Transfer deadline day is a bit like Christmas. You wait for what seems like an age and then before you know it Jim White has been taken out of cold storage, handed a yellow tie and a pun-loaded cue card. Here are some transfers that may or may not happen.
MAN UNITED
The Louis van Gaal revolution is well underway and while results have not been perfect so far, in the words of the stern Dutch tactician ‘it’s a process’. This process will undoubtedly be assisted by a few more signings and following the arrival of Angel Di Maria, there will be some hectic activity in the next few days. Ed Woodward better get his skates on and his chequebook out.
Arturo Vidal – a midfield anchor (yes I said anchor) is a must for a United team that needs to tether its array of attacking talent on show. Chilean Vidal will not only bring a strong disciplined presence to the United engine room but will also provide much needed personality (with obligatory silly haircut/tattoo combo) to a midfield that has taken on a character reminiscent of a stranded jellyfish in recent months.
Possibility rating: 9/10
Daley Blind - One of the stars for the Holland team in Brazil 2014, Blind can play in a number of positions and clearly, unlike Jonny Evans, has an understanding of what LVG wants from his players. Blind would offer versatility and mobility to the United line-up, while he obviously combines well with van Persie. He would also add a Dutch work-ethic to the latent ball skills of the increasingly Latin flavoured style of play.
Possibility rating: 8.5/10
Mats Hummels - Since the twin pillars of Vidic and Ferdinand vanished from their back four, United have obviously struggled with the vacuum left by their absence. While Phil Jones has a future if he can work out his best position, United need a defender of Hummels stature to calm nerves and provide an aura of steadfastness. While rumours circulated of his arrival to Old Trafford earlier in the summer, Dortmund’s maverick manager Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions that his international stopper was for sale. First the eccentric German boss said he would eat a broom if Hummels were to be sold and then went on to install him as his captain.
Possibility Rating: 3/10
ARSENAL
So the Gunners qualified yet again for the group stages of the Champions League by the skin of their teeth. They scraped past the Turks of Besitkas courtesy of a winning goal scored by summer star signing Alexis Sanchez, but will need to add more steel and firepower to their squad if they want to make an impact this season.
Edison Cavani – While Arsene Wenger likes to hold his cards close to his chest, his declaration that he has a squad to cover the loss of Olivier Giroud is surely the biggest bluff since Audley Harrison called himself a boxer! They’re in dire need a striker that instills fear into the hearts of defenders just by the sound of his name and Cavani has the football intelligence and prowess in front of goal to fill that role. He won’t be cheap but luckily for Gooners everywhere it seems that Arsene has finally learnt how to undo the zip to his wallet.
Possibility Rating: 5.5/10
William Carvalho – Ever since Patrick Vieira scored the final penalty to win the FA Cup for Arsenal in 2005 and then rode off into the sunset, the Gunners and every other Premier League team have been looking for his heir. Time after time, the many proclamations of the arrival of a ‘new Vieira’ have proved to be premature as players, of similar build and athletic ability, came and went dimmed by the shadow of comparison to the great man. Carvalho, on the other hand, is the real deal. An enforcer, shield and ball player all rolled into one.
Possibility Rating: 6/10
Nikola Zigic – Are you having a laugh?
Possibility Rating: 0/10
CHELSEA
Everybody’s favourites for world domination this year, Jose has left no stone unturned in his desire to make sure he wins something this year and doesn’t end up getting the sack. Two world class keepers, Fabregas pulling strings in midfield and Diego Costa up front to provide the cutting edge with Drogba as back up. What could go wrong?
Radamel Falcao – Ever since Torres cut his hair it appears he has suffered from a Samsonesque decline in his powers. With moves afoot to cart the Spaniard off to AC Milan, it seems logical that Mourinho has an ace up his sleeve. After spending the majority on the sidelines injured, the Colombian marksman seems to have made his mind up to leave Ligue 1 for either the Premier League or La Liga and Stamford Bridge looks very likely.
Possibility Rating: 5/10
LIVERPOOL
Brendan Rodgers has made some astute signings in response to losing the ‘toothy’ genius of Luis Suarez. The best of Southampton combined with another ‘wayward’ goal scorer in the shape of Mad/Super Marion Balotelli may sound good on paper but as Spurs proved last year, football is played on grass.
A Psychologist – While Rodgers may be possessed of healing abilities we are sure that he’s going to need some extra help in extracting the best from the young Italian enigma.
Possibility Rating: 10/10
