The Summer Transfer Rumor Thread No catchy title, don't like it kiss my ass!

That post, for starters, did go right over my head. But then again, we can't be all as smart as you are...
Furthermore, that's why still comment and speculate based on these reports, if they're so full of it. We all know the score that once summer hits, everyone will just in overdrive but there are still some stories by certain news sources that are worth at the very least paying attention, unlike some tabloids and dirtsheets that are almost exclusively click baits. The difference is pretty easy to spot.

 

There are a handful of decent sources on Twitter by even those guys are fed misinformation or make false rumors due to personal interest from time to time.

Silly season is a crap shoot.

 

Just like there are a few of news sites that are somewhat reliable (or at least more than others) and trustworthy, the same applies for Twitter, maybe even more so since there's so much garbage on Twitter...

 

Apparently Spurs are close to signing Anthony Martial.

 

When it comes to transfer rumors, all sources must be viewed with equal suspicion.

Take the alleged tweet about the jouro who says Gundogan won't be going to Barcelona. The claim can neither be rejected as false nor admitted as fact. It is simply one more rumor for us to ruminate over.

 

That would be a good move for them if they switch to a two striker formation.

 

IMO, it is a bad move for Martial. Another season at Monaco and he could upgrade to a top 4 team. His career could flounder at Spurs.

 

Speaking of Monaco, it'd be nice if United could get the jump on Kondogbia. Not surprising that Arsenal are looking at him after the way he played in midfield against them in the CL this past season.

 

Benzema agent saying reports of him meeting Woody were inaccurate and that Benzema planning to stay at RM 'unless RM dont want him'.

 

Yeah, not a smart move from him. Some are speculating that they're bringing him in as Kanes replacement but that's obviously a stretch. I'd say it's more likely that he replaces either Adebayor or Soldado as first off the bench.

 

It is interesting how he put that : for my part, I don't really doubt the meeting took place. Maybe it was a random meeting, maybe not. If it were official though and Real were not aware of it, it would be tampering (at least technically) so he'd have to deny it. Just curious as to what the agent's motivation is to do this is Benz is happy at Real...

 

He impressed me when he was with Sevilla and seeing him again with Monaco (in the CL vs Arsenal and Juve), I like what I saw from him, a lot. And he's just 22 : I believe he has a lot of potential and could be a big deal at some point in the future. But a DCM makes sense, especially if the general feeling is that we need/are going to pick up 2 CMs...

 

Wouldn't mind Benzema here, but I can't see him leaving unless Real brass suddenly decide to make Aguero their yearly Galactico/compulsive forward signing; in which case they might consider parting with (dumping) Benzema to land De Gea..

 

For one reason or another, it seems as if they've always passively tried to replace him with someone else. They were never too open or committed on another target so they wouldn't lose him. For instance, it seems that they were very close in closing Falcao last year until something happened at the last moment. I get that Benz is happy there but it can't be easy to constantly have to hear about guys being courted to take your place, the way he has been subjected to every single year.
But yeah, I wouldn't mind him one bit. He's one of a few strikers I'd be happy to see at the club : the others being Muller and Benteke.

 

A pure DM would work better in the LvG system than it ever would have worked in the Sir Alex systems. There's much more structure in our squad under LvG than there was under Sir Alex.

 

The ideal situation is to get a CM who can do it all but one of the requirements has to be that he doesn't shirk the defensive duties in the middle of the park, like breaking up play and protect the back 4. With the personel already on hand, it is just as important as their offensive contributions.

 

The story goes that Benitez is going 4-2-3-1 with Ronaldo as the 9, so Benzema will not likely be in his starting 11.

Coupled with the other rumour, story is that Woody is saying we will keep DDG for the last year of his contract rather than let him go cheap. So we figure we will do a better deal with RM for DDG if we involve a player rather than cash only.

 

That is Benitez's favorite formation so it makes sense that he would go back to him. They'll need to buy some players, which we know they won't be able to do. Not sure if making Ronaldo the centre forward is necessarily the best idea (as he loves running at defenders with the ball) but if that's the way he will go, that means they will go with Bale, J-Rod and probably Isco supporting him. Kroos and Modric could be the 2 CM but perhaps that might too light for Benitez defensively.
I definitely buy into the theory that United are trying to get someone, namely Benz, in the deal for De Gea : whether Real goes for it, I guess we will see. Benitez would do himself a big favor if he was more expansive and adventurous in his style of play, considering all the offensive talent at his disposal but I just don't see it happening...

 

How much is Benzema worth though? Would rather just take the money for De Gea.

 

I don't believe it will be a swap deal but I do believe that Woodward will try to get a Real player for United. But it will be 2 separate deals in my opinion. As to his value, I go back and forth on this but if I had to guess, Real would be looking to get 35-40mil for him.

 

Pounds, Euro's, or dollars? Either way, that's too much.

 

Pounds... It's a lot of money there is no doubt about it, I'll be the first to admit it, but we can't underestimate a couple of things. First, whether we like it or not, Benz is a marquee player : he may not be on the level of the top, top strikers in the world but he's still a very good player who knows the way to the net. And second, at 27, he is at his prime right now and I'm not sure that Real will be ready to sell him at a loss and they paid around 30-33mil I believe for him. When you look at the market as it is now, I think that a 35-40mil valuation might sound about right. Suarez is obviously a much superior striker, yet Barca forked out 75mil for him, so I don't see him going for much less.

 

His age is a negative for me.

 

Getting someone younger would be the ideal choice but at 27, it can reasonably expected that he should have 3/4 good years ahead of him, when that position can be revisited then. United paid 24mil for a 29yr old when the season started and while he only had one great season, his goals arguably fired United to the title. I do get your gripes though...