The transfer window 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 white 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.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Real Madrid want the Spurs schemer but they will likely have to stump up a world record fee, says Spanish outlet AS.
Why it will happen: Quite simply, Real are a mess. Shorn of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Perez thought the Spanish giants could get by. They are floundering and need at least one stellar name to revive their fortunes, and Eriksen fits the bill.
Why it won’t happen: The fee. Real will have to meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s valuation of the 26-year-old, which is a tidy €250 million (£224.8m). Also, Madrid’s main target is Eden Hazard, so any pursuit rests on that saga concluding.
Prediction: Los Blancos are desperate and it’s not like they’ve been afraid to break the bank before. Eriksen would be a stellar addition, but Hazard is their main target so the Spurs man will likely only arrive if they fail to bring in the Belgian.
Rating 5/10
GONZALO HIGUAIN
Chelsea are reportedly close to a deal to bring the Argentine striker to the club for the rest of the season, say a number of outlets, including the Daily Mail.
Why it will happen: It hasn’t happened for the 31-year-old at the San Siro this season (on loan from Juventus), but a second loan move to England might just provide the tonic both he and Chelsea need. Maurizio Sarri needs a striker and doesn’t trust the two that he has.
Why it won’t happen: Equally, failing to get the best out of either Alvaro Morata and not playing Olivier Giroud – the latter has hardly had a sniff under Sarri – is puzzling. Higuain is unlikely to arrive if one of them doesn’t leave.
Prediction: Higuain has stagnated in Serie A this season, scoring just eight goals in 20 games. He hasn’t failed to break the 20 barrier since 2012/13, but with Hazard the supplier, he would surely start firing at Stamford Bridge.
Rating 7/10
IVAN PERISIC
United could finally land the Croatian as Inter Milan look to raise money to fund a move for compatriot Luka Modric, according to Tuttosport via Calciomercato.
Why it will happen: A long-standing target of United’s under former boss Jose Mourinho, but Ed Woodward was always reluctant to fork out what would have been a premium price for a player approaching 30. With Inter chasing Modric and willing to drop their price, that could tempt United.
Why it won’t happen: Despite Inter more keen to sell now, they are still in the driving seat with the 29-year-old having only signed a new deal at the San Siro last summer. Perisic, who is 30 next month, is also in poor form this season, with just three goals in 22 games for the Nerazzurri.
Prediction: It seems if a deal is ever going to happen, it will be this summer. But Perisic was coveted by Mourinho. Whoever is put in permanent charge of United in the summer might want to go in a different direction.
Rating 5/10
YANNICK CARRASCO
The Gunners have reportedly moved above Inter in the race to sign the Belgian wideman, according to the Daily Mail.
Why it will happen: Emery is keen to bolster his side this month and will likely need to do so in order to push for a top-four finish. He has exhausted a lot of wide options, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan injured, Mesut Ozil out of form and Alex Iwobi inconsistent.
Why it won’t happen: With a limited transfer budget this month, it is believed Carrasco (on £170,000-a-week wages in China) would have to take a pay cut. Arsenal have an eye on Barcelona misfit Denis Suarez also, so their interest could be fleeting.
Prediction: His shock move from Atletico Madrid to the backwaters of China caused shockwaves a year ago, and he has struggled to adapt. Yet his European pedigree is not in doubt, evidenced by 23 goals in 124 matches for Los Rojiblancos between 2015 and 2018.
Rating 7/10