World Football Transfers: The Top 10 Sensational Rumors of the Week
With most of the European domestic football league seasons coming to a close, the football rumor mill for the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 has kicked into gear.
The UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona may have everyone's attention currently, but transfer season is just getting started.
While the summer transfer window has yet to open, transfer discussions are already regular news for the media. This week has already seen a number of significant transfers touted, and here's a collection of the 10 best.
David De Gea to Manchester United
1 of 10
The potential transfer of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea to Manchester United has been the worst-kept transfer "secret" of the week, although there has been speculation on what the current status of the deal is.
United manager Alex Ferguson seemingly confirmed on Tuesday that de Gea was set to become a United player, and although nothing formal has been announced, even Atletico chairman Gil Maran has resigned himself to losing the goalkeeper.
Maran's admission along with a lack of a formal announcement indicates that a fee has likely been agreed for the player, but personal terms are still being discussed.
Ferguson himself wrote in his last pre-match program for United that the goalkeeping replacement for retiring Edwin Van der Saar had been identified and that moves were being made, and I would expect to hear of the signing of de Gea sooner rather than later.
Likelihood: Almost Guaranteed
Manuel Neuer to Bayern Munich
2 of 10
It's not every week that you see multiple rumors about multi-million pound offers for goalkeepers, but that's just what was seen this week with transfer speculation on Schalke's Manuel Neuer.
While Manchester United had been linked with Neuer prior to the de Gea rumors, those died down quickly after speculation that Bundesliga giants and last year's UEFA Champion's League runners-up Bayern Munich had already agreed a deal for the player worth more than £20 million.
While Schalke denied such an agreement on Friday, speculation is rife that they have already begun the search for a replacement goalkeeper.
With United closing in on a deal for de Gea already, it's made it all the more likely that Neuer will be heading southeast to league rivals Bayern, although it may take some time for the deal to be formalized.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Sergio Aguero to Juventus
3 of 10
Since highly rated Argentine forward/attacking midfielder Sergio Aguero first announced this week that he wanted a move from club Atletico Madrid, rumors have been developing linking him to just about every major club in Europe.
As it stands, though, the only club who appear to have made a serious bid for the player are Italian club Juventus.
The reality, however, is that there isn't a chance it will stay that way.
Aguero has been linked with Chelsea and other English Premier League sides every summer for the last several years, and while no English club may have made an official offer yet, clubs in the Premier League have already shown they have no fear in paying the reported £40 million transfer fee.
Juventus, on the other hand, haven't yet shown their capability in bringing back the scudetto to Turin since their relegation following the match-fixing scandal in 2006. They may have money to spend this summer, but I don't think Aguero will be one of their acquisitions.
Money is going to play a big, big part in who gets Aguero, and I fully expect it will be the Premier League that sees his talents next season rather than the Serie A.
Likelihood: Extremely likely to move, Unlikely to Juventus
Harry Redknapp to Be Next Chelsea Manager
4 of 10
While not a player, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has found himself under increasing speculation that he's going to be moving across London to English Premier League rivals Chelsea.
While Redknapp didn't enjoy a strong end to the season as Spurs manager, the former West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth manager currently finds himself as the bookies' favorite to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.
While I still believe Guus Hiddink is a far more likely candidate to take over at the Premier League runners-up, I don't believe Redknapp's appointment could be considered that far-fetched. He's said before that the opportunity to manage one of the biggest sides in the country doesn't present itself to everyone, and a season at Chelsea before he makes his move for the England job next year—the job he's always coveted—could be possible.
Likelihood: Possible—but Guus Hiddink will be the preferred candidate
Karim Benzema to Arsenal
5 of 10
French striker Karim Benezema hasn't always hit the best of form since joining Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, but he's gone a long way to silencing his doubters this season.
Benzema, however, who cost Real Madrid an estimated £30 million in a summer spending spree that brought in fellow stars Christiano Ronaldo and Kaka, is still being linked away.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to bring in Benzema on the cheap, with a figure of only £7 million being touted as all that's required to secure his services.
While there has always been speculation that Real manager Jose Mourinho doesn't rate the Frenchman, Benzema himself has denied such rumors and suggested that he has no intention of leaving.
Whether Arsenal actually make a move for the player during this transfer window or not could go a long way to showing supporters the club's ambition. Does the board at the club still intend to be proper competition for the Premier League title, or are they merely content with turning profit?
The reality, however, is that I don't really see this transfer going through. While Wenger has always demonstrated his affinity for his fellow countrymen and I don't believe Mourinho rates Benzema as highly as other strikers, I don't think Madrid will be keen to allow their second-highest goalscorer to go. Then, of course, there's the issue of the small fee being discussed.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Miroslav Klose to Everton, Tottenham or Juventus
6 of 10
Bayern Munich's German hitman Miroslav Klose has had talks with his club reportedly break down at the end of this week, leading to speculation that the 2006 World Cup Golden Boot winner may be on the move.
Klose, 32, may no longer be a spring chicken and certainly wouldn't command anywhere near the largest transfer fee of the players on this list, still has plenty to offer.
Everton are the latest in a series of clubs linked with the striker, which includes Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Valencia.
While it's far from certain that Klose will leave the Bundesliga—after all, he has never played for a club outside of Germany since his career began in the late 1980s—the rumors of a potential move to England or Italy could definitely have some weight behind them.
David Moyes is renowned for working wonders on a shoe-string budget, and considering Klose could likely be captured for a reasonable fee and with poacher Yakubu set to leave, he's just the type of player the club could be after.
