Just because the transfer window is closed doesn’t mean the rumor mill has shut down. If anything, it’s started to heat up again as league seasons are starting to wind down. There are a few teams still in contention in certain leagues like the EPL and La Liga, but for the most part, most teams are already looking forward to rebuilding over the summer. That being the case, we decided to examine the five hottest transfer rumors making the water cooler rounds this week.
Lionel Messi
Could you imagine if he actually moved? Messi is still one of the top two players in the world along with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but as Ronaldo can tell him, everyone has their price. Barcelona has reportedly gone from the idea of never selling Messi under any circumstances to at least being open to an offer. This started earlier in the season when they threw out a price tag of $300 million and while that figure was supposed to be outrageous enough to keep the dogs away, it’s actually had the opposite effect. It’s shown that they’re actually willing to make a move. There’s also been cracks in the relationship lately between Messi and the team with rumors suggesting that he and manager Luis Enrique are not on talking terms. Messi turns 28 in June and rest assured that someone will test Barca’s resolve. This could get interesting.
Dani Alves
Messi’s teammate at Barca, Alves, is now 31 years old (32 in May) and has made a number of mistakes this season. There have been rumors that he has been on the way out of Barca for a while now and there are two clubs in England looking for a right back that would be far more appreciate of his services. Liverpool will have a need since Glen Johnson will be out of a contract very soon and Manchester United as well since they’ve been forced to put Antonio Valencia out of place in at the right back position (which isn’t where he is suited). Expect those two rivals to duke it out over the Brazilian.
Angel Di Maria
Di Maria has gone downhill since starting so brightly at Manchester United and he might be expendable as Louis Van Gaal wants to bring in more players. Di Maria’s house was broken into in Manchester as well and that has unsettled his family, which could be another reason why he has played so poorly as of late. Something definitely isn’t quite right whether it’s that, team chemistry or an injury we don’t fully know about. At any rate, PSG is rumored to be very interested in the 27-year-old Argentinean, who was due to go there in the summer before switching to United.
Javier Hernandez
Hernandez is on loan from Manchester United at Real Madrid but neither club seem to want or need the Mexican striker, who turns 27 in June. He needs to be playing regularly in order to play for his country. There are a few Premier League teams interested in his services – notably West Ham and Southampton – and for a price of $8 million, he could be quite a steal if he finds his form from 2012-13, when he scored 18 goals. He wouldn’t be under as much pressure as he is at clubs like United and Madrid.
Rafael Van der Vaart
Major League Soccer is becoming the home for European stars that are past their prime but can still do a job. David Beckham and Thierry Henry have done well there, while Robbie Keane is the reigning MVP of the league. This year, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are on their way this summer to join Kaka and David Villa, among others. The next one could be Van der Vaart, the 32-year-old midfielder currently plying his trade for Hamburg. Sporting Kansas City has reportedly been in contact with the German club and is interested. The Dutch wizard is still productive at his age and he would be a valuable pickup for Sporting Kansas City.
