Happenability: Buffon/Salcido/Toure/Torres + Cesc Update
41 comments July 4th, 2006
Normally, we rely on places like Sky Sports for our rumours. Occasionally, we might venture into the murky territory of the likes of Teamtalk and Clubcall. However, it is not often our transfer tidbits are provided straight from the mouth of Czech international Pavel Nedved.
Nedved put his foot in his surprisingly small mouth when he said:
“I have discussed it with Buffon. He told me he was leaving and that we would probably not play in the same team anymore. I donâ??t know where he is going though…”
A one way ticket to the Emirates Stadium, perchance? Here’s hoping. Brilliant though Jens is, Buffon would represent a long-term solution to the goalkeeper position, and Jens could be allowed to go back to Germany as a hero after his fantastic World Cup. With confirmation that Buffon is set to leave (admittedly in a cloud of controversy), the happenability of this transfer has risen from a 6 to an 7.5.
There’s more info on the transfer of Mexican left-back Carlos Salcido from Chivas de Guadalajara. Their chairman has spoken out on the possible deal, saying:
“There is interest from several teams in Carlos Salcido from England and Spain, but we’ve never mentioned a specific team, neither have we recieved a formal offer from Arsenal … When he have a formal agreement with someone, you will know all the details … From England there is interest, but we haven’t spoken with any certainty, nor have there been any offers, so yes I can clarify that what that newspaper said (that Arsenal had offered â?¬4m) was a lie. We are hoping for an offer because we have a direct contact with and the confidence of Arsenal after the transfer of Carlos Vela, to converse and to notify if interest exists in any player.”
The Chivas boss is still in Europe negotiating a deal, however, and the identity of the club involved is expected to be unveiled next week. Happenability? 8.5.
On the Yaya Toure front, things are looking slightly less possitive. He has told the club if Visas are granted to him family, he will return to regular training on the 10th July. However, his club are so disappointed in him they are eager to cash in: not Arsene’s sort of player, perhaps? Athletico Madrid are reportedly ready to pounce. Subsequent to the above, his happenability drops to a 6.
And finally, the most outlandish of all the rumours flying around. Myles Palmer has suggested that there are rumours “in the city” that Arsenal are preparing to spend £20m. He proposes that the possible subject of the bid is Spanish striker Fernando Torres, whilst whispers in other areas believe it could be a formal approach for Argentine Carlos Tevez. Either would represent a significant coup for the club, though in my opinion it was Torres who had the more impressive World Cup. Chelsea recently opted against signing Carlos Tevez, and I wonder what Arsene might see in him that Mourinho doesn’t. Anyway, like I say, this is hardly the most believable of rumours.
If Torres signs tomorrow, I’ll be the first to hold my hands up. But for now? Happenability?
Cesc Update: Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid will offer Julio Baptista in part-exchange for Cesc Fabregas. If they fail to secure Cesc, Barcelona’s Andrés Iniesta is a back-up option.
