With the Premier League drawing to a close, and a couple of weeks before the World Cup bandwagon really starts to gain momentum, the transfer rumour mill is starting to churn. Each Thursday, the most far-fetched and obscure deals on the table will be sent straight to your screens.
Joey Cole
The much maligned Cole has been out of favour with new Chelsea boss Ancelloti and hampered by a flow of injuries. The talented Englishman is demanded 120,000 big ones each week to boot. Apparently, he isn’t keen on Anfield as they can’t offer him Champion’s League action. This is despite Cole barely featuring in Chelsea’s campaign. Cole has been linked all across Europe, but it is West Ham, surprisingly, who have emerged as favourites. Cole still gets a favourable reception each time he returns to Upton Park and his former club have hinted at bringing back Cole.
It seems a little bit of a stretch to see Cole go to 2010 premier league strugglers West Ham, who have a manager who is more than just “under pressure” and is more like “walking out the door”. But the Londoners have put their entire squad up for sale, save Scott Parker, and are looking for a raft of new talent that will reignite their push for European football, that did not seem a distant prospect in 2009.
The Equation
Free transfer + former starlet – huge wage demands – Premier League strugglers = 60%
Milos Krasic
Krasic produced strong performances against Sir Alex and his Red Devils in the Champions League this year and is being touted as one of Europe’s finer talents. With several United midfielders the wrong side of 30, Sir Alex is said to be willing to shell out 16 million for the attacking midfielder. CSKA Moscow have missed out on the Champions League for next year and a move to the biggest club in Europe must be tempting. United are in heavy debt, but this hasn’t deterred Sir Alex from promising new talent in the summer. United will be desperate to tie this up before Krasic goes to South Africa with Serbia, who are a definite dark horse, where his price tag could rise considerably.
The Equation
Promising talent + attacking spark – United’s debt = 70%
Steven Pienaar
Redknapp is never too far from transfer action. He’s labelled Man City as transfer bullies ahead of their all important class tonight, been linked to practically every player off contract in the summer and wading through the gaffer’s drivel and actual interest is a difficult task. Redknapp has always favoured chasing proven stars in the league that his side competes and this year, it’s no different. The Yids have been strongly linked with the blue half of Merseyside in an interesting swap deal. (Aren’t swap deals just the best – new players at both clubs, easy comparison between which side is left better off – think E’to and Ibrahimovic)
Basically, Tottenham want Pienaar, and Everton won’t part with the South African. To get over this, Robbie Keane is being used as a tantalising bait for the Toffees, who had to play Timmy Cahill upfront as a makeshift frontman, and Moyes will be may be tempted to bring in more cover upfront. Do Spurs really need another right sided player? Pienaar will surely be down the pecking order behind the likes of Modric and Bentley. But if their European aspirations do eventuate, then they will need to increase their squad size.
The Equation
Redknapp’s genius + attraction of Europe + Everton’s desire for a quality striker – Tottenham not desperate – Moyes seems hesitant = 30%
FOOTBALL FOR THE DAY 