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 Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham and Manchester United.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
Atletico Madrid -> €125 million (release clause) -> Paris Saint-Germain
After months of speculation that Barcelona will complete the signing of Antoine Griezmann, SPORT have reported that a twist in tale can be expected with PSG entering the picture.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Edinson Cavani is not getting any younger and PSG could do with a player in his prime to help them bury the ghosts of embarrassing Champions League exits.
It might be hard to ignore the call of home – Griezmann could choose the French team over Barcelona out of respect for Atletico and the urge to play in his home country.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
SPORT have been very inconsistent with their transfer rumours and one would definitely think twice before taking their word.
Besides, in Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Griezmann, PSG will have an even more twisted struggle for supremacy between players who want to be the centre of proceedings on their hands. The world saw what happened when Neymar and Cavani clashed. Griezmann would not be the best addition where man-management and player hierarchy is concerned.
Transfer rating: 5/10
NATHAN AKE
Bournemouth -> £40 million -> Tottenham
After finishing runners-up in the Champions League without reinforcing their squad, Spurs could go all out in the summer transfer window. According to the Sun, the list could start with Cherries centre-back Nathan Ake.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
With huge doubts cast over the future of Toby Alderweireld at the club, Spurs find themselves needing a centre-back with enough quality to jump straight into the starting line-up.
Ake has impressed at Bournemouth, displaying enough quality to now be in consideration for a starter’s role at a top English club. Experience in the Premier League further strengthens his case for a move to the London side.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
There are no reports of any top clubs vying for the Dutch defender’s signature and the possibility of this deal maturing is theoretically low. And, given his transfer could be conditional to Alderweireld leaving, it’s certainly not set in stone. But, you should always anticipate the unexpected in football.
Transfer predictor: 7/10
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Tottenham -> undisclosed -> Manchester United
Christian Eriksen recently admitted that he could leave the Champions League runners-up this transfer window. While Real Madrid are said to be in pole position to acquire his signature, United too are said (the Evening Stadard) to have joined the race after Paul Pogba’s name started appearing in Madrid newspapers.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Should Madrid seal the Pogba signing, United will be clutching at straws to replace him with a world class player. This means that the man in question could receive a massive salary and a key role in the squad rebuild.
Youri Tielemans and Eriksen have been linked to the Red Devils, with the Dane tipped to receive a huge salary boost and other incentives should he choose Old Trafford.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
There are a lot of ‘ifs and buts’ in this transfer. To start with, Eriksen could sign for Madrid, with Pogba staying put at United. Madrid could sign both the players and force United to look for another player.
Eriksen deciding to stay at Spurs can’t be ruled out either, given United would not exactly be an upgrade from the London-based club due to their woes in recent years.
Transfer rating: 3/10
