Struggling to pick out the facts from the figures? Reality from the rubbish? Sense from the silly season?
We’ve got you sorted in our daily dose of the Transfer Predictor, where we round up the latest rumours with an analytical spin.
We sort through the most eye-catching transfer reports of the past 24 hours and give a balanced judgment on whether the move really will happen – and why.
Today’s edition features a couple of potential Premier League departures, plus signings for Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
ROMELU LUKAKU
Manchester United -> £75m -> Inter Milan
A number of clubs are keen on the big Belgian striker, but Corriere dello Sport say expectant new Nerazzurri boss Antonio Conte has requested the club to sign Lukaku.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: If former Chelsea boss Conte does indeed come in and replace the under pressure Luciano Spalletti, he’ll want a marquee signing to accompany his arrival. And they don’t come much bigger than Lukaku, who would be an ideal replacement for the controversial Mauro Icardi.
He hasn’t had a great second season at Old Trafford and doesn’t really fit the free-flowing, fast style of play Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to implement. He hasn’t exactly been coy on his desire to play in Serie A either, saying recently: “Playing in Serie A is a dream, it would be really a dream.” Don’t forget, Conte wanted Lukaku back at Chelsea before having to settle for Alvaro Morata.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: French giants PSG are also interested and would surely be able to offer the frontman a more lucrative package. Lukaku would also relish the idea of possibly replacing either Edinson Cavani or Neymar, with both of their futures unclear.
There’s also the possibility of him remaining a Red Devil – his record hasn’t been disastrous this season (15 goals in 45 games) – with United having more pressing needs other than a striker.
Transfer predictor: 8/10
RICHARLISON
Everton -> £70m -> Atletico Madrid
The Mirror claims the Brazilian has caught the eye of the Spanish giants, as well as PSG, who see him as a perfect replacement for departing stars.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: Atleti are likely going to be in the market for a striker, despite the success of on loan Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata, and both they and PSG can offer the pacy striker Champions League football next season, in addition to a serious improvement on his current wages of a reported £125,000-a-week. Antoine Griezmann could also be leaving for Barcelona (where have we heard that before?).
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The 22-year-old is settled on Merseyside and content to stick with the Toffees, whom he only joined last summer for £40m, from Watford.
He’s popular in the dressing room and with the Goodison Park outfit finally finding their feet under Marco Silva towards the end of the season, they will feel they can push on and challenge for the Champions League next term.
Transfer predictor: 3/10
TIM WEAH
PSG -> £10m -> Crystal Palace
The Eagles, Rennes and a third unnamed club are reportedly ready to swoop to sign the son of the President of Liberia and former Ballon D’Or winner George Weah, according to RMC (via Get French Football News).
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: Despite carrying the name of greatness on his back, Weah has no future at PSG and is set to be sold this summer. There was a possibility of a second loan spell with Celtic, but on Friday the 19-year-old said goodbye to the Scottish club via Instagram as he gets set to link up with the United States’ U20 side to play in the World Cup in Poland starting at the end of the month.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Despite a moderately successful loan spell with the Hoops – Weah scored four goals in 17 appearances overall and helped the Scottish giants claim yet another league title – Weah is still a very raw prospect.
Palace, and Rennes, may not want to risk a fee – however modest it’s likely to be – on a promising player who remains something of a gamble.
Transfer predictor: 5/10
