Football Transfer News and Rumours, Saturday 18 December
Everton Linked With Adebayor
Everton are being linked with a bid for Manchester City’s want-away striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Togolese international has previously been linked with moves to Juventus and Spurs and the link to Goodison Park – which is being reported in the Daily Mail – comes as something of a surprise.
Everton’s poor finances mean a loan deal is the only option. David Moyes is looking at taking Adebayor’s Man City team-mate Roque Santa Cruz on loan as well as bringing back LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan.
City Set To Bid £10m For Argentine Teenager
Meanwhile, TalkSport is quoting reports from Argentina that suggest Manchester City are set to offer £10 million for 19-year-old River Plate striker Rogelio Funes Mori.
Radio reports there suggest that Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and AC Milan are set to offer around £7 million but that City will offer £3 million more. Mori handed in a transfer request last week.
Rose Enjoying First-Team Football At Ashton Gate
Spurs winger Danny Rose says he wants to leave White Hart Lane if he can’t get first-team football. Rose has been on loan at Ashton Gate since the start of the season and is enjoying life as a first-team regular.
“I don’t want to go back to Tottenham if it means watching games from the stands every Saturday,” Rose told the Bristol Evening Post.
“I’m enjoying life in Bristol, because I get to play every week. That is the single biggest difference between being at Tottenham and being here.”
Rovers Want Chimbonda To Leave
Blackburn Rovers want Pascal Chimbonda to leave the club.
Caretaker boss Steve Kean said “I have spoken to Chim. We really need to get him playing somewhere away from this club.
“When he is playing it really motivates him – if he doesn’t it is detrimental.”
Pardew Set For Southampton Raid
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew may launch a raid on his old club Southampton, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Toon boss wants to take striker Rickie Lambert and defender Jose Fonte to St James’s Park.
Rangers are leading the chase to sign Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson, according to the Mirror. The 23-year-old could be available for less than £500,000. Bolton and Stoke are also said to be interested.
West Ham To Sell Behrami
Valon Behrami looks set to leave West Ham in January. The Swiss midfielder is one of a number of players who do not feature in Avram Grant’s plans. The Hammers paid £5 million for Behrami in 2008.
Behrami was linked with a move to Italy during the summer.
Football Transfer News and Rumours, Saturday 13 November
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Chelsea and Manchester City Maintain Interest In Portugese Defender
Chelsea and Manchester City are both said to be interested in Porto centre half Rolando, according to the player’s agent.
“He’s a very important player and is also followed by Chelsea and Manchester City,” Peppino Tirri told Italian website Calciomercato.
“I’m talking with many teams as all agents do. I also spoke with Inter Milan, but not only with them, but I repeat that at the moment nothing is concrete and real,
“We’re talking about an unmovable of Porto and the Portuguese national team, I think there could be a very important offer for leaving in January, it won’t be easy to take him.”
Rolando signed for Porto from Lisbon side Belenenses in 2008. Since then he’s been a regular fixture at the centre of the Porto defence and made his international breakthrough last year. Despite being named in Portugal’s 2010 World Cup squad he failed to make an appearance in any of his side’s four games.
Manchester United were also said to be interested in the 25-year-old but Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly found Porto’s £18 million valuation prohibitive.
United and City Lead Chase for Henderson
Manchester United and Manchester City are the latest clubs to be linked with Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson with The Guardian reporting that City are set to bid £20 million. The 20-year-old has also been attracting the attentions of Chelsea and is being tipped for an international call-up for England’s friendly with France later this month.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is aware of the attentions of bigger clubs but said yesterday that he hopes the Black Cats can hang on to the 20-year-old:
“I sincerely hope we can keep him in the long term. We will try desperately. I am a realist. If one of the big giants comes along we will be up against it. If ridiculous money is offered it will be difficult we will face that if it comes.”
Bruce admitted that Henderson’s rise has been sudden but that his feet have been kept firmly on the ground.
“He’s had two or three contracts during his rise but it has not mattered a jot to him. If he keeps progressing he will be an England player for a long time.
“He is a modern day player, is constantly at 13km of running per a match and he has a spot on attitude, which in this age is quite refreshing. He is only 20, but if you are good enough, you are old enough.”
Reina Denies Transfer Request
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has denied that he asked to leave the club.
The Spaniard was widely reported on Friday as having told the Anfield board that he wants to move on, with Arsenal and Manchester United said to be interested in securing his signature; however Reina says this isn’t the case.
“I have seen a newspaper has made this suggestion. It is completely untrue,” he told the club’s website.
“I have not told the manager that I wish to leave in January, or at any other time. It is important our fans know this.
“I have a long-term contract at Liverpool and I am fully committed to the club.
“Our new owner met me and some of the other players last week and I was very happy with what he told me.”
Hodgson Interested In Preston’s Barton
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is the latest Premier League boss to have a look at Preston North End midfielder Adam Barton.
The 19-year-old has burst into the Preston first team this season and with a string of impressive performances has attracted the attentions of a number of Premier League managers. Bolton’sOwen Coyle has been rumoured to be ready to put in a £2 million bid in January while Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is also keen.
Now the Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool are also casting their eye over Barton, whose appearance in last night’s 2-0 defeat by Hull was only his 15th for North End.
Spurs Ready To Offer £10m Plus Keane For Carroll
Spurs are ready to offer £10 million plus Roy Keane in order to secure the signature of Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, according to Goal.com.
The website reports sources close to the player as suggesting that recent stories about his private life could lead to him moving away from Newcastle in order to settle down.
After scoring 19 times last season as the Toon stormed to the Championship title, Carroll has hit seven goals in the opening 12 games of this season leading to calls for him to be included in the England team to face France later this month. But despite signing a five-year contract only last month but Newcastle owner Mike Ashley could be tempted to cash in on his star player while Harry Redknapp is a known admirer of Carroll having made an attempt to sign him during the summer.
Redknapp is believed to be in the market for a striker who likes to play on his own up front and Carroll fits that particular bill and Spurs could be ready to offer Robbie Keane as part of the deal in order to bring Carroll to White Hart Lane.
Manchester United and Liverpool are also said to be keeping tabs on the striker.
Meite and West Brom Ready To Part Company
West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite could be on his way out of The Hawthorns, according to TalkSport. The Ivory Coast international has made only two appearances this season and looks surplus to requirements but his £20,000-a-week wages could be a problem for any potential buyers and the club could come to an arrangement with Meite to cancel his contract.
French side Lens were said to be interested during the summer and may renew their interest if Meite becomes a free agent in January.
Meite joined the Baggies from Bolton in 2008.
Villa Show Interest In Kazim-Richards
Aston Villa are keen on Fenerbahce midfielder Colin Kazim-Richards.
The former Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United man moved to Turkey in 2007 and played in the Turkish side that got to the semi-finals of Euro 2008, but a series of incidents including his alleged involvement in a sex scandal involving other Fenerbahce players, plus a motoring accident in which he broke his wrist, denying he was drunk at the time, led the Turkish side to seek an alternative club for him.
Kazim-Richards – or Kazim Kazim as he is known in Turkey – spent part of last season on loan at French side Toulouse before moving back to Fenerbahce for the start of this season.
Despite such a varied career Kazim-Richards is still only 24 and Villa boss Gerard Houllier is said to be keen on a move for him when his contract expires next summer. Villa are expected to commence negotiations in January.
Football Transfer News and Rumours, Friday 12 November
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Arsenal and Spurs Eye Up Cahill Arsenal and Spurs are being linked with a move for Bolton defender Gary Cahill in January.
The Reebok Stadium side reported a £34.5 million loss on Wednesday and with debts standing at £93 million chairman Phil Gartside has admitted that if a Champions League side comes calling then he won’t be able to stand in Cahill’s way.
Cahill has a release clause in his contract that has increased to £15 million with his England debut in September. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger considered putting in a bid of around £14 million during the close season but instead signed central defenders Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny for roughly the same price but with Thomas Vermaelen expected to spend an extended period on the sidelines Wenger could make a move for Cahill in January.
Bolton are also expected to listen to offers for Swedish striker Johan Elmander. The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and Bolton have yet to begin discussions about a new deal. Meanwhile, Spartak Moscow and Fenerbahce are said to be showing an interest with Bolton expected to ask for around £3 million for a player who cost a record £8.5 million in 2008.
“We are carrying too many on the wage bill,” Gartside told Bloomberg on Thursday. “To be fair nine players are out of contract in the summer, within them heavy earners, and we’ll decide if we want to offer them new contracts.”
City Mull New Bid for Dzeko
Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has flown to Abu Dhabi to discuss transfer targets for the January window with the club’s club’s chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak.
Top of the list, according to The Guardian, is Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian international was ready for a move to Eastlands during the summer but the deal fell through after months of haggling when the German side refused to budge from their valuation of £45 million, at least 50% more than the £25-30 million City were willing to pay.
Cook will also be discussing the somewhat thorny problem of what to do with some of the club’s high earners that they are either keen to offload or who are keen to move on themselves. Wayne Bridge and Emmanuel Adebayor come into this category with Bridge on £95,000 a week and Adebayor on £150,000 a week. There were concerns about Adebayor’s attitude but this seems to have improved although there are still differences between the player and boss Roberto Mancini.
Reina Tells Liverpool He Wants To Leave – Report
Pepe Reina has told Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson that he wants to leave Anfield, according to the Daily Mirror.
Despite signing a six-year contract with Liverpool earlier this year Reina has decided that he wants to get out of the club, a decision that will interest the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Hodgson has tried to persuade the Spaniard to stay on but Reina looks set to trigger a £20 million release clause in his contract. That is more likely to come in the summer rather than in the January window.
The paper reports that Liverpool are already looking at replacements with a list of targets that looks broadly similar to those on Manchester United’s keepers list. Hodgson is said to be keen on Schalke’s Germany international Manuel Neuer, and Ajax’s Maarten Stekelenburg, who starred for Holland in the World Cup. The Mirror also points out that Reina earns almost £100,000 a week at Anfield and that the club could possibly end up with a younger keeper on a third of the salary and with money to invest in other new talent.
Liverpool Monitor Slovenian Midfielder
Palermo’s £12 million-rated midfielder Armin Bacinovic is a target for Liverpool, according to TalkSport. Chelsea and AC Milan are also keen on the 21-year-old. TalkSport reports that Bacinovic has been in impressive form this season, however he only signed for Palermo at the end of August and has played in just nine league games scoring two goals.
Kerzhakov Won’t Consider Liverpool Offer Yet
Zenit St Petersburg striker Alexander Kerzhakov says he has received an offer from Liverpool but that he won’t consider it until the Russian season ends later this month.
Kerzhakov joined Zenit from Dynamo Moscow in January having moved back to Russia in 2008 after a poor spell in Spain at Sevilla where he managed 11 goals in 44 league games. Ironically, he moved to Sevilla from Zenit, where he spent five years until 2006 averaging a goal every other game.
“The talk about Liverpool is not baseless,” Kerzhakov told Russian newspaper the Rossiyskaya Gazeta this week. “The British club came to my agent with a proposal. I answered… I didn’t answer at all.
“I have other things to think about and in all respects I am happy in Russia. My team is in first place in the national championship and I have always said that I wanted to play for Zenit.
“In the case of Liverpool I will not take the initiative, but I can count the fingers on one hand for the amount of clubs I could theoretically go to. This is because Zenit is playing beautiful, modern football and the club is growing rapidly. And I am here, at home.”
Juventus “Ready With Hangeland Bid”
Juventus are set to bid around £6 million for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, according to TalkSport. The radio station reports that Juve have been closely watching the Norwegian defender and are ready to put in a bid when the transfer window reopens in January.
