The striker chase is hotting up as the transfer window appears on the horizon. With a number of deals already agreed, although they can?t become effective until the window opens, a lot of the world?s top talent is getting sewn up, and no-one wants to be the club left without a chair when the music stops.
News today reported by both the BBC and the Express that Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the hunt of Fiorentina?s Montenegrin hitman Stevan Jovetic, then will come as no surprise. Arsene Wenger has been an admirer of the 23 year old, and he was thought to be high on the list of targets for this summer. As always however, it appears that Arsenal are balking at the price quoted. The Italians are reported to be firm in their instance that the player won?t be allowed to leave in a cut price deal. Fiorentina chief Sandro Mencucci has declared that a ?30m is required and that he simply will not sell for less. Whilst the Gunners are keen to acquire Jovetic, the financial prudence they work to requires them to bring in some of the money to be spent. Rumours are that they are prepared to allow Podolski return to Germany with Dortmund interested, and also that Giroud's tenure in north London could be short. It?s safe to say that Wenger will not welcome Chelsea?s interest.
With strikers in short supply at Stamford Bridge, even with the apparently imminent return to the club for Romelu Lukaku, A move for Jovetic would make sense. Torres and Ba, were the only experienced strikers at the club last season, and an injury to either could have been catastrophic for the Blues? aspirations. Mourinho, newly returned, will not want a repetition of that situation.
Clearly, from Fiorentina?s perspective the more clubs that are interested in signing the player, the better a deal they can negotiate. In the Express article it relates news from Italy that Manchester United may also be prepared to throw their hat into the ring to sign the player as a replacement should Rooney?s latest saga end in a goodbye. It does also say however that no bid has been made yet, so this may just be the Violet?s talking up the deal, much as they have done with Juventus.
It seems strange to say that with the transfer window not yet open, it?s so important not to miss the bus on the big deals, but that?s modern football finance. It?s odds-on that jovetic will leave Fiorentina, but where he goes is still a matter fro conjecture.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG