January transfer windows are notoriously full of hype that often turns out to be merely empty rhetoric as deals often turn out to be nothing but journalists’ chatter and agents’ posturing. This January however, all that could change. There’s a number of big deals in the offing, such as Chelsea’s pursuit of Falcao, or Manchester United’s apparent closing in on Leighton Baines. The biggest deals in the Premier League however could involve arsenal and Liverpool, with Real Madrid serving as the middle man.
With Gareth Bale now in place, it’s been widely touted that Carlo Ancelotti is looking to get the top line central striker that will complete his triumvirate and propel the Real Madrid back to prominence, not only in Spain, but in Europe as well. Whilst it’s thought that the Italian is keeping tabs on Chelsea target Falcao, his real dream signing would be Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. It probably needs no underscoring form me that Liverpool do not want to talk turkey on the deal – not even at Christmas, but if Madrid make their interest known, it may be difficult for even a man of Rodgers’ determination to prevent a deal going through. In order to make this happen however, the Madrid bid will need to be of eye-watering proportions, and with the lavish amounts poured into the Bale deal, the question arises as to how the Bernabeu hierarchy could fund such an expense without falling foul of Platini’s FFP regulations. And this is where Arsene Wenger could ride to the rescue.
Notwithstanding his goal in midweek, there are very few Gunners’ fans who think that Niklas Bendtner is anything like a long term prospect as a leader of the line for a lub with title ambitions. Although Giroud is having an outstanding season to date, injury or loss of form for their front man could leave the Gunners short up front, and prey to the chasing clubs. It’s a situation that Wenger will not be unaware of.
Having broken the lock on the arsenal treasure chest to secure the purchase of Mesut Ozil, and flushed with the success of that signing, the old chest hinges may be in for a little more creaking should Wenger decide that Karim Benzema – who, given the above, may soon be surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu - is the man he wants to add to his squad. Already with an established penchant for signing French players, having the established goal-scorer in the squad would provide both competition and cover to Giroud.
Could this happen? It certainly could. In Madrid Florentino Perez is is aware that Barcelona are in transition, and a solid push could knock them off their perch, and if he could then reach out and win Madrid’s long-awaited tenth European crown, his place in the club’s folklore would be secured. It’s likely therefore that there’ll be backing for any Suarez bid. If that happens, Benzema will be available. The only question is whether a certain Northern Irishman sitting in a Liverpool office is prepared to countenance what many see as the inevitable. Watch this space.
Source: DSG
