Here at the Balls.ie Bullshit-O-Meter Transfer Extravaganza, we do our best to never go over the same rumour twice. So for all the ludicrousness regarding Harry Maguire's world record transfer, we've already talked about that here (and here). Right here, we're about to dive into some gossip which you may missed.
Welcome to the Balls Bullshit-O-Meter. It measures the validity of a transfer rumour with its scientifically approved formula of measuring the smell of the bullshit emanating from the morning reports. '1' is a fresh meadow with '10' setting off nuclear toxicity alarms throughout the land.
Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma to Tottenham Hotspur)
Following on from us reporting on Toby Alderweireld's prospective move to Roma on Friday, there have been further developments on that front. Calcio Mercato are reporting that Tottenham are willing to include the centre-back in a player-plus-cash deal from Italian wonderkid Nicolo Zaniolo.
Zaniolo is a central midfielder who just turned 20 at the start of July. He's an Italian international and the deal, including Alderweireld, should come to roughly £36m.
Bullshit-o-meter: 4/10
Everton Soares (Gremio to Arsenal)
This summer, Arsenal seem hellbent on spending money that don't have. New technical director Edu is eyeing up Copa America top goalscorer Everton Soares, according to UOL Esporte, in order to fill the hole that Wilfried Zaha was designed for.
Soares would set the Gunners back £40m, the same amount they tabled for Zaha. Although £40m is Soares' valuation, Arsenal's Zaha bid was a mess of delayed payments and incentives, so it remains to be seen if Gremio are willing to do business.
Bullshit-o-meter: 6/10
Fedor Chalov (CSKA Moskow to Liverpool)
According to The Sun, Liverpool have joined a number of Premier League clubs in chasing the signature of Russian striker Fedor Chalov from CSKA Moskow. Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City are all interested in the £20m-rated hitman.
Chalov had an excellent 2018/19, scoring 17 goals and seven assists for CSKA last season. He even got on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu in last season's Champions League.
Having let Daniel Sturridge go this summer, Liverpool have scope for another striker to join the first-team. However, this could be Rhian Brewster's time to shine.
Bullshit-o-meter: 7/10
Sebastien Haller (Eintract Frankfurt to West Ham United)
West Ham, much like Marcelly bringing Ciaran into the bushes, are stone-mad to bring in a new striker. The Daily Star detailed West Ham's plan to swipe French striker Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £36m deal.
Haller originally did not want to move to the London Stadium, he's since warmed to the move. That might be in part due to the fact that West Ham are willing to offer the striker a bumper pay rise. Although Frankfurt are also willing to offer Haller a pay rise, they don't have the spending power of the Hammers.
Bullshit-o-meter: 5/10
James Rodriguez (Real Madrid to Atletico Madrid)
This was a rumour that I didn't anticipate seeing this summer. Marca splashed on the front of their paper that James Rodriguez wants a move to Atletico Madrid. The playmaker wants to continue living in Madrid, and with Zinedine Zidane not a fan of the Colombian, a move to Atletico would be perfect.
Rodriguez was expected to move to Napoli, in order to reunite with former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti. However, when hearing of Atletico's interest, Rodriguez preference turned to the other side of the Spanish capital. The only thing standing in the way of the move are Real themselves, who do not want to bolster their rivals.
Bullshit-o-meter: 7/10
