With the amount of rumours swirling around at this time of year, even after the winter transfer window, it is sometimes difficult to decipher the truth.
These are matters of importance.
As the transfer talk is now directed at the all-important summer market, there are enormous amounts of speculation swirling around Europe and the UK.
Not to worry however, because here at Tribalfootball, we have broken down the week's hottest transfer rumours, and inform you whether you should believe the paper talk or not.
Here are our top five trending transfer stories for the past week:
Clubs Interested: Manchester United, Inter Milan
Another potential suitor for James Rodriguez has emerged over the past week – and the Colombian is not happy.
According to Diario Gol, the 25-year old is said to be irate over Real Madrid's eagerness to accept Inter Milan's €60m bid for his services.
Rodriguez has already admitted to rejecting a move to the San Siro in January, and the report suggests that he hasn't changed his mind.
Manchester United is understood to be James' preference, but the deal has been made difficult with Jose Mourinho's reluctance to go above the €40m they have already offered.
The fact of the matter is James will be leaving Madrid one way or another. His emotional substitution at the final match of the season at the Bernabeu can attest to that sentiment.
Since the Bosman was introduced, not much has changed in these types of situations – the player has the power.
Likelihood: James will not be wearing the Nerazzuri next season
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Clubs Interested: Chelsea
This may be the most interesting rumour of the week.
Don Balonreports that Chelsea has tabled an offer of €100m for Welshman Gareth Bale.
Whilst some may think this is move is out of the realms of possibility given the strange presumption that Bale is destined for a move to Old Trafford, if you look at it on it's own merit, it makes a whole ton of sense.
Think about Bale in Antonio Conte's system. Marauding down the flank as the Blues left-wing back, run after run after run, with crosses whipped into the head of Diego Costa – goals would rain down at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year old could even play central alongside Eden Hazard, in the position Pedro has excelled in this season. Just the thought of that would frighten opposition teams.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has never been afraid to splash the cash, and if he really wants to give the club a chance of winning the Champions League next season, then this is the deal to be done.
Likelihood: One can only imagine!
Jose Mourinho – Manchester United
Players Interested In: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Tiemoue Bakayoko (Monaco), Willian (Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Michael Keane (Burnley)
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho informed the press at the end of the season that there was nothing he could do about transfers.
The Portuguese revealed that all his work had been done - he had handed the vice chairman Ed Woodward his list of players and now it was his time to relax.
And the Daily Starhas given us a sneak peek of the names on the list…
They include a vast amount of targets, seemingly one or two deep in each position, just in case negotiations with Mou's first priority don't work out.
Atletico's Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku from Everton are the only forward's listed. After the recent upholding of Atletico's transfer ban, Woodward would surely have had his red marker out to put a line through Griezmann's name.
Everton is reportedly holding out on an £100m bid for Lukaku, and I doubt United will want to part with that amount of money for the Belgian.
Defenders Michael Keane (Burnley) and Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) are the options to fill the seemingly vacant centre-half spot besides Eric Bailly.
Tottenham's Eric Dier and Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko are the young and mobile defensive midfielders that Mourinho is searching for, and either one will suffice.
Chelsea winger Willian is a favourite of Mourinho's, having excelled in the Portuguese's system during his last spell at Stamford Bridge.
They're all logical options to help fix the problems that Mourinho had with United this past season. Now, it all boils down to how good Woodward is at the negotiating table.
Likelihood: We'll see
Players Interested In: Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has stated that the Catalan giants will be bringing in big names this summer.
"Names will arrive who will excite the fans - and others not so much," Bartomeu said after Barca's Copa Del Rey final win over Alaves.
And Don Balon reports that the two big names the president could be alluding to are Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Juventus's Paulo Dybala.
Both players fit the prototype of what has made the club successful in recent times – diminutive, skilful and South American.
The report suggests that the club have been given €250m to spend on players, and they'll need it if they want to drive this pair away from their clubs.
The two players hold their respective club's future in their hands, and they will not leave without world breaking transfer fee's.
Likelihood: Can't see it happening
Clubs Interested: Manchester City, Real Madrid
The most talked about teenager in the world at the moment – Kylian Mbappe – has been the subject of not one, but two, €130m bids.
According to Telefoot, Manchester City and Real Madrid are the two clubs in question and given their history and financial clout, it is hardly a surprise.
And Mbappe's club Monaco have rejected both of them.
There isn't much more to say on this one.
If the principality club are going to say no to €130m, then they will probably say no to €150m.
Likelihood: Not going to happen
