Premiership Transfer News/Rumors

[lyfeforce]

The following are transfer news or rumors. Feel free to discuss any other possibilities but keep your comments objective.

Do not indulge in trolling or provoke someone to, you know the consequences.

[lyfeforce]

While Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had recently stressed that there are no problems with Daniel Agger over a new deal and that he is committed to stay at Anfield, now comes a categorical admission from AC Milan that they are interested in signing the Denmark defender in the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old is one of the prospective targets for the Italian giants, disclosed Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Agger had joined the Reds in 2006 and although he had proved his talent with the Merseysiders, he has been unlucky with injuries and as such never established himself in the Anfield side. This season, he has only managed to get a run of games after Martin Skrtel picked up a long-term injury problem.

However, Agger had recently expressed his disappointment that he has not been able to reproduce his top form, and Benitez had also said that the defender is keen to improve. Milan are now trying to exploit the situation and lure Agger to the San Siro.

"We are going to sign a new defender in January, there's is no doubt about that," Galliani told Denmark's tipsbladet.dk.

"We have kept a frequent eye on Agger and his situation at Liverpool and have of course noticed the problems that Agger and Liverpool have on agreeing on a new contract.

"We have a list of three or four names that could be used in the defence. Agger is one of those names.

"We will for sure make a bid for one of them in January."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/liverpool-s-agger-amongst-three-or-four--5516108.html)

[lyfeforce]

Gianfranco Zola is to step up his efforts to bring former Italian Under-21 International Giampaolo Pazzini to the Premier League from Serie A side Fiorentina, according to the Daily Express.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/200px-Giampaolo_Pazzini_2.jpg



Former Chelsea player Zola knows all about 24-year-old Pazzini, having coached the Viola striker, while being part of the Azzurrini coaching staff before taking charge at Upton Park in September.
Fiorentina have always maintained that Pazzini will not be leaving the Stadio Artemio Franchi, despite the striker losing his place in the Gigliati first team to summer signing Alberto Gilardino, who joined Fiorentina from Serie A rivals AC Milan in May.


Pazzini is valued at around £7million by Fiorentina and has scored 24 goals in 96 appearances for the Viola, but has been reduced to playing nothing more than a bit-part for the Italian side under coach Cesare Prandelli this season. With, the former Atalanta striker understood to be keen on a reunion with Zola in the Premier League.


However, it has been widely reported that Zola has to sell players before new faces can arrive at the Premiership club after the collapse of Icelandic bank Landsibank, which the Hammers chairman was a major shareholder in. With reports suggesting that Zola is ready to offload players surplus to requirements at the East London club in order to raise the necessary £7million to lure Pazzini away from Fiorentina.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/west-ham-boss-zola-wants-january-pazzini-5516111.html)

[lyfeforce]

While Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea are reported to be keen on signing a striker in January transfer window, CFR Cluj’s Yssouf Kone has revealed his desire of making a move to England.


The 26-year-old Burkina Faso forward, who was born in Ivory Coast, has proved to be a handful for the opponents in the Champions League as he has scored against Valencia and Roma before netting for the Romanian club against the Blues last night at Stamford Bridge.


Chelsea, however, went on to win 2-1 with Ivorian ace Didier Drogba scoring the winner. However, Kone, who had featured for Norwegian side Rosenborg in the 1-1 draw against the west London club last season, has grown in confidence that he can ply his trade in the Premiership where a host of top clubs including the Blues, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are looking for a striker in the winter transfer window.


"To score against Chelsea is something of a dream realised for me because the English Premier League is my favourite league in Europe and I do hope to move there one day," Kone told BBC Sport.


"It is good to be with the Romanian champions but all players want to reach the top and right now that place is England."


"I have scored against Valencia, Roma and now Chelsea - which is a proud moment because they are such a great side," he added.


"I am tired because Alex and John Terry are such powerful players but I am happy with the goal - even though it wasn't enough for us to win the game - and I am suited to the English game, which is fast, strong and physical.


"For an African, I think England is the place to be. We have the attributes to do well."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/clujs-kone-eyes-prem-move-even-chelsea-s-5516113.html)

[lyfeforce]

Liverpool’s summer signing from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur Robbie Keane, has claimed that he “will score a lot of goals” for the Reds, despite recent reports linking the Republic of Ireland International with a return to Spurs in January.


28-year-old Keane arrived at Anfield from White Hart Lane in a deal worth £20million, but has been misfiring since joining the Merseyside club, with the former Inter Milan player only managing to find the net twice in 15 Premiership matches for Rafa Benitez’s side so far this season.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/175px-Robbiekeane_ie.JPG



Keane was an unused substitute for the 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, which fuelled speculation that the Irishman was due foe a short stay on Merseyside, with Tottenham linked with a January move to bring Keane back to North London.


This led to Benitez, having to tell Keane that he would not be sold in January and that the striker had a future at Anfield, but just needed more time to settle in. Keane, who was restored to the starting line-up for the 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday has also claimed that he wishes to remain at Liverpool and has vowed to repay Benitez’s faith in him by scoring lots of goals for the Reds.


Keane said of his performance against the Eredivisie Champions: “I am happy with my own performance, I was delighted to play in a position that I like, just off the striker.


“It meant that I was always involved, and I got an assist with the third goal. Yes, I like scoring, but I always like helping others get their goals too.


“My confidence has not been affected by things that have been said about me, things like that never get me down.


“I am confident that I will score a lot of goals for this club, I am not worried about the way things have gone, there is a lot more to come from me.


“Some players would let their heads go down and they would be crying, but I am too strong for that.


“I have only been here a few months, and it takes time to settle, so it is too early to judge me now.


“I am always confident in own ability, I have scored a lot of goals in the past, and that ability doesn't go away just like that.


“But I accept that at club like Liverpool, as a striker you are judged on the goals you score. I love scoring goals, but I also love being involved.


“I am just as pleased with assists so I will carry on doing that and it will be fine.”


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/liverpools-keane-some-players-would-be-c-5516114.html)

[lyfeforce]

More coming up...

[lyfeforce]

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is gearing up for the challenge to keep his key players at the Riverside Stadium with a host of Premiership clubs eyeing Boro stars.


The English tactician has stated that he is under no pressure to sell despite having no luxury of funds for the forthcoming transfer window.


As such, the Boro manager faces stern test to retain the likes of England winger Stewart Downing and Turkey international forward Tuncay Sanli who are linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea respectively.


Egyptian striker Mido, who has however, failed to establish his position at the Teesside club; is said to be a target for Wigan Athletic.


Southgate told the club's website: "The chairman and I are in agreement - we have got to build steadily.


"We know we can't throw a lot of money down, so there has to be a balance.


"We have had to do that throughout my time here, but I'm not under any pressure to sell players."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/southgate-under-no-pressure-sell-even-sp-5516115.html)

[lyfeforce]

Alex has made a shocking transfer request at Stamford Bridge that he wants to leave Chelsea in January. According to reports, AC Milan, Sevilla and Panathinaikos are tracking the Brazilian defender.


The 26-year-old is behind captain John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in the Blues centre-back pecking order, and is currently in the side as Portuguese Carvalho is out injured.


"I told Chelsea a few days ago that I wanted to leave," he was quoted as saying in The Sun.


"There are many options. But I have to think them through and see if Chelsea will let me leave in January."


Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is bound to be shaken by Alex’s demand even as the west-Londoners are in the thick of the battle for the title and into the Champions League last-16.


Moreover, Chelsea have insisted that there are no plans to enter the January transfer market, however, if Alex, who moved to the Premiership side from Santos in 2004 but spent three years on loan at PSV Eindhoven due to work permit problems, wants to leave the Blues may have to make the counter plans.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/alex-shock-chelsea-exit-request-ac-milan-5516116.html)

[lyfeforce]

According to reports, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan could be making a £5 million bid for West Ham United striker Craig Bellamy during the January transfer window.


The 29-year old is having a tough time with the Hammers after having joined them from Liverpool in 2007 in an £8m deal. He has managed to score just five times so far.


Bellamy who has already played for Celtic during his four month loan period under Martin O’Neill in 2005, could be on his way out of Upton Park due to the Hammers financial problems and boss Gianfranco Zola could use the funds from the sale of the Welsh ace to bring in a replacement.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/celtic-offer-5-million-west-ham-s-craig--5516117.html)

[lyfeforce]

Everton could offer Premiership rivals West Ham United tough competition to claim the signature of Lazio striker Stephen Makinwa.


The Nigerian claimed that he was not happy at the Italian club and was looking to move elsewhere soon and as such a host of sides are said to be interested.


However there are several clubs in Europe like Greek side PAOK Salonica, Bologna, Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and several Spanish sides who are reported to be keen on the services of Makinwa.


Everton boss David Moyes is searching for a striker after the recent string of injuries to Yakubu and Louis Saha and the 25-year-old Makinwa could a good option.


Makinwa said: "I'm not really enjoying Lazio any longer and I should be leaving before January.


"I've had a lot of offers coming my way already, but I am yet to make up my mind on where I am going.


"The only thing I know is that I should be leaving any time from now."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/west-ham-face-competition-everton-lazio--5516119.html)

[lyfeforce]

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is looking to make a swoop for Manchester City target Kyle Naughton during the January transfer window.


The Villans are said to be lining up a £6million deal for the England U-21 international who is currently on loan at Gretna from Sheffield United.


O’Neill reportedly sent chief scout Ian Storey-Moore to watch the winger during the Blades 1-0 victory over Forest on Tuesday.



On the other hand the mega rich City too have shown keen interest in the 20-year-old, who can also play as right full-back, and could be ready to splash cash if need be.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/villa-battle-man-city-over-kyle-naughton-5516120.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester United are reportedly set to make the double transfer deals with Adem Ljajic and Zoran Tosic said to have flown into England for their medicals.


The Red Devils have already agreed terms with Partizan Belgrade and secured work permit for the 21-year-old Serbia international winger Zoran Tosic.


The move will be sealed at the start of the January transfer window following the successful medical tests.


On Ljajic, who has previously had a trials with Sir Alex Ferguson’s United, it has been claimed in reports in Serbian media, that the 17-year-old attacking midfielder, also dubbed as the ‘Little Kaka’, will too undergo medicals at the Premiership giants.


The Serbia U-21 international’s move apparently is not imminent as it is said that the Red Devils will continue to stay with Partizan until United decide to recall him.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/man-united-medicals-tosic-ljajic-5516121.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Didier Zokora could be on his way to Real Madrid during the January transfer window if the Spanish giants come up with an offer.


Real Madrid’s new boss Juande Ramos, who had been sacked at Spurs in October, has shown keen interest in the player and could be taking him to the La Liga in the New Year.


Ramos mentioned to the Spanish media that Zokora was one of the few players who really impressed him during his time at the White Hart Lane.


Zokora hinted that he is looking forward to reuniting with Ramos and said: "I'm in the world's biggest league, so it will be hard to find something better.


"But I've never hidden my interest in playing in La Liga. Juande Ramos was not to blame for our poor results at Tottenham. They were down to the players on the pitch."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/didier-zokora-could-be-real-madrid-new-y-5516125.html)

[lyfeforce]

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is reportedly keeping a keen eye on Wigan Athletic’s on-loan striker Amr Zaki and could be looking to make a swoop for the Egyptian during the January transfer window.


Brazilian World Cup-winning coach Scolari is apparently keen to add a striker to the squad and is said to be highly impressed with Zaki’s performance for Wigan since the start of the season.


Zaki is on loan at Wigan from Zamalek and the Latics seem to be in top position to gain the player's signature and make him a permanent signing at the JJB Stadium.


However Zamalek would be delighted should Chelsea enter into the race for the player as the Egyptian club have earlier made it clear that they will sell to the highest bidder and since then Spanish giants Real Madrid have been constantly linked with Zaki.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/chelsea-boss-make-swoop-amr-zaki-5516126.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester City are ready to hit the January transfer market 'as early as possible' as they want to bring in reinforcements quickly and resurrect their campaign.


The mega-rich Premiership outfit are currently 14th in the table even with the new owners bringing in a huge amount of resources following their summer takeover, for Mark Hughes to have full backing as they wish to make the Citizens a top club in the world.


While reports have claimed that City are keen on stars like Liverpool striker Fernando Torres for whom a world record £50m bid is being planned, Hughes has maintained that he will be realistic in making the signings that are necessary to strengthen the Eastlands side.


And assistant manager Mark Bowen has now revealed that bringing the targets to the City of Manchester Stadium quickly in the New Year is in itself a target.


He told the Manchester Evening News: "I think, in an ideal world, you would want new players in here on 1st January. Whether that is achievable, who knows?


"We have six games in January, so you would want them in as early as possible. There are, hopefully, two rounds of the FA Cup to play as well as four league games and it is a big month in the calendar.


"Everyone is talking about us at the moment because everyone knows we are one of the biggest players out there in the market and they know we are going to be bringing players in.


"Hopefully, we can get the players in that we want and move onwards and upwards."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/man-city-raring-go-january-transfer-mark-5516127.html)

[Kiwi8]

Wow! U are Football Forum mod liao! Congrats! :)

[lyfeforce]

Wow! U are Football Forum mod liao! Congrats! :)

Errr... thanks. Doing my part by helping out. :)

[lyfeforce]

Man United & Liverpool Linked With Bale

According to reports, Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Blackburn Rovers left-back Stephen Warnock in the January transfer window, while Paul Ince is looking to bring Steve Finnan back to the Premiership after the experienced full-back failed to settle at Espanyol.


