been filled with plenty of speculation, with Carlos Tevez, Sergio Busquets and Ross Barkley among the high-profile names being linked with moves.
Let's take a closer a look at the transfer rumours of the past week.
Manchester United Move for Seamus Coleman Could Hinge on Adnan Januzaj
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has targeted Seamus Coleman as a potential signing to tighten up his defence, claims Bruce Archer of the Daily Star.
And who could blame van Gaal for eyeing the Everton right-back?
The 26-year-old has proved to be a consistently high performer for the Toffees since breaking into the first team under David Moyes in 2009. Coleman has also earned full international honours and is arguably one of the best attacking full-backs in the Premier League.
According to the Star article, van Gaal remains unconvinced by Rafael and views Coleman as a more reliable proposition.
But Archer also notes Everton's desire to land Adnan Januzaj in a loan deal, which could act as a sweetener.
The question here is whether Everton would be ready to relinquish a talent such as Coleman with their form in free fall.
Following the New Year's Day game at Hull City, the Merseyside club are just four points clear of the relegation zone. Roberto Martinez's side could be facing an unexpected relegation battle if he cannot turn things around.
All the cards are in favour of Everton here, though. The club are no longer battling financial issues and the need to sell is not paramount.
The Star report also noted the possible interest of Chelsea, which could see United enter a bidding war for Coleman.
This might be one to watch.
Believability Meter: Medium
Everton are unlikely to consider a January sale of Coleman, although Januzaj arriving on loan could ease the deal through in the summer.
But United need defensive strengthening in their chase for the Champions League spots, and a big offer might prove a tempting proposition.
Arsenal Move for Sporting Star William Carvalho Makes Sense
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It will not have escaped the attention of anyone that Arsenal are in need of some fairly urgent defensive reinforcements.
Unsurprisingly, Sporting defensive midfielder William Carvalho has been linked with the Gunners again this week.
Joe Bernstein of the Daily Mail reported on Monday that Arsene Wenger is considering a move for the 22-year-old in January.
Carvalho has not enjoyed the best of seasons so far with his club, with the summer loss of Marcos Rojo to Manchester United disrupting Sporting's back line.
Sporting were a disappointment in the Champions League group stage, finishing behind Chelsea and Schalke in Group G and dropping into the Europa League.
Arsenal, of course, can dangle the carrot of a last-16 tie with Monaco to tempt the youngster into a move, while the quoted £20 million transfer fee offers potential for the future.
Bernstein claims summer talks for the player, who was touted as a target for David Moyes at Old Trafford a year ago (via Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail), broke down when Sporting asked for £30 million.
However, with the club now out of UEFA's elite club tournament, they could be tempted into doing business with the Gunners.
And Carvalho's ability to play in both the centre of defence and defensive midfield would make him a welcome addition of versatility at the Emirates Stadium.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
Much will depend on the value placed on Carvalho by both Sporting and Arsenal for this deal to come to fruition.
But the Portugal international could prove to be an intriguing buy for the north London club.
No Reason for Sergio Busquets to Make Premier League Switch from Barcelona
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When you have been part of a football institution for the best part of 10 years and remain an integral part of that, you don't walk away without serious thought, do you?
Such is the case for Sergio Busquets, who joined Barcelona as a youth player and has since gone on to win two Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles among a glittering array of silverware.
However, Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express is convinced that Chelsea are leading the chase to sign the 26-year-old ahead of Manchester United.
According to the article, the midfielder is exploring his options after "losing confidence" in the vision head coach Luis Enrique has for the Camp Nou club.
It is true that the current Barcelona are still to click into gear under the manager who was appointed in the summer after Gerardo Martino's subdued season in charge.
However, Busquets has been a first-team regular this season, and despite being more exposed than in previous seasons, with Ivan Rakitic and Xavi playing wider roles, the Catalonia-born defensive midfielder will recognise his place in the team is currently assured.
Obviously, that may not always be the case, but a move to Chelsea would see Busquets fighting for a place with Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas—a proven winning combination for Jose Mourinho's side.
Even at Old Trafford, Busquets would be fighting for a starting place with Ander Herrera and Daley Blind.
Busquets would be the first to admit his form with Barcelona has not been at its peak this campaign, but boss Luis Enrique has faith in him.
Sometimes, it really is better to trust the devil you know.
Believability Meter: Low
Chelsea and Manchester United are both well-stocked for midfield talent, and a move for Busquets could affect the balance.
But is there really any need for the Barcelona star to leave when his head coach is playing him regularly at a club he has played at since youth level?
Lukas Podolski's Loan to Inter Milan from Arsenal Benefits All
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The departure of Lukas Podolski from Arsenal comes as little surprise to anyone with a Gunners connection.
The Germany international has not started a Premier League match for Arsene Wenger's side this season, but his appearances in the Champions League have yielded three goals.
There is little doubt Podolski remains a threat in front of goal, but the presence of Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez ahead of him has thwarted the former Cologne man's hopes of making a significant impact.
Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail reported this week that Podolski was poised to join Inter Milan on loan until the end of the season.
