The Great Striker Transfer Summer

More than a few top teams with money are crying about their strikers this summer... Madrid, Barca, City, Chelsea, and if Ibra leaves, then PSG join the mix as well. The top 5 money bag clubs are in need of a world class no.9.

And luckily there are 2-3 in the market as well. Cavani and Falcao being the main targets, followed by Lewandowski. We could throw Ibra, Suarez and Neymar into that mix as well. Then there are others who may be forced into this crazy churn of strikers, players like Torres, Villa, Benzema, Higuain, Dzeko, etc - I call these the reject bargains.

This is going to be a great price war, and even though clubs like Napoli have slapped crazy valuations into the player's contracts, that might not stop these clubs. One thing is for sure, there is going to be a churn of strikers this summer, and that it will involve crazy money.

Who do you think will go where, and what crazy sums do you think will be involved. And who will benefit from the "reject bargain" deals.

I think Atletico are going to cash in on Falcao this summer. Supposedly Jose wants him (and Khedira of course!) for Chelsea. I wouldn't be surprised if they turn around and get Villa on the cheap.

I'd like to think Cavani won't sell out and go to PSG. The league is already lop-sided. England or Spain should be his choices. Money talks though.

Chelsea being linked with Lewandowski, he fits Jose's profile more than falcao

For us, neymar is already in the bad, if we want to go for a completely new front link then, Suarez or cavani would be my pick.

messiah wrote:Chelsea being linked with Lewandowski, he fits Jose's profile more than falcao

For us, neymar is already in the bad, if we want to go for a completely new front link then, Suarez or cavani would be my pick.

Really? Lewandowski is a much better footballer than Falcao.

With the current Chelsea set-up, he'd fit in well, but if Mourinho wants to go back to brute football, he isn't the one.

Romford Pele wrote:

messiah wrote:Chelsea being linked with Lewandowski, he fits Jose's profile more than falcao

For us, neymar is already in the bad, if we want to go for a completely new front link then, Suarez or cavani would be my pick.

Really? Lewandowski is a much better footballer than Falcao.

With the current Chelsea set-up, he'd fit in well, but if Mourinho wants to go back to brute football, he isn't the one.

Drogba was a good footballer too, he has a more rounded game than falcoa who is more or less just a fox in the box, he doesn't hold up play and get others involved

But you are forgetting the most important factor, Falcao is one of Jorge Mendes' players.

messiah wrote:Chelsea being linked with Lewandowski, he fits Jose's profile more than falcao

For us, neymar is already in the bad, if we want to go for a completely new front link then, Suarez or cavani would be my pick.

I agree, if Mou is indeed the next Chelsea coach, I can see Lewandowski going there. If Ancelotti goes to Madrid, I can see Cavani or Ibra there. City & PSG also want Cavani though, and IMO one of them will end up with Falcao.

I don't think Neymar is the right player for Barca tbh. If I were to revamp the attack at Barca, I would get Suarez + Bale in place of Villa and Sanchez. Of course, those two would probably cost something like 100m. And then there is the problem of Messi wanting to be the focal point of attack, and score all the goals... IMO Barca looked much better with Messi on the right, when Eto'o was in the attack.

bluenine wrote:

messiah wrote:Chelsea being linked with Lewandowski, he fits Jose's profile more than falcao

For us, neymar is already in the bad, if we want to go for a completely new front link then, Suarez or cavani would be my pick.

I agree, if Mou is indeed the next Chelsea coach, I can see Lewandowski going there. If Ancelotti goes to Madrid, I can see Cavani or Ibra there. City & PSG also want Cavani though, and IMO one of them will end up with Falcao.

I don't think Neymar is the right player for Barca tbh. If I were to revamp the attack at Barca, I would get Suarez + Bale in place of Villa and Sanchez. Of course, those two would probably cost something like 100m. And then there is the problem of Messi wanting to be the focal point of attack, and score all the goals... IMO Barca looked much better with Messi on the right, when Eto'o was in the attack.

Eto'o sold out way too soon

Romford Pele wrote:

bluenine wrote:

messiah wrote:Chelsea being linked with Lewandowski, he fits Jose's profile more than falcao

For us, neymar is already in the bad, if we want to go for a completely new front link then, Suarez or cavani would be my pick.

I agree, if Mou is indeed the next Chelsea coach, I can see Lewandowski going there. If Ancelotti goes to Madrid, I can see Cavani or Ibra there. City & PSG also want Cavani though, and IMO one of them will end up with Falcao.

I don't think Neymar is the right player for Barca tbh. If I were to revamp the attack at Barca, I would get Suarez + Bale in place of Villa and Sanchez. Of course, those two would probably cost something like 100m. And then there is the problem of Messi wanting to be the focal point of attack, and score all the goals... IMO Barca looked much better with Messi on the right, when Eto'o was in the attack.