Spurs’ left-back position has been up for grabs with Gareth Bale still in the learning process especially on his defending skills, while Benoit Assou-Ekotto has failed to make the place his own. As such, Redknapp is believed to be keen on entering the New Year window to bring in the right player and the former Portsmouth boss was linked with Chelsea’s Wayne Bridge.


But the Mirror has now suggested that former Liverpool player Warnock is a top target for Spurs and if an offer of over £5m is made for the 26-year-old, who has also been interesting Newcastle United, Rovers would consider it.


In the meanwhile with Redknapp not having a significant amount of funds available to spend in the winter transfer window, possibility of departures at the White Hart Lane cannot be ruled out to generate cash. Amongst players being linked with fellow Premiership sides is talented Wales international youngster Bale, who is reportedly interesting Manchester United and Liverpool.


Meanwhile, reports in Spain have claimed that Ince’s Blackburn are leading the chase to land the 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international Finnan, who had moved to Espanyol from Liverpool in the summer but only featured twice for the La Liga side and has been troubled by injury problems.


Ince has also reportedly been tracking Wolfsburg's Marcel Schafer and if he wants to sell Warnock, the Rovers boss will not do it until he finalises the replacement.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-want-warnock-blackburn-lead-race-f-5516129.html)

[lyfeforce]

Reports in Italy have suggested that AC Milan have captured defender Thiago Silva from Fluminense.


The Brazilian international was said to be a target for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea, while Spanish outfit Villarreal were believed to be the leaders in the chase of the 24-year-old not long ago.


However, the Mirror reports that Silva has reached a verbal agreement to move to the San Siro at the end of the season with a fee in the region of £8.5m said to be agreed between the two clubs.


Only on Tuesday, it had looked like Villarreal were set to sign Silva as his agent had claimed a favourable offer, but the mode of payment seem to have floored the proposed move.


Paulo Tonetto had told Marca: "The main obstacle is the method of payment. Otherwise we like the offer from Villarreal and so we will talk to their directors this week.”


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/blow-chelsea-villarreal-ac-milan-snap-th-5516131.html)

[lyfeforce]

Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce is obviously fed up with the transfer speculation surrounding on-loan star Amr Zaki and insists that the Egypt international will be at the JJB Stadium beyond the January transfer window.


The 25-year-old powerful forward moved to the Premiership outfit in the summer on a season’s loan from Egyptian club El Zamalek and has been impressive all along scoring eight Premiership goals. As such a host of top clubs have been reported to be interested in Zaki.


Premiership powerhouse Chelsea, Liverpool, mega-rich Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are linked with the player, while Spanish giants Real Madrid are also said to be keeping tabs on him, despite Latics insisting earlier in the season that they are in a great position to make Zaki a permanent signing at the end of the season.


Bruce has now stressed that Zaki will not leave in the winter transfer window as he urged the player to fight for his place in the side after having been troubled by an injury recently.


"It does become a bit repetitive and boring," the Latics boss is quoted as saying in the Manchester Evening News.


"It is Chelsea this week, Real Madrid last week, Liverpool the week before, Man City before that. I think the whole thing needs to be addressed really.


"He is ours for the rest of the season.


"I know he has done well, but he's missed the last month (with injury) and he needs to make sure he starts playing and gets in our team - because that won't be easy for him either.


"All of this nonsense around him, I do believe gets to him a little bit. But I can't stop this constant speculation about Zaki."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/wigan-boss-bruce-tells-zaki-suitors-egyp-5516134.html)

[Carnage]

Very nice updates but how valid are they? No news regarding the left back position at Spurs.

[lyfeforce]

Very nice updates but how valid are they? No news regarding the left back position at Spurs.

That's why I put the title as News/Rumors. Some may be true, some may be just hearsay.

As for news regarding left back position at Spurs, here it is (http://deluxeforums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showpost.php?p=34314439&postcount=18).

[lyfeforce]

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has dismissed reports claiming that Tuncay Sanli was on the verge of moving to Chelsea during the January transfer window.


The Turkey international forward, who had joined Gareth Southgate’s side on a free transfer from Fenerbahce in June 2007, has been linked with the Stamford Bridge side who are reportedly lining up a £8million bid for the player.


However boss Southgate is hopeful that the 26-year old will continue with the Teessiders.


He said: "I was quite amused at the figure they put on his head, because the club that were linked pay double that for full-backs.


"As you go towards January, you know it can be an unsettling period at all football clubs because speculation runs wild, it's the nature of the transfer window.


"We have to do all we can to try to keep our best players and, if we can add to the squad, we will try to do that."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/southgate-dismisses-tuncay-chelsea-linku-5516139.html)

[lyfeforce]

Zenit St Petersburg boss Dick Advocaat has claimed that he was willing to let go off Andrei Arshavin as the attacker has made it clear that he no longer wants to stay at the club, but the manager insisted that the Russian star is far too good for a club like Tottenham Hotspur or Rangers.


The Russian international was close to completing a switch to Spurs during the summer however the clubs failed to reach to an agreement over the fees.
However the 27-year old has insisted on leaving his homeland side during the January transfer window and Spanish giants Real Madrid are also linked with him.


“As a manager, I would like Arshavin to stay, but as a person he deserves more,” he was quoted as saying in The Daily Mirror.


“But Andrei is too good for Spurs or Rangers.


“It would be better for him to stay in St Petersburg than to go to London or Glasgow.


“Tottenham has a fine reputation, but I doubt that Arshavin will want to move there.


“I do not want to offend Roman Pavlyuchenko but, in my opinion, Arshavin is a much classier player. He needs to move to a really great club.


“He didn’t show his best form recently. For St Petersburg, he doesn’t perform as strongly as he used to.


“For me, it’s obvious that Zenit must let him go.


“I’m sure that as soon as he joins one of the European giants there will be no problem with his motivation.


“In fact, he’ll probably do even better there than he did here.”


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arshavin-too-good-tottenham-advocaat-5516142.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Didier Zokora has insisted that he has no plans of moving away from the White Hart Lane after recent reports suggested that he could be moving to Real Madrid during the January transfer window.

Former Spurs boss Juande Ramos who has taken charge at Real Madrid earlier in the week, is said to have keen interest in taking the 27-year old to the La Liga giants.

However, the Ivory Coast International said: "I love it at Spurs at the moment. I signed a new contract not long ago and Spurs are doing well with Harry (Redknapp).

"You would need to ask a club official (about any interest) but I am fine at Tottenham.

"Real are one of the biggest teams in the world, but there are only links because Ramos is there. He was always linked with Sevilla players when he was here."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/didier-zokora-rubbishes-exit-talks-5516143.html)

[lyfeforce]

Ukranian defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy has revealed that he is being targeted by two Premier League clubs for the forthcoming January transfer window, with reports suggesting that Liverpool could be one of those clubs.


The Reds could be looking for a replacement for Danish international Daniel Agger who is linked with a move away from the Anfield side after the new contract talks were reported to have hit a snag.


The 22-year old, who is currently on loan at Metalurh Zaporizhzhya from Shakhtar Donetsk, admitted that playing in England would be a dream come true for him.


According to Sky Sports, the Ukranian international said recently, “A move to a big club in England would be a dream for me.


“I cannot say the names, but two big Premier league clubs want me, and my agent has been talking to them for some time.”


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/ukraine-s-dmytro-chygrynskiy-replace-dan-5516144.html)

[lyfeforce]

Former Manchester United player Laurent Blanc, who is now coach at Ligue 1 Bordeaux, has vowed to fight any move by Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for Argentine International striker Fernando Cavenaghi.


25-year-old Cavenaghi has been heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane in January and has revealed recently that he would be open to a move to the North London club, should Spurs manager Harry Redknapp make an offer for the forward next month.


Tottenham are considering an offer in the region of £14million for Cavenaghi in January, according to reports in France. Despite, Redknapp revealing earlier this week that there will not be any major signings for the Premiership club, when the transfer window reopens in January.


However, Blanc has declared that he wants to keep the Argentine, but has conceded that the matter could be out of his hands if Tottenham make a big-money move for Cavenaghi next month.


“I want to keep my best players. I'd rather keep a player who scores goals than let him go,” Blanc told France Football.


“But then there's the reality that the coach does not control everything, whether he's at Bordeaux or elsewhere.”


Should Cavenaghi leave Bordeaux in January for Spurs then he would be reunited with Roman Pavlyuchenko, who he played with upfront at Spartak Moscow for two years between 2004-2006.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/bordeaux-coach-resigned-losing-cavenaghi-5516156.html)

[lyfeforce]

A high-profile race seems to be taking shape to prise away Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth with Spanish giants Real Madrid reportedly ready to enter the fray.


The 23-year-old France international midfielder is already linked with Premiership giants Manchester United, while cash-rich Manchester City are also said to be keeping tabs on the former Chelsea and Arsenal player.


Diarra had moved to Pompey in January in search of first-team football and has since risen in stature to be counted amongst the top youngsters in Europe now. He is also linked with Tottenham Hotspur where former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is now in charge.


However, Juande Ramos, who was replaced by Redknapp in October at the White Hart Lane, is now Real Madrid boss and according to AS, wants the former Le Havre player to be a replacement for knee injury victim Mahamadou Diarra at the Santiago Bernabeu.


With Tony Adams’ Portsmouth apparently battling financial problems, a big-money bid over £15m might test the resolve of the South Coast club.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/real-madrid-join-man-united-man-city-spu-5516158.html)

[lyfeforce]

Dutch Eredivisie Champions PSV Eindhoven have confirmed that Premier League club Chelsea have rejected their request to take their former defender Alex back on loan to the Philips Stadion.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/200px-Alex_chelsea_3-1.preview.jpg



26-year-old Alex has become unsettled at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, with the Brazilian International handing in a shock transfer earlier in the week to Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.


Former Santos player Alex, who spent three seasons on loan at PSV from the Premiership club between 2004-2007, is unhappy at being left out by Scolari, with the Chelsea manager preferring Branislav Ivanovic in the absence of the injured Ricardo Carvalho.


PSV director Jan Reker has now revealed that the Dutch side did approach Chelsea about the possibility of taken Alex back on loan at PSV, but was tiold that the Brazilian will not be leavinf the Blues under any circumstances.


“We contacted Chelsea, but the answer was clear: they don't want to let him go under any circumstances,” Reker told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.


Alex has been at Chelsea since joining from Santos in 2004, but was immediately loaned out to PSV due to a joint contract with the Dutch club, with a clause that Chelsea could sign the Brazilian at any time for €1million. An option they took in 2007.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/psv-reveal-chelsea-rejection-alex-loan-m-5516160.html)

[lyfeforce]

Gianluigi Buffon’s agent has rubbished the reports of an imminent lucrative deal for the Juventus goalkeeper at Premiership club Manchester City.


The 30-year-old Italian international has been linked with a move to Mark Hughes’ side for some time now, but fresh reports this morning claimed that the Eastlands club were set to offer Buffon around £250,000 a week to sign.


The former Parma keeper’s agent Silvano Martina told goal.com: “A deal doesn't exist between Manchester City and Buffon, there is nothing at all.


“The paper who wrote the story are dishonest, liars and they only hurt themselves.


“Manchester City have never contacted the player. Whatever has been written this morning is worse than rubbish.


“It's a disgrace and they should be ashamed of themselves. I have never spoken to anyone and Juventus have never received an offer.”


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/buffon-s-agent-furious-manchester-city-d-5516161.html)

[Theatre_of_Dreams]

hmmm...

only knew that man utd was interested in Bale but that was before he moved to spurs..

if they really signed bale then it will be awesome..

Bale is damn gd at freekicks..

also did not saw any news before of man utd interested in diarra..

i wud think that man utd wud rather get veloso or mouthiho from sporting

[lyfeforce]

With the "6+5" rule looming, one has to think of the future.

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur have told La Liga Champions Real Madrid that they will have to pay £20million for winger Aaron Lennon, but have also insisted that Lennon is the only player that will be allowed to leave White Hart Lane for the Bernabeu in January, according to the Daily Mirror.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/200px-Aaron_lennon25.preview.jpg



Since former Spurs manager Juande Ramos took over at Los Merengues earlier in the week the former Sevilla coach has been linked with a number of his former charges at Tottenham. Lennon along with David Bentley and Ivory Coast International Didier Zokora are all reportedly on the radar of the Spaniard.


However, according to the Daily Mirror, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has told the Spanish side that only Lennon will be allowed to leave the Premier League club. With Spurs determined to get top-dollar for the former Leeds United player in a similar stance that saw strikers Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov leave for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively in the summer.


Should the North London club manage to get the full £20million asking price for Lennon off Real Madrid? Then it would represent a massive profit on the winger, who cost Tottenham just £1million in 2005, when he arrived from Elland Road.


21-year-old Lennon has scored 11 goals in 137 appearances in all competitions during his time at White Hart Lane and his performances for Spurs propelled him into the senior England set-up in 2006, with the winger being capped 9 times by his country. Lennon was also the youngest player to play in the Premiership, while at Leeds, when he made his senior debut for the Whites against Tottenham aged 16-years and 129 days in 2003.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-slap-20million-price-tag-real-madr-5516163.html)

[lyfeforce]

Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnaer is set to offer England International striker Michael Owen a take it or leave it deal after the Magpies Premier League clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/250px-Michaelowen_training_newcastle-1.JPG



28-year-old Newcastle captain Owen’s current deal with the Toon runs out at the end of the season and talks about extending the former Liverpool and Real Madrid players stay at St James’ Park have been put on hold until now.


Owen is one of four Newcastle players out of contract at the North East club next year, with Shola Ameobi, Steve Harper and Nicky Butt also coming to the end of their present deals at the Premiership club.


