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.
JUNIOR FIRPO
Real Betis left-back Junior.
Real Betis -> €40m -> Barcelona
RAC1 suggest that Barcelona could sign proven Real Betis left-back Junior Firpo as a back-up to Jordi Alba. The Catalan club could pay the player’s release clause of €40m.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Barcelona just played out one full season without a back-up left-back. Academy player Juan Miranda was hardly utilised and Ernesto Valverde preferred playing Nelson Semedo out of position when needed. The cracks were visible towards the end of the season and it looks like Barcelona have realised that a back-up at the left-back position is absolutely necessary.
Firpo is a proven player who can bring a lot to any top team. Barcelona and Betis enjoy a healthy relationship. There are reports that Barcelona will only trigger the release clause if their bid for the player is not met positively and prefer that it does not have to come to that.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Firpo has the quality to start every game and may find it absolutely necessary to do so during his developmental phase. Alba has at least 2-3 years as an undisputed starter and the Betis full-back would not want to play second fiddle for so long.
Antoine Griezmann has proved to be heavy on Barcelona’s pockets and if Neymar is indeed close to signing a deal with the club, they could run out of funds to complete this move.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 6/10
EVERTON SOARES
Gremio -> €28m -> Arsenal
Fox Sports Brazil report that Everton Soares will soon swap his Gremio colours for Arsenal’s red, as he completes a move to the London side. A transfer fee of €28m plus performance-based bonuses of up to €12m has been agreed upon and his announcement is imminent.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
In Everton, Arsenal have found a player who could prove to be their best value-for-money buy amid the budget constraints.
The Brazil forward first attracted interest from AC Milan but the move never materialised. After a terrific Copa America outing, the 23-year-old has once again made himself a hot prospect and Arsenal are well poised to get their man. He may be viewed as a cheaper alternative to Wilfried Zaha.
Reports suggest that the Premier League side have sent doctors to Brazil for medicals and the official announcement could happen very soon.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Several reports have suggested that the deal is done and only minor details remain. It’s very unlikely that things derail from where they stand at the moment.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 9/10
GARETH BALE
Real Madrid-> €60m -> Tottenham
Tottenham are ready to shell out up to €60m for Real Madrid attacker and former Spurs player Gareth Bale according to Marca.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
It’s clear as day that the Welshman has no future at Madrid and postponing his inevitable departure could only decrease the player’s market value.
Both Bale and Madrid are desperate to part ways and Spurs might just have provided them a way out. The winger will be returning to a club and league he is familiar with. A return to Spurs could very well be his last shot at redemption.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Spurs are unwilling to pay his wages in entirety and expect the Spanish giants to chip in with half the amount. The wage structure at Madrid could get messy with all the star arrivals and it remains to be seen if they will accept Spurs’ proposal.
Will Madrid agree to pay the wages of a player who is no longer at the club? Will Spurs sign the player even if their condition are not met by Madrid? Will Bale take a salary cut to be reunited with his former club? Well, someone has to compromise.
TRANSFER PREDICTOR: 5/10
