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 activity involving Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Arsenal.
NEYMAR
Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain -> €100m + Dybala -> Juventus
Spanish paper AS claim in their online edition that Juve are offering Paulo Dybala plus €100m.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Negotiations with Barcelona and Real Madrid for Neymar have been difficult with both clubs already spending big in the summer before the Brazilian became available. Juventus may have a chance of swooping in with Dybala as a makeweight in a player plus cash deal. Thomas Tuchel made it clear that PSG will not let Neymar leave without a replacement and the Argentine forward would be a fine one.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Dybala is reluctant to leave Juventus and will make huge demands regarding wages and image rights as he did with Manchester United. PSG are unlikely to indulge him. Even then, €100m may not be enough as Dybala is only valued between €80 and €100m, making the offer at least €20m short. To raise the funds, Juve reportedly have to act quickly to sell Mario Mandzukic, Blaise Matuidi and Daniele Rugani. There are too many moving parts here.
TRANSFER RATING: 4/10
FRANCK RIBERY
Franck Ribery
Unattached -> Free -> Fiorentina
Das Bild [H/T Football Italia] claim Franck Ribery had turned down Al Nasr and opted to join Fiorentina instead.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Going by his final appearance for Bayern Munich when he scored a sublime individual goal, Ribery still has plenty to offer in Europe. Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade and coach Vincenzo Montella have both welcomed the possibility of landing the Frenchman. Ribery would bring some much needed experience and quality to the forward line as La Viola look to improve following a season during which they flirted with relegation.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Reports suggest that Ribery has been fielding several offers and a better one may well come along.
TRANSFER RATING: 7/10
SHKODRAN MUSTAFI
Arsenal -> Loan -> Roma
Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi is set to leave the club on loan to Serie A side Roma, according to Gazzetta dello Sport contributor Forza Roma.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Following the arrival of David Luiz, Unai Emery must be keen to offload the error-prone centre-back. Mustafi is unlikely to be afforded much playing time at the Emirates this season with the likes of Callum Chambers and Rob Holding expected to deputise for the first-choice pairing of Luiz and Sokratis. Roma could do with more cover for Juan and Federico Fazio.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Wages may be an issue for the Italian outfit and if Arsenal are having to pay a significant part of it, they may decide to keep him in north London. Roma seem agreeable to the deal but aren’t wholly enthusiastic.
TRANSFER RATING 7/10
