Suarez, Rooney, Bale and Fabregas – how many will move this summer?

Transfer gossip involving Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas may have had to play second fiddle to the birth of baby George in recent days, but expect the bandwagon to start up again and break speed limits in the forthcoming weeks to the closing of the British transfer window.

Even though Liverpool stuck by Suarez during some tumultuous times last season, he does appear to be unsettled at the club now.

Real Madrid appear to have dropped the signing of Suarez from their ‘Things To Do’ list, but Arsenal’s interest does seem genuine, even if their offer of £40,000,001 was slightly tongue in cheek.

Suarez seems keen to talk to Arsenal and with Arsene Wenger knowing he needs a marquee signing, there is a strong possibility that a fee of closer to Liverpool’s valuation of £50m will eventually be tabled and accepted.

Rooney seems the other member of the quartet that is most likely to move on from Manchester United this season, as he remains “angry and confused” at the club.

A change of scenery must be regarded as the best hope of the striker rediscovering some of his vitality and reports coming from Chelsea are that he is their top priority in terms of a new signing this summer.

One offer has already been rejected, but if Chelsea return with a second or third bid, Rooney could go.

Much is likely to depend on David Moyes ensuring that a replacement is in the pipeline and although he plays in a different position, Cesc Fabregas could be the man.

However, with competition for places low by Barcelona’s standards in central midfield and Xavi a year closer to retirement, this seems the optimum time for Fabregas to cement his place at the Nou Camp and help the club return as Europe’s dominant force.

Real Madrid now have more money to spend after selling Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli and they will be keen to bring in one or two big names to challenge Barcelona domestically.

Rumours linking Bale with the Bernabeu refuse to completely die down and regardless of how important the Welsh winger is to Tottenham, they will almost be forced into selling for the right price.

The big thing for Madrid is whether the time to make such an offer is this season or next, when there are hefty reasons to believe that Cristiano Ronaldo will depart the club.

Taking everything into consideration, 6/4 is a worthy favourite that two of the quartet have left their current clubs by the closing of the summer transfer window, with 9/4 the price that three of the group have moved by September 1st.

Alternatively, it is 7/1 that all four end up moving and the same price that all of the gossip has been for nothing and that they all stay with their current clubs.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.