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 is a special Real Madrid edition and features potential signings and departures for the Spanish giants.
PAUL POGBA
Paul Pogba
RUMOUR: Manchester United -> €170m -> Real Madrid
Madrid have stepped up their interest in Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, according to the Independent.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Pogba reportedly feels underappreciated at United with criticism continuously directed his way, especially from some of the fans. A player of his calibre needs to be playing in the Champions League and Old Trafford is a very unstable environment at the moment. He could also be lured by the prospect of working with Zinedine Zidane.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Selling one of their only world class players would hurt United’s rebuilding process. Ole Gunner Solskjaer is adamant he wants Pogba to be integral to the team moving forward. United are likely to demand a huge fee with the Frenchman under contract for two more years with an option for one more.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 5/10
GARETH BALE
Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid future remains shrouded in doubt.
RUMOUR: Real Madrid -> Loan -> Tottenham
Madrid are organising a clearing-out this summer and chief among the departures could be Gareth Bale. According to Marca, Los Blancos would consider a loan move as a last resort with Tottenham being the Welshman’s likely destination.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Bale needs to be playing football and should former club Tottenham win the Champions League, he could be convinced of their new standards. He could thrive under Mauricio Pochettino and back in an environment he’s comfortable with. The Madridistas have never quite taken to him. Meanwhile, he’s already won every trophy he can at the Bernabeu.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The forward’s wages are astronomical and even if Madrid agree to pay a portion of it, Spurs could be put off by the remaining amount. After all, even half of around £600,000 a week would still make him their highest-paid player by a distance. There is also the issues with his injury record and at 29, that could only worsen.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 6/10
LUKA JOVIC
Luka Jovic
RUMOUR: Eintracht Frankfurt -> €70m -> Real Madrid
Madrid are set to announce the signing of Luka Jovic next week upon the conclusion of the Bundesliga season, as reported by AS.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Los Blancos are desperate for a striker to not only relieve the 31-year-old Karim Benzema but also compete with him for the opportunity to lead the line. The return of Mariono Diaz has been a little underwhelming and Jovic is hot property at the moment.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Barcelona, despite closing in on Antoine Griezmann, are still looking for more attacking options and have shown interest in Jovic. At the end of the day, Benzema has enjoyed one of his best individual seasons at the Bernabeu and Madrid have bigger fires to put out.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 8/10
