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 potential signings for Manchester United and PSG, and a possible departure from Barcelona.
JAMES MADDISON
RUMOUR: Leicester -> £60m -> Man United
Leicester playmaker James Maddison is United’s new top transfer priority, according to The Independent
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Manchester United are crying out for creativity from their midfield – and James Maddison fits the bill after a stellar first campaign in the Premier League. Only David Silva (16) created more big chances in the league than Maddison’s 13 out of Premier League attacking midfielders last season, and it’s likely the 22-year-old still sees United as a sizable step up despite their absence from the 2019/20 Champions League.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Leicester are in a position to drive an incredibly hard bargain. United have reportedly already been priced out of signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Crystal Palace reportedly £60m for the right-back. What will the Foxes want for another Englishman who both scores and creates goals? Don’t forget, the Red Devils were foiled in their pursuit of another Leicester man and World Cup hero Harry Maguire last summer because of the price tag.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 7/10
PHILIPPE COUTINHO
RUMOUR: Barcelona -> €100m -> PSG
Long-time admirers PSG are ready to offer Philippe Coutinho an escape route from his difficult spell with Barcelona, say Sport.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Coutinho had always been reluctant to play in Ligue 1 – going back to his Liverpool days – but PSG are ready to turn their long-term interest into cold, hard cash for a newly disenchanted player. Cold, hard cash is what Barcelona need as they must now sell to buy, and their desperation to sign another Ajax wonderkid in Matthijs De Ligt could push this deal through. PSG need another feel-good signing after their Champions League disaster and there are plenty of Brazilians there for Coutinho to feel at home in Paris.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Just how much can PSG spend? ‘FFP’ has proven little more than an ideal threat from UEFA so far – no real punitive action has been taken – but it remains to be seen how willing they are to push it, given they are adamant Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will continue to earn their mega wages in the French capital. And should Barcelona replace Ernesto Valverde with someone like a free-flowing coach in Ronald Koeman, it could well give an incredibly talented Coutinho a new lease of life.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 5/10
ANDRE GOMES
Andre Gomes
RUMOUR: Barcelona -> £25m -> West Ham
Barcelona are likely to reject a second bid of £20m from West Ham for their misfit Andre Gomes, with the Catalan club holding out for at least £25m, report The Guardian.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Andre Gomes, who hated life as scapegoat No.1 in Catalonia, found himself cherished on Merseyside with Everton – but it’s strange that the Toffees have apparently not made a bid for his services yet. West Ham seems an attractive alternative for the Portugal playmaker, with London life beckoning and a chance to make in-roads into the Premier League’s top half alongside rising star Declan Rice in midfield.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Are West Ham being too cute with their low-ball bids? Tottenham and Arsenal have reportedly had (albeit fleeting) interest in acquiring Gomes this summer, and for a relatively low price, it’s hard to not envision Everton eventually making a concrete offer. If the Toffees do finally pounce, it makes sense for the 25-year-old to remain at a club that helped him reboot his career.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 6/10
