Transfer Mill: Rumour and Assessment

Update and short analysis of this Summer's movements


Alan Dzagoev - £20m+ - Linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea

After his stellar performance against the Czech Republic it is clear Russia's hopes are down to the potent partnership of  Dzagoev and Arshavin. Sitting pretty in my Fantasy Football team, Dzagoev's performance will certainly have caught the eye up of some of Europe's elite clubs. Having racked up 153 games and 37 goals at CSKA Moscow along with 21 Russia caps and 6 goals at just 21, Dzagoev is indeed hot property. With the ability to find killer passes and run with the ball from midfield, Dzagoev stretched the Czech back four into submission. The babyfaced assassin, Dzagoev has been strongly linked with the Premier League and playing in the tough Russian Premier League should certainly be an excellent apprenticeship. Although other Russian stars have failed to make a strong impact in England, Arshavin, Zhirkov and Pavlyuchenko for example, I believe Dzagoev has the appetite and determination to succeed. As the Euro 2012 competition continues I'm sure we will see his asking price rocket.


Dorlan Pabón -  £5m-£8m - Strongly linked with Galatasaray, also Roma, Rubin Kazan and Tottenham Hotspur

This 24 year old Colombian who plays for his native Atletico Nacional is on the wishlist of many European clubs this Summer. It seems as if Glatasaray have taken the lead for his signature but nothing definitive as yet. Pabón is an attacking central midfielder, both robust and skilful, with more than an eye for goal. He is currently the second highest scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 7 goals. He made a name for himself with a 40 yard free kick against rivals Penarol (right). Pabón can operate both behind the strikers and in a more traditional central midfield role. He certainly has the attributes for European football and hopefully we will see him in the Premier League soon.

Leandro Damião - £15m approx. -Linked with various clubs.

Leandro Damião is a player in high demand. With Tottenham having bids of around £14m rejected and interest from Spain and Italy, it seems it will not be long before Damião graces our European shores. At 22 he is not a raw and unadulterated talent nor is he the finished article, but he is a natural born goalscorer. At nearly 6 ft 2 in Damião possesses strength and pace and would not come unstuck in the physical Premier League. His typically brilliant Brazilian touch and composure has led to an incredible 68 goals in 111 career games. In winning the Copa Libertadores in his debut season with Brazilian club Internacional,with a goal in the two legged final, Damião has become a household name on the flair continent. With comparisons to Edinson Cavani, Damião would be a cheaper option for clubs looking to bolster their attacks. He also has international experience with 8 caps for a nation with a wealth of goal scoring talent, in addition to his maiden Brazil goal which he happened to score at Craven Cottage against Ghana and a mesmerising performance against the old foe Argentina. Damião looks set to move and is certainly a man to look out for.
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Shinji Kagawa - Manchester United - £12m approx.


United's first ever Japanese player looks set to arrive from German champions Dortmund. The cynical view would be that of a long term replacement for Park Ji Sung, with an eye on Asian shirt sales over impact on the first team. However such cynicism would be naive, Kagawa has filled the boots of the often injured and highly lauded Mario Gotze. With back to back titles and a stellar performance in the German cup final thrashing of Bayern, Kagawa will bolster United's aging midfield. At the tender age of 23 he already has 30 caps for his country and nearly 100 career goals from advanced midfield and wide positions, 29 in his last 2 seasons on the continent along with 15 assists is an accomplished return. Much like Hernandez, Fergie will know how to get the best out of the Japanese wonderkid and he will have to work hard to garner a first team position, patience is a must and taking his chances in the first half of the season will be crucial to establishing himself in a competitive, if not star studded, Manchester squad. Overall he seems a good purchase and will have a part to play in the upcoming season.