Meanwhile Mark Hughes is said to be interested in Basel full-back Behrang Safari. The Basel full back is also said to be a target for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
Safari, a Swede of Iranian descent, came through Malmo’s ranks before signing for the Swiss side in 2008. He won the league and cup double with Basel last season and has played 17 times for his country.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hailed Cesc Fabregas as “moving into a different dimension” after the Gunners swept aside Portugal’s Sporting Braga 6-0 in their opening Champions League game last night. Fabregas scored twice in a game Braga boss Domingos Paciencia said he would rather forget as Arsenal racked up the biggest opening-game score in Champions League history. “Cesc had a big influence tonight. I think he has taken another dimension,” said Wenger. “People forget he’s 23 years old, where other players start. He’s a fantastic influence and it’s important he leads this team to winning.” However, Wenger urged his side not to get carried away: ‘I think it’s important we take encouragement from what we’re doing at the moment, but keep our feet on the ground,” he said. “We can be very creative, be dangerous and score goals. As long as we have not won the Champions League, people will question the way we play. But you win it with quality. I believe we played the game we wanted to play: at a high pace with top technical quality and with a lot of creative attacking and good concentration and a good collective spirit. Our game is based on that and for long patches in the game we managed to express that.”
Chelsea Give Debut To McEachran In Slovakia Stroll
Chelsea gave a debut to 17-year-old Josh McEachran as they brushed aside Slovakian champions MSK Zilina 4-1 to open their Champions League account for the season. Michael Essien opened the scoring for the Blues, Nicolas Anelka grabbed a brace and Daniel Sturridge chipped in with a goal. McEachran was part of Chelsea’s FA Youth Cup-winning side last season and is the first player born after the Champions League started in November 1992 to take part in the competition. “When it’s possible I would like to give the time to the young players to improve experience. Josh is a fantastic talent, he is very young and it is important to give him an opportunity,” said boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian manager also hailed Anelka’s role: “He played a fantastic game. He created space, he had opportunities, he had an assist for the first and scored two. He was the key for this game.”
Ferguson Rushes To Assure Valencia
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson paid an early-morning visit to Antonio Valencia’s bedside yesterday to assure him that he would make a full recovery and that he still had a future at Manchester United. The winger suffered a double dislocation of the ankle during United’s goalless draw with Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday and looks set to miss the rest of the season. The Ecuador national team doctor Patricio Maldonado told the Daily Mail: “It is a double fracture to the tibia and fibula in his left ankle. We think he will be out for five or six months.” Meanwhile, thoughts are now turning to how United will cope without Valencia and who is to replace him. Speculation suggests that Sir Alex Ferguson’s options are limited to an out-of-form Park Ji-Sung; the 36-year-old Ryan Giggs; the rarely-used Gabriel Obertan or even new Portugese signing Bebe. Ferguson apparently wants to use Nani on the right and may even consider switching to a 4-3-3 formation.
Owen Finding Life Frustrating On The Sidelines At Manchester United
Michael Owen is finding life frustrating on the sidelines at Old Trafford. The former England striker seems to have fallen further down Manchester United’s pecking order with the arrival of Javier Hernandez and has made just five Premier League starts in 12 months. Owen only made a 15-minute substitute appearance in Tuesday’s game with Rangers in which Sir Alex Ferguson made ten changes from Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Everton. “You can only do your best and prepare and train well so that you are ready when the manager calls on you,” the 30-year-old said. “After that, it’s up to the manager who he chooses. It sounds easy but probably the most difficult thing is not playing for a couple of weeks and then, all of a sudden, getting called up and being mentally and physically right to perform well. At the end of the season I’ll look and think was I happy with the amount of games I was available for, did I score enough goals in the games when I played and did I play well enough in those games? You look at highlights of the season, did we win anything, things like that. But I wouldn’t put any goal or appearance totals out there because, at a club like this, you never know when the manager is going to use you and when you are going to get out on the pitch.” Owen has been linked with a reunion with his former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa.
United Keeping Tabs on Sporting Starlet
Manchester United are tracking another young player from Sporting Lisbon. Wilson Eduardo is a 20-year-old forward at the club who has just been loaned out to newly-promoted side Beira Mar. He impressed last season while out on loan at lower division clubs Real Massama and Portimonense and is being tipped as one for the future. United are said to be keeping tabs on the youngster. In 2003 they signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting and signed Nani from the same club in 2007.
Chelsea Keep An Eye on Juanmi
Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs on Malaga’s teenage striker Juanmi. The 17-year-old scored twice in Sunday’s 5-3 win over Zaragoza becoming the youngest-ever scorer of two goals in a top-flight game in Spain and is said to have an £8 million buy-out clause in his contract. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to be keeping an eye on the youngster whose two goals at the weekend were his first in seven top-flight games in Spain.
Spurs Weigh Up Mlapa Bid
Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a January bid for German side Hoffenheim’s Togolese striker Peniel Mlapa according to TalkSport. The 6ft 4inch 19-year-old signed for the Bundesliga side from lower division club 1860 Munich earlier this summer and has hit the back of the net once in his two games for the club. Mlapa is said to be worth around £5 million and TalkSport reckon he has the power and pace that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is said to be looking for.
Van de Vaart Set To Miss Wolves Game
Spurs new boy Rafael van de Vaart is a doubt for Saturday’s game with Wolves. The Dutchman picked up a calf injury during during Tuesday’s game at Werder Bremen and was taken off early in the second half and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp does not expect him to be fit for the game at White Hart Lane on Saturday. Meanwhile Werder goalkeeper Tim Wiese has told former Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann that he “belongs in a mental institution.” Lehmann was working as a TV pundit for Tuesday’s game and questioned Wiese’s positioning for Spurs’ first goal. “He belongs in the Muppet Show, on the couch or in a mental institution.”
Vaughan Wants To Stay At Palace
Everton’s James Vaughan wants to stay at Crystal Palace. The striker went on loan last week to Selhust Park and celebrated with a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth on Tuesday. “I definitely want to stay, it is a great club and I am enjoying it, so I don’t see why not,” said Vaughan. “I am here to enjoy myself and do my best for myself and for Palace. Whether Palace want to keep me and Everton want to let me stay is out of my hands. I have to just keep enjoying my football and see where it takes me.”
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Football Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 12 September
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Real Madrid Offer Rooney A Way Out
Real Madrid are preparing a £65 million bid for Wayne Rooney next summer, according to the Sunday People. The paper claims the Spanish giants are ready to offer the Manchester United striker a move abroad to escape the revelations surrounding his private life. Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is big fan of Rooney but United are expected to fight to hang on to their prized asset. Real president Floerntino Perez is apparently anxious to let Rooney know that he has an escape route to Spain if he needs one. Rooney’s former strike partner at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo, is said to be keen on the prospect of linking up again with his former team-mate. The paper suggests that strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema could be offered to United as part of the deal.
City To Offer £40m For Pastore
Manchester City are set to bid £40 million for Palermo’s Argentinian playmaker Javier Pastore, according to the News Of The World. The 21-year-old has apparently been indentified by City as the game’s next superstar and boss Roberto Mancini is ready to make a money-no-object bid during the January transfer window.
Arsenal Remain Interested In Teenager Powell
Arsenal are interested in Crewe’s 16-year-old midfielder Nick Powell. As we reported at the end of May, Arsenal have already been warned off Powell – who has already made a couple of appearances for the League Two side – and the teenager has committed to his home-town club for three years. However, Arsene Wenger is looking to make another bid in the January transfer window and may make the proverbial offer that Crewe can’t refuse having had a £1 million bid turned down during the close-season.
Barnsley’s Hammill Linked With Premier Move
Barnsley’s Adam Hammill was being linked with a move to a Premier League club before the transfer window closed and is still interesting a number of clubs. West Brom, Bolton and Blackpool are all still interested in the 22-year-old former Liverpool winger who has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Oakwell for a Premier League side for just £500,000. Bolton are apparently favourites amongst the three suitors.
Van der Sar Wants Stekelenburg As His United Successor
Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg has been nominated by Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar as his replacement. The Dutch World Cup keeper has been interesting Arsenal this summer and was said to be available for around £7 million. but he dismissed rumours linking him with a move away from his club, Ajax, to stay and play in their Champions League campaign this season, Van der Sar, 37, who is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, is likely to be offered a coaching role at the club and has been enlisted by Sir Alex Ferguson to choose his successor.
Houllier Wants Owen As First Transfer Target
Manchester United’s Michael Owen is likely to become Gerard Houllier’s first target as Aston Villa boss during the transfer window in January. Houllier was Owen’s manager at Liverpool during what were arguably the striker’s finest years and the new Villa boss expects to make either a loan move for the 30-year-old striker or offer a permanent deal. Owen’s contract at Manchester United expires at the end of the season.
Shaqiri Linked With Liverpool Move
Swiss striker Xherdan Shaqiri is being linked by the News Of The World with a move to Liverpool. The 21-year-old, who scored Switzerland’s goal against England in their Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday, is apparently available for just £2 million from his club side FC Basel in January. Shaqiri was being tracked by Rafa Benitez during the summer before he was sacked as Liverpool boss and with Benitez is still interested in Shaqiri now he is at Inter.
Mancienne May Leave Chelsea
Chelsea midfielder Michael Mancienne says he is ready to quit Stamford Bridge to gain first-team football in the Premier League. The England Under-21 skipper has just begun a third loan spell at Wolves after being touted for a permanent move to Molyneux during the summer. The 22-year-old was set to sign a deal at Wolves but Chelsea dithered while they sorted out their own transfer dealings and by the time they were in a position to offer Mancienne to Wolves Mick McCarthy had spent his transfer budget and Mancienne had to settle for another loan deal. “It is difficult to break in at Chelsea. They’ve got players who are representing and captaining their countries,” Mancienne told the Sunday People. “They’re in so many cup competitions as well and they need to win all the games.It’s a good place to get your football education but it is hard for youngsters to get an opportunity to play. I’ve played a few games but I’ve been out on loan the majority of the time.” He added: “As a player you just want the chance to make a name for ¬yourself, to show what you can do. So will I have to get away from Chelsea? Yes, I probably will.”
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Spurs face an anxious wait to discover whether or not documents relating the signing of Rafael van de Vaart from Real Madrid were received by the Premier League prior to the 6pm transfer deadline yesterday. Spurs made a last-minute for the Dutchman after it became clear that he wasn’t, as was believed, joining Bayern Munich for £18 million but was available for a knock-down £8 million. “I felt we’d already got a good squad,” said Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, “it wasn’t a case of really being desperate to get anyone in. It was only [chairman Daniel Levy] rang me at about four o’clock and told me there was an opportunity here and did I want to do something?” Redknapp said that he told Levy: “Let’s push on and have a crack and see if we can pull it off.” Van de Vaart was one of four players told he could leave Real Madrid earlier this month. He was linked with a £20 million move to Manchester United during the close season with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson considering he was the natural successor to Paul Scholes, but with Scholes in such good form United didn’t consider a bid before the deadline. Spurs should find out this morning whether their documents arrived on time at Premier League HQ in London. A huge raft of documents connected with a number of deals arrived right on the six o’clock deadline. Meanwhile, Spurs have confirmed the arrival of Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa from Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan deal.
Sunderland Sign £13m Gyan
Sunderland were responsible for the biggest single transfer deadline day spend with the £13 million signing of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan from Rennes. The 24-year-old – who scored three goals in his country’s World Cup Finals campaign in South Africa this summer – has signed a four-year deal on Wearside. Gyan arrived in the north-east on Monday and spent yesterday undergoing a medical and sorting out personal terms after the two clubs had agreed a deal. Gyan said: “The Sunderland coach has faith in me because he has been following me for two years now.”