Meanwhile, Spurs manager Redknapp has demonstrated plenty of times before that he's able to fully take advantage of players coming into their twilight years. The rumor-mill abounds with links between Spurs and European-based strikers, but Klose has both the pedigree and the skill to really improve the Tottenham front line while also having the characteristics of players Redknapp is known to favor.
Juventus can not be discounted as a potential location, either, as they have been seriously linked with the striker since January and seem very ready to seriously improve their squad.
If the talk is true that discussions with Bayern have broken down, Klose will surely be leaving the Bundesliga, as it seems unlikely he'd move to another German club. Juventus seem to be the most keen on the player, and unless one of the Premier League sides begins to really demonstrate their interest, he may well move on to Italy.
Likelihood: Likely to leave, with Juventus currently leading the pack for his signature
Carlos Tevez to Juventus
7 of 10
Juventus again appear on this week's transfer rumor list, as one of the latest courters of want-away Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
Tevez was in fine form for the Citizens all season and finished as the joint winner of the English Premier League Golden Boot, along with Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. Over the last few months, however, he has been fairly vocal about his desire to leave Eastlands.
As of this week, mixed news has abound about Tevez, who reportedly told an Argentinian radio station that he intends to leave, while also telling Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini he plants to say.
Confusing to say the least but certainly not out of character for a player who announced not so long ago that he doesn't enjoy playing football and intends to retire long before he's 30.
While Juventus are Tevez's latest link away, The Daily Mail declared Friday that Tevez had snubbed a major offer from Juventus in order to remain at City.
The problem, however, is that just because Tevez decides he doesn't want to play for Juventus does not mean he has decided to remain at the club. While it seems Tevez is unlikely to move to the Turin side, this transfer saga is very far from over. Expect much of the summer to pass before Tevez's future is decided.
Likelihood: Extremely clouded. While he won't be joining Juventus, I'm not completely convinced that Carlos Tevez has any idea at all where he'd like to play football next season
Scott Parker to Aston Villa, Liverpool, or Tottenham
8 of 10
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has earned praise from basically every corner of the footballing world this season, despite his side's dire campaign in the English Premier League.
As well as scooping the Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year Award, Parker has earned plenty of admirers in the form of Premier League managers who will be vying for his services this summer. This week, the links are to Aston Villa, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Aston Villa announced the release of 10 players Friday on free transfers, including midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. Wingers Stuart Downing and Ashley Young continue to be linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United respectively; that leaves plenty of room for Parker to slot in, although the current speculation over Villa's managerial position may keep the player hesitant.
Although Liverpool won't be enjoying European football next season, their resurgence under manager Kenny Daglish has gone a long way to reinvigorating a side seemingly short on inspiration. The midfield already has strong, competent central midfielders however, especially after Lucas performed so well this season. But with Alberto Aquilani almost certainly leaving the club this summer after failing to settle at the club, competition for places could be just what Liverpool need.
As for links with Tottenham Hotspur, however—the team that already have arguably the best midfield in the league and with quality midfilders wasting away on the bench—speculation that he'll move make the short trip to North London seems exceedingly far-fetched. While it's likely that Spurs will see several marginalized midfielders leave this summer, they need to focus on other areas of the team that actually need additions.
While Parker is certain to leave West Ham this summer, I don't see him making making a move until later in the summer when all his options are available.
Likelihood: Definitely on the move and a serious target for Aston Villa once their management situation is settled
Samir Nasri to Manchester United
9 of 10
Samir Nasri enjoyed an excellent campaign for Arsenal this season, who spent much of the season chasing a long-awaited English Premier League title. While the title has again eluded them, this summer is going to prove a pivotal one for the club in demonstrating whether they still have the ambitions to remain title contenders.
Managing to keep hold of important players like Nasri goes a long way to demonstrating that ambition.
The most recent rumor gaining momentum is that Nasri is set for a shock-transfer to rivals Manchester United, while Arsenal will look to bring in Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing as a replacement.
While it wouldn't be unheard of for a player to switch between the two rivals, I find such a link extremely unlikely.
Nasri may leave the club this summer, although I'm not even convinced that Wenger won't manage to convince him to stay. I will guarantee, however, that Arsenal won't allow him to leave for United.
Next week could prove an important week for Nasri's future.
Likelihood: Extremely Unlikely
Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona
10 of 10
Much like the consistent summer rumors of Sergio Aguero's departure from Spain to England each summer, so too have there been rumors of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas' return to his youth club, Barcelona.
And summer after summer, we've seen the tension build, only for Fabregas to remain in London. Gunners supporters hope that he'll lead them to silverware that season, and it hasn't happened yet.
Rumors abound again that after another trophyless season and continued Barcelona murmurs all year, that Fabregas will finally be returning to the Catalan side as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger works to completely rebuild his squad.
Bareclona Captain Carlos Puyol was extremely vocal last summer about his desire to have Fabregas at the club, and that pressure continued to build this week after Puyol and fellow teammate Gerard Pique performed a clever tongue-in-cheek reminder that they want Fabregas back in Spain.
While this is another transfer rumor which likely won't be resolved for another few weeks, the conditions seem to be edging closer and closer for a Fabregas departure. Another season passes without silverware for Arsenal, who have now spent a consecutive six seasons without reward.
And while Barcelona's midfield is as impressive as ever and Fabregas wouldn't be given a guaranteed starting position, the reality is that he'd still be getting regular football and have a far greater opportunity to win trophies.
It's a summer of transition for Arsenal (see a theme here?), and while it's a very cloudy issue of whether Fabregas will remain in London or not, I could definitely see a move materialize.
Likelihood: Very possible
