Transfer predictor: Yacine Brahimi to Arsenal an 8, Marc Bartra to Roma is a 7

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  • 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 Tottenham, Arsenal and Roma.

    TANGUY NDOMBELE

    BeFunky-collage (2)

    Lyon -> €72m -> Tottenham Hotspur

    Spurs have agreed a club-record fee to land the emergent France centre midfielder and must now seal personal terms, according to L’Equipe.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has made Ndombele his No1 target as he seeks a refresh of the midfield. The player’s age, 22, and recent rise make him perfectly fit the profile of what the beaten Champions League finalists desire. Ndombele is also reported to have been impressed during a tour of club facilities and wages should be a formality. A gap has existed in the Spurs roster since Mousa Dembele departed for Guangzhou R&F in January 2019 – Ndombele is the ideal candidate to fill it.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Tottenham have, infamously, not signed a player since Brazil forward Lucas Moura in January 2018. The proposed fee for Ndombele is also almost double the amount paid to Ajax for Colombia centre-back Davinson Sanchez in August 2017. L’Equipe further state that Manchester United view Ndomble as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba. They would have the financial power to outbid Spurs.

    TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 9/10

    YACINE BRAHIMI

    BeFunky-collage (3)

    Porto -> Free transfer -> Arsenal

    The Algeria winger will sign for the Gunners on a free transfer now his Porto contract has wound down, according to La Gazettedu Fennec.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: Arsenal want to reinforce their wide positions, but are working on a limited budget. This makes the experienced Brahimi, who is available on a free transfer, an ideal candidate. The 29-year-old also desires a switch to the Premier League after five successful years in Portugal.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The Turkish trio of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas have proposed offers to Brahimi’s camp. If any of them raise the stakes, another destination may reveal itself. Ligue 1’s Nice also offer an opportunity to return to the country of his birth.

    TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 8/10

    MARC BARTRA

    BeFunky-collage (4)

    Real Betis -> €72m -> Roma

    The Giallorossi have selected the Spain centre-back as their ideal replacement for Napoli new boy Kostas Manolas, according to Corriere dello Sport.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN: A gaping hole exists in the heart of Roma’s defence and sporting director Gianluca Petrachi wants Bartra to fill it. This selection is also backed by recently arrived head coach Paulo Fonseca and the player himself, with a contract worth €2.5m per annum on the table.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The former Barcelona ace has settled well at Betis since an unhappy stint at Borussia Dortmund, rediscovering his best form. Roma, reportedly, also have a number of other options on their list, including Sampdoria’s Joachim Andersen, Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld and Atalanta’s Gianluca Mancini.

    TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 7/10

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