Robinho Joins Milan
Manchester City finally rid themselves of Robinho yesterday. The Brazilian striker has joined AC Milan on a four-year contract and City – who had been looking to recoup at least £20 million of the £32.5 million they shelled out for Robinho two years ago – have received a fee of £18 million with add-ons worth an extra £3 million on top of that. Robinho had been linked last week with a move to Turkey but turned down both Besiktas and Fenerbahce to move to Serie A
Birmingham Sign Three
Birmingham fans were perhaps the happiest on deadline day as the club signed three players. Former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb has arrived in a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, while central defender Martin Jiranek has signed a one-year deal from Russian side Spartak Moscow. City have paid the Russian side around £450,000 for the Czech international. Birmingham have also signed the Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour for an undisclosed fee from Mexican side Club America. Beausejour impressed during his country’s run to the last 16 of the World Cup and is seen as a coup for the Midlands club. Meanwhile, details emerged yesterday about Charles N’Zogbia’s failed transfer from Wigan. The Frenchman agreed a £40,000-a-week deal with Birmingham and the two clubs had shaken hands on a £9 million fee. However, N’Zogbia arrived at Birmingham for his medical and suddenly demanded an extra £10,000 a week. At that point Birmingham boss Alex McLeish told the player to leave and N’Zogbia will spend the rest of 2010.
Liverpool Wrap Up Konchesky But No Striker
Liverpool wrapped up the signing of Paul Konchesky from Fulham as well as two youngsters, Suso and Adam Hajdu. Konchesky’s deal will see 18-year-old Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle and 19-year-old Swedish winger Alex Kacaniklic move to Fulham in a deal said to be worth around £4 million. Suso – real name Jesus Joaquin Fernandez Saenz De La Torre – trained with Liverpool’s reserves in pre-season and joins from Spanish club Cadiz, subject to international clearance while Hajdu joins from MTK Budapest.
Liverpool also made a number of attempts during the day to sign Carlton Cole from West Ham. Liverpool are said to have offered Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva to the Hammers in exchange for Cole. Indeed Babel spent much of the day in a helicopter over London in anticipation of a deal. When it became obvious that he wasn’t going to be transferred, he sent a message via Twitter that read: “I’m going nowhere, YNWA.” Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will probably be disappointed that he was unable to sign a striker to play alongside Fernando Torres. PSV’s Ola Toivonen was priced out of his reach while Bayern’s Mario Gomez was being touted as a late addition to the Anfield squad. However, Bayern announced early in the morning that none of their players would be leaving the club, even on loan. However, Emiliano Insua has finally left Anfield on a season-long loan to Turkish side Galataseray.
Stoke Sign Gudjohnsen, Wilson and Pennant
Stoke City have signed Monaco striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on a season-long loan. The Icelander arrived at the club’s training complex early yesterday afternoon and was impressed enough to sign for the club. Negotiations then took place between Stoke and Monaco as to the size of the Potters’ contribution to Gudjohnsen’s wages. The 31-year-old spent last season on loan at Spurs and had been linked with a return to another London club, if not to White Hart Lane. Fulham and West Ham were linked with a move but in the end it was Stoke who took the initiative. Stoke have also signed former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. The 26-year-old spent last season at Spanish side Zaragoza but he struggled as the side languished near the bottom of the table and was disciplined earlier this year after turning up late for training three times in a week. Pennant has signed a loan deal until January. Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson has signed on at the Britannia Stadium. The deal for the £5 million-rated defender sees winger Liam Lawrence and striker Dave Kitson joining Pompey as part of the deal.
Bolton Sign Benfica Striker
Bolton have signed striker Rodrigo Moreno on a season-long loan from Benfica. Bolton boss Owen Coyle was heavily-linked with Moreno during the summer when it became obvious he would be leaving Real Madrid along with team-mate Marcos Alonso. The two 19-year-olds were touted for a £5 million double-signing but in the end only Alonso siged – for £1.6 million – while Moreno went to the Portugese champions. However, Benfica have decided to send Moreno out on loan and despite late competition from Spanish side Villareal, Coyle snapped up the teenager for the rest of the season.
Blackpool Finally Snap Up Campbell and Philips
Blackpool have signed DJ Campbell from Leicester City on a two-year deal. The Seasiders had been linked with a move for Campbell for much of the summer and he joins for fee that has not been disclosed but which is believed to be around £1 million. Campbell scored eight goals in 15 games for the Seasiders last season. Blackpool have also signed 19-year-old winger Matt Phillips from Wycombe Wanderers. Phillips made his debut for Wycombe aged just 17 and has become a regular in the Chairboys’ first team. Blackpool have paid an initial £325,000 for Phillips.
Bent To Wolves On Loan
Wolves have signed Birmingham striker Marcus Bent on loan until 4 January. The 32-year-old had loan spells last season at both QPR and Middlesbrough and has been added to bolster the Wolves strike force despite not featuring in the Birmingham first team for over a year.
West Ham Hoping for Jacobsen
West Ham hope that their loan signing of Blackburn full-back Lars Jacobsen has been accepted by the Premier League. The 30-year-old was the subject of a last-minute bid by the Hammers and they are waiting to see if the documents arrived in time at the Premier League.
Blackburn have loaned Zurab Khizanishvili to Championship side Reading. The Georgian was no longer part of Sam Allardyce’s plans at Blackburn and had been urged to find himself a new club.
Wigan Snap Up Cleverley
Wigan have snapped up Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old had been earmarked for a place in United’s first team this season after impressing on the pre-season US tour but Sir Alex Ferguson has opted to send him out to gain first-team experience.
Asamoah Gyan – Rennes to Sunderland, £13m
Joseph Yobo – Everton to Fenerbahce, season-long loan
DJ Campbell – Leicester to Blackpool, Undisclosed
Eidur Gudjohnssen – Monaco to Stoke, season-long loan
Jean Beausejour – Club America to Birmingham, undisclosed
Armand Traore – Arsenal to Juventus, season-long loan
Emiliano Insua – Liverpool to Galatasaray, season-long loan
Robinho – Manchester City to Milan, £18m rising to £21m
Adam Clayton – Manchester City to Leeds, undisclosed
Ian Harte – Carlisle to Reading, undisclosed
Andrew Taylor – Middlesbrough to Watford, six-month loan
Kazenga LuaLua – Newcastle to Brighton, four-month loan
Tom Cleverley – Manchester United to Wigan, season-long loan
Alexander Hleb – Barcelona to Birmingham, season-long loan
Anthony Stokes – Hibernian to Celtic, undisclosed
Martin Jiranek – Spartak Moscow to Birmingham, undisclosed
Paul Konchesky – Fulham to Liverpool, undisclosed part-exchange
Lauri Dalla Valle – Liverpool to Fulham, part-exchange
Alex Kacaniklic – Liverpool to Fulham, part-exchange
Zurab Khizanishvili – Blackburn to Reading, season-long loan
Rodrigo Moreno – Benfica to Bolton, season-long loan
Jermaine Grandison – Coventry to Tranmere, one-month loan
Arnaud Mendy – Derby to Tranmere, one-month loan
Stephane Zubar – Plymouth, previously unattached
Lubomir Michalik – Leeds to Carlisle, four-month loan
Salif Diao – Stoke, previously unattached
Yuki Abe – Urawa Reds to Leicester, undisclosed
Matt Phillips – Wycombe to Blackpool, £325,000 rising to £700,000
Josh Payne – Doncaster to Oxford United, one-month loan
Marlon Pack – Portsmouth to Cheltenham, season-long loan
Stipe Pletikosa – Spartak Moscow to Tottenham, season-long loan
Ramón Núñez – Leeds on permanent deal after loan spell
Marcus Bent – Birmingham to Wolves, loan to 4 January
Gylfi Sigurdsson – Reading to Hoffenheim, £6m
José Manuel Jurado – Atlético Madrid to Schalke, £10.6m
Klaas Jan Huntelaar – Milan to Schalke, £10.7m
Football results,live football,football shirts,football kits,online football games,England football,premier league fixtures,football tickets,football tables,premier league football games,live football streaming,watch live football,premier league results,visit England,football pools,football coaching
20.48Spurs hopeful of signing Rafael van de Vaart from Real Madrid for £8 million.
18.28Everton defender Joseph Yobo has signed a loan deal with Fenerbahce
18.23Fulham tell Sky Sports News that they tried to sign Roque Santa Cruz but were beaten by the deadline. They also tried to sign Palace keeper Julian Speroni but deny reports they were interested in Spurs’ David Bentley.
18.21West Ham target Siaka Tiene signed for PSG instead in a 1 million euro deal.
18.08West Brom sign defender Craig Dawson from Rochdale and loan him back to the League 1 side.
18.06Wigan confirm signing of Franco di Santo from Chelsea. Fee believed to be £2 million.
18.03Stoke confirm the signing of Eidur Gudjohnssen on season-long loan from Monaco and Jermaine Pennant from Zaragoza on one-year deal.
17.58 More Spurs rumours: David Bentley to Fulham on loan, Spurs in for Rafael van de Vaart. 17.55 Birmingham announce the signing of Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour from Club America. Fee believed to be around £3.5-4 million.
17.51 Unconfirmed reports from Italy suggest that Mauro Zarate is set to join Spurs from Lazio for a fee in excess of £2 million
17.46Stoke linked with Jermaine Pennant
17.30Leicester sign Sunderland’s Martyn Waghorn for £2 million.
17.22Reading sign Carlisle defender Ian Harte
17.21Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua joins Turkish side Galataseray on a season-long loan.
17.22Blackpool sign DJ Campbell from Leicester City.
17.16Sunderland have signed striker Asamoah Gyan from Rennes.
17.11 Latest rumour: Blackburn and West Ham have both enquired about taking Tuncay on loan from Stoke for a club-record fee of around £12 million.
16.54Robinho signs for AC Milan on a permanent deal. He has signed a four-year deal for a fee reported to be around half the £32.5 million City paid Real Madrid for him two years ago.
16.52 Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson looks set to sign for Stoke, with Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson heading the other way.
16.47Ryan Babel has just tweeted “I’m going nowhere.”
16.31Brighton have signed Newcastle’sKazenga Lualua on loan.
16.29 Various sources are reporting that Spurs have offered Liverpool £10 million for Ryan Babel.
16.02Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley has signed for Wigan on a season-long loan deal.
15.44Eidur Gudjohnssen has arrived at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke ahead of a season-long loan deal.
15.37 Birmingham confirm the signing of Spartak Moscow captain Martin Jiranek on a one-year deal. The Blues have also signed Alexander Hleb from Barcelona on a one-year deal.
15.21Liverpool sign youngsters Suso from Cadiz and Adam Hajdu from MTK Budapest
15.19Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili signs a season-long loan deal at Reading
15.16Paul Konchesky is now officially a Liverpool player. Konchesky signs for cash plus Liverpool youngsters Lauri dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic.
14.53Anthony Stokes officially joins Celtic from Hibs for £1.2 million.
14.42Bolton have signed 19-year-old striker Rodrigo Moreno on a season-long loan from Benfica. Owen Coyle wanted to sign Moreno on a permanent deal from Real Madrid during the summer.
14.30 Various news sources are reporting that Scott Parker has said he is staying at West Ham.
14.25 The Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool have made an official offer to West Ham for Carlton Cole.
13.49Leicester City have signed Japanese international midfielder Yuki Abe from Urawa Reds .
13.45 Fulham confirm that Mark Schwarzer will not be leaving the club.
13.34 The Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool have up to five deadline day targets: Roque Santa Cruz, Ola Toivonen, Mario Gomez, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Bobby Zamora.
13.32Daily Mirror reports that Liverpool are to offer SpursRyan Babel in exchange for Peter Crouch.
13.21Blackpool have signed Wycombe winger Matty Phillips for £325,000.
13.20Leeds defender Lubomir Michalik goes on loan to Carlisle until January.
13.19West Ham reportedly sign defender Pascal Chimbonda on free transfer.
13.15 The All Nigeria Soccer website reports that Fenerbahce is the most likely destination for Everton defender Joseph Yobo after The Toffees refused to do a loan deal with West Ham. Everton are looking for a permanent deal for Yobo.
13.00Chelsea striker Franco di Santo has arrived at Wigan for a medical ahead of a £2 million transfer
12.55Birmingham complete signing of Alexander Hleb on one-year loan deal from Barcelona. Jean Beausejour is also set to sign on a 4 million euro transfer fee from Club America.
