The world of Premiership transfer gossip is full of nonsense, but some nonsense is more interesting that the other nonsense. Speculation is rife in the likes of the Mirror, Daily Mail, Times, Sun and… err… Tribal Football all do their best to predict and/or completely make up the future.
Here’s our opinion on the Premiership transfer rumours we’ve read in the papers and around the net… and if you have any thoughts, pop em in the comments.
Barcelona and Juventus, both clubs looking for a midfield ball winner, are eyeing Liverpool’s Sissoko despite the midfielder being key to Rafa Benitez’ plans.
CaughtOffside Says: If we’re honest, Sissoko looked clumsy and awkward when he first started out at Liverpool. But he’s improved dramatically and is one of the key cogs in a highly impressive midfield, with new investors backing him there’s pretty much no way that Benitez will let Momo Gogo (wahay!).
Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle are trying to sign Leeds’ 16 year old striker Tom Elliott.
CaughtOffside Says: Bloody hell, every single striker available between now and August is going to be linked to Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton. While we’d like to think it was just lazy journalism, given the way the first two have bought the past few seasons they’ve probably got it right.
Reading, Wigan and Fulham are interested in signing Arsenal’s Fabrice Muamba, who is currently on a season-long loan with Birmingham.
CaughtOffside Says: Speaking of next Patrick Vieira’s, we’ve heard nothing but good things about the young lad so would be surprised to see Arsenal let him go at least until Abou Diaby proves he’s able to stay fit and consistent over a long period of time.
Chelsea and Manchester United are going to fight it out this summer to secure Michah Richards, rated at approximately 20 million by Manchester City.
CaughtOffside Says:
Chelsea seemed to have tightened the purse strings, and certainly won’t be spending this kind of money until the Mourinho/Abramovich row is sorted one way or another. We can’t really see where Richards fits in regularly at either team other than at right back, and even that is questionable. We wouldn’t be surprised if he gives another year at City.
Charlton have been linked with summer swoops for Southend striker Freddy Eastwood and Norwich midfielder Paul McVeigh.
CaughtOffside Says:Charlton seem to be the neutral’s favourite to stay up, as Alan Pardew’s departure from West Ham has left him as the hero in the relegation pantomime. But luckily, both of these signings could easily go through even if they go down.
Werder Bremen’s World Cup star Miroslav Klose is rumoured to want a new challenge, with Liverpool and Arsenal having scouted the German recently.
CaughtOffside Says: Klose is class. Great on the ball, great off the ball, superb vision, good with his feet and in the air. Exactly the kind of striker who would do well in the Premiership, sort of like that other bloke…what’s his name … Shevchenko? Wenger has been vocal about his satisfaction with his striking ranks, while Benitez is never happy, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Crouch out and Klose in.
The race for Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim is set to resume, with Liverpool joining Chelsea and Tottenham in inquiries for the Israeli.
CaughtOffside Says: