Transfer targets that won’t be exciting too many fans this January!
The transfer window can be an exciting time for all football fans, potentially, but it can also lead to some bizarre purchases and embarrassing rumours and speculation.
SEE ALSO:
Barkley Chelsea – Blues eye Everton starlet
Vlaar Manchester United – cut-price deal on the cards
Top 40 hottest female tennis players in the world 2014.
Whether your club is shopping in the bargain basement or over-paying for youngsters whove barely played twenty games in their career, there’s always the potential for some excruating stories, with these eleven picked out as the most unambitious or ill-thought out deals that could be on the cards this winter…
11) Pique to Manchester United
Despite being a top player for many years, Gerard Pique is now looking seriously out of form as he struggles to get into the Barcelona starting lineup at the moment. Despite that, the Spanish international has been linked with a surprise return to his old club Manchester United, where he’d previously failed to make any serious impact in his short first spell in English football. United certainly need signings in defence this winter, but is this Nou Camp reject really the best they can come up with?
10) Mings to Chelsea
Linked with Chelsea in recent times, it is thought that Ipswich Town youngster Tyrone Mings is seen by Jose Mourinho as the ideal long-term replacement for ageing skipper John Terry. Not only is the 21-year-old currently only playing in English football’s second tier, he’s also used mainly as a full-back, so is surely not the ideal candidate to come in and replace one of the Premier League’s best-ever centre-backs?
9) Berahino to Liverpool
Don’t do it, Liverpool! Speculation linking the Reds with a big-money move to sign West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino just has ‘Andy Carroll’ written all over it. The youngster may be in good form this season, but is no doubt being overhyped due to his being young and English. Brendan Rodgers lost a world class attacking player in Luis Suarez this summer, and there’s no chance Berahino is going to be a suitable replacement.
8) Gerrard to Manchester City
The Frank Lampard deal may have paid off to some extent, but Manchester City need to be aiming higher than an over-the-hill Steven Gerrard to solve their midfield problems and improve their poor results at the moment. The Liverpool skipper was no doubt a world class performer at his peak, but that was a long time ago now and reputation alone shouldn’t be enough to see him get a move to a top club.
7) Nastasic to Arsenal
Offered to Arsenal on the cheap, Matija Nastasic has still done little to show he can cut it at a big club after flopping badly at Manchester City. Despite a good first season at the Etihad Stadium, the Serbian international has now fallen to fourth choice centre-back and his recent performances make it easy to see why. Arsenal need genuine improvements in defence, not other teams’ rejects.
6) Rami to Manchester United
Another uninspiring defender signing for Manchester United, it could be that the club will target AC Milan’s out-of-favour French centre-back Adil Rami this winter. Given that the 28-year-old has struggled to adapt to the inferior Serie A after his move from La Liga side Valencia, chances are he won’t be much of a success in the Premier League, and won’t be the answer to Louis van Gaal’s defensive woes.
5) Smalling to Arsenal
Recent reports claim that Manchester United will block any attempt from Arsenal to sign versatile (ie jack of all trades) defender Chris Smalling this January. If that is the case then Gunners fans should be grateful, as the England international is far from the quality the club needs at the moment at either right-back or centre-back. Many at Old Trafford would surely be glad to get rid of him, but it seems highly doubtful that his future is at a top four side.
4) Aarons to Liverpool
Three Premier League appearances and already a star, supposedly, Newcastle United’s 19-year-old winger Rolando Aarons is said to be attracting interest from Liverpool. The England Under-20 international may be nearing the end of his contract and so available on the cheap, but quite what he is going to do to save the Reds’ season is beyond anyone with any reasonable logic.
3) Arbeloa to Chelsea
After a superb summer transfer window, Chelsea are now being linked with Real Madrid backup player Alvaro Arbeloa. The experienced Spaniard has never quite looked like being top quality at either Real or his previous club Liverpool, but has remained a key figure for his sides in that time, whilst also keeping himself in contention for a place in the Spanish national team. Chelsea, however, already have superb options at the back and would be better off spending their money elsewhere.
2) Roberto to Manchester United
Dubbed the ‘new Xavi’, Sergi Roberto actually looks anything but, and has barely managed to make any impression on the Barcelona first-team in his career so far, despite already being 22. Somehow Manchester United have found themselves linked with him, which would certainly be a step back from the marquee signings of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao this summer.
1) Chiriches to Arsenal
One that will have Arsenal fans gasping with horror, Tottenham Hotspur flop Vlad Chiriches may be seen by Arsene Wenger as the answer to the club’s problems in defence. The Romanian international has done precious little since his move to White Hart Lane last summer, but we all know Wenger loves a bargain…