12.52Sky Sports News reports that Paul Hart is in the running to succeed Alan Pardew as manager of Southampton
12.36Harry Redknapp scotches rumours linking Spurs with a bid for Everton’s Steven Pienaar. Spurs have confirmed the signing of keeper Stipe Pletikosa (see 10.47) but other than that and some youngsters going out on loan, Redknapp says he is expecting a quiet day.
12.35 Stoke have signed Eidur Gudjohnssen from Monaco on a season-long loan.
12.21Birmingham set to sign Alexander Hleb from Barcelona and Jean Beausejour from Club America. City have secured work permits for both players.
12.11 Robinho having medical at AC Milan at 1.30pm BST.
12.16Leeds United have signed 24-year-old Honduras international Ramon Nunez after a successful trial with the club. Nunez, who can play in midfield or up front, has received a work permit.
12.09 Liverpool’s Emiliano Insua close to agreeing a move to Turkish side Galataseray, according to his Twitter page.
12.05Juventus have signed Arsenal left-back Armand Traore on a season-long loan deal.
10.58Spurs target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has signed for Schalke 04 from AC Milan.
10.47 Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa has joined Spurs on loan from Spartak Moscow.
10.42Marcus Bent has joined Wolves from Birmingham on a four-month loan deal.
10.36Leeds agree fee with Manchester City to sign Adam Clayton on permanent deal. The 21-year-old is on loan at Elland Road.
10.30Stoke linked with move for Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia. The Potters are believed to have bid £9 million last week but the player had, at that stage, chosen to join Birmingham. He agreed a £40k a week wage with Birmingham only to demand £50k a week at the last minutes. At that point Birmingham fired him off.
10.25Gyllfi Sigurdsson has left Reading for German side Hoffenheim in a £6 million deal.
10.23Everton lining up bid for Wolfsburg striker Grafite, according to Sky Sports News.
10.21Birmingham close to signing Chilean midfielder Jean Beausejour from Mexican side America. Share
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Football Transfer News and Rumours, Monday 30 August
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Given To Stay At City – Schwarzer Arsenal Deal Off
Shay Given has decided to stay at Manchester City. The Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper had been linked with a move away from the City of Manchester Stadium after starting on the bench for each of City’s three league games and their Europa League play-off clashes with Timisoara. Arsenal, Celtic and, more recently, Fulham had all been linked with taking Given on loan for the rest of the season but after talks yesterday with City football administrator Brian Marwood, Given has decided to stay at the club and fight for his place. It is believed that Given has decided that he would be giving up the chance of winning the first trophy of his career by leaving City for a smaller club, a decision that opens up the possibility of the 34-year-old being used in City’s Carling Cup campaign. Given’s decision means the end of Mark Schwarzer’s transfer from Fulham to Arsenal. Fulham boss Mark Hughes declared at the weekend that if Fulham could not get a replacement keeper before the transfer window shut then Schwarzer would be going nowhere. Hughes had earmarked Given as Schwarzer’s replacement. Arsenal are expected to come back to Fulham with a £4 million bid for the 37-year-old Australian today but Fulham are expected to turn down any further bid.
Spurs Make An Enquiry for Pienaar
Spurs have made an enquiry for Everton midfielder Steve Pienaar; however, the Toffees have rejected Spurs’ opening bid as derisory. The 28-year-old has yet to agree to an improved contract offer from the Goodison Park side that will pay him £55,000 a week and there are reports that he is set to see out his current deal and leave on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is said to be an admirer of Pienaar and has been monitoring the South Africa’s situation since the end of last season. Redknapp was linked with a bid for Pienaar during the summer but has held off until now.
Spurs Last-Minute Bid For Adebayor Set To Fail
Spurs’ last-minute bid forManchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor looks set to fail. Chairman Daniel Levy is willing to finance a loan deal whereby City would pay half of Adebayor’s £170,000-a-week salary for the rest of the season but the striker looks set to stay at City. Adebayor spoke out last week saying that he was unhappy about being placed on the sub’s bench for the first game of the season – against Spurs – a comment which led City administrator Brian Marwood to remind the Togo international that he was under contract to the club and would have to fight for his place. Adebayor fears that Italian striker Mario Balotelli’s arrival at Eastlands has pushed him even further down the pecking order.
Spurs In Last-Ditch Parker Bid
Spurs are said to have made one final attempt at signing Scott Parker from West Ham. Manager Harry Redknapp has already had a bid in the region of £7-8 million turned down by the Hammers and is ready to throw in full-back Alan Hutton in a last-ditch attempt to persuade West Ham to part with their most-prized asset. Earlier this month Hutton was being linked with a £6 million move to Birmingham.
Chelsea Target Demichelis To Stay At Bayern
Martin Demichelis has decided to stay and fight for his place at Bayern Munich. The defender was linked with a £10 million move to Chelsea but the Argentinian has decided to stay and fight for his place at the German champions. Demichelis was more interested in a move to Sevilla but the Spanish side were unwilling to pay Bayern’s asking price for the 29-year-old. “I will be very honoured to stay at Bayern and fight,” Demichelis said on Monday. ‘The coach gave me his reasoning and he said I had a hard decision to make, but I’ve accepted it already and there was mutual agreement.”
Milan Set To Sign Robinho
AC Milan have sent agent Mina Raiola to Manchester and told him to come back with Robinho. The Manchester City misfit has been linked with moves to both Milan and Barcelona after turning down a £16 million move last week to Turkish side Besiktas. However, Barca cannot be ruled out of signing the Brazilian. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has moved to Milan from the Nou Camp and there are rumours that they will make a last minute bid to hijack Milan’s deal.
Yobo Set for West Ham Loan
Everton defender Joseph Yobo could be on his way to West Ham. The Nigerian international is set to join the Hammers on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move. The Hammers have previously had a £6 million bid for Yobo turned down by Everton.
Santa Cruz Could Stay At City
One player who may not now be leaving Manchester City is Roque Santa Cruz. The Paraguayan striker has been linked with a move to Serie A side Lazio but is now having second thoughts about leaving England and may decide to remain at Eastlands.
Fulham Set To Sign Gudjohnsen
Fulham are set to sign Monaco striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on a season-long loan. The Icelandic international has turned down a move to Stoke as he wants to remain in London, where he spent part of last season on loan at Tottenham. Fulham will make a £2 million contribution to Monaco towards the 31-year-old’s wages.
West Ham Defender Daprela Heads For Italy
Defender Fabio Daprela has left West Ham for Serie A club Brescia. The 19-year-old played in just seven games for the Hammers after joining last summer from Swiss side Grasshoppers. Daprela has signed a five-year deal in Italy with the newly-promoted side.
Villa To Let Davies Go On Loan
Aston Villa are ready to let Curtis Davies go out on loan. Celtic are favourites to land the 25-year-old defender who Villa signed two years ago from West Brom for £10 million. Davies is able to renegotiate his £25,000 a week wages after making his 60th appearance for Villa in the Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna last week, but the Midlands side are prepared to let him leave Villa Park with Celtic the favourites to secure his signature.
Bolton Fight Off Villareal for Moreno
As predicted here yesterday Bolton are ready with a season-long loan deal for Benfica striker Rodrigo Moreno. Owen Coyle tried to sign Moreno during the summer alongside his one-time Real Madrid team-mate Marcos Alonso but Moreno chose instead to sign for the Portugese champions. However, Benfica are ready to send Moreno out on loan and Wanderers look set to beat off competition from Spanish side Villareal with a season-long deal.
Bolton To Let Ward Go To Coventry
Bolton are set to let teenage striker Danny Ward go to Coventry on loan until the New Year. The 18-year-old has been linked with a loan deal to a number of Championship clubs after impressing during a spell with League One side Swindon last season. Cardiff, Millwall and most recently Leeds have all been touted as possible destinations but Bolton boss Owen Coyle is insisting that Ward signs a new deal with Bolton before he goes anywhere.
Inter In Fabregas Bid
Inter Milan are said to be ready with an audacious bid for Cesc Fabregas. The Italians are said to be ready to offer Arsenal £32.5 million for the Spaniard – just the offer Arsenal spent the whole of the summer refusing from Barcelona. Whether this is idle press chatter or Rafa Benitez seriously considering putting in such a bid isn’t known but it is certain to be turned down by Arsenal.
Inter Offer Muntari To Spurs
Inter Milan have offered Sulley Muntari to Spurs for £4 million. The midfielder cost Inter £12.7 million from Portsmouth two years ago but does not fit into coach Rafa Benitez’s plans.
West Brom Close To Dawson Deal
West Brom are close to signing Rochdale defender Craig Dawson. The 20-year-old was linked with a move to Middlesbrough during the summer but Rochdale turned down a £500,000 bid from Boro and are set to accept an offer from the Baggies which will see Dawson going back to Sppotland on loan. Dawson was named League Two Player Of The Season last season and joined Dale from non-league side Radcliffe Borough in 2009. He has made 45 league appearances for Dale and quickly become a fans’ favourite.
West Ham Linked With Tiene
West Ham are hoping to sign left-back Siaka Tiene from French side Valenciennes. The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international will cost the Hammers around £1.5 million. Tiene has spent the past five years playing in France and had a spell at St Etienne prior to joining Valenciennes two years ago, as well as a loan spell at Stade Reims.
Sunderland’s Gyan Deal to be Done Today
Sunderland look set to sign Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan and will sell Martyn Waghorn to Leicester to help fund the deal. Gyan was spotted at Newcastle Airport on Monday night amidst rumours that a deal has been agreed. Reports yesterday suggested that Sunderland would have to break their record fee of £10 million to land the Ghanaian World Cup star and that they will sell Waghorn to Leicester for £2 million to help fund the deal.
Birmingham Looking To Clinch At Least Two More Signings
Birmingham hope to wrap up the signing of at least two players on deadline day. Left-back Armand Traore is set to sign from Arsenal on a season-long loan while Czech centre-back Martin Jiranek will sign from Russian side Spartak Moscow. The 31-year-old Jiranek, whose contract with Spartak expires in December, is expected to cost around £400,000.
Birmingham In Hleb Link
Birmingham are also being linked with a last-minute bid for former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb. The Belarus international is surplus to requirements at Barcelona and was recently being touted as a makeweight in the Javier Mascherano deal; however, Birmingham are said to be in talks over a £4 million move to St Andrews. Fulham were also being linked with Hleb earlier this month and he recently turned down a move to Portugese side Benfica in the hope of landing a deal with a Premier League club.
Blackpool Enquire About Bah and Lafferty
Blackpool have made an enquiry about Guinean midfielder Mamadou Bah. The 22-year-old midfielder plays for RC Strasbourg in the third tier of French football but has made just 17 appearances since joining them in 2007. Meanwhile, striker David Nugent has turned down the opportunity to sign for the Seasiders having decided to stay at Portsmouth. Blackpool have also asked Rangers to take former Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty on a season-long loan.
Celtic To Wrap Up Stokes Deal Today
Celtic expect to wrap up the signing of Anthony Stokes from Hibernian today in a £1.2 million deal. The 22-year-old hit 23 goals for Hibs last season and is expected to sign a deal after a medical at Celtic. In turn Hibs have signed striker Daryl Duffy on a season-long loan from English League One side Bristol Rovers.
Wigan To Make £1m Roberts Bid
Wigan are expected to make a £1 million bid to bring Blackburn striker Jason Roberts back to the club. Roberts had a successful two-year spell at Latics before joining Rovers in 2008; however, the 32-year-old is surplus to requirements at Ewood Park and has been told he can look for another club.
Hull are set to sell defender Kamil Zayette to Leicester in a £700,000 deal. Zayette hoped to move to a Premier League club with Newcastle being touted as a possibility but no deal has materialised. Meanwhile Hull are hoping to do a loan deal for Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala.
21.10Sky Sports News are reporting that Spurs have made an enquiry for Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar.
