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Five controversial transfers

Dec Warrington

Carlos Tevez has already crossed the Manchester divide from United to City, which in turn sparked the transfer of Michael Owen - formerly of Liverpool - to United, and there is the possibility of another controversial move taking place this summer.

Patrick Vieira, the ex-Arsenal captain, has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Tottenham and the idea of such a move has led us to consider some of the most controversial transfers to have taken place in football history. These are the deals that even the most diehard fans wouldn't have dreamt of taking place; those that genuinely didn't even seem an option at the time.

Just the facts, Mame: the inside line on Manchester United's new signing

Tor-Kristian Karlsen, a Norwegian football scout who has worked for several leading European clubs, gives us the lowdown on Mame Biram Diouf, Molde's Senegalese forward who was signed today by Manchester United. Robert Dineen asks the questions.

Sir Alex Ferguson had said he would not make any further signings this summer. Were you surprised that he moved for Diouf?
There had been much speculation over the past week that he would leave Norway as he scored four goals in Molde's most recent home game in front of about 20 scouts but nobody expected him to go to United.

The Rivals: Manchester City join race for Bentley

City join race for Bentley - Daily Mirror
Manchester City have made a surprise move for David Bentley, the Tottenham winger, but will now have to meet his £12 million valuation.
Gary's verdict: Harry Redknapp would drive him there. Only, where would City play him when they have Shaun Wright-Phillips? Rating: 5/10

Manny is taking his time - The Sun
Emmanuel Adebayor has asked for more time before he makes a final decision on a transfer to Manchester City with reports suggesting the Togo international could be holding out for a move to AC Milan.
Gary Jacob's verdict: Milan’s move for Luís Fabiano has stalled so it would not be surprising if Adebayor’s agent contacted Milan. The Italian side's preferred choices were Edin Dzeko, the Wolfsburg striker, Fabiano and lastly Adebayor, but they have shown little interest in the Togo striker in the past week. 7/10 

The Rivals: Benitez turns to Silva with Alonso set for £30m move

Mascherano to Kop out in switch - Daily Mirror
With Xabi Alonso set to join Real before the end of the week, Rafael Benitez has told the Javier Mascherano that he must stay at Anfield this summer, despite interest from Barcelona. 

Gary Jacob's verdict: Mascherano hasn’t stamped his feet enough to force a move, but Liverpool should reward him with an improved contract or they will be left with an unhappy player. Rating: 8/10

Benitez turns to Silva after agreeing £30m Alonso sale - The Daily Telegraph
The Liverpool manager will use the funds from the sale of Alonso to pursue David Silva, the Valencia winger. He is also interested in bringing Sylvain Distin, the Portsmouth defender, to Anfield while Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez, also remains a target to replace Alonso in the centre of midfield. 

Gary's verdict: Liverpool have spoken to David Silva but no offer has been made as yet. As for Distin, The Times first reporter Liverpool's £2 million offer for the defender at the start of June, but Portsmouth will probably want closer to £5m even though the defender only has one year left on his contract. 8/10

Bale's out for Roma - Daily Mirror
Gareth Bale, the Tottenham defender, has emerged as a shock loan target for Roma.

Gary's verdict: The left back has been linked with several clubs in Italy, but Bale’s problem is that no one knows his best position. Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in him before he signed for Tottenham, but as a left winger! He needs to improve his defending to become a top-class left back. 4/10

The Rivals: Aston Villa close to £24m deal for Bent and Downing

Darren to lead a Bent force - Daily Star
Aston Villa want to finalise a £24m double move for Darren Bent, the Tottenham striker, and Stewart Downing, the Middlesbrough winger, this week.
Gary Jacob's verdict: Villa consider Bent overpriced even at £12m, while Tottenham are determined to recoup a fee as close to the £16m they paid for him. Bent would prefer Everton, who have shown a tentative interest, but he is less keen on a move to Sunderland. Rating: 5/10

£60m deal for Adebayor - The Sun
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, could use money from the sale of Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.
Gary's verdict: It’s very likely and a deal may already have been agreed, subject to the sale of the Togo forward. Chamakh has one year left on his contract and could cost around £8 million. 9/10

Terry in cash target - Daily Star
John Terry wants Chelsea to make him their highest-paid player before he rejects a move to Manchester City. Terry has been offered £250,000 a week by the Eastlands club.
Gary's verdict: City would be insane to offer him that much. Terry wants a pay rise of around £20,000 a week to take him to the £150,000 mark. Frank Lampard earns upwards of £140,000 a week at Stamford Bridge. 8/10

Roy Ful pelt for Greening - The Sun
Fulham are close to agreeing a deal to sign Jonathan Greening, the West Brom midfielder, for £2.5m, plus winger Hameur Bouazza.
Gary's verdict: Jonathan Greening's intelligence would suit Fulham's style of play, but is this a good enough offer to secure his services? 6/10

