After Arsenal tabled a $45 million bid for Luis Suarez that was rejected earlier this week, Real Madrid have stepped up their chase for the Uruguayan forward. Suarez, 26, wants out of Anfield after his agent revealed yesterday that the striker wants to end his stay at Liverpool. But with Carlo Ancelotti now in charge at Real Madrid, president Florentino Perez is set to put in a huge $60 million offer that will test Liverpool’s resolve. If Suarez wants to move, Liverpool should just let him go. We all know what a great player he is, but this saga had dragged on for too long. It would be wrong of Liverpool to keep a player against his will. Now is the time to cash in.
A tug of war is taking place between three EPL giants for Aston Villa’s want-away striker Christian Benteke. London clubs Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are battling it out to bring the bustling Belgian forward to England’s capital, with Villa now putting a $45 million transfer fee on Benteke’s head. The 22-year-old scored 23 times last season in a struggling Aston Villa team, think of how much better the service would be at Spurs, Chelsea or Arsenal. He wouldn’t have to do it all on his own like he did at Villa. If the bruising striker does leave Villa Park, Tottenham would be a great option. Andre Villas-Boas is a huge admirer of Benteke, and with the World Cup coming up and Belgium almost certainties to qualify, it is a big year for Benteke. A new club and playing in the World Cup? Perhaps.
Sunderland are certainly making waves in the transfer market his summer, and manager Paolo Di Canio wants to add a fellow Italian to the ranks. Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherni is the man in question, with the Black Cats tabling a $13 million deal for the Italian international. The 28-year-old put in a solid shift for Italy during the Confederations Cup, but Juve may hold out for closer to $16 million. Giaccherni can operate in the wing-back role and also further forward in the central attacking position. Di Canio could make the Juve man his seventh summer signing, as he molds Sunderland into his own outfit. Giaccherni has a sweet left foot and with opportunistic strikers like Steven Fletcher and now Jozy Altidore in the box, the Wearsiders offensive output could increase rapidly.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has alerted several English Premier League clubs, after admitting he has “unfinished business” in England. The 29-year-old French midfielder left the Gunners to join AC Milan back in 2008, but after several injuries he is only now regaining the form that saw him become a pivotal part of Arsene Wenger’s side. But which clubs will take Flamini? He has spoken about wanting to win the EPL and other titles, but also about being part of an ambitious project. I really can’t see a top four team buying the Frenchman. Maybe an ambitious smaller club would be best for him. Southampton? West Ham? Or maybe, just maybe, Manchester City could swoop for Milan’s midfielder destroyer?
Staying in Manchester, and United’s winger Nani could be leaving Old Trafford as the 26-year-old Portuguese winger has been the subject of a large bid from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. Flamboyant, unpredictable but at times mercurial, Nani’s talent is unquestioned. But after spending much of last season on the peripherals, is it time for Nani to move on? I think that would be best for both parties. Regular minutes and the chance to shine ahead of Portugal’s potential appearance in the World Cup is what Nani needs. Maybe United can loan him out somewhere? I’m not sure if Russia, or Anzhi, is the right option. But then again with Nani, just like his form when he steps onto the pitch, you never know what’s going to happen.
MORE: Tuesday’s Transfer Rumor Roundup, Benteke to Chelsea, Luiz to Barcelona