Transfer predictor: Juventus pursuit of De Ligt gets 7, new destination for Eriksen

Matt Jones - Editor 11:46 23/06/2019
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  • Matthijs de Ligt

    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 recent times and give a balanced judgment on whether the move really will happen – and why.

    Today’s edition features a tantalising offer from Turin for one of the game’s brightest stars, a new destination for a Real Madrid target and a young Scottish left-back heading for the Big Smoke.

    MATTHIJS DE LIGT

    Matthijs de Ligt

    Ajax -> €70m -> Juventus

    Juventus have reportedly moved ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in negotiations for the 19-year-old, according to Sky in Italy.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: It’s been one of the most intriguing transfer stories of the summer so far. The hottest defensive property on the market appeared destined to follow compatriot Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona – but now Juve and PSG appear to have moved to the front of the queue.

    The French giants offered the 19-year-old a five-year contract worth £340,000 a week earlier this month, and they are the preferred destination of his agent, Mino Raiola.

    But the Bianconeri are also said to have tabled a lucrative deal, which is believed would make him the second-highest-paid player behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The world is De Ligt’s oyster and while any move is going to make him a very rich man, as well as open up more opportunity for success in bigger leagues and at bigger clubs, he is right to feel his options would be more limited in Turin.

    PSG’s Champions League capabilities are probably on par with Juve’s, while Premier League champions Manchester City are an attractive proposition.

    Transfer predictor: 7/10

    CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

    eriksen

    Tottenham -> £100m -> Man United

    Real Madrid’s move for Eden Hazard has led the Denmark international to believe his dream move to the Bernabeu is over, and he is looking for other options, according to the Mirror.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: The player is destined for pastures new, having already spoken of seeking a new challenge, telling Spurs team-mates he is leaving and packing up his north London house before the Champions League final.

    Eriksen had his heart set on Madrid, but Hazard’s arrival means Zinedine Zidane is likely to target other positions to strengthen. United or Juventus are the Dane’s most viable options, with his sale freeing up vital funds for Mauricio Pochettino, who is keen on Wilfried Zaha.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Despite their willingness to sell, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is renowned as one of the toughest negotiators in football, and it is unlikely Eriksen leaves for anything less than the full £100m asking price.

    Turin might appear a more palatable move for a player who might not fancy the volatile Old Trafford environment.

    Transfer predictor: 5/10

    KIERAN TIERNEY

    Kieran Tierney

    Celtic -> £25m -> Arsenal

    The Gunners have already had a bid rejected, but the Glasgow Evening Times reports that manager Neil Lennon would be ‘surprised’ if the talented left-back doesn’t move away from Glasgow.

    WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: Even at the tender age of 22, there is not much left for Tierney to achieve north of the border. He has won three trebles in his four seasons in the senior side as well as a slew of individual honours (he claimed the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award three successive years from 2016-18).

    Arsenal’s £15m bid was rebuffed last week but they are expected to make an improved offer.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Tierney is a Hoops fan at heart, so it might be too much of a wrench to leave the club he loves.

    There is also the fact the Scotland international only played sporadically in 2019 because of a hernia problem, and he is still recuperating from surgery.

    Transfer predictor: 8/10

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