Nine surprising transfer rumours that have cropped up recently.
It’s transfer silly season at the moment, with rumours flying about all over the place as clubs ponder their moves for January. Still, some stories emerging in recent times have seemed somewhat ridiculous, with these nine among the most bizarre to come up in various news reports recently.
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Of course, surprises do happen in football, but take a look at these and decide for yourselves if there’s any truth to them or not, with some seeming more like the imaginitive work of football journalists up and down the country…
9) Vidic back to Manchester United
According to the Daily Express, Manchester United are plotting a move to re-sign Nemanja Vidic from Inter Milan after only letting the ageing Serbian defender leave this summer. The 33-year-old looked well past his best last season and it was little surprise to see him leave the Red Devils, and his poor form has continued at the San Siro this term. With that in mind, why on earth would the club want to sign him back again, even if they are in something of a crisis in defence?
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8) Smalling to Arsenal
The Daily Express also claim that Arsenal are interested in spending £10m to sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling this January. While it s true that the Gunners need someone who can cover both centre-back and right-back, what is it about the England international’s displays that would have persuaded Arsene Wenger to part with that much cash for him?
7) Chiriches to Arsenal
Once again the Daily Express are at it here with a truly astonishing rumour linking out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur defender Vlad Chiriches to Arsenal. The north London rivals are not known for selling to each other at the best of times, but why would the Gunners seek to bring in a flop from their neighbours when they clearly need to aim higher to improve their back four?
6) Walcott to Fiorentina
According to the Metro, Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, just returning from a lengthy spell out through injury, is a target for Serie A side Fiorentina on loan. The England international is surely focused on returning to regular action for the Gunners and it is very hard to see why they would loan him out at this time when they’re struggling as it is.
5) Cech to Liverpool
A rumour that cropped up from Italian side Calcio Mercato, Chelsea legend Petr Cech could be in line for a shock move to rivals Liverpool. It seems highly unlikely that the Blues would let such a top player move to another Premier League side, even if he is bound to be keen to play regular first-team football after being displaced by Thibaut Courtois this season.
4) Balotelli to Napoli
Leaving already? Mario Balotelli has no doubt been a flop at Liverpool since his £16m move from AC Milan this summer, but surely rumours linking him with a move to Napoli are a tad premature? The Daily Mirror claims it could happen, cutting the Italian’s spell at Anfield laughably short.
3) Van Persie to Fenerbahce
According to the Daily Star, Manchester United could be about to let one of their best players go this January…for a move to Fenerbahce. With no disrespect to the Turkish club, surely the Dutchman could do better even if he hasn’t quite been hitting top form this season, and there seems little need for the Red Devils to sell at this time.
2) Gerrard to Man City
With strong hints from Manuel Pellegrini, it could be that there is some truth to the Daily Mail‘s bizarre story linking long-serving Liverpool captain and legend Steven Gerrard to rivals Manchester City. Perhaps after Frank Lampard’s move from Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium, anything is possible…
1) Ronaldo to Barcelona
The best of the lot from the Daily Star – Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid to Barcelona. Surely never in a million years? The Portuguese international is adored by fans at the Bernabeu and is fast becoming regarded as one of their finest ever players. Somehow it’s hard to see him packing that in to play second fiddle to his nemesis Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.