At the business end of the season, most clubs are placing more focus on achieving their respective goals, yet that is not to say that work is not being undertaken behind the scenes regarding the summer transfer window. Plans are being put together to try to steal a march on their competitors, the margins for error being as small off the pitch than they are on it. Transfer rumours are already in overdrive and while there will no doubt be various levels of truth in each story that emerges, those wanting to take advantage of football odds and offers should try to apply some logic to some of the notable sagas that may ensue while there is value for their money.
While the title of this article states five transfers that make sense, we include two logical non-transfers in our thinking given the sheer interest that is being generated. Having proven himself as the standout generation talent to emerge from English football since Wayne Rooney, Jude Bellingham is naturally attracting attention far and wide with it being perceived that the England international has outgrown Borussia Dortmund. With just over two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, attention is being shown to taking advantage of Dortmund potentially coming under pressure to maximise the fee that they will eventually generate, with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City both believed to hold an interest in providing the next opportunity for the 19-year-old.
However, a transfer away from the Westfalenstadion is far from a foregone conclusion. Real Madrid are likely to concede their La Liga title this term, face Man City in the Champions League semi-finals and have already committed to spending big on Endrick in recent months. Although there are claims that the respective parties are meeting this week, it feels far more likely that Bellingham would move in 2024 if he ends up at the Bernabeu.
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Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola will be in the market for a new central midfielder, providing that Ilkay Gundogan leaves on a free, but paying well in excess of £100m would represent a big commitment. That may be required to fend off Real, but it should also be taken into consideration that Dortmund are as competitive with Bayern Munich as they have been for some time, and could even end their Bundesliga dominance this season. Would Bellingham necessarily be in a rush to leave that? It makes the 5/1 for the former Birmingham City youngster to stay put as an attractive proposition.
Mason Mount staying at Chelsea is just 9/4, a consequence of what appears to be a contract standoff when he has just 14 months remaining on his existing deal. There are conflicting reports over whether a compromise over terms will eventually be met, but the influence of Mauricio Pochettino could prove decisive. Realistically, the likely new head coach at Stamford Bridge will do everything possible to keep Mount in his squad, regardless of the financial implications that Chelsea are currently facing having missed out on European football for 2023-24.
Pochettino is said to want a domestic core, one which includes homegrown talents, and Mount will be at the bottom of his list of outgoings fitting that criteria. The likes of Liverpool may be circling, but it should be viewed that Mount leaving Chelsea would be more of a surprise than if he penned a new contract.
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Going back to Manchester City, it makes far more sense for Guardiola to make a move for Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister. The 24-year-old has established himself as a world-class player at the Amex Stadium, his status being enhanced by helping Argentina win the World Cup. There is an argument that Mac Allister is more of a like-for-like replacement for Gundogan than Bellingham, and he could be acquired for £50m less.
City are not short of funds and more will be raked in through prize money in due course, but Guardiola is Premier League proven and would likely slot in seamlessly as a foil for Rodri. Argentine compatriots Julian Alvarez and Maximo Perrone have already been signed as long-term options for City over the past 18 months, and logic would suggest that Mac Allister joining them in the summer should be far shorter than the 16/1 which is currently available.
The same applies to the 12/1 which is on offer for Kieran Tierney to leave Arsenal for Man City. The left-back was once regarded as first choice at the Gunners but that has not been the case since Oleksandr Zinchenko coincidentally departed City for the Emirates Stadium. Nevertheless, that is not to stay that the Scotland international's stock has fallen. The decision that he will be left with is whether he wants a guaranteed start every week or whether he is prepared to become a squad member in exchange for a greater chance of winning silverware. It is a conundrum which will not be taken lightly, but he may relish taking the opening that City have at left-back.
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Nathan Ake is only regarded as a stand-in, Joao Cancelo may leave the Etihad Stadium and Sergio Gomez is expected to be loaned out. Arsenal will welcome a fee in excess of £20m for Tierney, and City would have no issues in meeting those demands. Newcastle have been tipped as the other genuine alternative, but Eddie Howe is focused on strengthening other areas.
One of the areas in question could be another versatile playmaker and Leicester City's James Maddison fits the bill. Regardless of whether Leicester City retain their Premier League status, the England international will be departing the Foxes this summer due to just 14 months remaining on his contract and the playmaker eager to play European football. Tottenham Hotspur have long been touted as the most likely destination for the 26-year-old, but that has become far less likely due to their current downturn in performances and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Harry Kane.
Maddison also has admirers at Liverpool, yet Jurgen Klopp must first solve the team's issues in defence and central midfield before adding to an already well-stocked final third. It leaves Newcastle as the most obvious option for Maddison, the Magpies having the funds to complete a deal if they qualify for the Champions League and numerous roles which Maddison can fill, much like Joe Willock and Joelinton have done this season, and the 9/4 available for a switch to St James' Park will not be on offer for long.