Manchester United along with Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked with a move for Owen next month in recent weeks, but Kinnear has revealed that he wants all four to stay at Newcastle, with captain Owen his biggest concern following the speculation surrounding his future at the Magpies.


Kinnear said: “I would like to get all players out of contract at the moment signed up this week.


“I have spent the last three or four days discussing offers on the table with the four players I want to stay and once I get those out of way I will look at the transfer market and I am then pretty confident I will have two new faces.


“The squad would be stronger with players back from injury but I need reinforcements that is for sure.


“I will put the ball in the players' court and offers will be made and then it is up to them to let me know if they will accept them.”


However, while Kinnear has declared that it will be up to Owen and the others if they accept new deals, Kinnear also insisted that Newcastle, will not be selling any of their best players, with Newcastle battling relegation from the Premier League.


“We won't be selling anybody here until we are out of the position we are in. We are fighting relegation with 10 others and I don't see the point in getting rid of our best players,” he added.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/newcastle-boss-kinnear-offer-owen-take-i-5516164.html)

[Keverus]

siao la tottenham. why want to sell lennon. sad to see owen being treated like this

[poring24]

i think lennon will be smart enough to know he will be another benchwarmer at real

[vasilli07]

i don't think the lennon rumour is real lah...the reason we signed Bentley is becoz Lennon crossing cmi...why would Ramos want to make the same mistake again?

[Theatre_of_Dreams]

siao ah spurs selling away their top stars..

lennon has been one of their better performers for very long already

[lyfeforce]

Arsenal January transfer target Yohan Cabaye has revealed that he is flattered by the interest of the Premier League club, but has insisted that for the moment his focus remains on helping Ligue 1 side Lille (javascript:void(0)) qualify for Europe next season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly tracking Cabaye along with the midfielder’s Belgian International team-mate Eden Hazard, who Wenger has had watched on several occasions and is keen to lure the pair to the Emirates Stadium in January.

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22-year-old Cabaye has been at Lille since 2001 and has come through the academy at the French side, with the midfielder already making over 100 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille since his senior debut in 2004. Cabaye is under contract at the Stadium Lille-Metropole until 2013, but the French Under-21 International hinted that he could leave the French side, with his future dependant on any offers that might arise.

Cabaye told L’Equipe: “In the past, there weren’t all those rumours surrounding me. That’s good - flattering.

“For the moment, I try not to lose my focus. Like every season, my plan is to play the best I can in order to help the club qualify for a European cup.

“Only after that I will see what the best is regarding my future. For sure, I’m happy that my work is being recognised. It’s up to me to work as twice hard to make people speak even more about me.

“(My future) will depend on offers, but reaching the next level in France would be fine. Playing Ligue 1 and Champions League football at the same time would be, super important in terms of development.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/cabaye-flattered-arsenal-interest-watch--5516166.html)

[lyfeforce]

Fraizer Campbell’s future is at Manchester United at least it seems so for now as manager Sir Alex Ferguson ruled out the possibility of the young striker’s stay at Tottenham Hotspur beyond the next summer.


The England Under-21 international had moved to the White Hart Lane on a season’s loan as part of the deal that saw United signing Dimitar Berbatov from Spurs in a club record £30.75 million deal on the summer transfer deadline day.


With Campbell impressing during his opportunities so far with Spurs, suggestions have done the rounds that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp may press for a permanent deal for the youngster.


Even Hull City have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old, who had played an important role in the Tigers’ promotion to the top flight. But Ferguson has declared the Campbell will be back at Old Trafford at the end of the season.


"Fraizer will come back here, there is no question about that," said Ferguson. "The idea for him was to get some experience, so it has been good for him in that respect.


"He has produced some fantastic performances for Tottenham and I am delighted for the boy because he is going to be a good player. His future is here."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/man-united-recall-campbell-5516168.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes wants a return to his former club, Eredivisie Champions PSV Eindhoven, with the Brazilian International apparently telling people at PSV he wishes to quit White Hart Lane to return to the Philips Stadion, according to Dagblad.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/250px-Heurelho_Gomes.preview.jpg

27-year-old Gomes joined Spurs in the summer from PSV for £7.8million, but has had a shaky start to his career in the Premier League, with the Brazilian making a string of high-profile errors in the Premiership since his arrival at the North London club.


Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been linked with a number of keepers in the January transfer window, with Robert green at West Ham United along with Welsh International Wayne Hennessey at Wolverhampton wanderers said to be on the wish list of the former Portsmouth boss.


The Dutch paper claims that Gomes is not happy in the Premier League at Tottenham and is seeking a move back to PSV, who he played for between 2004-2008 and has the record for highest percentage of clean sheets for a goalkeeper in Holland at 60%.


However, Gomes has improved in the last couple of games for Spurs and it is unlikely that Redknapp will let the keeper known as ‘The Octopus’ leave, Tottenham in January. Spurs already look set to off load No2 Cesar Sanchez to Valencia in January and Redknapp has publicly backed the Brazilian to come good in the Premier League.


In addition to this Gomes would have to take a massive pay-cut should he make the return journey from White Hart Lane to the Philips Stadion, which makes a January reunion for Gomes and Eindhoven very unlikely.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/he-wants-gomes-s-5516170.html)

[lyfeforce]

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has kept his plans for the January transfer window tightly under wraps.


The Gunners have apparently no issue of scarcity of funds and the French tactician apparently has the financial backing from the board at the north-London club.


And although there are injury problems with Tomas Rosicky being a long-term absentee having played no part at all this season, while Eduardo is likely to be back in the first team early next year and Theo Walcott is also out for a lengthy spell; in addition to the Gunners’ failure to bring in defensive central midfielder to replace Mathieu Flamini, who left in the summer, Wenger has hinted that he may still keep faith in his squad full of talented youngsters.


Arsenal have been linked with a host of players approaching the winter transfer window with reports suggesting Lille's Yohan Cabaye and Eden Hazard; Fulham's Brede Hangeland, Felipe Melo of Fiorentina and West Ham United's Matthew Upson, are interesting the Gunners boss.
Wenger has however, kept his plans a closely-guarded secret, as he refused to answer the query on transfer plans.


"I won't answer that question," said the 59-year-old, whose last trophy success was in the 2005 FA Cup.


"If I say yes and I don't do it people will ask why I haven't done it. If I say no and we lose one game people will say I am crazy because I didn't want to buy. In England every problem is sorted out by buying a player when you lose a football game.


"We have a team where most of the players are 20 or 21. Instead of saying that they have a fantastic future, OK maybe we haven't had the consistency until now, but we are not disastrous. We have 29 points and are in the position to come back.


"Instead of saying let's believe in these players, everybody says you have to buy five or six players."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-boss-wenger-keeping-january-tran-5516171.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester City have been told by La Liga side Sevilla that striker Luis Fabiano will not be allowed to leave the Rojiblancos in January, with the Premier league club reportedly planning a £25million swoop for the Brazilian International next month, when the transfer window reopens.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/Luis_Fabiano-1.preview.jpg

City, who are expected to be one of the major players in the transfer market in January after the takeover by the wealthy ADUG in the summer have made an approach for 28-year-old Fabiano, according to his agent Jose Fuentes.


Fuentes was quoted saying in the Daily Star recently, “Manchester City have asked about Fabiano but that is not unique because they are just one of many.
“The final decision lays with Seville and I still have to speak to the club's directors.”


However, Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has ruled out the possibility of Fabiano leaving the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for the Eastlands Stadium in January. With del Nido insisting that while the Sevillistas are still involved in all the major competitions it woild damage the team if Fabiano was to leave for the Premiership.


“We have already discarded this opportunity because we feel that it will damage the team,” del Nido is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.


“We are involved in a lot of competitions and at the moment we do not want to lose such an important player. We are not interested in the money. I will not change my mind.”


Fabiano arrived at Sevilla from Porto in 2005 and has scored 64 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish side, with the striker also finding the net 14 times in 23 caps for Brazil.


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/sevilla-resist-25million-man-city-bid-fa-5516173.html)

[lyfeforce]

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has declared that the Blues players will cost the suitors a lot of money over the January transfer window.


The Blues are apparently not looking to sell any of their players in the winter market, but recent reports have linked the likes of Alex, Salomon Kalou and Wayne Bridge with a move out of Stamford Bridge.


While Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven are said to be interested in Brazil defender Alex, Arsenal are linked with Ivorian forward Kalou and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing England left-back Bridge.


However, manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s assistant Wilkins has insisted that if any club come in, they will have to pay a huge sum of money to prise away a player from the West-Londoners.


"Just to kill it here and now I would say if anybody was to come in for any of our players, knowing the quality of players we have, it's going to cost them a lot of money,” Wilkins told Sky Sports.


"So if anybody out there is looking at some our players for the January transfer window then they are going to have to pay lots and lots of money."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/chelsea-stars-cost-lot-money-alex-kalou--5516174.html)

[lyfeforce]

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has revealed that England International Michael Owen is looking at options away from St James’ Park, with the striker due to be offered an extension to his current contract at the Premier League club next week, which expires at the end of the season.


http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/250px-Michaelowen_training_newcastle-1.JPG

28-year-old Owen is among four players at the Magpies, who are out out of contact in the summer, with Nicky Butt, Shola Ameobi and steve harper also set to be offered new deals by Kinnear next week.


However, while Kinnear is confident that Harper, Ameobi and Butt, will all sign new contracts with the North East club the Toon chief is less upbeat about his chances of keeping former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Owen at St James’ Park.


Kinnear said: “We have heard lots of things, that Michael's agent has had lots of clubs on to him.


“Obviously, they will want to know what type of contract we are going to offer him.


“I won't go into those details now, but we will be offering him what we consider an excellent contract considering the climate of what is happening around all football clubs.


“But it will be up to Michael to make that decision.


“I am pretty confident that Shola Ameobi, Steve Harper and Nicky Butt will sign, it's now just down to Michael.


"Michael is well aware of that, so is his agent. They are well aware of my feelings on that, but the ball is in his court.


“I will find out, hopefully, on Tuesday.


"I'm not confident to be honest. I'm pretty confident about everybody else, but Michael is a different kettle of fish.


“He is looking at his options, I assume, but I won't go into those details until Tuesday.”


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/kinnear-resigned-losing-owen-newcastle-s-5516175.html)

[lyfeforce]

Niko Kranjcar has said it will be a stupid decision to move out of Portsmouth in January simply because he has just come back to action following a lengthy injury-enforced layoff.


The Croatia international midfielder has been linked with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur, but Pompey boss Tony Adams has also made no secret about his resolve to keep the talented 24-year-old at Fratton Park.


And Kranjcar’s point of view being against any move away from the South Coast club, should cheer Adams even as financial problems reportedly could force Portsmouth to sell some of their in-demand stars.


Kranjcar, who has overcome an ankle injury recently, said: "For me, my main objective is to keep fit and that's all.


"I've been out for three months,and it would be stupid for me to think about a move in January when I haven't been fit for the beginning of the season.


"I've had rumours about transfers since I was 17 years old and newspapers have probably linked me with every single club in the world, so it's something I don't talk about.


"I'm happy playing football and happy playing for a team in the Premier League which is pushing for the European places."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-arsenal-target-kranjcar-stupid-thi-5516177.html)

[lyfeforce]

Lokomotiv Moscow’s Osaze Peter Odemwingie has revealed that he is hoping to be playing in Premier League soon.


The Nigerian international who joined the Russian side for a €17 million from Lille in 2007, feels that England will be the best place for him to move to as his fans back in Nigeria would love to see him play there.


Odemwingie further went on to reveal his fascination for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal who he has been supporting for a long time.


The 27-year old forward said: "Nigerians back home expect me to (play in England) and keep asking me when am I moving to the Premier League.


"It is a place where Nigerians can watch me every week.


"My contract here is running down and I think my priority this time will be England.


"That's where people want to see me and that's where I also want to be soonest."


He added: "I don't want to mention a name but let me say any of the top four teams will interest me. Personally I like Arsenal a lot.


"I have always supported them even when they had big players like Papillo, (Dennis) Bergkamp and (Thiery) Henry.


"They play the kind of football I like and I have followed them for many years."


Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/lokomotiv-moscow-s-osaze-peter-odemwingi-5516186.html)

[1920_me]

I think keane fate was sealed last night. Harry might come in with a offer for him, come Januaury.

[vasilli07]

CHELSEA TARGET HESKEY, JONES AND DAVIES

EMILE HESKEY, Kenwyne Jones and Kevin Davies are the shock names on Luiz Felipe Scolari’s New Year shopping list.

The Chelsea boss will be forced to scour the bargain bucket for the striker he has made a priority.

It’s in stark contrast to the last transfer window when Roman Abramovich was prepared to smash the British transfer record for Robinho.

Sights But times have changed dramatically since August 31 when only a last-minute bid by Manchester City gazumped Chelsea.

Even so, eyebrows will be raised that Scolari now has the likes of Heskey, Davies and Jones — who scored twice in Sunderland’s 4-0 win over West Brom — in his sights.

All three are big, powerful strikers in the mould of Didier Drogba, which is sure to increase speculation over the Ivorian’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Price

Jones would be the perfect replacement for Drogba but even a £9million transfer tag might prove too prohibitive for owner Abramovich.

He would prefer a smaller outlay for a player who is initially only likely to cover for Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

England striker Heskey will be one of the most sought-after players in the window.

With only six months of his contract remaining, Wigan owner Dave Whelan ready to cash in.

Both Heskey and Bolton’s 31-year-old Davies would only cost in the region of £3m — a price that would suit Chelsea down to the ground.

A Blues insider explained: “All three are similar players who would give Chelsea a totally different option and that’s something we desperately need.

