Chelsea want Cavani, Real target Suárez, Grenier to Arsenal?

Will he? Won’t he? Welcome to a summer of transfer speculation that is destined not to end. Until 1 September, anyway. Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid are all set to go on payday-style shopping sprees over the next few weeks, with the likes of Edinson Cavani, Clément Grenier and a certain Luis Suárez reckoned to be on their wish lists. The Life’s a Pitch panel investigate these latest rumours.

“There’s definitely an interest from Chelsea,” says the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield on the possibility of Cavani (pictured) going to Stamford Bridge. “He’s a player they’ve come into contact with in the past, when Napoli did so well against them in the Champions League. Whether [new Napoli boss Rafael] Benítez would be keen to give his best player to Chelsea, I’m not so sure. They’ll face competition if they go in for him, because Man City want him as well. I’d say five out of 10 for this one [happening].”

Arsène Wenger doesn’t normally buy French players. What’s that? Oh, right. Arsène Wenger loves buying French players – and Lyon midfielder Grenier is the latest on his shopping list. The Daily Mirror’s John Cross isn’t at all surprised. “I’ll give this seven out of 10,” he says. “I think it’s interesting being a regular Wenger watcher, because you can often read between the lines as to whether there’s a genuine interest there, and Wenger has been quite candid about what a good prospect he is. He’s definitely on Arsenal’s radar, and they could do with strengthening that area.”

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers could find his entire summer transfer plan altered if star striker Suárez is sold to Real Madrid. Ian Ridley of the Mail on Sunday believes the Liverpool manager should do all he can to keep the Uruguayan. “Real Madrid clearly like Suárez – who wouldn’t? – but can Liverpool hold on to him? The owners have lost a lot of money in the transfer market over the past few years as well. If they do let him go, they’ll be sending out a message that the top four may be beyond them. This one is a six out of 10.”