Eto'o sold out way too soon

The genius of Pep!

Romford Pele wrote:I'd like to think Cavani won't sell out and go to PSG. The league is already lop-sided. England or Spain should be his choices. Money talks though.

I think Cavani will go to whoever Napoli want to sell him to. He owes the club that much. Which means that the highest bidder wins. But there is no reason why City or Madrid cannot outbid PSG. FFP has put in a ceiling, and clubs with bigger revenues are starting to have more money power in the transfer market.

Bale and barca is a no no, especially given the fact that he Is a Madrid and ronaldo fan.

When he does join Madrid their pace on the break will be even more scary that it his now

bluenine wrote:

Romford Pele wrote:I'd like to think Cavani won't sell out and go to PSG. The league is already lop-sided. England or Spain should be his choices. Money talks though.

I think Cavani will go to whoever Napoli want to sell him to. He owes the club that much. Which means that the highest bidder wins. But there is no reason why City or Madrid cannot outbid PSG. FFP has put in a ceiling, and clubs with bigger revenues are starting to have more money power in the transfer market.

But have you seen PSG's Wage Bill compared to the likes of City's ? It's less than half. Despite PSG having a better team at the moment as they have been better run than City. So with such a massive gap in the wage bill of PSG compared to other rich clubs they might be able to spend more than you think they can.

So where do you think they are going? Rumours below...

Cavani -> City? PSG? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Falcao -> Monaco? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Lewandowski -> Chelsea? Bayern? Man Utd? Real Madrid?
Ibrahimovic -> Stay at PSG? Juventus?
Suarez -> Juventus? Atletico? Stay at Liverpool?
Neymar -> Barca?
Higuain -> Juventus? Inter? Arsenal? Spurs?
Villa -> Atletico? Spurs? Arsenal?
Dzeko -> Dortmund? Napoli?
Rooney -> PSG? Chelsea? Arsenal?

Don't think Suarez is going anywhere.

Dont see falcao going to madrid they will likely sign cavani.
Neymar t bar a is a for gone conclusion

bluenine wrote:So where do you think they are going?

Cavani -> City? PSG? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Falcao -> Monaco? Real Madrid?
Lewandowski -> Chelsea? Bayern? Man Utd?
Ibrahimovic -> Stay at PSG?
Suarez -> Juventus? Atletico? Stay at Liverpool?
Neymar -> Barca?
Higuain -> Juventus? Inter?
Villa -> Atletico?
Dzeko -> Dortmund? Napoli?

Sounds like David Villa is going to England. Either Spurs or Arsenal.

Haven't seen Higuain linked with Inter. Juve seems the most probably destination.

@ Romford - Don't be so sure about Suarez. Atletico will have money after selling Falcao and they can offer him CL football.

Jaime wrote:

Sounds like David Villa is going to England. Either Spurs or Arsenal.

Haven't seen Higuain linked with Inter. Juve seems the most probably destination.

@ Romford - Don't be so sure about Suarez. Atletico will have money after selling Falcao and they can offer him CL football.

There was some talk a few months ago. I guess no European football puts us in a backfoot for such deals... Tho when Zanetti calls, the argies listen...

I think Villa will end up at Spurs, we're not interested in him anymore, rightly so IMO.

@Jaime - Not disputing that Atletico will have money, I just don't see Suarez going anywhere unless it's maybe Bayern or Barca. Despite the abuse he gets, he seems to enjoy playing at Liverpool, and I think Liverpool have a good chance of cracking the top four next season with him, Sturridge and Coutinho. In fact, not being in Europe at all should really work in their favour. I could easily be wrong though.

Who will end up with Bony?

Arsenal should go for him! He reminds me a lot of Drogba, though his workrate is not all that.

Romford Pele wrote:I think Villa will end up at Spurs, we're not interested in him anymore, rightly so IMO.

@Jaime - Not disputing that Atletico will have money, I just don't see Suarez going anywhere unless it's maybe Bayern or Barca. Despite the abuse he gets, he seems to enjoy playing at Liverpool, and I think Liverpool have a good chance of cracking the top four next season with him, Sturridge and Coutinho. In fact, not being in Europe at all should really work in their favour. I could easily be wrong though.

I think he can still do a job (Villa, that is) but he is definitely past the days where he is going to be the main guy scoring 25 goals a season. He was never quite the same after the injury.

Falcao is joining Monaco.

One down...

Cavani -> City? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Falcao -> Monaco? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Lewandowski -> Chelsea? Bayern? Man Utd? Real Madrid?
Ibrahimovic -> Stay at PSG? Juventus?
Suarez -> Juventus? Atletico? Stay at Liverpool?
Neymar -> Barca
Higuain -> Juventus? Inter? Arsenal? Spurs?
Villa -> Atletico? Spurs? Arsenal?
Dzeko -> Dortmund? Napoli?
Rooney -> Stay at Man Utd? PSG? Chelsea? Arsenal?

