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The latest EPL Transfer Gossip…

Published by Ian John on April 22, 2010

Hello and it’s been a while since we’ve looked at the latest transfer news in the EPL, so I thought rather than get depressed over Liverpool’s match tonight in Spain against Atletico (which they have about as much chance of winning as Portsmouth do the Financial Services Award for fine book-keeping), I’d fill you in on some of the latest transfer gossip doing the rounds.

The big news today in England has been that Manchester City have scrabbled behind that old sofa in the foyer and come up with a £150m war chest for Roberto Mancini to spend this summer. Apparently Mancini wants Fernando Torres first and foremost and City reckon £60m will tempt Liverpool to sell. Further credence to the story is given by journalists due to Liverpool’s owners wanting to sell (both him and the club), the manager not knowing where his future lies and the fact that Liverpool won’t be in the Champions League next year, and Manchester City may well be. The fact that Liverpool haven’t got two ha’pennies to rub together is also an issue I suppose.

City’s spending won’t end there according to some. Mancini has apparently also earmarked SV Hamburg’s Jerome Boateng for defence, Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal (£50m for him apparently, like Wenger needs the money) and most amusing of all Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona, who lets not forget cost somewhere in the region of £70m last summer to join from Inter but apparently City want him for around the £30m mark (Well, it’s £10m for Boateng, £60m for Torres, £50m for Fabregas, thats £120m and with £150m to spend, that means Zlatan’s value has plummeted this year). Who says it isn’t just to sell papers and the ponderings of madmen?

Manchester United have been linked with Hugo Lloris, the Lyon keeper who is now the encumbent Number 1 for France. £15m is apparently the asking price, though that may rise if Lloris reaches the Champions League final with Lyon and has a good world cup. Arsenal are also said to be keen on the keeper, though whether Wenger would spend £15m on him, when he has the sublimely talented Fabianski in reserve to the reliable Almunia, is open to debate.

Newcastle United’s promotion to the league has set tongues awagging as to who they may be interested in. In true newly promoted manager fashion that has been tried and failed many times before him, Chris Hughton has been linked with a swathe of players from clubs who have just been relegated from the Premier League. Names such as Marc Wilson, Nadir Belhadj and Aruna Dindane have been linked with Newcastle in recent weeks as has Pompey’s on loan Spurs star Jamie O’Hara. Speaking of Spurs, Hughton is said to be keen on a deal for Robbie Keane from Spurs, once the Irishman comes back and has treatment for depression after his spell on loan with Celtic this season.

An intriguing rumour that was once mooted but seems to have died down of late is that linking Ashley Cole with a move to Real Madrid. Apparently, Roman is growing tired of Ashley’s shenanigans and Carlo Ancelotti may be persuaded to part with the England defender, especially if Yuri Zhirkov proves his value with his extended run in the team. I think this story actually has a grain of truth to it as the left back spot at Real is definitely a weakspot (Marcelo has been lambasted at times by critics for his performances this season) and Cole would certainly fit the bill, if only in the short term.

It definitely feels like a critical summer for many teams in the Premier League, the divide between those with the money and those without it, has never been greater and may facilitate one of the most dramatic off seasons in terms of transfers that we have had in a long while. I certainly expect, come the start of next season, several clubs (and not just the smaller ones), to have a very different look about them on and off the field, come the start of season 2010-2011.

Image Courtesy of ***eurocopa2008*** on Flickr.com

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