Teen's a steal for Gunners - Daily Mirror
Arsenal could poach Frank Nouble, Chelsea's highest-rated young striker, after he turned down professional terms at Stamford Bridge.
Gary's verdict: He has been at Chelsea since the age of 12 and so any deal to sign him would be subject to a compensation agreement. Lots of Facebook friends, but no clue on his future. 5/10

Zola seeks Eidur - Daily Star
Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, wants to sign striker Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona on a season-long loan.
Gary's verdict: West Ham are mainly going to bring in players on loan this summer, but Gudjohnsen earns around £80,000 a week and that figure doesn't fit in with the club's pay structure. 1/10

The Rivals: Real Madrid change tack in Xabi Alonso pursuit

Real in new Xabi bluff - Daily Mirror
Real Madrid have still not given up their pursuit of Xabi Alonso, the Liverpool midfielder, but have decreased their offer by £3m to £22m.
Gary Jacob's verdict: Manuel Pellegrini, the Real manager, said that Alonso was "important, but not indispensable”. This strikes me as honesty since the club's posturing may make little difference to Liverpool unless they contemplate a sale. Rating: 6/10

Blues fear defeat in battle to hold on to Terry - Daily Mirror
Chelsea will hold intensive talks with their captain who they fear is increasingly likely to join Manchester City.
Gary's verdict: Chelsea want the situation resolved before they fly to the United States on Thursday, but this could drag on for some time since they are unwilling to pay him more. 6/10

Chelsea won't pay Terry any extra - Daily Mail
Despite their fears over his departure, Chelsea will not increase Terry's wages in an attempt to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
Gary's verdict: At present, Chelsea are willing to hold out. 9/10

Promoted Arnesen may sign Ibrahimovic - Daily Telegraph
Chelsea's newly-appointed sporting director could make the Inter Milan striker his first signing after the Sweden international claimed the Premier League club had made a £60m move for him.
Gary's verdict: Several weeks ago, Chelsea said that they were not interested in Ibrahimovic or Maicon, both from Inter, when they were in talks about selling Carvalho and Deco to the Serie A club. They consider Ibrahimovic to be overpriced. 4/10

Boro adamant Adam staying - Daily Mirror
Adam Johnson, the Middlesbrough winger, has been told there is "no way" he will be allowed to join Chelsea.
Gary's verdict: Johnson wants to leave but Middlesbrough want to sell Downing instead when he is fit. 4/10

Tevez joins City on £150,000-a week - Daily Mail
Carlos Tevez will complete a £25m move to Manchester City today after rejecting a move to Chelsea.
Gary's verdict: Widely reported. 9/10

Villa lead chase for £12m Downing - Daily Mail
Aston Villa hope to complete the signing of Stewart Downing, the Middlesbrough winger, this week raising questions over the future of Ashley Young at Villa Park. Young is wanted by Tottenham, while Manchester United and Chelsea are also keen on the England player.
Gary's verdict: Villa will only consider a very large offer for Young, in excess of £25million, and though they have interest in Downing, their priority is a left back and centre back. 6/10

The Rivals: Odds slashed on Ribery joining Liverpool

Odds slashed on Ribery joining Liverpool - Daily Mirror
SkyBet are among a number of bookmakers to slash their odds on the Bayern Munich midfielder joining Liverpool. Bookmakers were forced to cut their price from 66/1 to 8-13 on in the wake of huge interest last night.

Gary Jacob's verdict: Seems incredibly bizarre because of Liverpool’s lack of financial muscle, the price Bayern want for the winger and Ribery's preferred destination of Real Madrid. Liverpool would need to sell at least three players, including Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, to fund the move. Rating: 1/10

City D-Day for Eto'o - The Sun
Manchester City have given Barcelona a weekend deadline over the deal to bring Samuel Eto'o to Eastlands, which would make the Cameroon striker the best-paid player in English football.

Gary's verdict: It’s nothing to do with Barcelona, who are willing to sell. Bottom line is that the forward does not want to move to City, so he is ether looking for the Catalan team to improve their offer or he will try and find another Champions League team. Barcelona want him to sign or cash in, because he has one year left on his contract. 4/10

City bank on Terry swoop - Daily Mirror
Mark Hughes is increasingly confident of tempting the England captain away from Stamford Bridge despite Chelsea's offer of a new contract which would make the 28-year-old their highest-paid player.

Gary's verdict: Don’t be surprised if Terry signs an improved contract at Chelsea, using City’s interest as a lever. But if only Chelsea had the guts to pull the rug from under him and take the £40 million on offer. 5/10

The Rivals: Manchester United target Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Take Zlat - Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, is weighing up a move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

George Caulkin’s verdict: how exactly do you weigh up a move? Is Fergie sitting in his office with a gigantic set of scales and £80m on one side? Ibrahimovic is one of those players who seems to have been around forever. I thought he was about 40, but in fact he is only 27. Which, while not particularly relevant, is factually accurate.
Our rating: 5/10

Downing and Tuncay in frame for Villa - Daily Mirror
Martin O'Neill is keen to sign Stewart Downing and Tuncay from Middlesbrough in deal worth £18m.