20.50Birmingham have approached Arsenal about taking left back Armand Traore on loan. The 20-year old was earlier linked with a move to Juventus while a transfer to Benfica fell through earlier this month. 16.00Sunderland target Rod Fanni closes in on deal with Atletico Madrid. Atleti have sold midfielder Jurado for 15 million euro and are set to do a 4.5 million deal with Rennes for Fanni.
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Football Transfer News and Rumours Monday 30 August
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Spurs In Bid For Luis Fabiano
Spurs have made a late bid to sign Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano. Sevilla want £25 million for the Brazilian but Spurs are only prepared to go as high as £15 million. Fabiano was left on the bench for Sevilla’s 4-1 opening day win at Levante on Saturday night amidst rumours that negotiations with Spurs had already begun. Earlier this summer he stated that the only two clubs he would leave Sevilla for were Manchester United and AC Milan, but bids from those two clubs have not been forthcoming. The 29-year-old played in Sevilla’s Champions League qualifiers with Braga and would not be eligible to play for Spurs in this season’s competition. Meanwhile, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is ready to off-load Robbie Keane to make way for Fabiano. Newcastle are said to be in pole position to land his signature while West Ham and Aston Villa are also said to be interested. Spurs also have another couple of irons in the fire with Villareal’s Giuseppe Rossi and AC Milan’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on Redknapp’s radar before tomorrow’s transfer deadline. Milan have apparently told Spurs that Huntelaar will cost them £11 million but Spurs have so far only offered to take the Dutch striker on loan.
Liverpool Complete Meireles Signing
Liverpool have completed the £11.5 million signing of Raul Meireles from FC Porto. The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Anfield and was paraded before the crowd before Liverpool’s game with West Brom yesterday. Meireles credited Roy Hodgson for persuading him to come to Anfield but he said he did not wish to be considered as a replacement for Javier Mascherano. “I am Meireles and not Mascherano and that will be clear to the fans. I hope one day the Liverpool fans will remember me for being successful.” Meireles joins Liverpool after a six-year spell at Porto where he made 153 appearances and scored 15 goals. He has also played 38 times for Portugal and was in their squad for the World Cup Finals in South Africa where he scored the first goal in their 7-0 victory over North Korea. Meireles isn’t likely to be the last Liverpool signing before the transfer deadline on Tuesday; Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky was also in the stands for Sunday’s defeat of West Brom amid speculation that he is about to complete a £4 million move to Anfield.
Juventus Interested In Arsenal’s Traore
Juventus are the latest club to be linked with a move for Arsenal defender Armand Traore. The 20-year-old was set to move to Benfica earlier this month in a £3.5 million deal but couldn’t agree personal terms with the Portugese champions. Now Juventus have expressed their interest in a deal with Director-General Beppe Marotta saying: “Yes, Traore is one of the players we are interested in. We will see what happens.” West Ham are also said to be keen on signing Traore.
Newcastle In £8m Bid For Dutch Striker
Newcastle are looking to sign FC Utrecht striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick last week as the Dutch side knocked Celtic out of the Europa League and the Toon are hoping to snap him up before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday. Van Wolfswinkel has already scored 12 goals this season in just nine appearances in all competitions and made his international debut for Holland earlier this month. He joined Utrecht last summer from Vitesse Arnhem. Newcastle are also said to be interested in a late bid for Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson who has also been interesting Stoke, Fulham, West Brom and West Ham. Portsmouth value the 22-year-old Irishman at £5 million.
City Line Up Loach Deal
Manchester City are lining up a move for Watford keeper Scott Loach in a move which seems to signal the exit from Eastlands for Shay Given. The 22-year-old Loach is about to be the subject of a bid from City and could set in motion a chain of transfers that will see Shay Given move to Fulham and Mark Schwarzer leave Fulham for Arsenal.
West Ham Ready To Drop Price For Carlton Cole
West Ham are ready to drop their price for Carlton Cole. The striker has been interesting a number of clubs ever since Hammers’ co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold announced shortly after the end of last season that they were prepared to sell anyone in their squad bar Scott Parker. A £10 million price tag has so far deterred would-be buyers, but with West Ham stuck at the bottom of the table and with boss Avram Grant ready to strengthen his squad, the Hammers are now in a sell-before-you-can-buy situation and are ready to lower their price for Cole to give Grant the funds to bring in new faces before the deadline. Liverpool are said to given West Ham the choice of £7 million or a player-exchange with Ryan Babel moving to Upton Park but West Ham are only interested in a cash deal.
West Ham Linked With Caracciolo
Meanwhile West Ham are said to be interested in Brescia striker Andrea Caracciolo. The 28-year-old has hit 46 goals in 82 games for Brescia, whom he joined in 2008 although most of his goals have come in Italy’s Serie B. Caracciolo lists Sampdoria and Palermo amongst his former clubs and once scored against West Ham in a UEFA Cup tie for Palermo.
West Brom Hoping To Sign Sidwell
West Bromwich Albion are hoping to land Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell before the transfer window closes. The £3 million-rated Sidwell is one of a number of players surplus to requirements at Villa Park and was linked during the close season with moves to West Ham and Fulham. Now Roberto di Matteo is hoping to tie up a deal for Sidwell in an attempt to boost his side’s chances of survival in the Premier League. Albion have lost two of their opening three games this season and are also being linked with former Wigan defender Paul Scharner. The Austrian has been without a club since leaving the DW Stadium at the end of last season. Meanwhile teenage striker Chris Wood is set to leave The Hawthorns for Derby County in a loan deal.
Birmingham Offered Czech Defender Jiranek
Birmingham have been offered Czech international defender Martin Jiranek. The Spartak Moscow captain is set to leave the Russian club after turning down an extension to his contract which expires in December. Jiranek, 31, has spent six years at Spartak after moving from Italian side Reggina in a 7 million euro deal in 2004.
Bolton Could Snap Up Spanish Striker
Bolton could yet sign Spanish forward Rodrigo Moreno. Boss Owen Coyle was keen on signing the 19-year-old this summer at the same time as he snapped up Marcos Alonso from Real Madrid. However, Moreno went from the Bernabeu to Benfica in a deal said to be worth £5 million. The Portugese club are ready to let Moreno got out on loan and although Coyle said at the weekend that he probably won’t be adding to his squad, he may be interested in picking up the striker at the second attempt.
Stoke Ready To Take Gudjohnsen On Loan
Stoke City are ready to take former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan. The Monaco striker spent part of last season on loan at Spurs scoring twice in 13 games but boss Harry Redknapp has decided not to take him back for another loan spell. The 31-year-old Godjohnsen is said to prefer a move back to London with West Ham or Fulham touted during the summer as a possible destination, but has not been able to agree a deal with either club.
Stoke Ready To Bid £7m For Jenas
The Daily Mirror reports that Stoke City are ready to bid £7 million for Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas. This comes just a day after reports that Jenas was set to stay at Spurs after a proposed move to Inter Milan fell through over personal terms. Jenas is one of four players being linked with a move to Stoke: the Potters are one of a number of clubs interested in Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson and have already had a cash-plus-players bid turned down by Pompey. They are also interested in Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega and Middlesbrough defender David Wheater. Boss Tony Pulis said “It may go to the wire but we’re prepared to wait so we can ensure we get the right deals.” The Mirror also reports that Stoke midfielder Michael Tonge could be on his way back to Sheffield United. Tonge has started only one Premier League game since signing from the Blades two years ago and new boss Gary Speed wants to take him back to Bramall Lane and make him his first managerial signing.
Blackpool and Bolton Eye Up Barnsley Winger
Blackpool and Bolton are both eyeing up bids for Barnsley’s Adam Hammill. The 22-year-old winger is under contract at Oakwell until 2012 but Barnsley are bracing themselves for a bid from a Premier League club. Hammill was impressive in his team’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday scoring an early contender for goal of the season. Meanwhile Blackpool hope to tie up the signing of Leicester striker DJ Campbell in a £1 million deal. Campbell had a four-month spell at the Seasiders during their successful promotion season.
German league leaders Hoffenheim are ready to offer Reading £4.25 million for striker Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Bundesliga side hope to tie up a deal in the next 24 hours.
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Football Transfer News and Rumours Sunday 29 August
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Spurs Look To Rossi If Huntelaar Bid Fails – Report
Spurs are looking to former Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi if their bid for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar falls through, according to the News Of The World. The Villareal striker would cost around £8 million and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp could be in with a bid if their attempt to bag Huntelaar fails. The move for Rossi is being led by chairman Daniel Levy as Spurs are unconvinced by Huntelaar’s worth as a striker in a major European league. A barren spell at Real Madrid following a 20 million euro transfer from Ajax at the start of 2009 has been followed by an equally disappointing spell at Milan. Rossi left Manchester United for Villareal in a £6.6 million deal in 2007 and has scored 45 goals in 123 games for the Spanish side. He has three years left on his current deal but his agent Federico Pastorello was quoted earlier this month as saying Rossi would “probably stay at Villareal” this season.
Spurs In Ferdinand Bid
Meanwhile, Spurs have made an “audacious” bid to sign Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, according to the News Of The World. Boss Harry Redknapp is said by the paper to have made “discreet soundings” about taking the England centre-half to White Hart Lane and Spurs’ medical staff have even studied the extent of Ferdinand’s injuries, convinced they can get 100 games out of him over the next two years. United have told Spurs that Ferdinand is not for sale.
United Eye Up Rodwell Bid
The People suggests that Manchester United will make an attempt to sign Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell but that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may wait until the January transfer window to do so. The £20-million-rated Rodwell signed a new deal at Goodison Park this summer but was left out of Everton’s opening two games of the season. According to the paper this has encouraged United to consider putting in a bid. The People suggests United may make what it describes as “a cheeky bid” before the transfer window closes on Tuesday but a bid is more likely in the New Year when Rodwell will still be eligible for Champions League football.
Schwarzer’s Arsenal Move Depends On Given Deal
Mark Schwarzer’s move to Arsenal depends on Shay Given’s loan move to Fulham. The Cottagers will not allow Schwarzer to leave without their chosen replacement in situ and there are reports this morning that Manchester City are ready to let Given team up with former boss Mark Hughes at Craven Cottage. Given has been on the bench for all City’s games this season. Boss Roberto Mancini wants to have two top-class players for each position at the club and insisted that Given remain at Eastlands, but the Mail On Sunday reports that Given may now be allowed to leave. Mark Hughes admitted yesterday that Schwarzer wants to go to Arsenal and that he was looking at Given for a replacement. Speaking after his side’s 2-2 draw at Blackpool, Hughes said “Mark Schwarzer has made it clear that he would like to go to Arsenal so we are trying to look at other options. I’m always interested in quality players and Shay Given is a quality player – make of that what you will – but I have said that if we can’t get anyone else in, Schwarzer will have to stay.”
City Now Linked With Begovic
Manchester City were yesterday being touted as the latest destination for Stoke keeper Asmet Begovic, but the Potters are equally insistent that the Bosnian remains with them. This week they saw off a £4.5 million bid from Chelsea and are said to have responded by slapping a £10 million price tag on Begovic.
Arsenal Linked with January Bid For Taylor
Arsenal are being linked with a January bid for Newcastle defender Steven Taylor. The 24-year-old has rejected a new contract at St James’s Park and has been placed on the transfer list and there are reports today that the Gunners will put in a bid when the transfer window re-opens again in January. Newcastle are said to want around £4 million for Taylor.
Watford Want Loan Deal For United Defender
Watford want to take Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet on a season-long loan. The 21-year old has made only six appearances for United since joining from Stoke in 2009.
