Atletico Madrid look to Falcao as Aguero replacement
‘Atletico Madrid have great fans and it would be a great opportunity for my career. At the moment I am waiting to see what the solution to my future is.‘ – Ramadel Falcao
THT Verdict: Likely. Atletico Madrid need a striker with Aguero no longer there, as Forlan will need a strike-partner. The Madrid-based club also have the resources to go into the market. Falcao’s release clause was raised a while back, but that shouldn’t deter a deal from happening. In Falcao, they will be signing a fantastic goal-scorer, who has proved himself with Porto, in the league as well as in Europe.
Villas-Boas wants to bring in two players before the window close
THT Verdict: Likely. With the transfer window reaching the business end, it’s high time for Chelsea to enter the market for a midfielder and a winger to fill in the two obvious voids in the first team. Against Stoke, the team played well but were let down by the performance of Malouda and Kalou in particular, and Villas-Boas will know that he needs to add a creative midfielder and a quality wide-players, if his team has to challenge the best clubs in Europe. The Modric saga has been going on for a while, but the Chelsea manager threw Nasri’s name also into the mix. There are also unconfirmed reports that the club have unofficially inquired about Mata and Hazard – however, it’s too early to say whether there’s any truth in the stories. Never the less, a signing or two is definitely on the cards, and if January 31st offers any indication, August 31st may just turn provide a bombastic end to a calm summer.
Arsenal eye Jadson
THT Verdict: With the Fabregas saga finally over and Nasri also expected to leave soon, Wenger would need to reinforce his attacking options. Jadson had a great last season with Shaktar, it will be interesting to see whether Wenger makes the move for this highly rated youngster or promotes from within his own crop. Arsenal might have the cash, but they need to spend wisely and on proven quality, for once.
Blackburn keen to land Raul from Schalke
THT Verdict: Highly unlikely, typical case of media putting two and two together to make up five. Shalke coach Rangnick and Raul have reportedly had a falling out and hence the murmurs of the Spaniard leaving have gained strength, nevertheless Raul isn’t really going to end up at Ewood Park as spending huge amounts on transfers isn’t really the Venky’s way of doing business is it?
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is considering a move for Celtic’s Northern Ireland international winger Paddy McCourt.
THT Verdict: Liverpool could do with a another wide player and that’s hardly a secret even though they have added Steawart Downing to the roster. Dalglish’s Liverpool have been often linked with the likes of Mata, Turan and other big name wingers in the market, hence the Kop would be lookig for a far more established star to enter their ranks, no disrespect to Paddy McCourt. We’ll wait and see if this story develops further.