Struggling to pick out the facts from the figures? Reality from the rubbish? Sense from the silly season? We’ve got you sorted in our daily dose of the Transfer Predictor, where we round up the latest rumours with an analytical spin.
We sort through the most eye-catching transfer reports of the past 24 hours and give a balanced judgment on whether the move really will happen – and why.
Today’s edition features potential signings for Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Betis.
HARRY MAGUIRE
Leicester City-> £80 million -> Manchester City
Manchester City will reportedly sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City this week, according to The Sun.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Leicester can play hardball but with Maguire’s heart set on a move to the Premier League champions, this transfer is likely to materialise. It’s only a matter of which team will budge from their evaluation of the £80m-rated star. Premier League and World Cup experience would make Maguire a solid addition to an already stocked team.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Although the 26-year-old would prefer a switch to City, a lucrative offer from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could provide him with something to think about. After all, United are the team who are more desperate for a world class centre-back and could go to lengths to secure his services.
TRANSFER RATING: 7/10
JUNIOR FIRPO
Real Betis -> €25 million -> Manchester United
Manchester United have joined the race to sign Real Betis full-back Junior Firpo, according to Marca.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Liverpool would seem like the better option for Firpo, but the Champions League winners boast two of the best full-backs in the Premier League in Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Firpo could hence see his minutes take a significant cut, given it’s unlikely he will break into the starting line-up immediately.
At United, he will be competing with Luke Shaw and Ashley Young and hence has a better chance of establishing himself as an undisputed starter at Old Trafford.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
The absence of Champions League football could prove to be a deal-breaker for most high-profile stars. The 22-year-old has drawn interest from Barcelona and Madrid, and may opt to stay in La Liga should a firm offer be on the table.
TRANSFER RATING: 4/10
DIVOCK ORIGI
Divock Origi.
Liverpool -> undisclosed -> Real Betis
Champions League winner Divock Origi has reportedly attracted interest from a host of clubs in La Liga including Real Betis, Estadio Deportivo claims.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
Origi’s striker-instincts could come of aid to a Betis side that have struggled for consistency in the final third in recent times. The 24-year-old requires additional game time and staying at Liverpool is unlikely to fetch him that. Among the clubs who are interested in signing Origi, Betis appear to be the best choice.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Origi was prepared to take a huge cut on his minutes to stay at Anfield at the beginning of last season. It’s unlikely that he will want to leave the club after playing such a crucial role in the Reds’ Champions League triumph. A formal bid is yet to be placed from Betis and there’s still a long way to go before this transfer rumour can gather substance.
TRANSFER RATING: 4/10