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, or why not.
Today’s edition features the future of a Real Madrid star unwanted by Zinedine Zidane, Ajax possibly being raided for another of their young stars and a move away from Monaco for Radamel Falcao.
ISCO
Real Madrid -> £70m -> Manchester City
The Premier League transfer window is closing soon but champions City – who were apparently targeting him earlier in the summer – are weighing up a late move for the Madrid misfit, according to the Express.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: Isco clearly isn’t wanted by Zinedine Zidane and despite a fairly drastic dip in form, favour and attitude over the last two seasons, there is still a talented player in there somewhere. At 27 he is entering his prime and a move away from the Spanish capital should reinvigorate him.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Stories first surfaced of City’s interest in the Spanish schemer at the start of the summer, so why would they be keen now all of a sudden, especially with little time left to get a deal over the line?
He is seen as a successor to compatriot David Silva, but the 33-year-old is arguably in better shape and form, and City would surely be unwilling to meet Real’s valuation of their player.
Transfer predictor: 3/10
DAVID NERES
Ajax -> £64m -> Manchester United
United are eyeing a swoop for Ajax sensation Neres in a £46million deal, as their transfer spree continues, claim the Sun.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: The latest diamond unearthed by Ajax, Neres consolidated his position as one of Europe’s rising stars with a stellar 2018/19 campaign to back up a breakthrough year at the Dutch giants the previous campaign.
United still require a right winger and, at only 22, Neres fits the bill for the type of young, hungry player United are trying to attract. Even at the asking price, he would be a cheaper option than Paulo Dybala.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: Ajax reportedly rejected a £46m bid from United for the Brazilian star and will not accept anything less than £64m. The Red Devils might deem that too steep.
Having already lost Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong this summer, not to mention Donny van de Beek being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, Ajax will be loathe to lose another star and will hope to hold on to Neres for at least another year.
Transfer predictor: 5/10
RADAMEL FALCAO
Monaco -> €9m -> Sampdoria
Falcao has admitted he is “studying” offers to move away from Monaco, with Goal claiming he could be on his way to Italy.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN: With the club having declined to offer the 33-year-old Colombian an extension to his current contract, which expires next year, they may hope to offload Falcao for a small fee this summer.
And the player himself seems keen to leave France, saying: “I have to think about my future, my family. I am studying the offers. These are good opportunities for my career.”
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN: The club signed winger Gelson Martins permanently but have not added another forward with the quality to be a direct replacement for their aging veteran, so they won’t want to let him leave – especially with the Ligue 1 season getting under way against Lyon next Friday.
A number of other clubs are also interested, including Galatasaray, Valencia and even Falcao’s former side, Atletico Madrid.
Transfer predictor: 6/10