“Okay, they might not score a lot of goals themselves but they are all a handful and can create havoc in any defence.

“The fact is, the days of big spending are over . . . and they won’t be back for a while.”

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/99857/CHELSEA-TARGET-HESKEY-JONES-AND-DAVIES.html

Recession had hit Chelsea...:s13:

Anyway, NOTW always alot of bs with their transfer rumours...just treat it with a pinch of salt...=:p

[Fabiano]

chelsea can buy all 3 of them. Bench anelka.

might as well sign rory delap as well to pump those long throws in for the 3 of them.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

haha Heskey and Davies ? that is 100 percent rumour

Jones and Owen is also rumour but I don't mind if they come to Stamford Bridge.

[lyfeforce]

Newly-appointed Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos is apparently planning to raid the Premiership with the Spanish giants now linked to Tottenham Hotspur’s Roman Pavlyuchenko and Aston Villa’s Ashley Young.

Ever since the former Spurs manager Ramos replaced Bernd Schuster last week, the Spanish tactician has been linked with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon and defensive midfielder Didier Zokora; and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.

Now the latest target according to reports, is Spurs forward Pavlyuchenko, who had moved to the White Hart Lane this summer from Spartak Moscow. The 26-year-old Russia international has so far scored three Premiership goals for Spurs.

According to the Telegraph, Ramos is interested in taking Pavlyuchenko to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Villa’s rising England star Young is reportedly, also interesting the Real boss and it is said that the former Sevilla boss has recommended the 23-year-old former Watford ace to the board.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-pavlyuchenko-aston-villa-s-young-l-5516194.html)

[lyfeforce]

Wigan Athletic forward Emile Heskey has reportedly emerged as a January transfer window target for Chelsea.

The powerful 30-year-old England international is out of contract at the JJB Stadium at the end of the season. As such, he could speak to any club in the New Year and leave on a free transfer in the summer.

On the other hand, Wigan could cash in on the player by accepting the offer by the rivals with reports suggesting a cut-price fee of £3m could be offered for a transfer in January.

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have all been linked with the former Reds and Birmingham City ace.

With Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari apparently keen to sign a striker in the winter transfer window, reports on Sunday claim that Heskey is on the radar for the west-London club.

Chelsea had recently been linked to Wigan’s on-loan star Amr Zaki and Middlesbrough’s Tuncay Sanli.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/chelsea-join-liverpool-spurs-aston-villa-5516195.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is keen on bringing the quality additions to the City of Manchester Stadium in the January transfer window.

Regardless of the big names linked with a move to the cash-rich Eastlands outfit, the former Blackburn Rovers manager is looking to swoop for specific targets intending to strengthen the weaker departments in his squad.

Amongst Premiership players linked with City are, Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz, Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.

"We're going to add to the quality of what we've got here," Hughes told The Observer.

"The list of supposed targets keeps on growing and it will no doubt be bigger before we go into the market.

"The only thing I can assure people is we won't be buying them all."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/man-city-boss-hughes-swoop-premiership-p-5516197.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with a move for Newcastle United captain Michael Owen and Chelsea winger Joe Cole.

According to the News of the World, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp could move for England forward Owen and his compatriot Cole in the January transfer window.

However, Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has insisted that 28-year-old Owen will not be leaving the St James’ Park outfit in the winter transfer window as that would mean that the Magpies could be weakened and get embroiled in a relegation battle at a time when owner Mike Ashley is looking to sell the Tyneside club.

Owen’s contract though ends in the summer when he will be able to leave on a free transfer. A host of clubs including Everton and Chelsea are linked with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward.

Spurs boss Redknapp is also said to be a big admirer of former West Ham United ace Joe Cole and is reportedly keen to reunite with the 27-year-old by bringing him to the White Hart Lane.

However, Chelsea have stated that their players will cost a lot of money and Cole has been a key part of the Stamford Bridge outfit over the recent years. As such, it is highly unlikely that Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will be in any mood to entertain offer for the versatile attacker, who was linked with Liverpool in the summer.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-linked-newcastle-s-owen-chelsea-s--5516202.html)

[lyfeforce]

Newcastle United captain Michael Owen has refused to rule out a January exit from St James’ Park.

The 28-year-old England forward is out of contract with the Magpies in the summer and has been linked with a host of clubs over a New Year transfer.

Owen, who scored the opening goal in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Portsmouth, will be free to speak to other clubs next month as he is yet to be handed a new deal.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the away win today, Owen stressed that he is yet to be offered a new contract at the Tyneside club and that he has nothing more to say.

When asked about the ongoing speculation with the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur said to be interested in the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward, Owen said: “A lot is being made out of this situation.”

Today’s win was Newcastle’s first away success under Joe Kinnear and propelled the Magpies up to 14th place. Obafemi Martins and Danny Guthrie scored a goal each in a crucial victory for the visitors.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/newcastle-s-owen-not-ruling-out-january--5516204.html)

[lyfeforce]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been linked with a January move for French International defender Philippe Mexes at Serie A club AS Roma, according to reports.

Despite, Wenger stating in public that his own French International defender William Gallas will not be leaving the Premier League club in January. After being stripped of the captaincy at The Gunners following his outburst to the press about his team mates at the Emirates Stadium recently. It is widely believed that 31-year-old Gallas will leave Arsenal in January.

Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan have both been linked with the former Chelsea player, with a reunion at Juve under Claudio Ranieri, who signed Gallas for Chelsea, while in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2001 looking the most likely.

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This has led Wenger to start his own search for a replacement for Gallas and he has placed Roma central defender Philippe Mexes on his list of targets to replace Gallas at the Premiership club, with a January move for the former Auxerre player being mooted.

26-year-old Mexes has been at the Giallorossi since joining from French side Auxerre in 2004 and has made 120 appearances in Serie A for Roma during his time at the Stadio Olimpico. With the Frenchman, who has been capped 11 times by France a pivotal figure in helping the Italian side finish runners up to Inter Milan in the Scudetto last season.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-tracking-roma-defender-watch-him-5516205.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has claimed that he is ready to quit the Premier League club in January and return to the German Bundesliga after having limited opportunities at the North London club.

21-year-old Boateng joined Spurs from Hertha Berlin in 2007 for £5.5million, but failed to establish himself at White Hart Lane under previous managers Martin Jol and Juande Ramos. With the German Under-21 International revealing that Jol did not even want to sign him and that it was former Tottenham sporting director Damien Comoli, who pushed the deal through to bring the player to the Premiership.

Boateng, found he was not wanted by Ramos either, who refused to give the German a squad number at the start of this season along with Paul Stalteri, Hossam Ghaly, Ricardo Rocha and Adel Taarabt. Ramos even went as far as to ban the five players from using the first team training facilities.

Now that Harry Redknapp is in charge of Tottenham, Boateng continues to be frustrated at White Hart Lane, with the midfielder only making two substitute appearances for Spurs since Redknapp’s arrival from Portsmouth and now feels that is time to seek a new challenge away from Tottenham.

“I have the quality but I certainly don't have a future in London,” he told the People.

“Tottenham signed Modric, Bentley and Pavlyuchenko and there is no place for me.

“Apparently I did not convince Juande Ramos, even though he was not fully fair to me.

“And as for Martin Jol, he never wanted me - he told me himself. Damien Comolli wanted me and pushed my transfer through.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-midfielder-ready-quit-white-hart-l-5516208.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester United are apparently yet to offer agreeable terms to winger Zoran Toric and as such the deal appears far from being certain.

Reports had been rife of late that the 21-year-old is set to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side when the transfer window reopens in January with the transfer offer already agreed with Partizan Belgrade.

United have also successfully appealed for a work permit for Tosic with the Serbian international having flown into England for medicals.

However, latest reports claim that there is still some ground to be made for the deal to go ahead as Tosic’s agent Zoran Pavlovic has reportedly told the Belgrade Blic daily that United have yet to offer an acceptable salary to Tosic.

According to skysports.com, Pavlovic stated that Tosic would find another club if United did not increase their offer of 150,000 euros (£135,000) annual salary.

Tosic however, is hopeful that he will still be able to complete the move to the Premiership giants.

He is quoted as saying: "I believe we will find a compromise with United, therefore I did not think of any other club."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/man-united-move-serbian-winger-under-thr-5516209.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester City are reportedly lining up a shock move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder David Bentley.

Apart from England international right-winger Bentley, City are said to be set to move for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra with the duo reportedly almost certain to join Mark Hughes’ side.

The Sunday Mirror claims that Hughes wants to reunite with former Blackburn Rovers star Bentley and as such will offer £15million – the same sum that Spurs paid Rovers for the 24-year-old in the summer – to take the former Arsenal trainee to the City of Manchester Stadium with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said to be ready to sell to raise transfer cash of his own.

The report also says that City want Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and that the French international winger wants to talk despite the German club's reluctance to sell.

Amongst those linked with a move out of the City of Manchester Stadium are Brazil midfielder Elano and England Under-21 international defender Nedum Onuoha. Espanyol are mentioned as the possible suitors for Elano while it is said that Onuoha could be used as part of Santa Cruz deal even as Aston Villa are also linked.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/santa-cruz-diarra-bag-man-city-want-spur-5516210.html)

[Carnage]

1 thing is certain to me, Heskey and Owen will move to a new club.

[lyfeforce]

I don't mind Owen coming back to Liverpool. It'd be interesting him play with Torres. One short, one tall. :s13:

[silent_espy]

I don't mind Owen coming back to Liverpool. It'd be interesting him play with Torres. One short, one tall. :s13:

rafa has come out to say that he doesnt want owen....sad but true

[xavier4]

lol boateng.. quite sad for a manager telling u tat he didnt wanted u..

[1920_me]

Manchester City have completed the £18 million signing of Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The People says the Frenchman is not expected to play for Portsmouth again as City do not want to risk their investment.

Diarra, 23, will officially sign on New Year's Day after boss Mark Hughes beat Manchester United and Tottenham to his signature.

The Frenchman will double his money with a £90,000-a-week deal as City's Arab owners flex their financial muscle.


Apparently, this is from tribal, not sure how true it is..


Man City launching £10M bid for West Ham defender Upson


Manchester City are planning a £10 million bid for West Ham defender Matthew Upson.

The Daily Express says City manager Mark Hughes has said he is on the look out for a central defender in the New Year, and 29-year-old Upson has been identified as an ideal candidate to strengthen the Eastlands club's defence.

West Ham have been hit hard by the global financial crisis, and £10 million would come in handy for Gianfranco Zola, who is facing the possibility of losing his big-name players. Craig Bellamy is reportedly on the market at a value of £6 million, and it has been widely speculated that Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole will follow, but Zola insists Upson is off limits.

Upson joined West Ham in January 2007 for £6 million, and his good form has since earned him a regular starting place in Fabio Capello's England squad.


Upson, would be a good addition. But it wont take them to another level

[lyfeforce]

Apparently, this is from tribal, not sure how true it is..

Upson, would be a good addition. But it wont take them to another level

Apparently, other news sources also claimed that Diarra is, more or less, confirmed going to City, Roque Santa Cruz probably too.

Upson is a good defender, no doubt, but he's hardly world class. Maybe he'll surprise us all.

[lyfeforce]

Arsenal have been linked with an astounding £50 million move for Spanish star David Villa during the January transfer window.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is said to be having substantial amount of money so that he can buy in the transfer market in the New Year.

The Frenchman had been linked with Villa during the summer too however the move didn’t take place.

The Spanish international forward’s current club Valencia, are currently facing some serious financial crisis and could be looking to offload quite a number of players. Wenger is reportedly looking to take full advantage of the situation and make a swoop for the player.

The 27-year old who is known to be one of the best strikers in the world is also being targeted by mega rich Manchester City however it is believed that the Euro 2008 star would prefer a switch to the Emirates.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-too-make-50-million-swoop-spanis-5516212.html)

Comment: I've no idea if this is true but it seems to be good news for Arsenal.

[lyfeforce]

Real Madrid have reportedly joined in the race for signing Fulham’s Brede Hangeland, with Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson now claiming that he is uncertain whether the defender will continue at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson insisted that he could not guarantee whether the 27-year old would be with the club post the January transfer window as so many clubs are targeting him.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also linked with a move for the Norwegian international.

Hodgson said: “Everyone is talking about Brede and I would say that he has certainly got the capacity to play for any of the top four clubs.

“But there is no reason not to be optimistic that we can keep this unit together through January.

“I am hoping he might be one of those who is satisfied with playing in what, in my opinion, is quite a good team in the Premier League and that he is not looking necessarily for that extra move.

“My other hope is there won’t be that much money around in the transfer window, because it is pretty obvious that his value to this club is very high.

“But I cannot stand here and guarantee that Hangeland — or Jimmy Bullard, for that matter — will not go because you do not know what type of situation you are going to find yourself in.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-liverpool-real-madrid-target-uns-5516213.html)

Comment: Wow, this guy must be good for such clubs to be interested in him.

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is considering a January swoop for Liverpool’s unsettled Dutch International Ryan Babel, with the former Portsmouth manager set to offer £8million to lure the winger away from Anfield, according to the Daily Mirror.

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/150px-Babel_Oranje.jpg
21-year-old Babel is unhappy at the Merseyside club after finding limited opportunities in the Reds starting-eleven since the arrival of Albert Riera at the Premier League club in the summer. This led the Dutchman to ask Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez for a loan-move back to his former club Ajax, but this move was blocked by Benitez, who has insisted that Babel’s future is on Merseyside.

Although Babel has featured in most of Liverpool’s matches this season. Most of them have been from the bench and now Spurs are set to test the resolve of Benitez, who has been told by the American co-owner’s that he will have to sell players before any fresh faces arrive at Anfield in January.

