Transfer predictor: Marco Asensio-Sadio Mane swap gets a 4 but Malcom to Spurs is a 7

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 12:23 02/07/2019
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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, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

    MALCOM

    Malcom

    Barcelona -> £36 million -> Tottenham

    Barcelona are reportedly working to bring back Neymar from Paris-Saint Germain and AS report that Malcom could be sacrificed in the process. The Catalan club will need to free up a non-EU spot and the Brazilian winger could hence be plying trades for Spurs next season.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    Barcelona’s interest in Neymar is concrete and the likelihood of the transfer materialising is growing by the day. Keeping in mind the restriction on non-EU spots and the huge transfer fee, it’s likely that Malcom – who barely played in his debut season – will be on his way out.

    Spurs will look to seal their first transfer in three windows by acquiring the signature of the versatile winger who had a splendid career at Bordeaux before he arrived at Barcelona.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the youngster but Barcelona are reportedly interested in shipping him off to the Premier League. However, given how the Spanish giants are in need of funds, they could sell the player to the highest bidder.

    Spurs could hence face stiff competition from the German club which is doing brilliantly in the transfer window.

    TRANSFER RATING: 7/10

    SADIO MANE

    Marco-Asensio

    Liverpool -> Swap deal (Marco Asensio)-> Real Madrid

    Having already added enough fire-power in their attack, Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly plotting a move for Champions League winner Sadio Mane. The Daily Express claim that a deal with Marco Asensio going the other way is very much on the cards.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    Jurgen Klopp is reportedly in favour of having £85-million-rated Asensio aboard and Madrid could allow the Spaniard to leave, should they acquire the signature of Mane.

    Asensio is just back from a sub-par season and is likely to have his minutes cut at the capital club. He could force a move to join the Champions League winners.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    To start with, it’s unlikely that Liverpool will want to tinker with the existing winning combination. The Senegalese winger was crucial to their European success and is an established core player in the squad.

    Also, Mane will have to compete with Eden Hazard for the left-winger’s spot. Although both are versatile, can play on either wing and Mane can also play as a striker, the front-three could come off as incompatible.

    TRANSFER RATING: 4/10

    PHILIPPE COUTINHO

    coutinho

    Barcelona -> Undisclosed -> Liverpool

    Le10Sport claim that Liverpool are interested in bringing back Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona. The Brazilian attacker recently admitted that he will never ply trades for Liverpool rivals Manchester United. This has prompted interest from the Reds who could provide Coutinho a way out of Camp Nou.

    WHY IT WILL HAPPEN

    Klopp is reportedly interested in bringing back Coutinho in an attempt to strengthen their chances of a European title defence.

    The former Liverpool midfielder has been at the end of a lot of criticism after a disappointing season with the Catalans and is tipped to leave the La Liga champions in this transfer window.

    WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN

    Although Barcelona will be open to selling Coutinho, they will be setting a high fee to save face from what was a failed transfer.

    Only time will tell whether the Reds consider him a priority on whom they can afford to spend big bucks.

    TRANSFER RATING: 5/10

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