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 looks at a Manchester united outcast, a Real Madrid target and a promising youngster on the verge of a move to Ligue 1.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Manchester United -> Loan -> Inter Milan
Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez could join Inter Milan on loan in the next three days, according to the Daily Mirror.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
Sanchez has endured a rough stint at United, much like Romelu Lukaku who already made the switch to the Serie A side. The Premier League giants have seemingly decided to end this failed marriage by shipping the player to Inter on loan with an option to buy for £15 million at the end of one year.
Inter lost Ivan Perisic and will be eager to get their hands on a replacement winger. Should the loan stint prove fruitful, Inter could highly benefit from the South American who reached great heights while at Arsenal.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Considering United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently admitted that the door is open for player exits and no other club is linked to Sanchez, it would come as a surprise if this deal fails to materialise. However, Inter don’t have much money, especially after already taking Lukaku off United’s hands, and issues over how much of a share of the Chilean’s wages the Nerazzurri will have to pay could prove a stumbling block.
Transfer rating: 8/10
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Tottenham -> £30m -> Real Madrid
The Daily Star claim that Tottenham could lose midfielder Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid for as little as £30m to avoid letting him walk away for free next summer.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
Eriksen publicly announced earlier this summer that he has his eyes set on his next challenge, hinting at a move to the Spanish capital. Madrid could land the Denmark international after failed attempts at capturing Neymar, Paul Pogba and Ajax starlet Donny van de Beek.
Eriksen is still not Real’s first choice, but the possibility of Los Blancos having to settle for the worst-case scenario is growing by the day.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Atletico Madrid are also reported to have entered the tussle for the 27-year-old. Eriksen prefers Madrid but if they do get their hands on Pogba or Neymar, he could be forced to the other side of the capital, or choose to stay in north London.
Transfer rating: 6/10
WILFRIED ZAHA
Crystal Palace -> £100m > Paris Saint-Germain
The French champions could replace Neymar with £100m Premier League sensation Wilfried Zaha according to the Daily Mirror.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
With Neymar set to leave the club and Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani injured in Sunday’s win over Toulouse, PSG will be pushing for a quality addition to their front line. Roy Hodgson claimed that Zaha could still leave and it’s unlikely that the club or player will be able to resist a favourable offer from the French giants who are likely to spend heavily following the sale of the Brazilian.
As things stand, PSG have no worthy competitors to this deal and could proceed with it as soon as the Brazilian makes his way out of the Parc de Princes.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
In theory, this should be a straightforward deal but there is currently no agreement or ongoing talks. The European transfer window closes this weekend and PSG need to act fast if they want to bring in the promising winger.
Transfer rating: 7/10
