For every thousand transfer rumours, only a few will actually happen.
Gossip columns are packed with wild stories and reports in the months leading up to the summer transfer window, with plenty of crazy tales already circulating on social media.
Some of the world’s biggest stars are supposedly on the move soon, with some surprise destinations being mentioned.
For fun, here are the seven wildest transfer rumours we’ve seen this week.
Let’s start with a big one. According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are interested in signing Barcelona’s Raphinha and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams this summer, with plans to sell several fringe players to fund the deals.
The Red Devils are likely keen on the pair—after all, every club should be—but they’d need to sell their entire squad and a few spare kidneys just to afford Raphinha’s left foot. Chief penny-pincher Sir Jim Ratcliffe would also have to disband a few more departments to cover Williams’ wages for a week.
Sorry, United, you just don’t have that kind of pull anymore.
Nottingham Forest have had a great season under Nuno Espirito Santo and will likely be playing Champions League football next term. However, links with Viktor Gyokeres seem far-fetched.
FootballTransfers reports that the Sporting CP striker has been contacted about a return to the Midlands, but that conversation was probably as short as it was ambitious.
Foot Mercato claims that Barcelona are “betting everything” on signing Mohamed Salah on a free transfer this summer, but it’s a gamble that will likely humiliate the Catalan giants given their financial woes.
With Liverpool reluctant to offer the Egyptian his desired wages and a long-term deal, Barcelona have little chance of signing the 32-year-old on a contract that matches his talent.
Lamine Yamal won’t be too happy about these rumours—no matter how ridiculous.
