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 arguably the world’s best centre-back, a gem from a smaller Premier League club and a catastrophic flop.
KALIDOU KOULIBALY
Napoli -> €110m -> Man United
Manchester United have been rebuffed by Napoli in a €110m bid for Kalidou Koulibaly as they continue their search for a centre-back, claims Gazzetta dello Sport.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Pure desperation. United crave a world-class centre-back – and there’s no one on Koulibaly’s level right now apart from Virgil van Dijk. If Ed Woodward was reportedly willing to chuck €100m at Koulibaly and even Raphael Varane last season, given the club’s woeful state of affairs, he may try and tempt cantankerous Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis with an even bigger bid.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: There is a limit to United’s fortunes and while Koulibaly would be a near-certain success, he does turn 28 in July. And what of Joao Felix, the Portuguese wonderkid who may also set the club back by €120m? There is of course the fact that Napoli are in the Champions League, while United will be floundering in the Europa League. Would Koulibaly go that far to force a move to a fallen giant?
Transfer predictor: 5/10
RYAN FRASER
Bournemouth -> £30m -> Liverpool
With Ryan Fraser’s contract at Bournemouth up in 12 months’ time, Liverpool have thrown their hat into the ring alongside and Arsenal and Manchester United for the Scotland winger’s services, say The Sun.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Young and established Premier League talent at a smaller club – Liverpool have been here before with Andy Robertson, Georginio Wijnaldum and what seems like the entire Southampton squad. The versatile 25-year-old would be a excellent rotational piece on the left for Sadio Mane, and could perhaps also play in the midfield three.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The report suggests that Reds would be content to sit and wait for Fraser to run out his contract, which means the Cherries could be inclined to accept a bid this year rather than let him walk for free. United and Arsenal need to freshen up their squads while Fraser would likely be a supplementary piece at Anfield. Why wait if you can make a name for yourself – and a lot more money – elsewhere?
Transfer predictor: 4/10
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Man United -> free -> Inter Milan
The Sunday Times have reported that Inter Milan are exploring the possibility of rescuing Alexis Sanchez from his Old Trafford nightmare.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: United are desperate to bring players in – and they’re also desperate to offload them. Despite his astronomical wages circa £500k per week, the Red Devils are ready to book his ticket to Italy if Inter will take him for free. What’s in it for Inter? Well, a potentially special player who was unbelievable with Udinese a decade ago when first bursting onto the scene. His wretched form is at least partially down to United’s dysfunction.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Did you see those wages? Sanchez could quite possibly decide to ride out his ridiculous contract for another three years, and even taking a 50 per cent pay cut may not be enough for Inter. It will also depend on whether Antonio Conte views Sanchez as the right fit, or indeed the right priority, with the Italian expected to oust Luciano Spalletti and take over at the Nerazzurri.
Transfer predictor: 5/10
