Here is a rundown of the rumoured biggest transfers of the upcoming transfer window:
Radamel Falcao to Monaco
Monaco, managed currently by Claudio Ranieri, made headlines last summer with the signing of highly rated River Plate youngster Lucas Ocampos for €16 million. The Russian billionaire in charge of AS Monaco, Dmitry Rybolovlev, is determined to once again help the club scale the heights of French football and he sees the signing Falcao as a major stepping stone in this development that will serve to attract other stars to the club. It is said if the move happens Falcao will double his wage and there may even be a clause inserted into the contract which could allow him to leave the club after a season as Monaco are currently in a dispute with the rest of French football concerning their laxed tax laws – something the other clubs feel gives them an unfair advantage. The speculated price of the transfer is rumoured to be around €60m.
Wayne Rooney To Chelsea
On the day David Moyes was confirmed as the man to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson, it was reported that Wayne Rooney had handed in a transfer request to Manchester United. This was confirmed when United issued a statement saying Rooney was ‘not for sale’. Rooney had met with Ferguson two weeks prior to the Moyes appointment to tell the Scot his intentions. Rooney’s status at United has been downgraded somewhat since the arrival of van Persie and he is no longer seen as the indispensable figure he once was. Rooney also has a complicated and fractured history with Moyes. The former Everton manager took Rooney to court over statements Rooney had made about him in his autobriography. Speculation suggests Chelsea are circling the situation and may test the water with a €30m bid.
Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United
With the appointment of Moyes, it is not surprising to see Fellaini so heavily linked with United now, especially given the fact that the Manchester giants lack that extra presence in the midfield to put them back into contention with the best Europe has to offer. Fellaini stated in January for a team that competes in the Champiosns League next season, making clear his personal ambitions were bigger than what he believed Everton could achieve. It is also expected that Moyes will be supported in his first year in the hotseat at the Theatre of Dreams by being granted a warchest with which to strenghten the side, something that would make this move even more plausible. The speculated transfer fee to take Fellaini from Everton is said to be around €35m.
Samir Handanovic to Barcelona
With the news Victor Valdes does not want to continue his playing days at Bacelona and is eager to leave a year before his contract ends, the Catalonians have entered the market for a new goalkeeper. In a domestic season ravaged by injuries, Handavonic has remained a shining beacon for the Nerazzurri. His reputation has long been confirmed in Serie A, impressing under Francesco Guidolin at Udinese before making the jump to Inter last summer. It is believed Inter president Massimo Morratti would want at least €30m for Handanovic but a deal could be struck involving a lesser fee plus the trade of Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez.
Hernanes to Tottenham Hotspur
It was no secret that Spurs desperately tried and failed to bring in Portuguese midfield playmaker Joao Moutnho in from FC Porto last summer. The same pursuit is expected this summer but if it again fails to come to fruition it is almost certain Spurs will turn their attention to Lazio midfielder Hernanes. The Brazilian has been the stand-out (along with Miroslav Klose) of this current Lazio side since he joined in 2010. Hernanez possesses a deadly right foot from range, and is equally as deadly as on his other side as one of the few completely two-footed players. He drives forward from midfield, often increasing the tempo of play or switching the ball rapidly from one wing to the other to isolate defenders. With the likes of Inter Milan also reportedly ready to splash big money on him though, he won’t come cheap and will cost Spurs at least €25m.
Neymar to Barcelona
Barcelona will be looking to strengthen after this season’s embarassment in Europe, and who better to bolster the attack than the biggest prospect in South America. Brazilian head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has recently said he believes Neymar will play alongside his hero Messi next season. The strong Brazilian economy has meant many Brazilian clubs are now able to keep homegrown talents for longer as they are able to match most of the wages European sides can afford and in turn are able to ask for greater transfer fees. The fee connected to this rumour has soared up to €100m. However, expect it more to be in the region of the Kaka transfer fee from AC Milan to Real Madrid.
Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich
Almost of Europe’s biggest clubs are linked to Lewandowski and who wouldn’t jump at the chance to land the man who sank Real Madrid? It seems out of respect for his current club he has chosen not yet to publicise his decision but all indications point to Bayern being the overwhelming favourites to land the Polish hitman. This move, along with Mario Gotze’s (also) to Bayern, may in itself spark a fascinating transfer domino effect as Borssuia Dortmund are strongly linked to be after Chelsea’s Kevin de Bruyne and Ajax’ Christian Eriksen. Lewandowski’s transfer price is said to be as low as €25m, a bargain in this day and age.