Liverpool Set For One Last Cole Bid
Liverpool look set for a busy final few days of the transfer window. The Reds are to make one final bid for West Ham’s Carlton Cole. The Hammers are said to be ready to take £10 million for the striker but may consider a player-plus-cash deal that would see Ryan Babel go to Upton Park. Boss Roy Hodgson has been quoted a price of £13 million for PSV Eindhoven’s Swedish striker Ola Toivonen, a price he regards as too high, but defensive midfielder Raul Meireles is set to sign from Porto – a medical will take place on Monday – and left-back Paul Konchesky is set to sign from Fulham in a £4 million deal.
Hammers Keeper Stech Seeks Loan Deal
West Ham keeper Marek Stech is looking for a loan deal to enable him to play some first-team football. The Czech keeper was given his debut in the Hammers’ Carling Cup tie at home to Oxford during the week and is looking to get off the subs’ bench even if it means leaving Upton Park for a spell elsewhere. “When I spoke with Mr Grant, he said I had a great talent and he would like to give me somewhere to play,” the 20-year-old told a Czech newspaper. “Maybe in the second or third league, where I could play two games each week.”
Fulham Keen On Reading’s Federici
Fulham are reportedly interested in Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici. The 24-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the Championship side and has yet to agree a new deal. Liverpool were said to be eyeing up a bid for Federici before they signed Brad Jones from Middlesbrough but now Fulham are set to make a £2 million bid for the Australian.
Wigan In Di Santo Deal
Wigan are set to sign Chelsea youngster Franco di Santo in a £2 million deal. The Latics originally hoped to take the Argentinian on loan but boss Roberto Martinez has now opted for a permanent deal and will sign the 20-year-old before the transfer window shuts. Di Santo spent last season on loan at Blackburn for whom he made 22 appearances and scoring one goal. Wigan are also keen to make Bolton keeper Ali al-Habsi’s loan move a permanent deal but Bolton are said to want £3 million for the Oman keeper. Wigan are also looking to offer former Arsenal legend Robert Pires a way back into the Premier League. The 36-year-old is without a club after leaving Spanish side Villareal during the summer. Pires recently turned down an offer to join Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
Stekelenburg Pledges Future To Ajax
Maarten Stekelenburg isn’t interested in joining Arsenal. The 27-year-old Dutch= goalkeeper has been linked with a move to the Emirates but after Ajax’s qualification for the Champions League this week he has decided to pledge his immediate future to the Dutch side.
Spurs In New Parker Link
Scott Parker is once again being linked with a move to Spurs. The Mail On Sunday suggests that Parker will leave in an £8 million move and that West Ham will then make an attempt to sign Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson. Hammers’ co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold need the money to put the club’s finances back on a more even keel and the paper suggests they may even sell Mexican forward Pablo Barrera, who only joined the club last month. The level of the Hammers debt is said to have “shocked” Sullivan and Gold and the paper also suggests that the Hammers may also do a deal for Carlton Cole with Liverpool at the front of a queue of clubs interested in the striker.
West Ham Linked With Traore
West Ham are being linked with a move for Arsenal left-back Armand Traore. The 20-year-old was set for a move to Portugese champions Benfica earlier this month after the Gunners had agreed a £3 million fee but the deal floundered on personal terms. Traore is said to be keen to stay in England and West Ham could give him the opportunity of regular first-team football – finances permitting. Traore is third-choice left-back at Arsenal behind Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs.
“Pienaar Will Have Season Of His Life” – Moyes
Everton boss David Moyes says that Steven Pienaar will have the season of his life for the club because his future is uncertain. Pienaar is in the final year of his contract at Goodison and has refused to sign a new £55,000-a-week deal. However, Moyes says that this could work in the club’s favour. Pienaar signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2008 for £3 million after first spending a season on loan at the club. Moyes said: “I spent £3million for him two years ago after having him on loan for a season and some clubs send players out on loan who have cost them £15m or £20m. So if I’ve had four years out of Steven Pienaar and I lose £3m, it’s not a big deal.” Moyes added: “I think players who are in their last season tend to play their best football. We have made him a brilliant offer so he’s going to have to play some great football to show people he is better to earn more somewhere else.”
Houller Is “Candidate for Villa Job” – Report
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has emerged as a candidate for the Aston Villa job, according to The People. The paper points out that other candidates for the job such as Martin Jol at Ajax and Everton’s David Moyes will have to be bought out of their contracts whereas Houllier has been without a club since leaving Lyon in 2007. Houllier managed Liverpool from 1998 to 2004 winning a cup treble of UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in 2001. The People’s speculation hasn’t translated itself into cash over the counter at the bookies’. On Sunday morning you could still get odds over 100-1 on Houllier landing the Villa job with US coach Bob Bradley still favourite, followed by former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and current Villa caretaker boss Kevin McDonald.
Sunderland Gyan Deal Awaiting Approval
Sunderland have agreed a deal in principle to take Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan to the Stadium Of Light in an £8 million deal. However, the transfer has yet to be agreed by the club’s board. Boss Steve Bruce has had to sell before he can buy this summer but despite off-loading Kenwyne Jones for £8 million and bringing in £3 million from the sale of Marton Fulop and Daryl Murphy, Bruce has so failed to unlock the cheque book of owner Elliott Short and complained on Friday about being unable to bring in new faces: “I need a replacement for Kenwyne Jones and I’ve said that all along. If we don’t bring in one, we’re gambling and I think it’s unfair on the young forwards.” The Black Cats are also being linked with a £5 million bid for Stoke City striker Tuncay. Stoke boss Tony Pulis wants to sell the Turkish striker to fund his own last-minute foray into the transfer market.
Bruce Keeping Tabs on Norway Winger
One player Steve Bruce is said to be keeping an eye on is Norwegian international Erik Huseklepp. The 25-year-old winger plays for Bergen side FK Brann and although he has been watched by a Sunderland scout he is unaware of any Premier League interest in him. “I cannot be bothered thinking about it. I don’t know much about it,” he said.
Newcastle Linked with Keane Move As Ben Arfa Signs Up
Newcastle are the latest club to be linked with a move for Spurs striker Robbie Keane. Talks between the two clubs are said to be at an advanced stage and the Irishman will sign a season-long loan deal with a view to a £6 million permanent transfer next summer if the loan spell is successful. Keane was yesterday being linked with a move to Aston Villa as part of a deal that would take Ashley Young to Spurs. Meanwhile, Newcastle have finally signed Marseille front-man Hatem Ben Arfa. The 23-year-old Frenchman is to join on a season-long loan deal and will join the club for a fee of £5.5 million if he plays 25 league games.
Redknapp Wonder About Absent Sandro
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is worried that his only big-money transfer signing to date has not turned up at the club. Brazilian midfielder Sandro was signed by Spurs from Internacional in an £8 million deal in March but was allowed to remain in Brazil until the conclusion of the South American club championship, the Copa Libertadores, on 18 August. However, the Brazilian hasn’t yet showed up at White Hart Lane. ‘‘Have we really signed him – or is he just a myth?” Redknapp joked. “I’ve never seen him here. He’s supposed to be here … but not today!’‘ Sandro has joined up with the Brazilian squad for a training camp in Spain and Redknapp joked that he may have to go there to see him play. ‘I might have to go to Barcelona for three or four days to watch him – maybe I’ll take the wife!’’
Jenas Set To Stay At Spurs For Now
Meanwhile, Spurs striker Jermaine Jenas is set to stay the club, at least until January. The midfielder has turned down moves to both Inter Milan and Aston Villa after falling down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and was said to be learning Italian. However, the move to Inter fell through after Jenas became unhappy with the wages the Champions League holders were offering him and any move away from White Hart Lane is unlikely to take place before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday.
Fulham Linked With Wilson
Fulham are the latest club to be linked with a move for Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson. West Brom, West Ham and Stoke have all previously been linked with Wilson but Albion have had a £2.5 million bid turned down for the Irishman while Stoke offered £3 million plus Dave Kitson. However, Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou says the club want more than either of those two clubs has offered. Fulham boss Mark Hughes is said to be ready to bid £5 million for the 23-year-old who has another three years left on his current contract at Fratton Park.
Fulham Consider Johnson Loan Deal
Fulham could be about to let USA international striker Eddie Johnson go out on loan to QPR. Fulham signed Johnson from the Kansas City Wizards in January 2008 but he has spent most of his time out on loan, first at Cardiff and then at Greek side Aris Salonica. But now QPR boss Neil Warnock wants to take him on loan at Loftus Road.
Cleverley Set For Wigan
The News Of The World suggests that Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley will join Wigan Athletic on loan on Monday. The 21-year-old has been linked with a loan move to either Bolton or Newcastle but looks set to make the short trip to the DW Stadium. Sir Alex Ferguson wants him to build on the experience he picked up during a season-long loan spell at Watford last season where Cleverley hit 11 goals in 33 games for the Hornets. Cleverley was due to be brought in as a replacement for Charles N’Zogbia but the Frenchman’s £9.5 million move to Birmingham fell through on Friday.
Bouma Set for Wigan
Wigan are set to sign former Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma. The 32-year-old Dutchman left Villa at the end of last season and has been training with PSV Eindhoven. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is looking to shore up his leaky defence and wants Bouma to act as an experienced head to marshal his back four.
Juventus have parted company with David Trezeguet. The French striker had spent 10 years with the Italian club but has had his contract cancelled and is expected to join newly-promoted Spanish side Hercules of Alicante.
AC Milan have signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a fee of 24 million euros. The Swede has left Barcelona after just one season with the Catalan giants after joining from Inter Milan in a deal worth 46 million euros plus Samuel Eto’o.
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Football Transfer News and Rumours, Saturday 28 August
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Wenger Says Squillaci Signing Could Be Last In This Window
Arsene Wenger unveiled defender Sebastien Squillaci as his latest signing yesterday and said it could be his last in this transfer window. The 30-year-old defender has joined from Sevilla in deal said to be worth £6.5 million but he’s only the third new signing for Arsenal since the end of last season – along with midfielder Marouane Chamakh and defender Laurent Koscileny – after losing the likes of Philippe Senderos, Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre. The Arsenal boss is still keen to sign Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer and may still do if Fulham can engineer a loan deal for Manchester City’s Shay Given, but Wenger admitted that there wasn’t much going on in the market. “I’m not ruling it out but at the moment I’m not in a position to sign anyone,” he said. “At the moment, it is all dead.” However, Wenger admitted that signing a central defender has been at the top of his list for some time now and that he has got the right man in Squillaci: “We needed a centre-back of quality and experience if possible, and at the right price. He was all of that,” said Wenger. “He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well. I believe he will be suited to the English game.”
Hodgson Sets About Spending Mascherano Cash
Roy Hodgson is wasting no time to begin spending some of the proceeds from the sale of Javier Mascherano. Hodgson has identified three players, according to the Daily Mirror: left-back Paul Konchesky of Fulham, striker Ola Toivonen of PSV Eindhoven and Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler. While the Konchesky situation is ongoing (see below), it remains to be seen if Liverpool will make any progress with Toivonen given that the Dutch side are adamant that their striker is not for sale at any price, particularly with the transfer window so close to shutting. Inler is a Swiss international who captained his country in their 1-0 win over Spain in the World Cup Finals. He is a 26-year-old central midfielder who first came to prominence at Swiss side Aarau in 2005-06. He was snapped up by FC Zurich before attracting the attention of Serie A side Udinese in 2007. He has made 118 appearances for Udinese in three seasons at the club, scoring six goals. Hodgson is already believed to have made discreet enquiries for Inler; he already has contacts at the club after a brief spell as manager there in 2001. Napoli - ironically one of Liverpool’s opponents in the Europa League group stage – are also said to be interested in Inler and were rumoured to have offered Udinese 12 million euros for him earlier this month. Meanwhile, The Sun suggests that Liverpool are about to sign Raul Meireles from FC Porto in a deal worth £10.7 million. The 27-year-old Portugese international is said by the paper to have agreed personal terms with Liverpool and will undergo a medical early next week.
