Sergio Aguero has asked to leave Atletico Madrid, but where will he go?
This summer transfer window is the most anticipated window in years, as top clubs look to strengthen and top players look to move on. I look at the biggest stories circulating this week pre-window, and give my opinion on what will happen/how they will all turn out.
Sergio Aguero has officially asked to leave Atletico Madrid this summer, citing "sporting reasons" as the issue. He said in a statement he released via his official website on Sunday evening;
"I have expressed to Atleti my desire to leave. I've asked to receive, unconditionally, the offers that come from other clubs. I also want to say that this decision has been in progress for some time. The issue was even discussed and agreed with Atleti last year when I renewed my contract. I wanted to sign and renew my contract as a way to give back to the club what they have given me. I then had the promise of the club that they would not impede my departure in June 2011.”
Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan have all been linked with the Argentine forward, who had his release clause lowered from €52M to €45M (£39.8M) when he signed his new contract in January. Real Madrid are currently favourites, despite the player's promise to never sign for Atletico's city rivals. Manchester City are just behind them, along with Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan.
I honestly have no idea where he's going to end up, but Manchester City look the most likely. They can afford his wages, can promise Champions League football and the lure of inevitable trophies on the horizon are sure to be a massive lure. All I know is, wherever he ends up - it will be the signing of the summer.
David De Gea will be Manchester United's #1 next season
On the subject of Atletico Madrid, they are also set to lose their #1 Goalkeeper this summer as David De Gea has agreed to sign for Manchester United this summer in a £17M move. The young Spaniard was seen as the perfect replacement to Edwin Van Der Sar, who will retire after Saturday's Champions League Final and Ferguson was delighted that the deal was close to being wrapped up.
"We've been working on it for quite a while, we identified him a while back as one we should go for. He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, with good composure and presence. He's an outstanding replacement for Edwin van der Sar. We were looking for someone with the same types of qualities. One great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. David De Gea is very similar that way."
I personally think this is a super signing for Manchester United. If he manages to adapt to the league quickly, which he shouldn't struggle with too much considering he's moving with his entire family and girlfriend to Manchester, then he could prove to be United's number 1 for the next 15 years and that could be a very good thing for the stability of the club.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs all interested in West Ham skipper
After West Ham's relegation from the Premier League, and the admission by the club's owners that the teams internationals will be allowed to leave the club, the chase for Scott Parker has heated up considerably. Spurs were interested in January and I have it on good authority that they have renewed their interest this summer. Liverpool and Arsenal however are also interested this time and all have made offers between £8M-12M although the club have rejected the offers and are holding out for as close to £15M as they can get.
I personally think he'll end up at Spurs due to 'Arry's love of central midfielders and the likelihood that their could be an exodus of players at White Hart Lane over the summer. The fee will be about £14M and it will be a 3 year contract if all goes to plan, although nothing has been agreed as of yet - between Spurs and the player or between Spurs and West Ham.
Also, according to other news stories this week in tabloids and internet rumours alike;
Gael Clichy wants out of Arsenal according to numerous sources after negotiations of a new contract apparently broke down. The Frenchman has a year to run on his current deal.
Samir Nasri is apparently on his way out of the Emirates too for the same reason as Clichy. However, Patrice Evra has apparently been trying to lure the midfielder to Old Trafford with some text messages according to L'Equipe.
Dimitar Berbatov has revealed that he will in fact remain at Old Trafford for the remainder of his contract at least, which runs out next summer.
Fabio Coentrao is reportedly the subject of a £22M bid from Liverpool for his services. He is also a target for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Eljero Elia is reportedly a target for Kenny Dalglish's new Anfield revolution as the club look to bring in some traditional wingers.
Joey Barton will not be offered a new contract after his current deal expires next summer, so he may be sold this summer so they don't miss out on any potential transfer fee.
Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop have been confirmed as Real Madrid players for the forthcoming seaosn.
Barcelona are attempting to lure former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi to the Camp Nou in a €30M move from Villarreal.
Parker will most likely sign for Liverpool or United, and Charlie Adam to go to the other one of the two teams is what I think.
ReplyDeleteAs for Aguero, it is to close to call, City seems a good shout if Tevez does end up leaving. Chelsea will sign Kaka so don't think they would take Aguero aswell, never know though.
Tevez hasn't revealed whether he'll be leaving or not yet, but I do think that's going to have a big say in whether or not Aguero goes there or not.
ReplyDeleteKaka has said he is not going anywhere, and made it clear he will be at Madrid next season so I wouldn't rule Chelsea out just yet.
United aren't in for either Adam or Parker. Apparently Adam will be at Pool next weekish, so Parker looking even more likely to go to Spurs.
I don't see any situation in which Parker moved to Arsenal but an interesting bit of inside info you have there nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteWorth pointing out that Clichy rumours came from Goal.com and are likely made up to add fuel to the Arsenal exodus articles. Nasri's contract should be sorted this summer - Wenger said back in January they had delayed talks until the summer to focus on the title race etc.
Barca have apparently agreed personal terms with Rossi as well. Read into that what you will re Damiao and others linked to Barca.
Parker to Arsenal is an interesting one. He wouldn't be first choice as Song has that, but the general consensus seems to be that he'd play in the more physical games e.g. Stoke, Wolves etc to add more steel and so they win those midfield battles. He'd also be a natural leader on the pitch (something Arsenal lack.)
ReplyDeleteClichy rumours have come from Goal, but are also from numerous tabloids over recent weeks.
Nasri should be settled, but rumours flying around he could leave, so thought I'd put them in.
Didn't know they had agreed terms with Rossi if I'm honest, although I don't see how that's plausible considering they haven't had an offer accepted (if they've even made a formal one at all).
You left out one of the biggest possible transfer, Sanchez. Most likely destination is Inter though.
ReplyDeleteGood one DMF..
Didn't leave it out, just felt those 3 stories were bigger.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, Inter and City look favourites, but to me City looks more likely.
Looks like Aguero's off to Real Madrid - heard Coentrao is going to the Bernabeu too.
ReplyDeleteHeard the same about Coentrao although an LFC ITK has told me they've put in a €22M bid for him.
ReplyDeleteReal Madrid look the likeliest to get Aguero, but after his promise to the Atleti fans I hope he doesn't tbh.
Some pretty good sources you've got mate!
ReplyDeleteI want him to go there - would make it easier to sign Benzema!
As for Clichy and Nasri, as far as I'm concerned Clichy is off. Heard he's heading to Inter Milan from a very good source on Twitter. And as for Nasri, I'm confident he'll stay. I hear it's just some tweaks needed on his contract - even what his agent has said has been positive, and when an agent is talking positively about a player staying, it's fairly likely that he will!
Agree on Nasri, don't see him leaving.
ReplyDeleteClichy is a tricky one. Didn't have his best season just now and with only a year to go on his contract maybe Wenger will sell on and bring Gibbs/Traore through. However, before last season he was a consistent full back and was much better. Looked more efficient at the back and not as frightened to play his natural game. Guess it depends on whether the right offer comes in or not.