Hazard to Spurs, Liverpool want Garcia, Khedira to Man Utd? - Life's A Pitch (blog)

The January transfer window might have been the dullest on record, but if the rumours coming out of the summer window are to be believed, it's going to be a cracker. But, as we know, not all transfer rumours are to be believed. And the Life's A Pitch team is here to separate the non-starters from the fire-starters, marking them out of 10. Here, we're looking at a possible switch for Lille's Eden Hazard (pictured above) to Totttenham, Manchester United's interest in Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, and whether Javi Garcia will be trading Benfica for Liverpool.

The Guardian's Dominic Fifield thinks a move for Hazard is definitely possible, but Spurs would face some serious competition in signing him. "I'd suggest a seven out of 10 probably," he says. "He's mentioned Tottenham Hotspur, he hasn't said he wants to go there, he says they're an interesting club. Spurs would definitely be interested in him. I suspect they'll be competition for his signature when he does leave Lille at the end of the season. There will be Man City, there'll be Chelsea in there as well, but Spurs could be a very attractive alternative. And there'll be Spanish clubs coming in for him as well. [But] signing Eden Hazard would be one way of getting Harry Redknapp to stay."

"There's no doubt that Manchester United are on the lookout for a defensive midfielder and [Sami] Khedira is one, and Javi Garcia is another," explains former footballer and journalist Adrian Clarke of the Spaniard Garcia. "He's [a] really powerful player, can play at centre back, can play in the holding position, and he is excelling in Portuguese football for Benfica. So, it's no surprise that Liverpool and United are interested. Liverpool, will they play with two holding midfielders? Because Lucas, when he comes back, is the main man in that position. I see Garcia being more likely to go to Manchester United than Liverpool. I suspect the [Liverpool] rumour may be based on the fact that he is the cousin of [former Liverpool player] Luis Garcia and that he may have recommended him to Liverpool. I'll give it five out of 10."

Talking of Man Utd's interest in Khedira, the Sunday Telegraph's Duncan White can see why they'd be interested, but doubts a move will happen anytime soon. "He's not actually played as much for Real Madrid as he did last year," says Duncan. "If you think about the kind of player he is and the problems that Darren Fletcher is having with injury, they might need a replacement in that role. I'm sure United are very aware of Khedira's situation. How likely is it to happen? I would say between three and four. I don't think there's going to be any imminent transfer business for United."

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the image play button above.

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18 Feb, 2012