Roma Complete Krkic Signing
It is confirmed that AS Roma have completed the signing of Bojan Krkic from Barcelona. With the arrival of Sanchez, it was understood that Bojan would find it hard to break into the first team.
THT Verdict: The promising will move to play for Roma under Enrique. The former Barca B manager has already implemented his approach to Roma and a veteran like Totti has been highly appreciative. Bojan will find more playing time and also the opportunity to fulfil his potential. Barca has a buy back clause till the end of the 2012-13 season for just €13 million. Roma however will have to pay €28 million more in order to keep Bojan. Seems to be a decent move for Barca, who’ll have the opportunity to bring back a better player for a paltry sum of €13 million and also for Bojan, who’d get the much needed opportunity to impress.
Boa Morte May Return to Southampton
Luis Boa Morte, released by West Ham, could return to Southampton – 10 years after the winger left the club to join Fulham.
THT Verdict: Likely. Although Luis Boa Morte has put in performances that have made people stand up and take notice of him in the past decade, it is unlikely that he will find a Premiership club to play for. If Southampton are interested, then Luis will definitely join the Saints.
Blues To Lodge Final Modric Bid?
It is reported that Chelsea are going to lodge one last bid in the region of 35 million pounds for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric. The Blues have already had one bid rejected.
THT Verdict: Likely. The West London club is playing the game intelligently. The player wants to leave, ergo, a bit of restrain makes sense here, rather than breaking the bank. Things will become really interesting if Tottenham reject this bid as well, with Modric clearly stating previously that Levy has reneged on his promise and he will put in a transfer request if he isn’t allowed to leave amicably. It remains to be seen whether Levy cashes in on the Croatian or takes the risk of keeping an unhappy player within his ranks. We think it will take this third bid in the region of 30-32m for Spurs to let Modric go.
Chelsea Look to Replace Essien With Barcelona Youngster Oriol Romeu
The 20-year-old is set to finalise a move to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea offering €5million. Barca sources have confirmed to skysports.com that talks are on-going but a deal is imminent.
THT Verdict: Likely. Villas-Boas apparently wanted to sign the Spanish under-20 international for Porto last season, but couldn’t. After names such as Scott Parker (loan or permanent deal), Vidal, De Rossi were floated in the market, the Chelsea manager has zeroed in on his former target. Romeu hadn’t extended his contract after Barcelona signed Mascherano and with Busquets already there in the first team, and now he is into his final year of the contract. The 5m-rated defensive midfielder can play in central defense or even further up the pitch in a box-to-box role and is technically very strong. This particular signing, if it happens, will not take too much away from the transfer budget and Chelsea can continue to look for their primary targets, at the same time, fill the void left by Essien’s injury.
Arsenal Need to Up Bid for Jagielka
According to the media, Arsenal will have to increase their bid for Phil Jagielka to about 18 million to stand any chance of signing the defender. The Gunners had an initial 10 million bid rejected by the Toffees.
THT Verdict: Though Arsene has a liking for Jagielka, it looks more and more unlikely as the new season approaches. If Arsene buys a defender, it is more likely to be a Full Back than a Center Back. To accommodate another Center Back, Arsenal would probably have to sell Squillaci, which doesn’t look like a possibility.
Liverpool Target Porto Left-Back
Another left-back target seems to have emerged on Liverpool’s radar- 25 year-old Alvaro Pereira from Porto. The player is believed to have a release clause of 18 million pounds.
THT Verdict: Pereira has emerged as a potential target following a successful run in the Copa America. Such good form would probably alert Liverpool. However, with Dalglish making it clear that before any further signings are made, it is important to clear the deadwood, a move for Pereira may not happen in the immediate future.
Galatasaray in talks with Felipe Melo
The Turkish club’s official site has confirmed that they are in talks with Juventus to use Melo’s services for next season. It is being reported that Galatasaray is trying to sign Melo on a one season loan with an option to buy.
THT Verdict: Giuseppe Marotta will be making a big, big mistake if he send Melo out on loan. This is the best time to sell him, based on his form from last season. Melo is an extremely volatile player and there is every change that he will implode in the explosive environment of Turkish football. His price might drop even further next season.
Barcelona Clinch Sanchez Deal
Udinese and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement on the transfer of Alexis Sanchez. The cost of the deal is 26 million Euros with added variables of 11.5 million.
THT Verdict: Finally Barca acquires the mercurial Chilean. The will definitely add to the attacking prowess of Guardiola’s team and will up the ante in their title challenges. However, this might also mean comparatively lesser playing time for one of the front three or rather two of the front three, most apparently with the exception of Messi. Pedro has been a perfect Barca player in the past 3 seasons and David Villa too doesn’t need any introduction. However, the former is a slight injury-prone and the latter isn’t getting any younger and will be 30 in December. With almost 60 matches to be played next season, Sanchez will allow the much needed breather. The Barca defense still doesn’t have any additions and might just prove to be the Achilles Heel in the long run.
