B/R Gossip Roundup: Raheem Sterling, Theo Walcott Linked with Summer Moves
Another week, another fresh batch of transfer gossip.
On the agenda this week we have rumours concerning Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Kevin De Bruyne, Theo Walcott—to name but a few. Where could these players be heading this summer? Are they really set for a change of scenery.
Keep reading as we at B/R UK break down all the week's hottest transfer gossip.
Arsenal Move for Raheem Sterling Unlikely to Come to Fruition
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The stalling of Raheem Sterling's contract negotiations with Liverpool was always likely to leave the forward open to links elsewhere.
And John Cross of the Daily Mirror did not disappoint this week, as he claimed Arsenal are interested in landing the England international in the summer.
He wrote:
"Arsenal boss [Arsene] Wenger is a huge admirer of the Liverpool star and is ready to try and take advantage of his on-going contract stand-off at Anfield.
Winger Sterling, 20, has shelved talks about his future until the summer to concentrate on his football, but Liverpool fear he will not re-sign.
That delay has alerted a host of big clubs, also including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
But now Arsenal are also serious contenders and have made discreet enquiries about Sterling’s availability.
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The situation regarding the 20-year-old will, of course, be a concern for Liverpool supporters and manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Reds started to motor this season after an indifferent first half of the campaign, and the Champions League remains a distinct possibility for the club next season.
However, Liverpool have been here before where the Gunners are concerned, with Luis Suarez the subject of a bizarre £40,000,001 bid by Arsenal two years ago.
Suarez eventually made the switch to Barcelona, but with other major clubs reportedly interested in Sterling, according to Cross, Arsenal's interest might only be an opening salvo in the chase for Sterling.
Believability Meter: Medium
It is understandable that Arsenal would be interested in a talent such as Sterling, but the likelihood of the move coming off is open to debate with bigger clubs also being linked.
Ross Barkley Should Ignore Manchester City Link and Turn Around Form at Everton
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This has not been a memorable season for Everton supporters. The promise of last season's Premier League campaign has failed to materialise, with only the occasional glimpse of what could have been on show in the Europa League.
It has also been a particularly off-colour season for starlet Ross Barkley.
Much had been expected of the 21-year-old, who featured at the World Cup with England last summer, but in a season in which Everton have failed to shine, he has been unable to lift the gloom.
However, that has not stopped speculation linking Barkley with a move elsewhere, and Steve Millar of the Daily Star on Sunday claims that both Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in making a £50 million move for the player.
Millar focused on City in his report, writing:
"Etihad chiefs have been told they won’t get Barkley on the cheap after targeting him almost 12 months ago as an essential English signing.
City bosses were thinking closer to £30m but have been told to think again – and add another whopping £20m if, and when, they return in the summer.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez refuses to lower his asking price for the England international despite desperately needing to rebuild himself, with Man United winger Adnan Januzaj one of the players he would love to bring to Goodison.
Martinez does not want to sell Barkley and is determined to keep building a side around him.
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If Barkley is considering a move to the Etihad Stadium, he should consider the last high-profile departure from Goodison Park to City before making his decision.
Jack Rodwell departed Merseyside in the summer of 2012 after City shelled out a reported £12 million for the young midfielder.
That move swiftly turned sour for the England international as injuries blighted his time at the Etihad, and he left for Sunderland last summer after failing to realise his potential.
If Barkley is to rediscover his form, remaining at Everton for at least another season would be the wisest move.
Believability Meter: Medium
The transfer links with major Premier League clubs are sure to remain around Barkley, who is the kind of genuine talent Martinez will want to build around for next season.
The Toffees and Barkley have endured a poor season, but there is enough talent in the management and squad to believe better times are ahead.
Barkley should recognise this and give the Everton fans at least one breathless season before making a move.
Decision Time Could Be Looming for Kevin De Bruyne with Manchester City Interest
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Kevin De Bruyne has had a roller coaster few years, but his career is firmly on the up again after a stellar season with Wolfsburg.
It was as recently as January 2014 when the Belgian was cast aside by Chelsea. After a couple of loan spells away from Stamford Bridge, De Bruyne was finally sold—with Wolfsburg picking him up.
Such a torrid time could have rocked the player’s confidence, but it appears to have had the opposite effect, as he has grasped his chance of regular playing time with both hands.
His star is so high that Simon Jones of the Mail claims that De Bruyne is a £40 million target for Manchester City.
The player’s agent is certainly ramping up interest in De Bruyne. Per Jones’ piece, Patrick De Koster said: “Clubs who are ready to bid 30million euros for Kevin have no sense of reality. A player like Kevin has a market value of some €50million, €55m or even €60m by now.”
City are unlikely to be put off by the price tag, but is De Bruyne the right player for the reigning Premier League champions?
The answer is probably yes, as he is a fast, direct attacking midfielder with a trick or two in his pocket. Jesus Navas has failed to truly convince this term, which means a gap could be open.
