Three big transfers that could go through this month
While the January transfer window is never the “big spending” one, usually reserved for the summer, plenty of action still occurs over the month. Fans have witnessed a number of a big money moves occur in the days before the beginning of February – Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll to Liverpool and Fernando Torres to Chelsea have all been concluded in the dying embers of the window 24 months ago.
With less than 10 days to go before transfers must be completed, there is still plenty of time for big money moves to be pushed through all across the continent and with it, below are three that would certainly cause a stir, regardless of the country of origin or the team the player is moving to.
Kaka – Real Madrid to AC Milan
The adopted prodigal son of the Rossoneri hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype during his time with Real Madrid. Hampered by injuries and a loss of form has seen the Brazilian make just 105 appearances for Los Blancos during his three-and-a-half years at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, many of which have come from the substitutes bench.
Despite long being linked with a move to the Premiership, it’s AC Milan where Kaka’s heart evidently lies and reports suggest that the Serie A club could be prepared to take him on a 30-month loan from Real as they look to shift him off their books.
While any move is, as clichéd as it sounds, ‘written in the stars’, a return to the San Siro would still provide a talking point to all those associated with the game. As both teams continue to thrash out a deal before the close of the window, with the minutes ticking towards the deadline, the likelihood of the 30-year-old plying his trade in Serie A once again is looking a distinct possibility.
David De Gea – Manchester United to Barcelona
With current Barcelona number one Victor Valdes hinting that he’s prepared to leave the Camp Nou – only for midfielder Andres Iniesta to add fuel to the fire – the Blaugrana are certainly going to be in the market for a new goalkeeper.
Reports suggest that Manuel Neuer, Joe Hart, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris are the only four ‘keepers unavailable across the continent, which has seen the club target David De Gea. The Manchester United ace, while only signing for the club 18 months ago, has finally establishing himself the number one after initially spending the opening weeks of the campaign battling for a starting spot with Anders Lindegaard.
Yet, despite struggling to adapt to the rigours of the Premiership during his early months in England, the only way United would be tempted to sell is if they receive most, if not all, of the £17m the paid Atletico to secure De Gea’s services in 2011. Nevertheless, with the Spanish media continuously linked the 22-year-old with a return to his homeland, this is a move that could still take place this month.
Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace to Manchester United
The most prodigious of young English talents in the game at the moment, Arsenal, Chelsea and even Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in Wilfried Zaha. The young Crystal Palace wide-man has been tearing up the flanks in the Championship this season and such performances have warranted a call up to the England squad.
With Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confirming on Tuesday morning that he never once lodged a bid for the 20-year-old, it all but paves the way for Manchester United to secure the signing of the young Eagles ace.
Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be in the market for a winger with Nani expected to depart the club this month, coupled with the drop if form of Antonio Valencia, Zaha would provide a high level of competition to the regular starters in the first team. If United can beat off competition to snare the winger, it will be an impressive coup for the Premier League pace setters and he could turn out to be the player to aid the club over the finish line come May.
0 comments