For nearly two seasons now, Manchester United have been linked with a move for Everton’s influential left wing-back Leighton Baines. Since Moyes’ appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor in Manchester, speculation has only increased; with many reporting that it is near certain that United’s new gaffer will make a swoop for his former key player.
One of the main reasons for the speculation surrounding Baines has been the long-term dip in form of the previously ever reliable Patrice Evra. Whilst Evra at 32 years old still has plenty of seasons left in him, now may well be the perfect time for Manchester United to sell their French left back. Much has been reported of newly promoted French club Monaco’s huge off season spending, having reportedly splurged over £100million in players already and have recently been linked with one of their old alumni, Evra. With Evra ageing and struggling for form, and Financial Fair Play around the corner, this may well be United’s last chance to command a decent fee for the player. With Monaco forking out huge, inflated prices, if the Manchester club play their cards right, they could wrangle a fee big enough to fund their pursuit of Baines. With out of favour winger Nani another United player who is now being linked with a move to the French principality, Manchester United should really look to cash in on the big spending club.
United are not the only Premier League team to have one of their players linked with a move to Monaco, Chelsea Captain John Terry is another whom has been surrounded by transfer speculation. Although many may see Terry as an irreplaceable, one team man and he is certainly a fan favourite, Terry has always been a better leader than defender. Surrounded by controversy in recent years, including a race row and an illicit affair, Terry’s reputation, along with Chelsea’s has taken a big hit. Combine this with the fact that at 32 years old Terry isn’t getting younger and struggled for games under Benitez last season, it may finally be time for player and club to part ways. Chelsea have been focused on revitalising their ageing squad in recent seasons, and this trend has seen the London team with St Étienne’s eighteen year old sensation Kurt Zouma. Zouma has already made 46 appearances for the Ligue 1 club last season, he was part of the team that won the French League Cup last season and has also notched up 26 appearances for France at various youth levels. If Chelsea could negotiate a significant transfer fee for Terry, they could fund a move for Zouma and perhaps recuperate money in preparation for Financial Fair Play.