5 Unlikely Transfer Rumours from Recent Weeks
The transfer window opens just twice a year, but world football's silly season runs around the clock.
All through the year, regardless of how near or far the transfer window is to opening, the rumour mill pumps out stories by the bushel. Some of them are believable. Some, not so much.
We've seen plenty of the latter lately. Here, B/R rounds up five of the most unlikely transfer rumours we've seen in recent weeks.
Lionel Messi to Arsenal
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Lionel Messi, currently fighting charges of tax fraud in Spain, "is open to" a transfer to England, according to David Woods at the Daily Star.
Messi, 28, reportedly favours a move to London and wants to earn £18 million per year after taxes. That works out to roughly £600,000 per week in wages before deductions.
Per Woods, Messi prefers a move to Arsenal if he leaves Barcelona.
Why It's Unlikely
Messi is, with Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the two best and most recognizable players in the world. He has built his worldwide celebrity at Barcelona, where he earns massive wages and consistently wins multiple trophies every year.
Simply put, he wouldn't win as many trophies at Arsenal, who don't appear to have a squad capable of challenging for the UEFA Champions League title at present. And as Woods himself reports, Messi has previously said he intends to retire at Barcelona.
Writing about the rumour here at B/R, Stuart Newman noted:
"(I)t seems Barcelona will be looking to tie down their star man in the not-too-distant future. According to Sport, via the Daily Mail, the Catalan club will offer Messi a new contract that will see him end his career at the Camp Nou.
The prospect of, arguably, the best team in the world losing the best player in the world would be something of a head scratcher.
A new bumper contract would put an end to any transfer speculation, and that’s exactly what (Barcelona) will be looking to do over the coming months.
"
The Star's story seems to exist solely because Messi's tax problems presented a chance for speculation, which in turn drives traffic.
Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United
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While it's highly unlikely that Lionel Messi will be signing with Arsenal, this next rumour involving the red half of north London is also a long shot.
According to Spanish source Don Balon (h/t Mark Brus at Metro), Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has contacted Arsenal about signing Alexis Sanchez. Van Gaal reportedly told the Chilean that he would be the "cornerstone" of United's team.
Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, according to the report.
Why It's Unlikely
It does make some sense that Sanchez would be frustrated if Arsenal fail to reach the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, but this one feels wrong for a few reasons.
First, Arsenal surely wouldn't sell Sanchez to a Premier League rival. The Gunners did send striker Robin van Persie to United in 2012, and the transfer all but clinched the league title for the Red Devils, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger won't want to aid a title rival again—and especially not United.
Second, Arsenal in recent seasons have shed their reputation as a selling club. Allowing Sanchez to leave so soon after signing him in 2014 would send the wrong message to fans and potential recruits.
Finally, Sanchez himself has said he wants to stay in London. "I have no idea what the media are saying, but I feel comfortable at Arsenal," he said, per Simon Rice at the Independent. "I'm happy with my team-mates and the city of London is beautiful. I'm not going to change, I'm very happy."
Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea
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Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to pay more than £70 million to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, per Spanish source Diario AS (h/t Mark Brus at Metro).
Ronaldo, 30, joined Real from Manchester United for a world-record fee (at the time) of £80 million. The Portuguese superstar is among the world's top players, having won the FIFA Ballon d'Or—ahead of Lionel Messi—in back-to-back years.
Per Metro's article, Ronaldo has also been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain next summer.
Why It's Unlikely
Sure, it's likely Abramovich wants Ronaldo for Chelsea. Who wouldn't want Ronaldo? At 30, the Portuguese forward might not be the player he was at the height of his powers, but he's still undeniably world-class.
But this is unlikely because of Ronaldo's history with Manchester United. Since leaving Old Trafford in 2009, Ronaldo has repeatedly spoken highly of his former club. In 2014, he said, per Simon Jones at the Daily Mail, "United will always be in my heart."
In mid-November, Ronaldo reiterated his "love" for United, calling himself a "huge supporter" of the club in an interview on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show (h/t ESPN FC).
Based on those words, it's hard to imagine Ronaldo joining Chelsea.
Neymar to Manchester United
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Manchester United are willing to pay Neymar £271,000 per week in wages if the Brazilian will join the club, according to Spanish source Don Balon (h/t Jamie Sanderson at Metro).
Per the Spanish report, Barcelona remain interested in signing Neymar to a new contract. The story also suggests that Neymar could be a star in his own right at United, moving out of Lionel Messi's "shadow."
Why It's Unlikely
Timing.
As recently as last summer, United and Neymar were in contact. In September, Neymar admitted to ESPN Brazil (h/t Sky Sports) that he and United "had conversations, but there was nothing concrete."
Now, however, a move seems decidedly improbable.
Neymar is in brilliant form for Barcelona, who need their Brazilian star more than ever while Lionel Messi recovers from an injury. Per Opta Jose, Neymar has played a part in 15 or Barcelona's last 17 goals, as of Nov. 8.
Although a move to Manchester United could take Neymar away from Messi's shadow, his recent form shows that he is a viable candidate to be Messi's long-term successor.
In addition, based on the current makeup of the two clubs, Barcelona will provide Neymar with a platform to win more trophies than United. Neymar has no reason to leave Barca at the moment, nor will the Catalan club be eager to let him go anywhere.
Andrea Pirlo (Loan) to Inter Milan
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Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini is considering a loan move for veteran Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Neil McLeman at the Daily Mirror).
Pirlo left Juventus for Major League Soccer side New York City FC at the end of the 2014-15 campaign and appeared 13 times for his new club after making his debut in July. The 36-year-old played for Inter from 1998-2001 before joining AC Milan and, later, Juventus.
According to the Italian reports, Pirlo wants to boost his chances of playing for Italy at Euro 2016 next summer. His contract with NYCFC runs through the end of next year.
Manchester City, NYCFC's parent club, are not interested, per McLeman.
Why It's Unlikely
Pirlo himself has said so.
"No, I do not think I will go to Europe, it would not be fair to my team," he said, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT). "All I'm thinking about is training this off-season for the 2016 campaign at New York."
Anything can happen in football, as the saying goes. But it seems unlikely that Pirlo and his 36-year-old body would want to extend his club season by a few extra months at Inter. At this stage in his career, it doesn't make much sense.
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