Redknapp has identified the left side of the squad at White Hart Lane as an area that needs strengthening, with the Spurs boss deploying Aaron Lennon on the left wing in recent matches, who is naturally right footed and is understood to see Babel as the solution to that problem.

Whether Benitez is ready to cash in on Babel in January remains to be seen, but with the winger unsettled and not a regular starter, Benitez might decide that selling Babel to Tottenham would raise the necessary funds to bring in transfer targets of his own next month.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-line-8million-swoop-liverpools-bab-5516218.html)

Comment: Interesting. Maybe we can exchange him for Bale.

[0385985]

is he realli so gd???LOL

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to offer Ligue 1 side Bordeaux £8million for Argentine International Fernando Cavenaghi in the January transfer window, with manager Harry Redknapp seeing the striker as a replacement for summer signing Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is reportedly a target for former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos now in charge of La Liga Champions Real Madrid.

25-year-old Cavenaghi has been heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane in January and has revealed recently that he would be open to a move to the North London club, should Redknapp make an offer for the forward next month.

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Redknapp sees the Argentine as an ideal replacement for Pavlyuchenko, who Redknapp is understood to want to offload next month, with the striker struggling to make an impression in the Premier League since his £14million switch from Spartak Moscow in August.

Former Manchester United player Laurent Blanc, who is the coach at Bordeaux revealed last week that while he would like to keep hold of Cavenaghi at the French club, but conceded that as coach these matters are out of his hands, with the Frenchman seeming resigned to losing Cavenaghi to the Premiership club next month.

“I want to keep my best players. I'd rather keep a player who scores goals than let him go,” Blanc told France Football last Friday.

“But then there's the reality that the coach does not control everything, whether he's at Bordeaux or elsewhere.”

Ironically, should Cavenaghi arrive at Tottenham to replace Russian International Pavlyuchenko. He would be replacing a player that he partnered upfront at Spartak Moscow between 2004-2006.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/pavlyuchenko-out-cavenaghi-spurs-boss-ri-5516219.html)

Comment: I thought Pav was doing well, why would Redknapp want to get rid of him?

[lyfeforce]

Manchester City will have to wait until the end of the season if they wish to add EURO 2008 star David Villa at Valencia to the squad at the Eastlands Stadium, according to reports in Spain.

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/250px-David_Villa_29-6-08.png
City are expected to be a major player in the January transfer market, with owner’s the ADUG keen to flex their financial muscle in order to turn the Premier League club into a real force in European football.

Blues manager Mark Hughes is eager to use some of that wealth to attract a striker of proven world-class quality to the Premiership side, with 27-year-old Villa being heavily linked with a world record transfer of £60million from the Mestalla to the Eastlands next month.

However, the Spanish media are reporting that Los Che, despite rumours of serious financial trouble at the La Liga club want to hold on to Villa until the end of the season. Meaning City would have to wait to sign the prolific striker, who was the top-scorer at EURO 2008 in the summer.

Spanish International Villa has been at Valencia since joining from Real Zaragoza in 2005 and has scored an impressive 82 goals in 146 appearances for Valencia, with the striker also finding the net 24 times in 41 caps for Spain. Making Villa one of the hottest properties in European football.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/man-city-forced-play-waiting-game-euro-2-5516220.html)

Comment: Well, that isn't something the Man City fans would've wanted to hear.

[lyfeforce]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering a January bid for Brazilian International striker Alexandre Pato at Serie A giants AC Milan, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Wenger is eager to get the Gunners faltering Premier League challenge back on track and is understood to have funds available in January to bring fresh faces to the Emirates Stadium after a meeting with new Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Friday.

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19-year-old Pato is believed to be on the list of potential targets for the boss of the North London club, with Emmanuel Adebayor struggling with injuries this term and Nicklas Bendtner failing to impress in the Premiership this season. Although Wenger expects Croatian International Eduardo to return to first team action in the near future, Wenger is keen to add another forward to bolster the frontline at the Emirates.

Pato has been at the San Siro since signing from Brazilian side Internacional in 2007 and had been linked with Arsenal before joining the Rossoneri. Pato has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances for Milan during his time at the Italian club, but it remains to be seen if Milan, are willing to let him leave Italy for England in January or whether Wenger will have to wait until the summer to land the Brazilian starlet.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-target-brazilian-starlet-watch-h-5516221.html)

Comment: Another transfer speculation?

[lyfeforce]

is he realli so gd???LOL

Who? Bale or Babel?

[lyfeforce]

According to latest reports, England forward Michael Owen has been offered a new contract at Newcastle United.

The Magpies captain’s current deal runs out at the end of the season and as such his future was shrouded in speculation with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton linked with a January cut-price swoop for the 29-year-old.

Owen scored the opening goal in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Portsmouth and the crucial win propelled the Tyneside club up in the 14th place and also highlighted his importance to the Newcastle cause.

Toon boss Joe Kinnear stressed that Owen will not be leaving in the winter transfer window, but the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star emphasised after the game that he was not yet offered a new deal.

However, the Tyneside club have apparently moved swiftly on Monday to table their offer and are now said to be awaiting Owen’s response.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/newcastle-united-move-keep-chelsea-spurs-5516222.html)

Comment: He will be essential to Newcastle's progress, as long as he remains uninjured.

[lyfeforce]

Inter Milan are not chasing Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, according to the Italian club’s sporting director Marco Branca.

Speculation has been rife that the Serie A giants, now under former Blues boss Jose Mourinho’s stewardship, were keen on a January swoop for the Ivory Coast star. Last month, reports claimed that Branca had met with the 30-year-old former Marseille ace at a west-London restaurant.

Meanwhile, there have been suggestions that Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari would welcome Brazilian striker Adriano coming to Stamford Bridge apparently as a part of the deal if Drogba moves to reunite with Mourinho.

However, the rumours have been dismissed by Branca as just ‘media speculation’ as he also claimed that Inter are happy with the strikers at the San Siro even as reports claimed that Adriano had fallen out with Mourinho.

"There's no Drogba dream," Branca said on the club's official website. "Inter already have numerous strikers that cover every role.

"Drogba has been at Chelsea for many years and is doing well there. We have our strikers that are also doing well here.

"It is just media speculation."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/inter-don-t-want-drogba-chelsea-want-adr-5516225.html)

Comment: Well, the last line says it all.

[lyfeforce]

According to reports, Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will only think of letting go of Stewart Downing if Tottenham Hotspur offer Gareth Bale plus £15 million.

Spurs have been constantly linked with England winger Downing for their troubled left-flank position and now with Harry Redknapp in charge at the north-London club, it appears that the former Portsmouth boss is keen to find the solution once and for all.

Downing, who has just signed a new five-year deal at Boro, is said to be the top target for Spurs, who are apparently mulling a player-plus-cash deal.

However, the Mail suggests that Boro are not interested in makeweights like Hossam Ghaly, Gilberto and Adel Taarabt, while Welsh left-back Bale is said to be the one that can make the deal possible.

Bale has been struggling to establish himself at the White Hart Lane, but Redknapp has no doubts that the 19-year-old, who moved to Spurs in 2007 from Southampton, can become a top player if he can learn and develop his defending skills to complement his attacking prowess.

Downing, meanwhile, has been an integral part of Boro after coming through the ranks at his hometown club and is the captain of the Teessiders.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/middlesbrough-want-spurs-bale-15m-let-go-5516228.html)

Comment: You gotta be kidding me! Downing worth that much? I don't think so...

[lyfeforce]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to let defender William Gallas leave the Emirates Stadium for Serie A giants Juventus, but wants Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini to come in the opposite direction as part of the deal to reunite Gallas with former boss Claudio Ranieri, according to the Sunday Mirror.

31-year-old Gallas has been heavily linked with a move away from the Gunners when the transfer window reopens next month. With La Vecchia Signora coach Ranieri favourite to land the player he brought to the Premier league in 2001, while in charge at Chelsea.

Gallas, who was stripped of the captaincy at the North London club after criticising his team mates in the media is believed to be available at around £5million, but Wenger is understood to only be willing to let the former Chelsea player leave if a suitable replacement can be found.

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Arsenal have been linked with AS Roma defender Philippe Mexes recently, with 24-year-old Italian International Chiellini now on the radar of the Frenchman to shore up, what has been a shaky defence at the Premiership club this season.

However, it is unlikely that Ranieri would be willing let Chiellini leave for England as the Italian wants Gallas to form a partnership in the heart of the Bianconeri defence with Chiellini. In addition to this Chiellini is valued at as much as three times that of Gallas and is believed to be happy at the Turin side. So despite Wenger being assured that there will be transfer funds available next month after a meeting with new chief executive Ivan Gazidis. It remains to be seen if Wenger would be prepared to spend the extra £10million to replace Gallas, with a like-for-like replacement.

Chiellini has been at Juve since 2005 after joining from Fiorentina in 2005 and has made 93 appearances for Juventus since his transfer from from the Viola. The central defender made his senior debut for Italy in 2004 and has been capped 16 times by the Italians.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-let-gallas-leave-juve-want-chiel-5516227.html)

Comment: Let an old bitter defender go in exchange for a younger one? I'd say, go for it!

[lyfeforce]

Chelsea are set to join Premier League Champions Manchester United in the race for Belgian starlet Axel Witsel, who plays for Standard Liege, according to reports.

Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to be a big admirer of 19-year-old midfielder Witsel and is reported as already having a £19million offer turned down for the Belgian International last month.

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Now Chelsea are believed to have made enquiries about the Les Rouches player, who has already made 78 appearances, scoring 16 goals in the process since making his senior debut for Standard in 2006 after coming through the youth set-up at the Belgian club and was a pivotal figure in Standard winning their first league title in 25 years last season.

Standard Liege however, are in no hurry to let their prodigy leave the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, having already sold one of their stars Marouane Felliani to Premiership club Everton in the summer for £15million, with it unlikely that Wisel will be allowed to leave in January, while the Belgian side are still involved in the UEFA Cup.

This would mean Chelsea having to wait until next summer before starting a bidding war with the Red Devils for the signature of Witsel, with the Blues hoping to have sneaked in to do a deal for Witsel, while United were away at the World Club Championships in Japan.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/chelsea-join-man-united-race-belgian-sta-5516229.html)

Comment: Nice name. Hehe...

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest Premier League club to be linked with a January move for Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic, with Everton, Middlesbrough, Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion all reportedly interested in the Serbian International.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is light in the striker department and despite Argentine Fernando Cavenaghi being heavily linked with a switch to White Hart Lane next month from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux. Redknapp sees Pantelic as a cheap option to bolster his frontline at the North London club, with the Serbian out of contract in the summer and it understood that the Berlin side are prepared to let Pantelic leave for the Premiership in January.

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30-year-old Pantelic has been at Hertha since joining from Red Star Belgrade in 2005 and has scored 42 goals in 101 Bundesliga appearances during his time at the Olympic Stadium. Pantelic made his International debut for Serbia in 2003 and has been capped 22 times.

Despite the interest of the Latics along with the Toffees, baggies and Boro, Pantelic could favour a move to Spurs due to the fact that he speaks the same language as Tottenham players Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka, who arrived at White Hart Lane in the summer from Dinamo Zagreb and Manchester City respectively.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-join-boro-everton-wigan-west-brom--5516232.html)

Comment: He must be good for clubs to chase him at 30.

[0385985]

Who? Bale or Babel?
Hangeland loh....so many pple wan him....

[Wryer]

Hangeland is a huge centre back. Not sure how he will fare in a club where you need to play 'foot'ball. But he is quite fantastic at clearing those aerial bombs - something Arsenal needs.

[vasilli07]

Villa And Silva Are Going Nowhere - Valencia VP
Manchester City are unlikely to prise David Villa away; Barcelona and Real Madrid will not be able to attract David Silva in January, Valencia's vice-president has stated.

Valencia's vice-president has insisted that David Villa and David Silva will not be leaving the club to ease the financial situation in winter transfer window, but admitted that a couple of fringe players may be sold.

Los Che are reported to have had to work out a repayment scheme for their huge debt and have begun by agreeing how to pay back around €40 million that was due by the end of this month.

While the club insist that that the financial problems are not as bad as reports have suggested, the Spanish media believe that it will only be a matter of time before they have to cash in on their star names.

Villa was strongly linked with Manchester City, who are being connected with the majority of Europe's top players, while Silva has long been admired by both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Now Valencia's vice-president, Fernando Gómez, has stated that neither player will be going although he did confess that some other players could well be allowed to go.

"Villa and Silva are not going to be leaving Valencia," he was quoted as saying by El Confidencial.

"There are the possible exits of (Nikola) Zigic and Hugo Viana, but that is because they are players who need to play because here they have not had opportunities."

Zigic has been the subject of interest from Espanyol, Racing Santander and a numbe of English clubs, while Viana is looking to leave to play regularly.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1719/valencia/2008/12/16/1014522/villa-and-silva-are-going-nowhere-valencia-vp

[lyfeforce]

Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel could be open to moving to the big four of the Premier League claimed his former club PSV Eindhoven director Jan Reker.

The Dutch international who joined the Bundesliga giants Munich in 2006 from PSV has been linked with a move back to the Dutch side.

However club director Jan Reker claimed that even though there is a possibility that Bommel could return to them, the 28-year would be more happy to join the Premiership.

"His club Bayern Munich want to become the German champions, they will not let him go during the winter break," director Jan Reker has been quoted as saying.

"But reports that Mark isn't interested in a new PSV adventure are untrue.

