ESPN FC’s Taylor Twellman weighs in on questionable transfer rules in the MLS and Jozy Altidore’s potential move to Toronto FC.
The winter window is now open, and that means the LIVE transfer blog swings back into action. Find out the latest news, gossip and done deals here.
Altidore, Defoe to perform the ole switcharoo?
With Sunderland scoring just 18 goals in 21 Premier League games this season, they badly need a finisher to notch the goals to keep them in the top flight. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and sources have told ESPN FC that Sunderland may just be on the brink of a dramatic transfer coup.
According to our man on the inside, Sunderland and Toronto FC have agreed to a deal to swap strikers, with Black Cats misfit Jozy Altidore heading to the MLS and 32-year-old England international Jermain Defoe heading back the other way.
Toronto FC look set to sign Jozy Alitdore from Sunderland, with Jermain Defoe heading the other way.
The former Spurs striker is a proven Premier League poacher, though whether he is worth the 80,000-pound-a-year, three-and-a-half year deal reported by The Sun is another matter entirely — particularly if Gus Poyet’s side are in fact relegated.
Do Sunderland have more money than sense? Probably. Still, it will be cash well spent if the journeyed striker can save the north-east side from the drop over the next few years.
Lavezzi leaving in cut-price Anfield move?
It is no secret that Ezequiel Lavezzi is in Laurent Blanc’s bad books after both he and Edinson Cavani were fined and dropped for two Paris Saint-Germain games after returning back late from their winter breaks, and the Daily Express reports that the Ligue 1 champions will let midfielder Lavezzi move to Liverpool for a fee as low as eight million pounds.
The French title holders are looking to cut costs with the spectre of financial fair play hanging over future deals, and 29-year-old Lavezzi could make a move to Anfield with PSG reportedly keen to offload the tardy technical tease as they line up their targets for a summer spending spree.
Saints set for Silva?
After beating Manchester United and Arsenal recently, Southampton will now be considered legitimate contenders for a top-four finish. With that new-found optimism, Ronald Koeman appears to be lining up a 15 million-pound bid for Braga’s midfield talent Rafa Silva, according to the Daily Mirror.
Is the January transfer window necessary? Also, viewers ask about Craig Burley’s questionable fashion rotation and Steve Nicol’s weight loss.
The paper reports that the 21-year-old attacking midfielder was almost snapped up by the Saints last summer, and though they missed out first time around, Koeman remains impressed. The south-coast club have the money to make a splash in January after a summer of high-profile sales, and the Portuguese youngster could be just the man to help the Saints secure Champions League qualification.
Serie A battle for not-so-hot Spur?
Tottenham midfielder Paulinho has unfortunately not lived up to the high expectations placed on him since a 17 million-pound move from Corinthians in 2013, but the Daily Mail reports that both Juventus and AC Milan are keen to offer the Brazil international an escape route from White Hart Lane.
The Serie A clubs are both keen the 26-year-old according to the paper, with Juve the favourites as they can offer a permanent deal while the Rossoneri are only likely to propose an initial loan deal.
With Mauricio Pochettino keen to offload a host of players to bring in his preferred targets, a deal with the Serie A champions seems most likely.
Magpies one game away from payday
So close yet so far — Newcastle loanee Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has been dropped by Roma after making 19 appearances for the club, with the Daily Mirror reporting that the France international is one game away from triggering a 5.5 million-pound windfall for the Magpies.
With Roma obviously keen on the defender considering his performances so far, the paper suggests the Giallorossi will delay Yanga-Mbiwa’s next appearance as they try to negotiate a deal with Newcastle.
Whether that comes this summer on this month is up to both parties, though Mike Ashley will not be best pleased if the Serie A side play a waiting game while the 25-year-old sits on the bench.