The summer transfer window for all international deals is well and truly open!

With the rumours growing in pace and volume during this ‘silly season’, it can be difficult and painstaking to separate the stories of some legitimacy from the rest of the noise.

Fortunately, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to do it for you.

Below, you’ll find some of the latest transfer news churned out of the Rumour Mill broken down and analysed for your benefit along with our calculated predictions.

N’GOLO KANTE TO BARCELONA

 

Respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Barcelona are preparing to try and lure Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante to Camp Nou.

Why it will happen: No matter how screwed on a player’s head is, it will invariably turn if Barcelona come calling. Barca also have some financial flexibility after sending Paulinho back to Guangzhou Evergrande, though only on an initial one-year loan.

Why it won’t happen: There are many reasons. Kante, the best defensive midfielder, is a player to build around and Chelsea have gone through enough turbulence with Antonio Conte departing. They are under no financial pressure to sell and it would take a crazy bid from the Blaugrana for them to even think about it.

Reports also suggest that the underwhelming Andre Gomes is being offered as a makeweight – which shows just how speculative the bid would be.

Prediction: A no-frills Kante is not the type of person to cause a fuss and he’d have to cause a major one for Barca to stand a chance.

VERDICT: 3/10

MARCELO TO JUVENTUS

Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport understand that Juventus are set to try and unite Cristiano Ronaldo with one of his best friends in former Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo.

Why it will happen: It’s easy to imagine Juventus president Andrea Agnelli offering Ronaldo everything under the sun after he jetted out to Greece to seal the deal – including signing his best mate at Real Madrid.

Juve will likely need a new left-back, too, as barely a day goes by without Alex Sandro being linked to a big-money exit.

Why it won’t happen: Also Ronaldo. The Old Lady have just slapped down €100m on a transfer fee, alone, to whisk the Portugal icon away from Madrid, and while the health of Serie A is ever-improving, Italian football only has a certain amount of financial clout.

Juve are far more likely to absorb some of Ronaldo’s expense by replacing Sandro with a cheaper buy. As good as Marcelo is, they can’t go for broke on a left-back – otherwise they’ll end up broke. Also, why would Real want to get rid of another one of their most potent weapons?

Prediction: Juventus will have to play the rest of the transfer market shrewdly after making the mother of all splashes and investing in a 30-year-old left-back, who plays for the biggest club in the world, wouldn’t be wise.

VERDICT: 4/10

HARRY MAGUIRE TO MAN UNITED

Manchester United are willing to part with up to £50m for England’s World Cup hero Harry Maguire, who only joined Leicester last summer, says Daily Mail columnist Charlie Sale.

Why it will happen: It’s been churned up and spat about by the rumour mill many times over this summer, even before the World Cup. He’s big, strong and a set-piece demon – something Jose Mourinho will relish. The Portuguese is not enamoured by any of his centre-backs either. If United want him, they will get him.

Why it won’t happen: Victor Lindelof was quietly one of the most impressive defenders at the World Cup for Sweden and, turning just 24 this week, deserves to establish himself at Old Trafford. There are also doubts whether Maguire is truly top class. He got beaten for pace at Leicester at times last season – did England’s centre-back trio mask some of his deficiencies?

Prediction: Mourinho stated before the end of last season that he was to focus on bolstering areas other than attack, and with versatile full-back Diogo Dalot and Brazil midfielder Fred already in the bag, surely a centre-back is imminent. The signs are beginning to point to Maguire.

VERDICT: 7/10