"Van Bommel never said 'no' to PSV, but if he can join a big club in England, like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United, he will go there."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/bayern-munich-star-mark-van-bommel-could-5516238.html)


Comment: I think he'll make the most impact at Arsenal.

[lyfeforce]

Former Reds legend Mark Lawrenson has revealed that Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has dropped hints that Robbie Keane could be moving away from the Premier League club in the January transfer window.

The Republic of Ireland skipper joined the Anfield side in the summer from Tottenham Hotspur, but has failed to settle at the Merseyside club, scoring just four goals since his move.

Lawrenson, speaking on Today FM’s ‘The Last Word’, claimed that English international Gerrard told him that he was expecting the player to move on during the New Year.

“I had a drink with Steve at a function on Saturday night,” Lawrenson explained. “He said they share the same agent and he thinks something’s going to happen with Robbie Keane in January.

“It sounds like he might be moved on.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/steven-gerrard-suggested-keane-will-move-5516239.html)

Comment: Looks like he might be moving.

[lyfeforce]

Lyon star Karim Benzema has revealed that it is his dream to be playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid

"It is my hidden dream in sport and it is a dream that is coming closer little by little," Benzema, who is reportedly chased by Premiership giants Manchester United, told Le Buteur

"I like the white kit, the stadium, the atmosphere that exists around the Bernabeu.

“I promised my mother that one day I would play for Real Madrid, and I want that to come true."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is known to be a huge admirer of the £35million-rated French forward.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/35million-rated-manchester-united-target-5516240.html)

[lyfeforce]

Inter Milan are planning a shock swoop for Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, with Nerazzurri boss Jose Mourinho seeing the Danish International as a replacement for Adriano, who looks set to leave the San Siro in January, according to the Mail online.

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/150px-Nicklas_Bendtner-2.jpg
Mourinho had been heavily linked with a move for his former charge Didier Drogba at Chelsea next month, with Adriano to go the other way to Stamford Bridge. However, Inter declared on Monday that Ivory Coast International Drogba was not a target for the Serie A side, with it now emerging that Bendtner is a possible target for Inter.

Whether Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will allow Bendtner, who had previously been linked with a move to Spartak Moscow in January, to leave the Emirates Stadium remains to be seen, but with Croatian International Eduardo on the verge of a return to action for the Premier League club. Wenger could decide to cash in 20-year-old Bendtner in order to strengthen other areas of the squad at the North London club.

Bendtner has been at Arsenal since 2004 and made his senior debut for the Gunners in 2005, with the Dane making 59 appearances and scoring 14 goals during his time at the Emirates. Bendtner spent the 2006-2007, season on loan at Birmingham City, where he scored 13 goals in 48 appearances for the Midlands side and has 8 goals in 22 caps for Denmark.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/inter-planning-shock-swoop-arsenal-strik-5516243.html)

Comment: Can Arsenal afford to lose him?

[lyfeforce]

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly set to beat cash-rich Manchester City to land Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The 23-year-old France international was linked with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and City, who were reportedly eyeing the former Chelsea and Arsenal player for a January swoop of £18m.

However, Real are now said to have reached on the verge of completing the swoop for a £9m deal and reports in Spain claim that the Santiago Bernabeu side are expected to announce the move in the next 48 hours.
Former Spurs manager Juande Ramos, who is now the Real boss, is a big admirer of Diarra and seems to have won the race to take his former Spurs-target to La Liga.

“He is a player I know well, and I would like a player like Diarra here,” Ramos is quoted as saying in The News.

“The big players are already in the Champions League and cannot be signed.

“If the players do not have the quality, then we will miss them - the players have to be worth it.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/real-madrid-set-beat-man-city-man-united-5516244.html)

Comment: This should be interesting. Let's see who gets him.

[lyfeforce]

Néstor Gorosito, who is due to become the coach of Argentine giants River Plate in the New Year has confirmed that either Radamel Falcao a target of Premier League clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur or Diego Buonanotte, will be sold in January to balance the books at the South American club.

River Plate have just suffered the humiliation of finishing bottom of the Argentine Primera Division, which means that Los Millionarios must offload at least one of their two biggest stars, with either Buonanotte, who is a target for Serie A side Napoli or Falcao likely to be sacrificed in January when the transfer window reopens.

“Falcao or Buonanotte will leave,” Gorosito told reporters on Monday.

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22-year-old Falcao had been the subject of offers from Aston Villa and AC Milan in the past, but River Plate resisted the attempts to sign the striker, who has scored 35 goals in 89 appearances for the Argentine sides. Falcao has suffered from a series of niggling injuries during his short career, but is now back to full fitness and is valued in the region of £7million by River Plate.

The Colombian International had previously played down rumours of a switch to the premiership, but with River Plate now having to sell to balance the books it remains to be seen whether Spurs or the Gunners revive their interest in bringing Falcao to England.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/river-plate-forced-sell-arsenal-spurs-ta-5516247.html)

Comment: Looks like the crisis is forcing more clubs to let go their players.

[lyfeforce]

Chelsea, have beaten Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City to the signature of Turkish starlet Abdulkadir Kayali at MKE Ankaragucu, according to sources in Turkey.

The Gunners along with City are understood to have made offers to bring 17-year-old Kayali to the Premiership, but the midfielder has chosen to continue his football education at Stamford Bridge under the guidance of former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Rather, than the Eastlands or Emirates Stadium, where both Mark Hughes and Arsene Wenger were keen to attract the Turkish Under-17 International.

It is understood that a fee of £1.5million has been agreed between Ankaragucu and Chelsea and that Kayali has signed a five-year deal at the West London club, with the youngster due to join the Blues next month when he turns 18.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/chelsea-beat-man-city-arsenal-turkish-st-5516248.html)

Comment: I thought Wenger would beat everyone to it.

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp might have to face a tight financial situation over the January transfer window, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has suggested that the transfer budget would not be affected by the north-London club’s plans to build a new stadium.

Spurs are aiming to climb up into the Premiership table on priority following a disastrous start to the season that lead to Juande Ramos’ regime coming to an ill-fated end and Redknapp was installed as the White Hart Lane boss in October.

Spurs have since made encouraging progress, but the former Portsmouth boss is believed to be keen to sign a goalkeeper and a forward at least in the New Year and reports have claimed that he may have to sell to raise his transfer funds.

“Managers are never satisfied. If you look at the performance of the team since Harry Redknapp came in as manager, we would be in the top four had the season started when he took over on 25 October,” Levy is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

“We will do whatever we can, but it is just that it is very difficult to buy high quality players during the January transfer window.

“I do not envisage any major transactions in or out of the club next month. When the financial world is falling apart around us, we have to exercise caution, although we will keep an open mind, should the right opportunities arise.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/no-major-arrivals-or-departures-spurs-ja-5516250.html)

Comment: I wonder what promises Redknapp was brought in on.

[xavier4]

lol bloody hell.. 2 sad news when i came in..

1st) benzema will wan to go madrid.. NOOO !! arsenal/liverpool pls !!
2nd) villa silva not for sale.. :( tot they might come lpool/arsenal..

[xavier4]

woots !! arsenal eye-ing another striker tat i made in my Arsenal XI.. my top 4 strikers.. benzema PATO aguero vela.. will arsenal target aguero soon? :s13:

[Theatre_of_Dreams]

woots !! arsenal eye-ing another striker tat i made in my Arsenal XI.. my top 4 strikers.. benzema PATO aguero vela.. will arsenal target aguero soon? :s13:


arsenal wont buy benzema and aguero la.. they are too exp..

and i dont think Pato will come cheap either

[poring24]

Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly set to beat cash-rich Manchester City to land Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The 23-year-old France international was linked with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and City, who were reportedly eyeing the former Chelsea and Arsenal player for a January swoop of £18m.

However, Real are now said to have reached on the verge of completing the swoop for a £9m deal and reports in Spain claim that the Santiago Bernabeu side are expected to announce the move in the next 48 hours.
Former Spurs manager Juande Ramos, who is now the Real boss, is a big admirer of Diarra and seems to have won the race to take his former Spurs-target to La Liga.

“He is a player I know well, and I would like a player like Diarra here,” Ramos is quoted as saying in The News.

“The big players are already in the Champions League and cannot be signed.

“If the players do not have the quality, then we will miss them - the players have to be worth it.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/real-madrid-set-beat-man-city-man-united-5516244.html)

Comment: This should be interesting. Let's see who gets him.

Now city will be bidding 30m. Heck, why not 50m

Can't see him staying at real for long, M.Diarra will come back from injury eventually and still got gago.........We all know he hates bring benched :(

[lyfeforce]

La Liga Champions Real Madrid have reportedly made a £15million offer for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, with former Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos keen to bolster a depleted midfield at the Bernabeu, according to reports.

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/250px-Xabi_Alonso.jpg
Ramos is already reportedly on the verge of signing Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and now reports in Spain claim that Spanish International Alonso has also been the subject of a bid from Los Merengues. Ramos revealed on Monday that he needed two new players at the Bernabeu in January, with the former Spurs boss identifying the Madrid midfield as an area that needed strengthening.

Ramos told As: “We want a right winger and a midfielder. The club are working on it and I’m hopeful two talented players with a fighting spirit will join us pretty soon.”

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was eager to offload 27-year-old Alonso in the summer to raise the funds to buy Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. However, Serie A giants Juventus, who were keen on the midfielder baulked at the Merseyside clubs asking price and opted for Christian Poulsen at Sevilla instead.

Now with defensive-midfielder Mahamadou Diarra out through long-term injury, Ramos has found himself short in the centre of midfield and is believed to have made a firm offer for Alonso, who has been at Anfield since 2004 and has made 183 appearances for the Premier League club.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/liverpools-15million-alonso-join-real-ra-5516253.html)

[lyfeforce]

Manchester United are apparently set to end the uncertainty surrounding a possible permanent deal for Carlos Tevez with the Argentina star revealing that the negotiations are at a 'very advanced' stage.

The former Boca Juniors and Corinthians forward moved to Old Trafford in 2007 summer on a two-year loan deal in a complex move after a season at West Ham United.

Tevez has been impressive all along with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and both the parties have maintained that the deal would be made permanent. However, the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov in a club-record deal in the summer, made Tevez’s first-team chances limited and as such speculation has been rife that the 24-year-old may go elsewhere at the end of his temporary spell.

Manchester City had been linked with Tevez, while Spanish giants Real Madrid were also said to be interested in the energetic forward. However, he has now revealed that the breakthrough in contract talks at United is in sight.

"We have been talking about it and everything is very advanced, as a consequence I think it will be sorted soon," he told Argentine daily Ole.

"I feel respected by my team-mates and by the technical staff."

On the ongoing fight to get into the Red Devils playing XI, he said: "I think it's part of my life.

"Everywhere I have been I had to fight and it ended up with titles.

"I think that God tests me, not each year, but each month. And at the end of the day, winning league titles makes me feel great.

"The only club I didn't win any title with was West Ham, but people told me, regarding the way we escaped, that it was like winning one.

"I can't explain how happy I am when I win a title after a massive fight. I prefer it this way. That's the story of my life: I have overcome obstacles since I was a kid.

"And right now I'm not going to change. I'm at the best club in the world and fighting for your position is normal."

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/tevez-future-man-united-be-clear-soon-5516255.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur, who are reportedly tracking Fernando Cavenaghi, should be encouraged by the statement of the Bordeaux striker that he is willing to listen to offers although he is not thinking of leaving the French club.

Harry Redknapp is believed to be keen to bolster Spurs attack in the January transfer window and the 25-year-old Argentine international has been constantly linked with the north-London club.

Cavenaghi told French newspaper L'Equipe: “I don't think about it (leaving). However, I am keen to listen to good propositions. I have to manage my career.

“But I don't want to leave. If I have to stay I would be very happy because I feel at ease at Bordeaux.”

Should Cavenaghi leave Bordeaux in January for Spurs then he would be reunited with Roman Pavlyuchenko, who he played with upfront at Spartak Moscow for two years between 2004-2006.

Last week, Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc had declared that he wants to keep Cavenaghi, but had also conceded that the matter could be out of his hands if any club make a big-money move next month.

“I want to keep my best players. I'd rather keep a player who scores goals than let him go,” Blanc told France Football.

“But then there's the reality that the coach does not control everything, whether he's at Bordeaux or elsewhere.”

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-could-head-queue-cavenaghi-keen-li-5516256.html)

[lyfeforce]

Tottenham Hotspur are planning a sensational £7million January swoop for Liverpool and Aston Villa target Antonio Valencia at Wigan Athletic, according to The Mirror.

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-planning-7million-swoop-liverpool--5516257.html
23-year-old Valencia has been heavily linked with a move away from the JJB Stadium next month, with the Ecuadorian International reportedly on the wish list of both Reds manager Rafa Benitez and Villans boss Martin O’Neill, who are both eager to lure the right winger away from their Premier League rivals.

Now Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is understood to be interested in the Latics midfielder, with former White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos now in charge at Real Madrid said to be keen on Tottenham wingers Aaron Lennon and David Bentley.

Should the Los Merengues coach make a move for either Lennon or Bentley next month, Redknapp has identified Valencia as the player to fill the void left by any departure at the North London club.

However, Tottenham will face stiff competition from Villa and Liverpool along with resistance from Wigan boss Steve Bruce, who has always maintained that Valencia will not be leaving the JJB in January and is a pivotal part of the Latics team.

Valencia joined Wigan from Recreativo on a permanent basis in 2007 after a successful loan spell at the JJB the previous season, with the midfielder making 59 league appearances and scoring 7 goals for the Latics since his arrival in the Premiership.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/spurs-planning-7million-swoop-liverpool--5516257.html)

[Carnage]

Valencia is good. Can't see him staying at Wigan for long.