Liverpool Teen Duo Set for Fulham
Liverpool have offered two teenagers in their attempt to sign Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky. Lauri Dalla Valle and Alex Kacaniklic have both had medicals at Craven Cottage and are discussing personal terms in a deal which Roy Hodgson is hoping will smooth the way for Paul Konchesky’s move to Anfield. Dalla Valle, 18, is a Finland under-19 striker while the 19-year-old Swede Kacaniklic is a midfielder.
Adebayor Told He Is Staying At City
Emmanuel Adebayor’s hopes of moving on from Manchester City have taken a jolt after he was told that he must fight for his place at Eastlands. The striker has been angling for a move in the January transfer window after admitting that “Being sat on the bench for the first game of the season was tough for me.” Hopes of a January departure have been hit after City’s football administrator Brian Marwood suggested that he would have to stay at the club. “A lot of these players need to understand and realise they are contracted to their football club. They have to fight for their place,” said Marwood. “What we are trying to create is a very competitive environment at Manchester City. Emmanuel is no different to Shay Given, or to other players in the squad who want to be playing. We feel if we are to have a successful season we need to have depth in our squad and need to be able to cope with the amount of games we are going to play. It’s not as if he hasn’t played – he’s featured in a few games already. Any player at the club is salaried, contracted and has obligations.”
Fulham Sign Carlos Salcido
Fulham have beaten Liverpool to the signature of PSV Eindhoven left-back Carlos Salcido. The Mexican has signed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage for a fee in the region of £1.6 million. Salcido said: “It has always been an ambition to play in England in the Premier League and it’s great that I have been able to make the move to Fulham today. The season has already started, so I know that I need to work hard with the manager and the team to make sure that I settle quickly, and that I can help the team to do well.”
Birmingham’s N’Zogbia Deal Is Off
Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia has turned down a move to Birmingham City after failing to agree personal terms. The two clubs had agreed a £9 million fee but the Frenchman demanded a £50,000-a-week wage and refused to move when Birmingham offered a slightly lower amount. Birmingham are also likely to pull out of the deal after they heard that N’Zogbia had written abusively about the transfer on the internet. “We did everything that was asked of us and then the goalposts were moved at the last minute,” Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said yesterday. City had an £8 million bid turned by Wigan during the close-season and were criticised by Latics’ manager Roberto Martinez by returning this week and first making a lower offer than had previously been turned down. N’Zogbia missed Wigan’s first match of the season after a fall-out with manager Roberto Martinez. The Wigan boss will be disappointed the deal hasn’t gone through as not only is he faced the prospect of having a player at the club who isn’t happy, but he had also lined up four new players with the proceeds from the transfer.
Spurs Still In Young Pursuit
Spurs still haven’t given up their pursuit of Ashley Young and even this late in the transfer window are still ready to offer Robbie Keane to Aston Villa in part-exchange. The 25-year-old Young was linked with a move to White Hart Lane during the close season and Spurs are ready to offer him higher wages than he earns at Villa and a five-year deal to complete the move.
Blackburn Sign Benjani
Blackburn have signed former Manchester City and Portsmouth striker Benjani. The 31-year-old Zimbabwean international is a free agent and has been training with Rovers for the past few weeks and boss Sam Allardyce has decided to take a chance on him. “He has shown us that we think he will be okay to play for us in the Premier League,” Allardyce said yesterday. Benjani has signed a one-year deal with Rovers but the paperwork wasn’t done in time for him to be considered for today’s game with Arsenal.
Newcastle Finally Set To Sign Ben Arfa
Newcastle are finally set to land the Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. The 23-year-old has been the centre of a bizarre transfer tangle that at one stage involved German side Werder Bremen while Liverpool were also said to be interested. However, Ben Arfa is set to undergo a medical at Newcastle and will complete a season-long loan deal with a view to a £5 million transfer at the end of the season. The transfer looked under threat two weeks ago as Newcastle and Marseille wrangled over the size of the loan fee and Werder were said to be preparing an £8 million bid. Ben Arfa then refused to train with his team-mates in the latest in a long-line of bust-ups with the French club. However, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton said he was looking forward to working with Ben Arfa regardless of his reputation. “He’s an offensive player that can play in any one of three positions, either off the wide positions or off the front,” said Hughton. “He’s a young player, a wonderful talent and a wonderful prospect. Can I handle him? He’s a player of a good age and a good development age and that’s why we’re interested. The main concern about anybody coming into an environment is that he is a player coming into a quite healthy environment with a squad showing a fair amount of confidence. We’d expect anyone coming into that to be very much part of that.”
City Linked With Begovic
Manchester City have – almost inevitably – been linked with Stoke keeper Asmet Begovic. The Bosnian has been the subject of an unwanted bid from Chelsea with the champions offering £4.5 million. Now City are being linked with a bid as boss Roberto Mancini ponders whether to let Shay Given go out on loan. Fulham are also said to be interested as they face up to the possibility of losing Mark Schwarzer to Arsenal.
Blackpool Interested In Richard Wright
Blackpool are interested in signing goalkeeper Richard Wright. The former England international has been without a club since leaving Ipswich at the end of last season and boss Ian Holloway is keen to sign him as back-up for keeper Matt Gilks. Current first-choice keeper Paul Rachubka is sidelined with an injury for at least another month. The 32-year-old Wright has been training with Crystal Palace but has no chance of a deal there as number one choice Julian Speroni looks set to stay at the club. Wright was also rumoured to be interesting West Ham before the start of the season.
Football Transfer News and Rumours, Friday 27 August
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Barcelona and Liverpool Agree Mascherano Fee
Barcelona and Liverpool have agreed a fee for midfielder Javier Mascherano. The club made the announcement on their website this morning and the Argentinian playmaker has been given permission to speak to the Spanish club regarding his personal terms. It is believed he has been offered an £85,000-a-week deal by Barcelona. The size of the transfer fee to be received by Liverpool has not been revealed, however they were believed to be asking around £20 million for the player. The Spanish club said on their website: “The clubs have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Mascherano for the next four seasons. The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations. Barcelona will report the details of the operation once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded. It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend.” Earlier in the week Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson put down a deadline of Sunday for a deal to be done and was willing to select Mascherano for Sunday’s game with West Bromwich Albion if a deal hadn’t gone through by then. Inter Milan were also said to be interested in Mascherano and were said to have faxed a bid of £6 million in cash plus Sulley Muntari. Inter’s interest in the player was unwelcome at Anfield following an agreement made between the club and former Anfield and current Inter boss Rafa Benitez in which he promised not to poach any Liverpool players during the current transfer window. However, Benitez claimed he hdsn’t broken any agreement he made with Liverpool by claiming that he wasn’t involved in transfers. “I will not talk about this because I am the coach,” Benitez said yesterday. “The coach cannot sign any players. It has to be the technical director and the chairman. The club can do it. I am the coach, not the manager.”
Kuyt Pledges Liverpool Future
Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has pledged his future to the club. The 30-year-old, who scored the winning goal in his side’s 2-1 away win over Turkish side Trabzonspor to seal a place in the Europa League group stages last night, had been linked with a move to Inter Milan. Kuyt claimed last weekend that Inter had faxed a transfer bid to Anfield last Thursday, although sources at the club later claimed that the fax was merely a request from Inter to be kept informed of any developments regarding Kuyt. However, Kuyt said last night that he would be staying at the club: “My future is at Liverpool,” he said. “I’ve had four great years at the club. Unfortunately we have not won any trophies, but hopefully I will in the future. The point for me was that I’m 30 years old and I wanted to know if there was interest from any other club in the world. The club spoke to me and explained everything. They said I was really important for Liverpool Football Club. That made me a very proud person and at that point, I focused my thoughts on Liverpool.” Kuyt becomes the third of Liverpool’s stars to pledge his future to the club since Roy Hodgson was appointed manager in July, after both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres did so during the summer. Hodgson was clearly delighted at Kuyt’s decision: “Dirk is a player I’ve always said is an important part of my plans,” said the Liverpool boss. “I made it perfectly clear we don’t welcome any offers and he’s not for sale. That doesn’t mean in the background there have not been talks between his agent and the club, but as far as I’m concerned, he is someone I believe in and count on. It’s important we improve the team around the likes of Gerrard, Reina, Torres and Kuyt, and not sell them.”
Ac Milan Confirm Robinho Interest
Italian giants AC Milan have confirmed that they are interested in Manchester City striker Robinho. The Brazilian confirmed on Wednesday that he would not be joining Turkish sides Besiktas or Fenerbahce, preferring instead to chance his arm and wait for an offer from Italy or Spain. However, any deal for Robinho is likely to depend on the success – or otherwise – of a bid for Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The big Swede is in talks with the Italian club but Milan prefer a loan deal whereas Barca are looking to recoup some of the £45 million they spent on the player last summer. Any deal for Robinho is likely to be on the same lines and will run into the same problems. City had received a cash offer from Besiktas of £16 million plus £10 million in add-ons as City attempted to recover the £32.5 million they paid Real Madrid for Robinho two years ago.
Arsenal In Ladreau Enquiry
Arsenal have made an enquiry about Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau. The Gunners are still interested in Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer but as that particular deal drags on Arsene Wenger is now said to be looking elsewhere. Reports today suggest that Landreau is now in his sights; the 31-year-old keeper is available for around £6.5 million having spent just one season at Lille. After a string of good performances last term he was disappointed to miss out on his country’s World Cup squad. Landreau spent three seasons at Paris Saint-Germain prior to joining Lille and also had a ten-year spell at Nantes, where he made over 300 appearances.
Silvestre Set for Werder Deal
Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is set to join German side Werder Bremen. The 33-year-old, who was released by the Gunners at the end of last season, is set to sign a three-year deal and has the prospect of facing Tottenham in the Champions League.
Fulham In Loan Bid for Santa Cruz and Given
Fulham hope to sign Roque Santa Cruz and Shay Given in a loan deal from Manchester City. The Paraguayan striker is currently considering a move to Lazio while Given is seen as a replacement for Mark Schwarzer who would move to Arsenal should Given head for Craven Cottage. Boss Mark Hughes is hoping to persuade Santa Cruz to join up with him for a third time. He brought the player to England while manager at Blackburn and took Santa Cruz with him to City last summer in a deal worth £18 million.
Newcastle Plan Keane Loan
Newcastle are said to be planning a loan deal for Spurs striker Robbie Keane. Radio station Talk Sport claim that the Toon hope to wrap up a loan deal before the transfer window closes. However, the station also reports that Spurs are unwilling to subsidise any loan deal and that Newcastle will have to pay the whole of Keane’s £65,000-a-week wages.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will find out this weekend if they have been successful in securing a loan deal for Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa. Liverpool are also said to be interested while Werder Bremen have put in an £8 million bid for the player. Ben Arfa’s agent Frederic Guerra is set for talks with all interested parties before Ben Arfa decides his future ahead of the transfer window closing on Tuesday.
Mancienne Joins Wolves for Third Loan Spell
Wolves have signed Michael Mancienne on loan from Chelsea for a third successive season. The 22-year-old first went on loan to Molyneux for a month during the 2008-09 season and he went back to the club for the whole of last season. There were reports this summer that Wolves were ready to pay Chelsea £5 million to make Mancienne’s loan deal a permanent move but earlier this month boss Mick McCarthy blamed Chelsea for the delay on deciding the player’s future and McCarthy chose to spend his transfer budget elsewhere. However, he is still interested in another loan deal for the England under-21 defender and with the 1 September deadline looming for submitting a 25-man squad to the Premier League, McCarthy has offered a third loan deal to give Mancienne regular first-team football.
Celtic To Step Up Schechter Deal
Celtic are to step up their interest in Hapoel Tel Aviv striker Itay Shechter after an abject performance in Holland last night saw them exit the Europa League after a 4-0 defeat by FC Utrecht. Schechter starred in Hapoel’s Champions League victory over Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg this week and Celtic boss Neil Lennon is ready to bid £2.5 million to bring the 23-year-old to Parkhead. However, the Hoops’ elimination from European football could prove a problem with Hapoel ready to taste Champions League action for the first time.