Barlow wrote:
"Inter Milan believe they have struck a deal to sign Lukas Podolski on a six-month loan deal but not until after Arsenal have played at Southampton on New Year's Day.
Representatives of the Italian club were in London on Saturday for meetings and are confident they will soon have Podolski in their ranks, who was an unused substitute in the Gunners' 2-1 win at West Ham on Sunday. Inter will pay a loan fee of £1.5million.
The unsettled Germany forward has one year on his Arsenal contract at the end of this season and may not return if his loan is successful.
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And sure enough, Podolski was on his way to Italy this weekend, as Matt Morlidge of the Daily Mail reported.
Inter might not be the European force they once were, but their status as a major name in the game remains, which will undoubtedly have appealed to the striker.
But there could be a further bonus for Arsenal, with a potential fee on the cards if the 29-year-old impresses during the second half of the Serie A campaign, while the move also frees up a space in the squad.
For Podolski, the loan move is the ideal way to resurrect a career that has stalled in north London.
Nobody is likely to lose out here.
Believability Meter: Done Deal
Arsenal have shown little interest in giving Podolski first-team opportunities this season, and the striker needed to look elsewhere to boost his career. Inter Milan will provide that.
Carlos Tevez Unlikely to Extend Juventus Stay
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Argentina striker Carlos Tevez will not sign a new contract with Juventus when his current deal runs out at the end of next season, according to FourFourTwo.
Speaking to reporters in his native Argentina, Tevez is quoted as saying:
"I said I wanted to fulfil my contract and that's my idea, I'm not thinking of signing an extension because that’s not how I feel at the moment.
As I always said, my idea is to complete my contract. Everyone knows I said so from the moment I arrived at Juve. I have a year and a half left on my contract and it's complicated to leave when you're playing well at this level.
I have to take things calmly and enjoy and not go crazy with the idea of coming back.
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Tevez signed with Juventus in June 2013 after a controversy-filled spell with Manchester City in the Premier League. This season, he has scored 10 league goals for the Bianconeri.
Believability Meter: High
There seems to be little reason to doubt the sincerity of Tevez's words here. By the time his contract runs out, the striker will be 32 and will have played three seasons with Juventus. If the pattern of his career is any guide, he likely won't stay any longer than that.
Before playing for Juve and Man City, Tevez had relatively short spells with Boca Juniors (2001-04), Corinthians (2004-06), West Ham United (2006-07) and Manchester United (2007-09).
Tevez simply doesn't stay put for long, and he is already on the wrong side of 30. By the end of next season (if not before), he'll likely be ready for new scenery.
Saido Berahino Could Be Surplus to Requirements Under Tony Pulis
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Saido Berahino has had a meteoric rise to prominence this season, and it appears he could be on his way out of West Bromwich Albion.
Will he be leaving this January? That seemed unlikely a matter of weeks ago, but a change in management—with Tony Pulis now at the helm—appears to have led to a shift in stance.
The Mail’s Laurie Whitwell states that Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in the forward and could tempt the Baggies into a sale with a bid north of the £20 million mark.
Per Whitwell’s piece, West Brom technical director Terry Burton said: "Tony is a totally realistic football manager. He will do and work whatever way is best for the football club.
“He tries to win football matches and if he needs to sell somebody to do something else he will sell them.”
West Brom are mired in trouble toward the foot of the Premier League, and survival is the name of the game for Pulis.
Baggies fans will know what to expect from Pulis’ time at Stoke: a team that will fight for every ball, with substance rather than style.
Believability Meter: Medium
It seems strange for West Brom to contemplate selling their brightest talent while they are in so much trouble, but Pulis has a track record of setting up his sides to get results in any way possible.
That may not involve attempting to get the best out of Berahino, so if Pulis can reinvest the money to build a side he feels capable of scrapping their way to survival, he may well green light the deal.
Ross Barkley on Manchester City's Radar, but Everton Won't Sell Him in January
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Ross Barkley has never been far from transfer speculation, which is in part due to his talent and partly due to Everton’s lack of financial muscle.
Manchester City are the latest side to be linked with the England midfielder, with Rob Shepherd of the Mail claiming Manuel Pellegrini’s side are plotting a £45 million bid.
In his piece, Shepherd wrote:
"Everton are ready to consider selling prized asset Barkley—perhaps for as much as £60 million—to fund a spending spree in order to shore up their faltering squad and make sure the club does not tumble into the relegation battle.
In that respect it is understood Everton will listen to offers is excess of £45m for Barkley.
Manchester City are the club most likely to make a move to sign the 21-year-old England international.
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The lack of spending power at Everton is well-known, and the Toffees are struggling in the Premier League at present.
But is 13th place and four points above the drop zone a big enough worry to prompt the club to sell their most prized asset in January?
If City come in with a £60 million offer, and there is reason to believe they could view Barkley as the long-term successor to Yaya Toure, the temptation to sell would be obvious.
However, the way transfers work in the modern age, it could take some time for a deal to be done. And that may not give Everton enough time to reinvest the money.
Believability Meter: Low
There is little doubt City fancy Barkley and that Everton could well sell, but there's not likely to be enough time to get the deal done in January in a way that will suit all concerned.
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