[lyfeforce]

Serie A giants Juventus are planning a double swoop for unsettled Liverpool pair Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger, with La Vecchia Signora hoping to take advantage of the financial problems at the Premier League club to lure the duo away from Anfield, according to The Mirror.

21-year-old Babel’s agent revealed recently that the Dutch International had wanted a loan move back to former club Ajax, with the winger growing frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities at the Merseyside club this season. Reds manager Rafa Benitez blocked this move, but Babel still remains unhappy at Anfield due to having to settle for a place on the bench this season under the Spaniard.

http://www.premiershiplatest.com/files/images/190px-Daniel_Agger2_cropped.preview.jpg
Agger (above) has also become unsettled at Liverpool for much the same reasons as Babel, with the Danish International falling behind Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel in the pecking order for a place in the heart of the Reds defence. Agger has been handed an opportunity recently due to an injury to Skrtel, but it remains to be seen whether the Dane can hold on to his place when Skrtel returns for the Premiership side.

In addition to this 24-year-old Agger is locked in talks over a new deal at Anfield and is also believed to be a target for AC Milan, who are keen to bring Agger to the San Siro to replace ageing stars Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri has also been heavily linked with William Gallas at Arsenal, with the Gunners interested in his own central defender Giorgio Chiellini. Should Gallas arrive in Turin and Chiellini go in the opposite direction then Ranieri sees Agger as the ideal replacement for the Italian. While, Babel is wanted by Ranieri to replace Czech star Pavel Nedved, who is coming to the end of a distinguished career at Juventus.

With it understood that Liverpool have to sell before they can buy in January, Juventus hope to take advantage by making an offer for the unsettled pair, which could see the duo leave Liverpool, with Benitez needing to raise funds for his own transfer targets next month.

Source: Link (http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/juve-planning-swoop-liverpool-pair-5516258.html)

[Carnage]

Juve can have both of them only upwards of 25M only.

[Keverus]

With Manchester City leading the way, clubs are already busy planning their shopping lists for the new year.

Speculation has been flying around since the end of August over which star names City will spend their millions on, but there are other teams keen to strengthen as well. Here's a breakdown of some of the major transfer talk.

ARSENAL

Outgoing: William Gallas (AC Milan) could find himself hit by the Gunners' exit door after his comments about his team-mates disrupted the side's season. The Frenchman is apparently keen to stay, but a big offer could force Wenger's hand. Kolo Toure (Man City) has also been linked with a move, but the only other departures may be in the form of loans like Carlos Vela (West Brom) or Alex Song (Newcastle).

Incoming: A central defender and defensive midfielder should top the list, so Yaya Toure (Barcelona) and Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon) could come in. Xabi Alonso (Liverpool) would cost in excess of £15million and Wenger does not like spending big, so may be more tempted by the likes of Stephane Mbia (Rennes), Blaise Matuidi (Saint Etienne) or Steven Defour (Standard Liege).

ASTON VILLA

Outgoing: Rumours surrounding Gareth Barry's (Liverpool) future won't go away, especially with talk that Arsenal are chasing Xabi Alonso. The Villa skipper will surely leave in the summer if the club don't make it into the top four this season, but Marlon Harewood (Stoke) may not be around to see that happen as he has failed to make much of an impression.

Incoming: A striker looks to be top of the list with Emile Heskey (Wigan), Kevin Doyle (Reading) and Dean Ashton (West Ham) all linked. Of the three, Heskey would seem to fit the Villa attack best, although Martin O'Neill might fancy a cheeky bid for Michael Owen (Newcastle) or Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn).

BLACKBURN

Outgoing: Roque Santa Cruz (Man City) has made it clear that he sees his future away from the struggling club. Stephen Warnock (Newcastle) is another who may choose to jump ship, while Morten Gamst Pedersen (Middlesbrough) could be a perfect replacement for Stewart Downing on Teesside. Robbie Fowler (Grimsby Town) may also choose to drop down to the lower leagues.

Incoming: The club are not an attractive prospect at the moment, but could offer Steve Finnan (Espanyol) a return to the Premier League. Also tracking Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City), Rovers could take advantage of City's squad clear-out and pick up a bargain. Taking 21-year-old Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (ENPPI) on trial, Tore Reginiussen (Tromso IL) is another to have caught the eye.

BOLTON

Outgoing: While the club will be hopeful of keeping hold of star goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen (Newcastle), the future of Danny ****tu (Birmingham) and Ricardo Vaz Te (Barnsley) is less clear. Heidar Helguson (QPR) may make his loan move permanent after being knocked down the pecking order by Johan Elmander.

Incoming: A club on the up, Gary Megson would do well to prise Joe Ledley (Cardiff City) away and David Nugent (Portsmouth) may also provide the side with added strike power. Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn) could arrive to give the side more strength, along with Gelson Fernandes (Manchester City).

CHELSEA

Outgoing: Didier Drogba (Inter) continues to be linked with a move to Italy, but a more likely sale could be either Scott Sinclair (Birmingham) or Ben Sahar (Crystal Palace). Alex (AC Milan) could also depart after growing tired of life on the bench, but with John Terry and Michael Essien (Manchester City) ridiculously touted to head north to Eastlands, that could be it.

Incoming: Already told that they won't be spending any cash, Phil Scolari still has his eyes on a striker and may try and persuade Robinho (Manchester City) to come to London. Michael Owen (Newcastle), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) and Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) have all been suggested as possible targets, but realistically it will be tough for Roman Abramovich to sanction any deals while trying to cut costs elsewhere.

EVERTON

Outgoing: A side with precious little depth, Everton won't be looking to sell many players this January as they try to build their push for Europe. Keeping hold of Joleon Lescott (Tottenham) who will be attracting attention with his goalscoring exploits from the back is their main task.

Incoming: A striker is top of the list after Yakubu, James Vaughan and Louis Saha all succumbed to injury. Brazilian hitman Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow) might cost too much, so David Moyes might direct his attentions to Marko Pantelic (Hertha Berlin), Emad Motaeb (Al Ahly) or Eljero Elia (FC Twente) instead. The Toffees may also return for Portugal star Joao Moutinho (Sporting Lisbon) after being rebuffed in the summer.

FULHAM

Outgoing: With Roy Hodgson bringing stability to the side, the Fulham fans will be loathe to see any of their stars leave. Jimmy Bullard (Everton) has been the man most in demand, while the club will also hope to hold on to 15-year-old prospect Dominic Vose (Arsenal) who has been interesting the big-boys.

Incoming: A creative wide man in the mould of Peter Lovenkrands (Schalke 04) or Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn) could top the bill, while Hodgson may also hope to persuade Finland defender Sami Hyypia (Liverpool) that his future lies in West London. Swiss midfielder Benjamin Huggel (Basel) is also on the radar.

HULL CITY

Outgoing: With the club flying in the Premier League, Tigers' boss Phil Brown won't want to upset the balance of his side. He may choose to let Dean Windass (Leeds) go though and Wayne Brown (Derby County) could be another to leave as the club go from strength to strength.

Incoming: Basing their transfer policy on experience over the summer, the club could go the other way in January, having been linked with Colin Kazim-Richards (Fenerbahce) and Roger Johnson (Cardiff City). Signing Marlon King (Wigan) on a permanent deal could prove to be their best business of the transfer window.

LIVERPOOL

Outgoing: The sale of Xabi Alonso (Arsenal) may provide some much-needed cash, but Rafa Benitez will be more keen to let the likes of Jermaine Pennant (Portsmouth) and Sami Hyypia (Fulham) leave. Forced to clarify the future of Daniel Agger (AC Milan), Ryan Babel (Ajax) is apparently getting bored of life on the bench, but the Reds boss will be hoping to keep the bulk of squad together.

Incoming: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) is still high on the list, while a return for Emile Heskey (Wigan) is on the cards. The Reds may seal a double swoop for Heskey and Luis Antonio Valencia from the Latics, while they have also been linked with Amr Zaki (Zamalek FC) to boost their struggling strikeforce. Young players to join the reserves could also come in Franco Zuculini (Racing Club), Keirrison (Coritiba) or Paul Pogba (Le Havre).

MAN CITY

Outgoing: It could be anyone, but the names at the top of the list are those who aren't getting a game. Elano (Inter Milan) has expressed his dismay at being left out of the side, while Nedum Onuoha (Blackburn) may not fancy his chances of cementing a first-team place under the new regime. Likewise Gelson Fernandes (Bolton), while £20 million striker Jo (CSKA) has been such a flop he's already been linked with a move back to Russia.

Incoming: For the sake of saving space, City have been linked with every top player in the game since September and have a chance of getting a few of them. David Villa (Valencia), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn) and Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth) seem the most likely, but City fans would be in heaven if they could attract Kaka (AC Milan), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) and Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid).

MAN UTD

Outgoing: The future of Carlos Tevez is very much up in the air as the Argentine has not been given much of a chance to shine at United since Dimitar Berbatov's arrival. Can United afford to spend £32 million on a player who may well request a transfer in the summer if he remains a bit-part squad member? The signs are that he might leave, but United have other fish to fry with Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Ben Foster (Tottenham) also eyeing moves away.

Incoming: Karim Benzema (Lyon) would make a half-decent replacement for Tevez, but the Red Devils may focus on other areas before the summer. Serbian winger Zoran Tosic (Partizan Belgrade) will arrive after getting a work permit, possibly with team-mate Adem Ljajic, and Sir Alex Ferguson has also been keeping tabs on young Axel Witsel (Standard Liege) and Nicolai Boilsen (Brondby).

MIDDLESBROUGH

Outgoing: Boro will do well to keep hold of Stewart Downing (Tottenham) in their twice-yearly fight to keep their best player, while Mido (Wigan) may been let go to replace Emile Heskey at the JJB. Adam Johnson (Ipswich) also looks set to swap the Riverside for pastures new.

Incoming: Hoping to steal Steven Defour (Standard Liege) from under the noses of the big-boys, Boro have also targeted Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn) if they are forced to sell Downing. Stephen Appiah (Unattached) would be cheap, although not in terms of wages, and Julian de Guzman (Deportivo La Coruna) may prove to be a better option.

NEWCASTLE

Outgoing: Michael Owen (Chelsea) does not look he'll stay beyond his expiring contract in the summer and the Toon should try and get at least £5 million for the striker with a host of clubs interested. French winger Charles N'Zogbia (Paris Saint-Germain) has seemed unhappy for a while and may be let go, while Alan Smith (Hull) has almost been forgotten since his injury problems began and might seek a fresh start.

Incoming: Joe Kinnear has already targeted John Arne Riise (Roma) and Denilson (Arsenal), but may have to be content with Stephen Warnock (Blackburn) and Ashkan Dejagah (Wolfsburg). The club would no doubt love to have the likes of Aiden McGeady (Celtic) and Liedson (Sporting), but may struggle to attract top players with the ''hysteria'' surrounding Mike Ashley's handling of affairs.

PORTSMOUTH

Outgoing: Despite owner Alexandre Gaydamak's intent to sell the club, Pompey have said they will only sell if they get ''ridiculous offers''. Cue bids for Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Lassana Diarra (Manchester City) and Glen Johnson (Tottenham); but expect Tony Adams to hold firm unless you're David Nugent (Bolton) or Hermann Hreidarsson (West Brom).

Incoming: Wingers are top of the list and Adams might look to former Arsenal midfielder Jermaine Pennant (Liverpool) or head over to the other part of North London to grab Aaron Lennon (Tottenham). Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split) and Torric Jibril (Hearts of Oak) are some names you may never have heard of, but Adams will be more concerned with keeping, than buying.

STOKE CITY

Outgoing: Intent on keeping a number of his star players, Ryan Shawcross (Ipswich) and Glenn Whelan (Plymouth) look likely to be the only two of Tony Pulis' side to head for the exit. Rory Delap (Bolton) is attracting attention, but the club would be crazy to let their most lethal weapon go.

Incoming: A striker to capitalise on Delap's long throws may come in; and Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) fits that bill nicely. Gary Caldwell (Celtic) can strengthen the defence, while the Potters have apparently been given the green light to sign Ghanaian midfielder Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscow).

SUNDERLAND

Outgoing: Pascal Chimbonda (Lyon) has made it very clear he would be willing to ''walk'' to France to get a transfer, while Marton Fulop (QPR) and Michael Chopra (Cardiff) could find themselves surplus to requirements. With a host of players in the squad, expect there to be a few departures before anyone comes in.

Incoming: Stephen Hunt (Reading) will still be attracting attention, although less so now that Roy Keane is no longer boss. The direction the club takes over their transfer policy will depend on their new man, but Djibril Cisse (Marseille) and Colin Kazim-Richards (Fenerbahce) would be good long-term buys if they can stay in the top flight.

TOTTENHAM

Outgoing: A number of fringe players should be on their way out of White Hart Lane, with Hossam Ghaly (Sheffield United) and Kevin Prince Boateng (Birmingham) top of the list. Redknapp might reluctantly let Aaron Lennon (Portsmouth) go to snare Jermain Defoe, and Adel Taarabt (West Brom) will also find himself another club before his career stalls any further.

Incoming: Andrey Arshavin (Zenit St. Petersburg) should be the club's major investment this January, as they seek to strengthen their striking options, with Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth) also a possibility. Harry Redknapp loves a good deal so Ben Foster (Manchester Utd) could come in on loan and £12 million for England left-winger Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) might seem like a bargain once he has a few games under his belt.

WEST BROM

Outgoing: Hard to sell players when you're sitting at the bottom of the table, West Brom may decide that Carl Hoefkens (Ipswich) should drop down a division, while Paul Robinson (Celtic) has been attracting envious glances from Gordon Strachan in Scotland.

