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.
WILFRIED ZAHA
Crystal Palace -> £55 million -> Arsenal
Metro report that Unai Emery has asked the Arsenal board for extra funds to complete the signing of Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Playing Denis Suarez on the wing was an experiment that clearly didn’t work out last season. Some firepower in the form of Zaha can liberate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and give the Gabon goalscorer the chance to play exclusively up top.
Zaha’s experience in the Premier League would be handy and ensures he settles instantly. The player has told Palace he intends to move on, after deciding to stick around in light of interest from Chelsea a year ago, and with a good offer, it’s unlikely the club will provide any resistance.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Emery is believed to have a minuscule transfer budget of around £45 million which is a serious problem. Assuming Emery is successful in convincing the board to add additional funds, it still means that Arsenal will be unlikely to buy any other player unless they sell.
Also, Zaha has made it clear he wants to feature in the Champions League. He will have to wait for at least a year to have his wish granted in an Arsenal shirt.
TRANSFER RATING 5/10
DANI OLMO
VAMOSSSS!!!!! Clasificados a semifinales y a los JJOO 2020!!! EQUIPAZO!!!! 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸 #U21EURO ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/HdoxGQLjko
— Dani Olmo (@daniolmo7) June 22, 2019
Dinamo Zagreb -> €25 million -> Barcelona
After impressive showings for Dinamo Zagreb and a positive U21 Euros campaign so far, Spanish winger Dani Olmo has attracted interest from top European clubs. Bayer Leverkusen have launched a €25 million bid but Marca report that Barcelona have also entered the race.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Olmo is a La Masia graduate who was at the club until 2014 when he left for Croatia. The 21-year-old hence already has the built-in ‘Barca DNA’, having experienced his teenage years in the famed academy.
The winger has won four league titles and three cups at Zagreb, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in the 2018/19 season alone. These could be indicators that he is ready for a return to the Catalan club.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Malcom’s situation at Barca could serve as a warning to Olmo, as he looks to work on his development.
The Brazilian arrived at Camp Nou after a breakout season with Bordeaux but failed to earn the trust of coach Ernesto Valverde.
With Ousmane Dembele tipped for a big role in the future and the return of Neymar still on the cards, Olmo could find it hard to get the minutes he deserves. The Spaniard could hence opt for Leverkusen.
TRANSFER RATING: 4/10
GIANLUIGI BUFFON
Paris-Saint Germain -> Free transfer -> Leeds
A host of clubs are after veteran Gianluigi Buffon who will be available on a free transfer after he refused to extend with PSG. Italian outlet Coirriere della Sera suggest that Championship side Leeds United are one of the clubs trying to persuade the Italian veteran to join them.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Due to his advanced age, a move to a top European club would not appear to be on the cards. The pull-factor provided by the genius of compatriot Marcelo Bielsa and the prospect of experiencing English football could tempt Buffon into a move to Yorkshire.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Portuguese club Porto are also in the tussle for the Italian’s signature, with doubts cast over the future of Iker Casillas owing to health concerns following a mild cardiac arrest.
Brazilian outfit Fluminense are also said to be interested and Leeds appear to be the club with the smallest profile among the suitors.
TRANSFER RATING: 2/10
