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:
Hector Bellerin – Arsenal
Clubs Interested: Barcelona
The speculation surrounding the transfer of Hector Bellerin to Barcelona has intensified over the last week after Ernesto Valverde was appointed the new Blaugrana manager.
The former Athletico Bilbao coach is reportedly very keen on the former La Masia starlet and is more than willing to part with a few prized possesions to get him.
Rafinha, Arda Turan and Denis Suarez have all been offered to Arsenal to help drive down their €50m asking price.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger wants Turan badly, and if reports out of Turkey are to be believed the 30-year old has already agreed terms with Arsenal.
IF, and that's a big if, Wenger gets offered two young players in Rafinha and Suarez, who both have talent and potential – and could supplement the loss of Santi Carzola – then he should take it.
Throw in the much desired Turan plus lets say €10-20m in cash, and I'm sure the long-standing Gunners manager will swing his hammer down for a deal immediately.
Likelihood: Do it Arsene! Do it!
Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool
Players Interested In: Mohamad Salah (Roma), Keita Balde Diao (Lazio)
Poor Jurgen, poor, poor Jurgen.
Liverpool was caught 'tapping up' Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk by his club Southampton this past week and the Reds announced they would no longer pursue the 25-year old.
Embarrassement insued, signified by a public apology that supposedly warned off any further investigation by the Premier League.
That's okay. Liverpool would move onto their other main target, one Mohamad Salah of AS Roma.
After the Giallorossi turned the Reds initial £28m offer at the beginning of the week, most saw the stalling as temporary, and that a fee would eventually be agreed upon.
But no, oh no Liverpool fans. Still, there has been no word on the transfer.
ESPN reports that Keita Balde Diao was also on the Merseyside clubs radar; the representatives that flew into Rome at the beginning of the week were hopeful of securing the Lazio winger's signature as well as Salah's.
But just to continue their horrible fortune for the week, talkSPORT reported on Wednesday that Keita actually had no interest in moving to Anfield.
Likelihood: Unlucky Liverpool
Antonio Conte – Chelsea
Players Interested In: Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares (Southampton), Tiemoue Bakayoko (Monaco), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Antonio Conte is preparing for the Champions League next season by aiming for six dramatic signings.
According to theLondon Evening Standard, Conte wants Southampton trio Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares to shore up his defence.
Monaco's dynamic holding midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is on the Italian's radar in the hope he can pair up with N'Golo Kante.
With Diego Costa declaring that Conte has told him he can leave the Blues this summer, the prospect of Romelu Lukaku moving to Stamford Bridge from Everton has grown exceptionally.
The surprise move would be for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez. However, if the Chilean does leave the Emirates, it will most likely be for Bayern Munich or Manchester City.
All in all, the signings laid down by Conte would greatly improve his squad – but getting them all is a pipe dream.
Likelihood: Not going to happen
Alexandre Lacazette– Olympique Lyon
Clubs Interested: Liverpool, Arsenal
According to The Sunday Express, Liverpool met with Alexandre Lacazette's representatives during the week.
It's been made pretty obvious by both Lacazette and Lyon that he will be moving from the Parc OL this summer.
The Frenchman has proclaimed his desire to compete in the Champions League, and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has – albeit reluctantly – agreed to sell Lacazette.
It would be a serious coup to land such a prolific striker.
Lacazette managed 37 goals in all competitions last season – and lets not forget he bagged 23 and 31 in the two seasons before that.
However, Liverpool is unsurprisingly not alone in their interest. Arsenal is also reportedly keen on the 26-year old.
This could get into a protracted bidding war if both sides are intent of signing the France international.
Likelihood: An old-fashioned brawl - with a goal scoring machine as the trophy
Clubs Interested: Bayern Munich, Juventus
Luka Modric has played his last game for Real Madrid, according to Don Balon.
The report suggests that after Real's triumph in the Champions League final last weekend, Modric would consider a move to either Bayern Munich or Juventus.
This isn't a very complicated decision for Modric. He could go one of two ways.
Either he stays at the Bernabeu and continues to dominate European football. He's used to life in Madrid; the hot weather, the beautiful food, and why would he relocate his family when they are settled?
The other perspective is the itch; the footballer's itch that Modric will undoubtedly be feeling at this stage of his career. The feeling that overrides all other logical arguments.
All footballers have it – well the one's who have the opportunities at least.
It's the itch that makes you want to push yourself, to attempt new challenges and expand your experience of the game all around the world.
The Croatian dominated England, and he has now dominated Spain; the footballer inside of him will be calling for a fresh challenge in Germany or Italy.
Likelihood: The itch will be too powerful!
