Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Everton and Reading all are reported to want the on-loan Swansea midfielder.
Not a day goes past when Icelandic star Gylfi Sigurdsson’s name appears in the papers linked with a top club.
German side Hoffenheim are said to be open to a sale, but want to get as much money as possible for his signature.
So far since arriving on loan in January he has scored seven times, and created four others, making himself one of this summer’s hottest transfer properties.
To keep you on track with developments, here are the seven sides all hoping to sign him permanently this summer, and the links to the reports.
Decide for yourselves if they can be believed…
We first asked a month ago whether Sigurdsson could ‘do a job’ in United’s midfield, and it seems the club themselves are asking themselves the same question. Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother and scout Martin is reported to have watched the midfielder this weekend. United will face competition for his signature, but have the star appeal to tempt Sigurdsson into a move, and for £10 million he would fit nicely into their price bracket. The Mirror today link United with a move for him.
Arsenal were one of the first clubs linked with signing Sigurdsson, earlier this month. Brian McDermott, manager of his former club Reading, admitted that he had recently spoken with Arsene Wenger about him, and advised him he would be a shrewd addition. Will Wenger be put off by the late interest from several clubs or will it only make him more determined to get his man?
David Moyes has also been linked with Sigurdsson, and is reported to have scouted him over the weekend. The big question and nagging doubt here is whether Everton have the transfer funds to compete for his signature, given the amount of interest in him. If he is determined enough, he can land the 22-year-old, and sell the club to him as the right club at the right time, but would likely have to sell to buy.
Dalglish is reported to have watched Sigurdsson personally this weekend. Liverpool could desperately do with a player who has an eye for goal, and Sigurdsson is just that. Hoffenheim boss is former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel. Could that swing it when it comes to a deal?
Newcastle United were the big club linked with Sigurdsson at the end of last week. If Champions League football is secured then Tyneside would become a very attractive opposition for the Icelander, who would thrive with Cheik Tiote playing behind him in midfield. The Mail reported on Friday that Alan Pardew was interested, and has made ‘a number of enquiries’ to Hoffenheim about him.
Newly promoted Reading are the wildcard when it comes to Sigurdsson’s signature. He was at Reading before he left for Hoffenheim, costing the German club £6 million for his services. He is still adored by the Reading faithful, and the idea of returning ‘home’ may be too tempting for him to refuse. Reading are flush with money, and will want to lay down a statement of intent for next season, and signing their former player would be just that.
Don’t forget Swansea. With all the talk of ‘huge’ clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool competing for his signature, the chance of him electing to stay with Brendan Rodgers side cannot be dismissed either. After all, it is Rodgers who has got him playing at this level, and Sigurdsson may just be enjoying it. If Rodgers can get him to buy into what he is trying to achieve in South Wales, he may just be tempted to stick rather than twist. The concern for the Swans however is that they will simply be outbid.
And don’t discount interest from abroad either.
A report today has suggested Spanish big-spenders Malaga are ready to launch their own bid for the midfielder, as detailed here.
Where will Sigurdsson play next season? Let us know your prediction by voting in our poll.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s next club?
image: © joncandy
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