January Transfer Window: 5 Ridiculous Transfer Rumors

Jonathan KooDec 3, 2011

As much as I love the January transfer window and the shake-up it provides, the press often goes crazy with their predictions and rumors.

As entertaining as they are, these rumors are often false, with some simply making no sense at all.

In an effort to sift through the nonsense, here are five January-transfer rumors that are just plain ridiculous.

Gareth Bale to Barcelona

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This rumor has been floating around for the last few months, with Barcelona reportedly interested in offering £35 million come January.

While Bale is certainly a world-class player, I just cannot see how he would be able to fit into the Barcelona system.

The obvious position would be to play Bale as a left-wing. However, Barcelona already have David Villa in that position, with Andres Iniesta or Alexis Sanchez also able to play there adeptly.

There is no way Bale could force himself into Barca's midfield trio either. The Iniesta-Busquets-Xavi pairing is the best in the world, with world-class talents like Cesc Fabregas, Javier Mascherano and young gun Thiago Alcantara as ready-made replacements.

The only possibility would be to convert Bale back into a left wingback. However, Bale already proved that he is not a world-class defender during his earlier years at Tottenham. Furthermore, this could stifle the development of Rafinha Alacantara, while Barca also have cover in Eric Abidal and Adriano.

Lastly, Bale's bread and butter are his power and pace. While these qualities are of great focus in places like the Premier League, it is hard to see Bale's style fit well into Barcelona's tiki-taka passing style.

David Villa to Liverpool

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Since Fenway Sports Group took over Liverpool last year, it seems like the club have been linked with every other big-name player. The latest rumor to circulate around Anfield is that the Reds want to bring in Barcelona's David Villa.

While the Kop would certainly welcome the Spaniard with open arms—especially with Andy Carroll's less than spectacular form—it is hard to imagine the forward wanting to move.

Villa currently starts for what many believe to be the best team in the world. Barcelona have a very realistic chance of repeating as European champions, which could solidify them as one of the greatest teams of all time. So why would he want to leave to join a Liverpool side that cannot even make the Champions League?

David Beckham to Tottenham

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Lets get real: David Beckham doesn't belong at the top of English football anymore. While Beckham was certainly a world-class talent and is still a great player, there is no way he could break into the midfield at Tottenham, which already boasts the talents of Gareth Bale, Scott Parker, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Niko Kranjcar, Sando and Tom Huddlestone.

Beckham was never really blessed with pace, which has further diminished due to age and injury. This would prevent the Englishman from playing in his preferred right midfield position at a club challenging for Champions League football.

Beckham could try to pull a Ryan Giggs and move to the center of the park, where he can still utilize his superb passing ability, but that would mean displacing either Modric or Parker, two internationals at the top of their game.

Lastly, how would Beckham feel about playing against his former club, Manchester United—a club he supported even as a boy? Beckham himself has said that he never really wanted to leave the Red Devils, and his emotions could also prove a deal-breaker.

Both Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic to Anywhere

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This isn't so much a single rumor, but more an argument against a conglomerate of rumors.

After establishing themselves as one of the best young center-back pairings in the world, the Dortmund duo have inevitably been linked with a host of big clubs. Hummels has been linked to Italian giants Juventus (as well as Barcelona and Liverpool), while Subotic has been linked with a multitude of top Premier League clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Both young defenders are superb, and would be welcome additions to any of the teams they are linked to. However, it would be suicide for Dortmund to sell both of their central defenders. The current champions sit second in the Bundesliga, only one point behind leaders Bayern Munich.

If the club sells both Hummels and Subotic, they can kiss the title goodbye.

Didier Drogba to Tottenham

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Ivory Coast captain Drogba has been frustrated with his lack of opportunities since £50 million-man Fernando Torres' transfer last January. Since Torres' arrival, the star forward has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Reports from Drogba's camp have been confusing. His representatives first reported that he would like to finish his career in Blue, but then took a U-turn and announced that he would sign for whomever would offer the most money.

A player of Drogba's quality has many suitors, of course, with AC Milan, Anzhi Makhachkala, Arsenal and the L.A. Galaxy all expressing interest. However, Harry Redknapp recently opened up a bag of rumors, indicating would would be interest in bringing the Ivorian to White Hart Lane.

Tactically, Spurs already have a big, strong forward in Emmanuel Adebayor and would be better off bringing in a skilled, pacey strike partner.

Furthermore, Chelsea would be hard-pushed to sell the dangerous forward to a local rival. Tottenham will be in direct competition with Chelsea for Champions League spots this season, and giving Redknapp another weapon could be deadly.

If Spurs really want Drogba, they would need to fork over some serious cash, which would probably mean selling either Modric or Bale.