Analysing the Transfer Gossip – 25th June Part One: Rooney, Bale, Pjanic and more

As we move in to the off-season an unprecedented amount of managerial movement around Europe will surely see an already frantic transfer market go in to overdrive. This will give plenty of opportunities for transfer rumour and gossip. So how much of it is realistic?

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Barcelona will join the £25m race to sign striker Wayne Rooney, 27, if Manchester United decide to sell.

Full story: the Sun

What’s the story? We’ve looked at the possibility of Rooney being swapped with Ozil and ending up at Real Madrid and the chances of Rooney going to Barcelona. Both moves carry a look of opportunism. Neither club needs him, both might have a hard time fitting him in, but if he’s available they’ll have a look.
Does it make sense? Not really. Barcelona are having a hard enough time fitting in Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara and Alexis Sanchez without adding another forward on top of newly acquired Neymar.
Is the price right? £25m is very cheap but makes sense for Barcelona as this wouldn’t be a need signing.
Will it happen? 5/10 – There’s still a chance. From what we know, Rooney’s big meeting with David Moyes is this week.

Gareth Bale, 23, will tug on the heart strings of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy in order to clinch his dream move to Real Madrid.

Full story: Metro

What’s the story? Interesting. Daniel Levy is a hard nosed negotiator, probably the best in world football. Would his hearts strings be a good place to start?
Does it make sense? Real Madrid, not for the first time, are making the player they want to buy force his way out of the club. It worked last year with Modric but he’s no Gareth Bale. It’s unknown whether Bale wants to move just yet.
Is the price right? £85m and sounds like they won’t take a penny less.
Will it happen? 2/10 – It would be real shock is Bale requests a transfer and Levy isn’t the type to crumble.

Liverpool are ready to rekindle their long-standing interest in Werder Bremen’s Holland winger Eljero Elia, 26.

Full story: talkSPORT

What’s the story? It seems like the Mkhitaryan deal is slowing right down so Liverpool are looking at different options for their attacking midfield/wide forward areas.
Does it make sense? A little bit. It would make more sense to go after Christian Eriksen. Elia is very quick, but somewhat unrefined which doesn’t really fit the Rodgers prototype.
Is the price right? Hard to see them paying more than £7m for Elia. He’s not enough of a technician to justify too much more.
Will it happen? 2/10 – I don’t see this one happening.

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is looking to sell 29-year-old forward Stephane Sessegnon for £8m.

Full story: Daily Mirror

What’s the story? In the 2011/12 season Sessegnon was looking like becoming a Premier League star. Last year though, his star waned. Paolo Di Canio is trying to completely re-shape the club and considering he was a creator himself, seems to prise work rate above all else. Sessegnon is classy but not the hardest working player.
Does it make sense? Well, he doesn’t fit the Di Canio template so I guess so. He should attract plenty of interest elsewhere though in the hope that he can find the form that marked him out.
Is the price right? £8m is about the right level. It could tempt another Premier League team or a decent Ligue Un team to take the gamble.
Will it happen? 9/10 – As good as gone.

Newcastle are chasing £12m-rated Wilfried Bony but face competition from Everton, Swansea and Anzhi Makhachkala for the highly-rated Vitesse Arnhem striker, 24.

Full story: talkSPORT

What’s the story? Bony’s combination of speed and strength allied to goal getting makes him of real interest to plenty of clubs.
Does it make sense? Yes. The three Premier League clubs need a striker desperately. Newcastle seem to have alienated Papiss Cisse, Everton need a consistent goal getter and Swansea want to move Michu back to his old position behind a striker. He looks like an ideal build for the Premier League.
Is the price right? £12m is fair. There could be some worry about recent Eredivisie flops but Bony is a different proposition physically.
Will it happen? 7/10 – He comes to England.

Roma’s Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 23, has played down rumours of a move to Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for 21-year-old Mario Gotze.

Full story: Gazzetta

What’s the story? Identified as one of our top five to replace Gotze yesterday, Pjanic is of seriously high quality.
Does it make sense? Yes. He fits the Borussia Dortmund ethos and adds a bit of sparkle and invention. Roma aren’t in the Champions League again and Dortmund just lost the final, so it’s a step up.
Is the price right? Roma would surely want at least £15m which Dortmund have available after the Gotze defection.
Will it happen? 5/10 – I don’t think he’ll be above De Bruyne and Eriksen on the shopping list just yet.