B/R Gossip Roundup: Liverpool Eye 'New Gerrard,' Atletico Interested in Cazorla
Have Liverpool already identified the "new Steven Gerrard?" Could Arsenal actually let Santi Cazorla walk this summer? What's in store for Chelsea's long-time No. 1 after losing his starting spot this season.
In this week's B/R gossip roundup, we tackle those subjects and much more as we survey some of the hottest rumours from around Europe.
The summer transfer window might be way off, but we still have plenty of gossip to sift through as February draws to a close.
Keep reading for all the hottest rumours.
PSG Interest in Chelsea Midfielder Eden Hazard to Remain Unfulfilled
1 of 6
Any self-respecting transfer gossip column would not be complete without a Paris Saint-Germain-want-Eden Hazard angle.
Links between the Parisians and Belgium international never seem to go away but, most importantly, never materialise either.
Indeed, the Stamford Bridge star recently signed a new five-and-a-half year deal with Jose Mourinho's team. However, that was not enough to prevent Colin Harvey of the Daily Star throwing in another link between the player and the reigning Ligue 1 champions.
Harvey reports that the Parc des Princes side still want to bring the 24-year-old to the French capital despite his new deal with the Blues. But with PSG struggling to keep hold of their title this season and head coach Laurent Blanc's future looking unclear, why would Hazard even consider making the move across the English Channel?
To justify the latest link, the Daily Star quotes PSG star Thiago Silva as saying: "[Hazard] is not just good, he is very good. If he really comes, [he] will be very welcome."
It's tenuous at best, but it coincided with PSG's Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea. That's handy.
Believability Meter: Seriously Low
Hazard has no reason to leave Chelsea and proved that by signing his new deal. End of story.
Roma Star Miralem Pjanic Is 1st of Inevitable 'New Steven Gerrard' Links
2 of 6
Liverpool supporters should probably get used to this until the summer and beyond: the "new Steven Gerrard" transfer link.
The Reds will see their iconic captain depart Anfield for LA Galaxy in the summer, 17 years after making his first-team debut for the club.
While the 34-year-old has seen his influence on the current team wane this season, the loss of his services will remain a blow in consideration of his achievements at Liverpool.
With Gerrard exiting, though, there is a space for a new dynamic presence to enter the Anfield fray and become an inspirational figure.
And according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, the first possible replacement will be Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.
The article notes that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was in Rome on club business last week, with the Bosnia and Herzegovina international high on his list of priorities.
At the age of 24, Pjanic represents a genuine asset for any major European club, and Liverpool's reported interest in the player is understandable.
However, Kajumba also notes that there is a difference in valuation, with Roma seeking £35 million and Liverpool seeing £20 million as a fair price.
With Pjanic already experienced in the Champions League and Serie A, the Reds' figure might be viewed as inadequate, but there will be plenty more "new Steven Gerrard" articles before the summer window closes.
Believability Meter: Medium
Pjanic would be a great signing for a major European club, but there seems little reason for Roma to sell, which puts the Italian side in the box seat in negotiations.
But the search for Gerrard's successor will not end with the Bosnian, certainly not in the speculation articles.
Petr Cech Exit from Chelsea Would Make Sense This Summer
3 of 6
Napoli and Roma are interested in Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, according to a report from Italian outlet Sport Mediaset (h/t Joe Short at the Daily Express).
Cech, 32, was the No. 1 at Chelsea for many years before this season, but he has lost his first-team place to 22-year-old Belgian Thibaut Courtois.
According to the report, Napoli are the favourites to sign Cech if he decides to leave Chelsea. Roma are reportedly also interested.
Believability Meter: Medium
It is probably too early to predict where Cech might play next season if he decides to leave Chelsea, but it makes sense to think that he will leave Stamford Bridge sooner than later.
At 32, Cech remains a first-rate goalkeeper. Dozens of teams around Europe would benefit from his services. Courtois, meanwhile, shows no signs of easing his grip on the starting spot in Chelsea's goal. Cech might have to look elsewhere for regular football.
Arsenal Could Be Tempted to Sell Santi Cazorla to Atletico Madrid
4 of 6
Atletico Madrid are interested in Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla, according to a report from B/R contributor Guillem Balague at Sky Sports.