What do you guys make of this Neymar move? I think this smells of a big money flop...

Cavani -> City
Falcao -> Monaco
Lewandowski -> Bayern
Ibrahimovic will stay.
Suarez will stay.
Higuain -> Juventus to partner Llorente.
Villa would only go to Spurs or Arsenal on loan.
Dzeko -> Dortmund
Rooney -> Chelsea

I can't see Man Utd selling Rooney to Chelsea. It would take a silly offer for them to sell him to a rival, and I don't think Mourinho/Chelsea want him that badly. They'll probably declare an interest for mind games as much as anything else.

City can have Suarez if they give us all their cast offs and a shit load of monies.

bluenine wrote:One down...

Cavani -> City? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Falcao -> Monaco? Real Madrid? Chelsea?
Lewandowski -> Chelsea? Bayern? Man Utd? Real Madrid?
Ibrahimovic -> Stay at PSG? Juventus?
Suarez -> Juventus? Atletico? Stay at Liverpool?
Neymar -> Barca
Higuain -> Juventus? Inter? Arsenal? Spurs?
Villa -> Atletico? Spurs? Arsenal?
Dzeko -> Dortmund? Napoli?
Rooney -> Stay at Man Utd? PSG? Chelsea? Arsenal?

What do you guys make of this Neymar move? I think this smells of a big money flop...

It certainly does for a couple of reasons.

Does he fit into Barcelona?
Barcelona have been at the most effective when the creative players release the ball quickley. When they press together as a team with everybody joining in. On both accounts Neymar fails big time. He is the born dribbler but he his dribbling has only impressed me in games in Brazil. I have already seen several Robinhoesque games from him i.e. failing against tough playing opposition. I can't even imagine him versus Bayern. Unlike Villa/Pedro before him, Neymar won't make the runs between fullback and Cb that have been so effective when Messi drops down. So this move will surely further erode Barcelona's playing style that they have built up over the years. This suggests that Rosell really is about the flash because he should have worked to keep the most effective parts working.

Can he handle Europe?
He has already shown major signs of petulance in Brazil where he has been coddled to an even worse extent than was Robinho(Pele 2.0). So he arrives with a lot of baggage and this a risk as well to team spirit. Will Messi let Neymar have the ball as much as he wants?

This looks like Zlatan type signing here although Neymar is a great talent. Hard to see Neymar suddenly maturing without at least getting down to earth after a bad first season or something. If the quoted amount is correct 35M then that is a pretty good deal for Barcelona even if he fails. That way they wouldn't feel obligated to keep him on if he ruins the team.

This he is immature thing is something said by those who isn't following his career and just have the same impression of him from two years ago.

He is still a young man bud has grown a bit based on what I have seen.

Also the robinho comparison is so, lol, the only thing they have in common is their size and the fact that they played for Santos.

Neymar is a great finisher, has that calmness in front of goal that messi does, the ability to great more time on the ball than most players, so instead of just shooting they walk the ball around the keeper.

Also has a bit of passing and vision, not up to barca levels, but he can pass the ball 100x better than robinho.

That being said he will struggle with the limited amount of space he gets in Europe and especially for barca, which is the main reason he struggles in international football, but he will now be playing against it, week in week out. so if he has any football intelligence should figure it out over time.

Cruyff has said it's gonna fail. Rosell insisting on Neymar was another reason why Pep decided to f*ck off. All in all the writing is on the wall. If you think Messi yelled at Villa for not passing this is going to be one epic comedy for the next few seasons.

messiah wrote:This he is immature thing is something said by those who isn't following his career and just have the same impression of him from two years ago.

He is still a young man bud has grown a bit based on what I have seen.

Also the robinho comparison is so, lol, the only thing they have in common is their size and the fact that they played for Santos.

Neymar is a great finisher, has that calmness in front of goal that messi does, the ability to great more time on the ball than most players, so instead of just shooting they walk the ball around the keeper.

Also has a bit of passing and vision, not up to barca levels, but he can pass the ball 100x better than robinho.

That being said he will struggle with the limited amount of space he gets in Europe and especially for barca, which is the main reason he struggles in international football, but he will now be playing against it, week in week out. so if he has any football intelligence should figure it out over time.

Robinho scored a lot of goals in Brazil....

Neymar scoring a lot in that league doesn't prove a lot.

Yeah I remember Robinho started to get prolific in Brazil before he left.

According to wiki Robinho was on 21 goals in 37 in 2004 and 7 in 11 games in 2005. I remember thinking that he was perfect then because now that he had learned to score goals he would be great for Real Madrid. His first season at Real he was 8 in 38 and then 6 in 32 and then 11 in 32.

In other words there is a gap in quality from Brazil to Europe although the Spanish league might well have been better back then than it is today. However I do expect him to become better than Robinho but aside from that I don't dare to make any predictions.