George’s verdict: Football is so unfair. Your team gets relegated. You feel sad, nauseous, angry. But the very people who got you relegated then move somewhere else and are furnished with a pay rise. In effect, they get a promotion. How does that work? It should be enshrined in European law that relegated footballers either have to spend at least one season with the team they relegated or in a coal mine. Not that there are any coal mines. Anyway. Yes, Villa are firm admirers of Stewie D, who at least cares about Middlesbrough, although the England winger will not return to fitness until September.
Our rating: 7/10

Don't let Terry go - The Sun
Roman Abramovich has been urged to do all he can to prevent John Terry from leaving Chelsea for Manchester City. However, Terry's future remains uncertain despite the club offering him a £15,000-per-week pay rise.

George’s verdict: a pay rise of £15,000-per-week! This is an insult! You could not offend John Terry more if you spat in his face while burning the Union flag and telling him that jellied eels are an affront against nature. City are offering him a basic salary of £19bn-per-minute plus a £5bn loyalty bonus if he stays at Eastlands beyond January. You can’t argue with those figures.
Our rating: 3/10

The Rivals: Manchester United set to revive Huntelaar bid

United set to revive Huntelaar bid - The Sun
Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to make a £20million bid for Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Real Madrid's Dutch striker.
Gary Jacob's verdict: Huntelaar has done little since he left Ajax for £19m in January – so why would United pay £20m? – and he had been unhappy in Madrid. AC Milan have confirmed making a bid for the Dutch forward as well as one for Luis Fabiano, the Seville striker. Having said that Huntelaar would prefer a move to a Champions League club, such as Arsenal or Manchester United, and has four years left on his contract.
Rating: 4/10

Rovers want Ruud - The Sun
Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn manager, has launched an ambitious bid to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy, the 33-year-old former Manchester United striker, from Real Madrid.
Gary's verdict: The bid was made last week but Blackburn have since also offered Christian Vieri the chance to join them for a one-week trial on their pre-season trip to Austria. This suggests that Blackburn are either going to be spending the £18m from the sale of Roque Santa Cruz, or are having trouble in persuading target forwards, such as Van Nistelrooy and Peter Crouch, to move there. 

Van Nistelrooy has indicated that he wants to stay at Real, which is transfer code for that he is not willing to move and take a drop in salary.
Rating: 5/10

Crouch swoop - The Sun
Aston Villa lead the race for Peter Crouch, the Portsmouth striker. However, Villa, who could be challenged by Sunderland, are not willing to match Portsmouth's £12m asking price.
Gary's verdict: According to several agents, Martin O’Neill is not looking for a striker. Crouch to Sunderland is a decent shout, but where will that leave Kenwyne Jones and their proposed move for Darren Bent?
Rating: 8/10

Arbeloa is a Real bargain - Daily Mirror
Real Madrid have made a £5m offer for Alvaro Arbeloa, the Liverpool defender, who they claim is desperate to join them.
Gary's verdict: This one looks likely to go through. He is expected to move to Real for about £5m.
Rating: 8/10

Now Villa are Mig fighters - Daily Mirror
Martin O'Neill will bid for Miguel Veloso, the Sporting Lisbon midfielder, after Bolton had an £8m offer turned down.
Gary's verdict: The Portuguese media suggested yesterday that Villa and Manchester City had joined the race with Bolton Wanderers, who are very keen but only willing to offer about £8m. Veloso has been linked with clubs for the past three windows, although no club have got close to signing him, which might raise questions about him as a player or person, or perhaps it's just that the £14m fee asked by Sporting is too high.
Rating: 5/10

The Rivals: Arsenal could sell £40m Fabregas to Spanish giants

£40m for Fab - The Sun
Arsenal have attempted to ward off interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid by placing a £40m price tag on Cesc Fabregas. However, club insiders claim Arsenal could be willing to sell their captain if they are offered a bid that is "too good to turn down".
Gary Jacob's verdict: Arsenal will not allow him to leave this summer, but it will be a different matter next summer.
Rating: 4/10

Fergie plots Toure move - Daily Mail
Manchester United have enquired about the possibility of signing Yaya Toure, the Barcelona midfielder, amid concerns over the long-term fitness of Owen Hargreaves.
Gary's verdict: Yaya Toure signed a new four-year contract last month. Barcelona have also increased the value of the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international's buyout clause to €100m (£85m).
Rating: 3/10

Barton halfway to Blues - Daily Mirror
Birmingham City are willing to pay Joey Barton £25,000-a-week to take him on loan for the season - less than half of what he currently earns at Newcastle United.
Gary's verdict: Barry Ferguson would seem a more likely option because he has played under Alex McLeish, but equally he is older than Barton. Rating: 4/10