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...Fabregas to United, Falcao to Monaco, Jovetic to Arsenal, Hernanes to Milan, David Villa to Spurs, Di Maria to PSG, Bale to Madrid, Isco to Manchester City...
Does it seem as though the rumour mill has spun out of control in recent weeks—that more players are being linked with more places than at any time in recent memory?
Don’t worry. It’s not you. It’s the transfer window. And over the next few months you will come across more scuttlebutt than ever before—some of which will be accurate, much of which will be erroneous.
A combination of unique circumstances in some of European football’s most influential centres is driving an unprecedented run on the transfer market, and while summer shopping at most clubs is busy enough, anyway, this year’s spending spree is likely to involve more money and more transactions than ever before.
Joao Moutinho (left) and James Rodriguez (middle) lift the Europa League trophy in 2011. Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Monaco’s promotion to Ligue 1 has kick-started the process. Club owner and billionaire potash magnate Dmitry Rybolovlev is intent on turning his side into an instant contender and has already forked over €70 million to land Porto duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.
Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is likely to follow, as are Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho—moves that would take spending on the French Riviera close to €150 million. (Marca)
Then, of course, there is the original moneybags side of French football: Paris Saint-Germain.
The Qatari Investment Authority that took full control of the capital club in 2011 has already splashed out more than €250 million on player acquisitions, and given their willingness to both pay full value for top talent and offer sky-high wage packets, they are being linked with everyone from Wayne Rooney (Guardian) to Angel Di Maria (Express).
Mario Gotze has already joined Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund. David Ramos/Getty Images
Next door in Germany things are somewhat more modest, although Bayern Munich have already sealed the purchase of Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze for €37 million and are now in pursuit of Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, also of Dortmund (Sky).
Healthy balance sheets at many Bundesliga clubs and a strategy, both financial and competitive, that values fan engagement and sustainability above all else has seen German football rise to prominence in recent seasons, culminating last weekend with a Champions League Final between Bayern and Dortmund.
Dortmund, for their part, are hoping to remain a title contender heading into next season, and to that end they have reportedly targeted the likes of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko (Goal) and Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen (Daily Mail), for whom they would likely have to pay a combined €40 million.
Bayer Leverkusen, who will be participating in the Champions League next season, have also signalled a willingness to spend, and Germany as a whole could become a prime destination for some of the continent’s best players over the next few years, if it isn’t already.
Then there are the Spanish giants.
Barcelona recently concluded the acquisition of Neymar. Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Real Madrid and Barcelona each enter the summer with an eye to significant changes, and the Catalans have already laid down the gauntlet with a big-money move for Brazilian superstar Neymar.
The 21-year-old’s arrival may well force either David Villa or Alexis Sanchez out of the club, and with any extra funds made available Barcelona will surely address a lack of depth in defense.
They have reportedly made approaches for both Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels (Express), but after being rebuffed in each instance are now looking to Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez to deputize for Carlos Puyol, if not replace him (Goal).
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are in a presidential election season, and the last time incumbent Florentino Perez campaigned for the job he promised to deliver both Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo—a promise he kept to the tune of more than €170 million.
This time around Perez would like to land Tottenham Hotspur attacker Gareth Bale, and on Thursday he told Spanish outlet Marca that the Welshman was “born to play in Madrid.” (Telegraph)
Given the club’s failure to win a single piece of major silverware this past season, Madrid are also thought to be targeting unhappy Liverpool striker Luis Suarez (Marca) and Napoli marksman Edinson Cavani (The Sun).
Pretty much any player with any sort of profile is linked to Real Madrid at some point over a given summer, but with the club having underachieved in 2012-13 and elections upcoming, there will be even more movement than usual in the Spanish capital.
Everton's Marouane Fellaini could be following David Moyes to Manchester United. Michael Regan/Getty Images
Finally, the retirement of long-time Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has added a rather unexpected element to the transfer window, with everyone from rival clubs to journalists unsure just what his replacement, David Moyes, has in store for the next few months.
Already there has been speculation that several of his former players, notably Marouane Fellaini (Guardian), could beat a trail from Everton to Old Trafford, and with the 50-year-old likely to address some shortcomings in the centre of the park a swoop for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas (Daily Mail) has been talked about as well.
Moyes may also opt to clear out players he sees as surplus to requirements. Nani and Anderson fall into this category, and then there is the situation with Rooney, who requested a transfer in the final weeks of last season.
Put it all together and you have the makings of a transfer window the sort of which we’ve never seen before. From the big money in France to the rise of the German clubs to desperation in Spain and uncertainty in England, what we have before us is a marketplace that promises no shortage of drama before the window slams shut in September.
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