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 a player-swap and two defenders switching to different leagues.
KEYLOR NAVAS
Real Madrid -> Player swap -> Paris Saint-Germian
Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is on the verge of completing a move to Paris Saint-Germain with Alphonse Areola going the other way, according to Marca.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
Zinedine Zidane has admitted that Thibaut Courtois will be Madrid’s first-choice keeper this season with Navas being resigned to the bench. The Costa Rican, who turns 33 in December, still has the quality to start for a top European club, as proven by his solid displays in pre-season matches.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Only a failed medical or complications arising due to the shortage of time to complete the move stands in the way of Navas becoming a PSG player.
TRANSFER RATING: 9/10
DEJAN LOVREN
Liverpool -> Loan -> Roma
Roma are set to rope in Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren on a loan deal with an option to purchase, according to Metro.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have established themselves above Lovren in the pecking order at Anfield. And should he opt to stay then he will suffer from a lack of game time. The 30-year-old could instead opt for a move to Italy and become a maintstay in the Roma defence, given star man Kostas Manolas joined Napoli over the summer.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Roma have not been efficient in the centre-back department during the summer transfer window. The Italian side spent too much time trying to lure Juventus defender Daniele Rugani to Stadio Olimpico unsuccessfully and, as a result, could miss out on Lovren due to poor timing.
TRANSFER RATING: 7/10
NACHO MONREAL
Arsenal -> £3 million -> Real Sociedad
Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal is set to move to Real Sociedad, according to The Sun.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
The arrival of Kieran Tierney has all but confirmed that Monreal will not have a key role at the Emirates Stadium this season. The call of home could persuade the Spaniard to switch to the Basque outfit to see off the rest of his career. Sociedad’s home ground is less than an hour from where Monreal grew up in Pamplona.
WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN
Although there are reports of Sociedad’s interest in the player, there is no conclusive evidence that the Basque side have any form of agreement with the player or Arsenal. The La Liga side must act quick and complete the move before Monday’s deadline.
TRANSFER RATING 8/10