But will De Bruyne move on? He has finally found a club that trusts him and hands him regular playing time, so he could stay on for one more season—especially if they secure a place in the Champions League.
Believability Meter: Medium
City's interest in De Bruyne would not come as any surprise, but the player may be loath to move, given the troubles he had the last time he was on the books of a Premier League club.
Theo Walcott Facing Career Crossroads Amid Reported Chelsea Interest
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In what was possibly the surprise link of the week, Theo Walcott was rumoured to be a target for Chelsea.
According to Matt Hughes of The Times, the Stamford Bridge club are monitoring the England international's contract situation:
"The England forward will have a year remaining on his contract at the end of the season, but has yet to be offered a new deal by Arsenal.
Chelsea were interested in Walcott when he entered the final 12 months of his previous contract three years ago, before he eventually signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, and he retains admirers at Stamford Bridge.
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Jose Mourinho's interest in the 26-year-old would be understandable as he bids to cement the Blues as one of Europe's foremost clubs.
The Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain hurt Mourinho and the club, and strengthening his hand for next season with the pace of Walcott would be a major boost.
However, Arsenal have been burnt before in dealings with Chelsea and Mourinho, notably over the controversial sale of Ashley Cole nine years ago, and losing another star name to their capital rivals should be something to avoid at all costs.
Walcott will still have a year left on his contract with the Gunners at the end of the current Premier League season—and have a decision to make as his career approaches a crossroads.
The question mark over the forward's future will still be there until Walcott either pens a new deal with Arsenal or opts for a fresh challenge.
Hughes' article might just be the starting gun on a summer transfer to watch.
Believability Meter: Medium
This could be one to keep an eye on during the summer. Arsenal will need to act fast if they are to prove Walcott is a key figure for the future, while Chelsea's interest should act as an alarm bell for Arsene Wenger.
It remains to be seen which way this one will develop.
Manchester City Striker Stevan Jovetic Should Jump at Inter Milan Interest
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One of the more disappointing stories in recent years has been Stevan Jovetic's injury-blighted time at Manchester City.
The Montenegro international arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2013 after a flourishing career with Fiorentina in Serie A.
But the 25-year-old picked up an injury early in his time with Manuel Pellegrini's team and did not score in the Premier League until late January 2014.
Jovetic has since found first-team opportunities hard to come by, and his omission from the club's Champions League squad list for the knockout stages of the Champions League earlier this year was an indication that his time at City was up.
Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror claims that Jovetic is a target for former City manager Roberto Mancini, who is currently the head coach at Inter Milan.
Lewis claims the negotiations between the two clubs for the Montenegrin have been ongoing since the forward was left out of the Champions League squad.
But the impasse comes with Inter looking for a loan move while City want to make the deal permanent.
It will be a sad end to the striker's time in Manchester after his 40 goals in 134 games in Italy were heralded by the club's official website on his arrival in July 2013.
However, he deserves the opportunity to become more successful elsewhere, and with Inter crying out for firepower, Jovetic represents proven Serie A quality.
Believability Meter: High
Inter deserve credit for making a swift move for Jovetic in the wake of his Champions League disappointment, and the move makes sense for all concerned.
If the two clubs can agree the terms of the deal, expect the Montenegrin to prove a point next season.
Mats Hummels Could Consider Summer Move Abroad
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Borrusia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels has denied that he has promised to join Manchester United in the summer.
Recent reports indicated that Hummels, a 26-year-old Germany international, made the promise to a United coach. But the player tweeted (in German) a denial, saying (h/t the Guardian): "Just to be clear. This alleged 'promise' is simply an invention and that is saying it nicely."
However, in a recent interview with Bild (h/t FIFA), Hummels said: "If I was to transfer abroad at some stage, then it would only be to Manchester United. The FIFA article notes that Hummels' agent, his father, is a friend of United manager Louis van Gaal.
In addition, the FIFA article quotes Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke as stating:
"Mats had a conversation with [director of sport] Michael Zorc and myself two weeks ago, when he informed us that he is thinking about his future. That is completely legitimate. He has a contract until 2017 and we haven't received an offer, therefore we're pretty relaxed.
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Believability Meter: Medium
Dortmund are currently 10th in the Bundesliga following an exceptionally poor start to the campaign. The team are well out of the title race, and it's unclear when they'll be able to challenge Bayern Munich again.
That would make a move seem like a distinct possibility. As B/R transfers correspondent Allan Jiang pointed out:
"Hummels probably wants to not only play for a title-contending team but earn substantially more money.
It must be difficult for him to knock back lucrative offers every transfer window just to stay at Borussia Dortmund as an act of gratitude—Borussia Dortmund punted on his talent when Bayern Munich didn't give him a fair chance.
It appears Hummels is leaning toward leaving this summer.
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The promise might be little more than a fabrication, but Hummels may very well be headed for a new club in the summer.
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