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, or why not.
Today’s edition features a Manchester United surplus, a free-agent and a highly coveted winger.
MARCOS ROJO
Unlikely to stay: Marcos Rojo.
Manchester United -> €12 million -> Roma
Roma have reportedly turned to Marcos Rojo after the Italian club pulled the plug on Dejan Lovren’s proposed move, according to Calciomercato.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
Roma are in desperate need of a central defender after Kostas Manolas signed for Napoli. With Daniele Rugani and Lovren out of the picture, Rojo seems to be the next best option if Roma want to reinforce their defence with an experienced centre-back who won’t cost too much either.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
With the Lovren deal falling through at the eleventh hour, Roma will be cautious in their chase of the Argentine international, who only signed a new contract last March.
TRANSFER RATING: 5/10
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool -> Free transfer -> Monaco
Monaco have joined the race to sign Daniel Sturridge as the former England international weighs up his next move, according to L’Equipe.
WHY IT CAN HAPPEN
Having spent heavily on the likes of Gelson Martins, Henry Onyekuru, and Wissam Ben Yedder this summer, Monaco will be pushing for a free transfer to bolster their front-line without creating a financial burden. Sturridge would be an ideal option if Radamel Falcao is to join Galatasaray.
WHY IT WON’T HAPPEN
Turkish side Fenerbahce are also interested in signing the former Liverpool man and ultimately it could all come down to which club manages to produce a superior financial offer. Will Sturridge replace Falcao at Monaco or will he rival the Colombian in the Super Lig? Only time will tell.
TRANSFER RATING: 7/10
WILFRIED ZAHA
Wilfred Zaha is ready to make the step up from Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace -> £80m -> Napoli
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha’s future is still up in the air with Napoli and Borussia Dortmund vying for his signature, according to The Sun.
WHY IT WILL HAPPEN
After missing out in the race for Nicolas Pepe, Napoli are set to target Zaha before the European transfer window closes on September 2. If a deal is on the table, the lure of playing Champions League football under Carlo Ancelotti could be too tempting to turn down for the Ivorian.
WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN
Crystal Palace’s hefty asking price for the 26-year-old could put Napoli off trying to secure his services. Despite Zaha’s quality, £80m for a player who is yet to reach anywhere close to the top tier of players in that position could be too much.
TRANSFER RATING 4/10