According to Balague, Atletico have made contact with Cazorla's "advisers" concerning a potential summer move.
Balague is quoted as saying:
"He has 18 months left on his contract at Arsenal, and Atletico have contacted Cazorla’s entourage.
Atletico are convinced that they can persuade the player to join them. Then they just have to pay the money.
There will be one year left on his contract in the summer, and will be available for cheaper.
"
Cazorla joined Arsenal from Malaga in 2012.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
As B/R's James McNicholas stated in this video, Arsenal may be tempted to let Cazorla leave this summer.
According to McNicholas, Cazorla would welcome the chance to return to Spain, and the timing could be right for Arsenal because the player's value is currently high based on recent performances.
On the other hand, B/R analyst Allian Jiang wrote that the move would not make much sense for either team:
"Koke is to Atletico Madrid what Cazorla is to Arsenal.
The proposed transfer seems odd, given Koke is 23 years old and an elite footballer, so why impede his progress?
"
Still, Cazorla turned 30 in December, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could see a chance to cash in before the player's inevitable decline begins.
Manchester City Interest in Southampton Loanee Toby Alderweireld Makes Sense
5 of 6
One of the most impressive moves of last summer must be Southampton's season-long loan capture of Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid.
It could have been seen as a risk for both the Saints and the player to make the move in a deal worth up to £6.3 million, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail
The 25-year-old was leaving the Liga champions, who were preparing to take their place in the Champions League and the defence of their title, while Southampton appeared to be a team in a state of flux after losing several star names, and they were effectively starting from scratch under new head coach Ronald Koeman.
The ingredients were there for a potentially disastrous move, but not in this instance, with Alderweireld proving himself to be an inspired addition to the Southampton squad.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise to see a major Premier League club being linked with the Belgium international. According to Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail, Manchester City are preparing to make a permanent move for the player when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.
Manuel Pellegrini's need for central-defensive reinforcements is no secret, with Eliaquim Mangala struggling to find consistency and Martin Demichelis failing to reach the heights of last season.
Alderweireld is currently out of action with a hamstring injury he picked up in the January win at Manchester United, but his absence has coincided with a wobble in the Saints' top-four ambitions and their exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Crystal Palace.
Koeman could well be looking at a permanent absence of Alderweireld come the summer.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
This has the look of a solid rumour with the parts of the equation fitting perfectly. But there is still plenty of time for City to scour the market before the window reopens, while the player and Southampton will also have a say here.
John Terry Fully Warrants New 1-Year Deal with Chelsea
6 of 6
Toward the end of last season, one question dominated the thoughts of Chelsea supporters—not "how did we lose at home to Sunderland?"—what were the club's plans for John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole?
All three were in the final year of their contracts with the Stamford Bridge club, and there was a question mark over every one of them.
As we discovered, Cole and Lampard were released, with only Terry remaining with the Blues after penning a one-year extension in May.
And now, with the expiry date of that deal on the horizon, the 34-year-old is looking for a further extension, as Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail reported.
Terry was quoted as saying:
"The club know my position. Hopefully, I know theirs and it will get done. No talks have happened yet between myself and the club but we both respect the position.
There [are] more important players. For me, that was the most important for the club.
Without anyone telling me that, I knew that was the first priority for them. Hopefully they’ll be knocking on the door soon.
"
Indeed they should. Terry is having another excellent season with Chelsea in the Premier League and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet.
His presence on the pitch has been a thread of consistency as Jose Mourinho rebuilds the Blues for the long-term future.
Terry has formed an excellent partnership with Gary Cahill in recent seasons, and his presence in the squad will be important in the development of Kurt Zouma.
After Eden Hazard inked his new five-and-a-half year deal, a contract extension for Terry should be high on the list of Chelsea's priorities as the club and Mourinho prepare for the future.
Believability Meter: High
There can't be many reasons why Chelsea would not offer Terry a new one-year contract. He has maintained his ability to read the game, and his tackling and aerial presence remain impressive.
Mourinho and the Blues hierarchy will recognise the veteran represents a link between the recent past and the future.
Would they really want to risk what happened with Lampard and his successful spell with Manchester City happening again with Terry?