Newcastle Offer New Deal To Taylor
Newcastle have offered defender Steven Taylor a new contract just 24 hours after putting him on the transfer list. Club officials are said to have put a new offer on the table for the 24-year-old defender after he rejected a new deal that would have seen his pay rise from £35,000 to £40,000 a week. Taylor’s representatives have rejected accusations that he has demanded £60,000 a week. However, the Daily Mirror reports that relations between Taylor and the club have now completely broken down after news of his demands was allegedly leaked by the club and he is now ready to see out his current contract and walk away on a Bosman at the end of the season.
Scott Parker About To Sign New West Ham Deal
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is set to sign a new deal at the club, according to the Daily Mirror, but only after the transfer window shuts next Tuesday. The 29-year-old has been offered a five-year deal said to be worth around £75,000 a week but is awaiting further developments regarding a bid from Spurs. Harry Redknapp has bid £8 million for Parker, but West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold have re-iterated that Parker is the only member of the West Ham squad that will not be sold. Redknapp himself admitted last weekend that he was not holding out much hope of doing a deal for the player. If no deal is done by Tuesday then Parker is expected to sign the new deal.
Spurs Interested In Huntelaar Loan Deal
Meanwhile, Spurs are set to do some last minute wheeling-and-dealing after qualifying for the Champions League on Wednesday. Chairman Daniel Levy is said to be in talks with AC Milan over a season-long loan for Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Spurs have been linked with the 27-year-old on numerous occasions over the course of the summer but no bid has been forthcoming. Huntelaar has struggled to establish himself since leaving Ajax at the start of 2009 and had a brief spell at Real Madrid before moving to the San Siro last summer where he hit seven goals in 26 appearances for Milan last term. Spurs will have the option of paying £12 million for Huntelaar at the end of the loan spell.
Blackpool Set To Sign Strike Duo
Blackpool are ready to land strike duo DJ Campbell and Chris Porter. Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that a deal is set to be done for Campbell, who starred in the Seasiders’ promotion season in a successful loan spell from Leicester, while a deal is also close with Motherwell for former Oldham striker Porter.
Birmingham Set For Another N’Zogbia Bid
Birmingham are set to put in another bid for Wigan striker Charles N’Zogbia. The Midlands side were criticised by Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who turned down a bid for the Frenchman this week claiming it was lower than the £8 million bid he turned down at the end of May. Now Birmingham are set to make an improved bid for the player, said to be £9 million, and hope to have the deal done-and-dusted for him to make his debut against Bolton on Sunday.
Wigan Pick Up Lopez
The Daily Mirror reports that Wigan Athletic have picked up striker Adrian Lopez from Deportivo La Coruna. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Malaga but scored only three goals in 28 games for the La Liga side. Meanwhile, Wigan are also looking at a permanent deal for Bolton keeper Ali al-Habi, which will free up another slot for a loan player. Roberto Martinez hopes to wrap up a loan deal for Chelsea striker Franco di Santo although Mexican striker Guillermo Franco has yet to respond to an offer made to him earlier this week.
Football Transfer News and Rumours, Thursday 26 August
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Kuyt Tells Liverpool He Wants To Leave
Dirk Kuyt has told Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson that he wants to leave Anfield. The Dutch striker has been linked with a £13 million move to Italian giants Inter Milan where he would be reunited with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, despite Benitez signing an agreement with his former employers not to sign any Liverpool players during the current transfer window. Kuyt’s agent, Rob Jansen, says the player no longer wants to play for the Anfield side: “Dirk has told Liverpool he no longer wants to be involved as this is something that regards his career and life,” Jansen said. “It doesn’t mean he wants to leave at all costs but when a club like Inter comes along its normal to look into it further.” Meanwhile Inter are said by The Sun to have faxed a £20 million offer for Javier Mascherano despite club president Massimo Moratti saying at the weekend that his club would not be bidding for the Argentine. Hodgson took a swipe at Benitez yesterday for failing to honour his agreement with the club: “When Benitez left the club he signed an agreement that he would not poach players from Liverpool and I think that still applies,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, the agreement with Inter president Massimo Moratti still stands. We have not received an offer from any club for Dirk Kuyt. This is obviously something going on behind the scenes with the agent talking to possibly the manager of Inter. Two things: one, we don’t welcome an offer and two, we haven’t received an offer. At this late stage in the transfer window it would be remarkably unusual for us to accept an offer for a player we don’t want to leave for money we don’t need. I need the player, not the money. We have not received an offer and Dirk hasn’t told me he’d want to leave if one came in.” Kuyt said at the weekend that he was told during Liverpool’s home game with Trabzonspor last Thursday that he was the subject of a faxed offer from Inter, but sources at Anfield later said that the fax was merely a request from Inter asking to be kept informed should Liverpool decide to sell Kuyt. The Dutchman has travelled to Turkey for the second leg game in Trabzon but Mascherano has been left behind in England along with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Meanwhile, there are reports that Liverpool and Barcelona could come to a £20 million deal for Mascherano. Negotiations are ongoing between the two sides but Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson said he would pick Mascherano for Liverpool’s game with West Brom if a deal hasn’t been sorted by then.
Chelsea Revive Neymar Interest
Chelsea are set to revive their interest in Brazilian teenager Neymar, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph. The 18-year-old turned down a move to Stamford Bridge last week in favour of remaining at Brazilian side Santos, but the paper reports that a meeting took place at the club on Tuesday involving agent Pini Zahavi who was involved in brokering the deal. It is understood that Neymar’s father, who also acts as his advisor, is unsure about whether the striker should stay in Brazil. Neymar’s decision became a cause celebre in Brazil and was even praised by the country’s prime minister. It is believed that Chelsea are now angling for a deal in the January transfer window although the buy-out clause in Neymar’s contract was revised upwards from £29 million to £37 million after Chelsea’s failed £23 million bid.
Chelsea To Bid £10m For Sevilla Target Demichelis
Chelsea are set to bid £10 million for Bayern Munich utility player Martin Demichelis. The 29-year-old is in dispute with the German side and has decided to move on, but he prefers a move to Spanish side Sevilla rather than to West London. Demichelis signed for Bayern in 2003 and has made over 200 appearances for the German side, picking up four Bundesliga winners medals and four German Cup winners medals in the process. Barcelona and Juventus have also shown an interest but Demichelis appears to have his heart set on a move to southern Spain where he will effectively replace Arsenal-bound Sebastien Squillaci.
Arsenal Squillaci Transfer To Be Sealed By Weekend
Sebastien Squillaci is not expected to become an Arsenal player before Saturday’s game with Blackburn. Arsenal had hoped to seal the £6 million signing of the 30-year-old French defender some time this week after he underwent a medical at the club on Monday, but Squillaci has gone back to Spain to tie up a few loose ends and the club expect to make an official announcement by Sunday at the latest. Squillaci will wear the number 18 shirt.
Blackburn To Watch Striker Avdic
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has sent his scouts to watch striker Denni Avdic in action for his club Elfsborg tonight. The Swedish side take on Serie A giants Napoli as Rovers ponder making an offer for the £2 million-rated forward. The 22-year-old Swede has hit 17 in 20 games for Elsborg and has already attracted the attention of a number of clubs including Sunderland, Fulham, Wolves, West Brom and Bologna. A convincing display from Avdic tomorrow night could convince the Rovers boss to put in a bid.
West Ham Show Interest In Trezueget
West Ham are the latest club to show an interest in Juventus striker David Trezeguet. The 32-year-old looks to be heading for the exit at the Turin club and has also attracted the attention of West Brom and Aston Villa plus Hercules and Zaragoza in Spain. However, Juventus are said to be keen on a swap deal with Liverpool involving Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
West Ham Seek Walker Loan Deal
West Ham are keen to take Spurs defender Kyle Walker on loan for the rest of the season. The Hammers are allowed one more loan deal from a Premier League club and manager Avram Grant will wait for the last minute before trying to do a deal. Blackpool are also keen on Walker but are bound by the same rule.
Newcastle Put Taylor on Transfer List
Newcastle have put England under-21 defender Steven Taylor on the transfer list after failing to agree the terms of a new contract. Taylor has a year left on his existing deal and has been offered a new deal reportedly worth between £40,000 and £45,000 a week. Taylor is said to be holding out for £60,000 a week – something his representatives deny – which is too much for the cash-strapped Toon and they have decided to cash in on him now rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season. Everton and Blackburn are both said to be interested but both may also find £60,000 a week too demanding. Everton are said to have offered Steven Pienaar a £55,000-a-week contract which would make him the highest-paid player at the club but may baulk at Taylor’s wage demands. Newcastle want a transfer fee of around £4 million.
Liverpool Close To Konchesky Deal
Liverpool are close to doing a deal with Fulham for left-back Paul Konchesky. The Reds have a problem in that area with Daniel Agger currently filling in and although there have been reports linking Konchesky with an improved deal at Craven Cottage talks between the two clubs are advanced and Roy Hodgson is confident of getting a deal put in place.
City Give Jo Last Chance to Shine
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is ready to give £18 million flop Jo one last chance at staking a claim to a place in the side. The Brazilian striker, signed from CSKA Moscow two years ago, has managed just three goals for the team and has been sent out on loan to Everton and Galataseray, neither of whom declined to sign him on a permanent deal. However, Mancini is set to start Jo, who came off the bench during Monday’s victory over Liverpool, in tonight’s Europa League play-off match with Romanian side FC Timisoara. Jo had been tipped to move on, either on a permanent deal or in a loan agreement, before the transfer window closed and Mancini suggested that there might still be a future for him at the club. ‘I have seen Jo in these two months and I think he’s a good player. He has a chance. I saw him when he played for CSKA Moscow, I played against him with Inter and he’s a good striker.”
Bolton Striker Set For Leeds Loan
Bolton Wanderers striker Danny Ward looks set to join Leeds United on loan until Christmas. A number of Championship clubs have been interested in the 18-year-old but it is believed that the Bradford-born Ward has chosen the Elland Road side and will stay there until the January window. “I’m going to allow him out on loan but only until January to allow him to get that Championship experience,” Bolton boss Owen Coyle told the Bolton News. “What I have done with the lad, so that he is comfortable with his environment, I have allowed him to speak to the necessary clubs. Once that’s resolved, we’ll look at the finance involved for the football club and what’s involved in it. Whether it’s concluded this week, time will tell, but we are certainly agreeable to it.”
Fulham In Salcido Talks
Fulham are in talks to sign PSV Eindhoven left-back Carlos Salcido. The 30-year-old Mexican had been a target for Liverpool but with the Reds about to sign Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky, Mark Hughes has moved quickly to sign a replacement. Salcido has also been linked with both Birmingham and Wigan but looks set to sign for Fulham in a £2.5 million deal. He joined PSV after a series of impressive performances for Mexico during the 2006 World Cup Finals and has made 150 appearances for the Dutch side.
Hull Want Villa Defender Beye
Hull want to sign Aston Villa defender Habib Beye. The 32-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Villa Park and looks set to lose his place in the starting line-up when James Collins and Carlos Cuellar return from injury. Hull look set to lose Kamil Zayatte to Newcastle in a £1.6 million deal and boss Nigel Pearson sees Beye as Zayatte’s replacement.
Biemingham Have N’Zogbia Bid Rejected
Birmingham have had a second offer rejected for Wigan midfielder Charles N’Zogbia. City had an £8 million bid rejected during the close season amidst reports that Wigan were holding out for £12 million. Now, a second bid – said to be £9 million – has also been rejected by the Latics. McLeish said yesterday that he wanted a deal wrapped up quickly and suggested that if his bid wasn’t accepted he would move on to his next target. City are also thought to have bid £2 million for Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne.
Stoke Set To Sign Wilson
Stoke are set to sign Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson for £3 million. Dave Kitson will move to the south coast club as part of the deal. Wilson had been a target for West Brom, who had a £2.5 million offer turned down earlier this week.
