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Transfer Rumors (6 Jan 09): Essien to Fiorentina, Parker and (Yaya) Toure to City, Boro join McGeady race, and more

We’re only a week into the January transfer window, and the way that figures are being thrown about for some players, you’d think that we were in the summer window.

I’m not picking on Manchester City by any means, because they’re not the only club that looks likely to splash the cash this month, but I certainly hope that they know what they’re doing.

England

Jermain Defoe has sealed his return to Tottenham, with Spurs forking over £15.75m less than a year after selling Defoe to Portsmouth for £7.5m. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Sure, losing a star striker is something to be sad about. But that £8.25m profit sure softens that blow.

Scott Parker, is set to be a £100k per week man if he joins Manchester City – but that’ll only be if City come close to the £15m that West Ham want for the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Great if you’re Parker, since you’re currently on the paltry sum of £55k per week. He’s a pretty good player, I won’t dispute that, but £100k per week?

Well let’s throw around some more money, shan’t we? City have made a £24m bid for Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure, but while they could try to swoop for his brother Kolo in January, a move for Yaya may wait until the summer. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Can’t say I agree with the fee, but maybe paying over the odds for him is the only way Barcelona will blink.

Middlesbrough are set to make a bid for Celtic star Aiden McGeady, but Celtic’s valuation of £10m could prove to be a stumbling block to any deal. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: This could be a sign that Boro could be warming up to the idea of selling Stewart Downing. However, they might be a little reluctant on spending most of what they get from him on McGeady, who might be a little reluctant to leave sure European football for the bottom half of the Premier League table.

All of a sudden, it’s fashionable for Boro players to request moves to fellow Premier League strugglers, and that means I’m looking at you today, Gary O’Neil, since you’ve supposedly requested a move to Portsmouth. (The Mirror)

Analysis: He’s someone that Boro would prefer to keep, but his desires to go to Portsmouth, where he played nearly all of his senior career before moving to Teeside, are understandable and could very well be granted.

While Downing and Bellamy may or may not join Jermain Defoe at Tottenham, it looks like a deal is imminent for Ghanaian star Stephen Appiah, who has been quite the in-demand free agent since parting ways with Fenerbahce last year. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Injuries are a legitimate concern, but a healthy Appiah could be a hit in Spurs’ midfield. When you can get a player of his caliber for free, it’s a great deal.

Aston Villa are tracking Malaga defender Jesus Gamez, who’s also attracting interest from Villareal and Sevilla and could command a fee of 9m. (Goal.com)

Analysis: Gamez could prefer to move to one of La Liga’s top sides as opposed to making a move abroad just yet, though Villa have no problem meeting the asking price that Malaga may have for the 23-year-old.

You have to expect an Aston Villa and [insert striker here] tidbit, and here it is. Villa could sell Marlon Harewood to Stoke for £2m, freeing up a place for Emile Heskey, that is if Wigan accept a potential £4m for the England man. (The Mirror)

Analysis: Certainly the cheapest option in their shortlist, but they could be left wanting if Wigan want more or are perfectly content with losing him in the summer for nothing.

Italy

Fiorentina could be in line to make an audacious summer swoop for Chelsea’s Michael Essien. (Goal.com)

Analysis: Fiorentina were big spenders last summer, and they could be again this summer, but I don’t think Essien will be one of their purchases, unless a mega offer comes in from somewhere.

AC Milan have become the latest big club to curiously be linked with a move for Liverpool’s Jermaine Pennant, with a pre-contract offer on the table for the little-used winger. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Carlo Ancelotti’s familiar with Pennant, having seen him go up against the Rossoneri in the 2007 Champions League final. That was one of Pennant’s finer moments in a Liverpool shirt, so Ancelotti may think that he can rediscover that brilliance.

If there’s a rumor we missed that you feel is newsworthy, post it in the comments, along with a link to the source.

And if you want to keep up all of the latest confirmed transfers, check out our updated transfer lists.

Topics: AC Milan, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Celtic, Chelsea, English Premier League, Fiorentina, Football Transfers, Inter Milan, La Liga, Liverpool, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Serie A, Stoke City, Tottenham, West Ham, Wigan