Incoming: Adel Taarabt (Spurs) and Marc-Andre Kruska (Borussia Dortmund) could provide some much-needed squad depth. Spanish striker Oscar Trejo (RCD Mallorca) could cost £5 million, but the Baggies will need more than that to stay in the top flight. Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth) is a tough defender who could do that, and they could do worse than snaring Carlos Vela (Arsenal) on loan.

WEST HAM

Outgoing: The club have been told they do not need to sell in January to cover losses due to the credit crunch, but they may choose to anyway. Gianfranco Zola could part company with Nigel Quashie (Birmingham), while Dean Ashton (Aston Villa) has been attracting attention despite being injured. Matthew Upson and Robert Green (Tottenham) are required to bolsters Spurs' defence, but should not be let go.

Incoming: Stephen Appiah (Unattached) might find himself a club if he lowers his wage demands and Benjamin Huggel (Basel) could also be called in to strengthen the midfield. Italian starlet Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus) would be a great addition, but he has unfinished business in Turin and will not make the move to the Premier League in January despite all the paper talk.

WIGAN

Outgoing: Emile Heskey (Aston Villa) looks most likely to leave as he has been unable to agree a new contract; but he could be joined by Marlon King (Hull) who has found a new lease of life at the KC Stadium. Ryan Taylor (Bolton) might seek first-team action elsewhere and, as usual, the club face a battle to keep hold of Luis Valencia (Liverpool) and Wilson Palacios (Manchester United).

Incoming: If the club can secure a permanent deal for Amr Zaki (Zamalek FC) they will pull off a real coup, but he won't come cheap and they may look to another Egyptian, Mido (Middlesbrough), to replace Heskey. Kevin Doyle (Reading) has also been linked, while the impressive Sylvain Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) could make the step-up to the Premier League sooner than he thought.

Source (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=600581&sec=england&root=england&cc=4716).

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Arsenal gunning for Manchester United striker Tevez in club record bid

Manchester United's Carlos Tevez has become a target for Arsenal after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

The Sunday Mirror reports Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will attempt to lure the Argentine striker to the Emirates next summer - which would shatter the club's previous transfer record of £13million for Sylvain Wiltord in 2000.

The move could also come about if the Gunners are unsuccessful in their £20m pursuit of Russia forward Andrei Arshavin to bolster their squad in January.

Tevez joined Manchester United on a two-year deal in 2007 and the deal runs out next June.

But United have dithered over making his stay permanent, which would cost them £32m.

The 24-year-old has also seen his chances limited by the arrival of £31m striker Berbatov and is unhappy at the prospect of sitting on the bench.

The Mirror also claims Tevez will discuss his future with adviser Kia Joorabchian, who is an executive box holder at the Emirates.

United broke the mold of selling to rivals Arsenal this season when they allowed Mikael Silvestre to join the club last summer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1099306/Arsenal-gunning-Manchester-United-striker-Tevez-club-record-bid.html?ITO=1490

[1920_me]

Arsenal dont have the money to spend on tevez and besides their priority is not to get a striker but re-invest in their defence and now battered midfield.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Arsenal dont have the money to spend on tevez and besides their priority is not to get a striker but re-invest in their defence and now battered midfield.

Tevez will be a great addition to Arsenal side ~ I think in the end Real Madrid, Inter Milan or Bayern will sign him instead especially Real.

[RVN]

no chance tevez will go to arsenal, I hope man united make his deal permanent soon and stop the vultures coming in for him.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

no chance tevez will go to arsenal, I hope man united make his deal permanent soon and stop the vultures coming in for him.

Man U no money or Ferguson looking for cheaper alternative ?

[silent_espy]

sad....all the reports are of liverpool selling their players and not buying any replacements......benayoun, pennant, babel, alonso, keane, hyypia and agger.

[laksanice]

If Portsmouth's Diarra cost 18.5 million pound, I don't see why Alonso could cost just 14 mil.

Hope Man City won't cause another increase in transfer fee as what Chelsea did last time.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

If Portsmouth's Diarra cost 18.5 million pound, I don't see why Alonso could cost just 14 mil.

Hope Man City won't cause another increase in transfer fee as what Chelsea did last time.

Diarra is a excellent dm can defend and bring the ball up and pass the ball acting as DM playmaker like Makelele and Essien

[Carnage]

Arsenal dont have the money to spend on tevez and besides their priority is not to get a striker but re-invest in their defence and now battered midfield.

I think you might find that Arsenal might have the most funds to spend in January amongst the top 4.

Consider the fact that they have been making profits but never spending much.

Consider the fact that they have yet to bring in a new face to replace Eduardo since he got injured last season.

Consider the fact that their strike force only consists of RVP, Adebayor, Bendtner and Eduardor. The former 2 consists of a player sidelined for more than 5mths and the another not playing well at all.

MAkes bolstering their attack perfect sense to me.

But you do have a point that their defense needs some shoring up as well.

[nottibeans]

I think you might find that Arsenal might have the most funds to spend in January amongst the top 4.

Consider the fact that they have been making profits but never spending much.

Consider the fact that they have yet to bring in a new face to replace Eduardo since he got injured last season.

Consider the fact that their strike force only consists of RVP, Adebayor, Bendtner and Eduardor. The former 2 consists of a player sidelined for more than 5mths and the another not playing well at all.

MAkes bolstering their attack perfect sense to me.

But you do have a point that their defense needs some shoring up as well.

We got Vela. Dun need to buy striker.. I prefer selling either Ade or Bendtner. Then buy a DM.

[Michael Shoemaker]

We got Vela. Dun need to buy striker.. I prefer selling either Ade or Bendtner. Then buy a DM.

you know it is like covering up a hole , and another hole appears.

arsenal should not sell , they need to buy instead.

their depth is the worst among the top 4 or top 5.

[nottibeans]

you know it is like covering up a hole , and another hole appears.

arsenal should not sell , they need to buy instead.

their depth is the worst among the top 4 or top 5.

Our depth is our Carling Cup team...lol We need to sell some in order to see more sexciting players progress up... I already sian of Adebayor style for 2 seasons riao.. Bendtner is same pattern wan.. We also must sell either one of Diaby & Eboue so that we can see more of Ramsey, Wilshere or Merida. Right now we must buy a DM 1st cos there isnt a decent one among our youngsters. Denilson & Song is still not ripe yet.. Just my own view.. Arsenal fans dun flame me..lol

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Pennant Reject Real Madrid The Biggest Club In The World Because Of Wages If The Rumour Is True Then It Is Really Silly Of His Part To Reject Real Because Of Wages. At Least He Can Get Some Football Action At Real Madrid With All The Injuries They Have Now ~

[laksanice]

I am not sure about the Pennant situation, he can go to wigan and other EPL clubs and probably play first team football or go Real Madrid and sit on the bench.

For Real Madrid, it could be a way of getting insider information for Ramos for the Champions league tie in Feb, and since La Liga generally have more technical players than EPL, I just can't see how Pennant can improve or help Real Madrid. Regarding his wages, I think Spain have a higher tax to pay compared to the UK, hence Pennant might just want to make sure he do not take a pay cut and sit on the bench

[laksanice]

Our depth is our Carling Cup team...lol We need to sell some in order to see more sexciting players progress up... I already sian of Adebayor style for 2 seasons riao.. Bendtner is same pattern wan.. We also must sell either one of Diaby & Eboue so that we can see more of Ramsey, Wilshere or Merida. Right now we must buy a DM 1st cos there isnt a decent one among our youngsters. Denilson & Song is still not ripe yet.. Just my own view.. Arsenal fans dun flame me..lol

IMO Arsenal need to have a poacher in the penalty box to finish off the chances created by the good movement of the team. Adebayor is a threat in the air but his finishing is never the highest quality and his finishing sucks big time in impt matches. Bendtner is not clinical as well, and RVP tend to get injure. Vela and Eduardo could be the answer.

As for the DM role, Arsene Wenger might need to swallow his pride and buy big. DM is a specialist role and require bags of experience to master the role.

[Carnage]

We got Vela. Dun need to buy striker.. I prefer selling either Ade or Bendtner. Then buy a DM.

I thought there's a report that Vela was going to be loaned out?

[nottibeans]

I thought there's a report that Vela was going to be loaned out?

Simpson loaned out to West Brom.. Wenger keeping Vela. :o
Go West Brom! :D

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

I thought there's a report that Vela was going to be loaned out?

It will be really silly if the rumours of loaning of Vela is true he is good enough to play in the first team ahead of Adebayor.

[Carnage]

Simpson loaned out to West Brom.. Wenger keeping Vela. :o
Go West Brom! :D

My bad my bad. Wrong youngster.

[dreamer75]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/12/28/article-0-02CDD9B0000005DC-290_224x423.jpghttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/12/28/article-0-00D7F23F00000578-138_224x423.jpg

Manchester City have made West Ham a combined offer of £15million to try to prise Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker from Upton Park.

The bids were rejected out of hand on Sunday night as the Hammers moved to 10th in the Barclays Premier League table with a 2-1 home win against Stoke.

Although City, who drew 2-2 at Blackburn, will be back with an improved offer, the West Ham board hope the decision shows the supporters there is an ambition to withstand pressure to sell.
.
Parker

Craig Bellamy (left) and Scott Parker have been the subject of bids from Manchester City

They have not encouraged City to improve on the offers of £7.5m each for Bellamy and Parker.

City’s interest in Bellamy, who was suspended for Sunday’s win, is widely known and while Parker is a surprise name on City’s wish list, he is considered better value for money than Villarreal’s Marcos Senna, who is 32.

West Ham have rejected a £6m bid from Tottenham for Bellamy, whom they value at around £12m, but insist they do not want to sell despite their much-reported financial problems.


City, backed by the vast wealth of the Abu Dhabi royal family, will be back with an increased bid, however.

Another leading City transfer target, Kolo Toure, is believed to have expressed his desire to leave Arsenal, although the Gunners last night denied any knowledge of this.

These are the first signs of City flexing their financial muscle and West Ham are certain to come under more pressure as manager Mark Hughes builds a team to climb the table when the transfer window opens on Thursday.

[GetFuzzy]

Why would Man city need Bellamy and Parker? ._. I am really puzzled.

[idiort]

man city too desperate liao.. west ham shud sell them for 25 mil pound at least.. then can buy players also

[Asakura]

Why would Man city need Bellamy and Parker? ._. I am really puzzled.

probably some news released by the agents to raise up their price tag

[othniel80]

With their money there are better players to pick from, I seriously doubt the authenticity of this piece of news

[nottibeans]

Why would Man city need Bellamy and Parker? ._. I am really puzzled.

I think Man City dun need to buy strikers... can give chance to Sturridge & Caicedo. They look zhai to me.

Hughes should sell their club capt Dunne lol & buy some defenders 1st...

[Deunamist]

Gallas to Milan is a good move considering how Milan needs some serious quality backup in the defence with Nesta seemingly out for the entire season, and it will be good for Arsenal as well.

[vasilli07]

Gallas to Milan is a good move considering how Milan needs some serious quality backup in the defence with Nesta seemingly out for the entire season, and it will be good for Arsenal as well.

i like gallas too...but it's the chelsea gallas that i prefer...at arsenal, he whines when the chips are down...:s22:

[nottibeans]

Gallas to Milan is a good move considering how Milan needs some serious quality backup in the defence with Nesta seemingly out for the entire season, and it will be good for Arsenal as well.

What abt Sendeross?

[Deunamist]

he has been busy making use of Milan's injury recovery facilities....:s27:

by the way if it's not on this thread already, i heard Everton are interested in Fiorentina's Pazzini, after the injuries to Yakubu and Saha. Pazzini is a good young prospect but he is not getting much play with Mutu and Gilardino already spearheading the Viola.

[Carnage]

Seriously doubt Arsene Wenger is going to sell at all. He needs to improve his squad, not deplete it.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/BREAKING-TRANSFER-NEWS-Dec-30.4830152.jp

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has hinted that his future may not be at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari is lining up a £10m bid for Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. (Daily Mirror)

More North-East football....
Hartlepool Utd / Newcastle Utd / Sunderland / Middlesbrough

West Ham have turned down a £12m offer from Tottenham for striker Craig Bellamy. (The Sun)

The Hammers have told Manchester City that they want £20m for Bellamy and midfielder Scott Parker. (Daily Star)

Liverpool are preparing a £4m bid for Wigan and England forward Emile Heskey. (The Sun)

Chelsea are also keen on Heskey, whose Wigan contract ends in the summer. (Daily Telegraph)

Wigan themselves are interested in Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant. (The Times)

Pennant's arrival at the JJB Stadium could signal the departure of midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia to Real Madrid. (The Times)

Tottenham are also keen on out-of-favour Pennant. (Daily Express)

Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes is wanted back by his old club PSV Eindhoven. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe also wants a return to his former club, with Tottenham keen to bring the striker back to White Hart Lane. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal are preparing a £8m bid for Newcastle keeper Shay Given. (Daily Express)

But Tottenham also want Given and could offer Gareth Bale as part of the deal. (Daily Express)

Spurs could also move for Manchester United keeper Ben Foster, who is now third choice at Old Trafford. (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle will move for Sheffield United's out-of-favour keeper Paddy Kenny if Given leaves. (Various)
Blades put Kenny on transfer list

But Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia is being lined up by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. (Daily Telegraph)

Wenger has vowed to defy the credit crunch and spend in January, with Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin still high on his priority list. (Daily Mirror)

Everton manager David Moyes is keen on Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini. (The Sun)

Fulham face a three-way fight from Marseille, Paris St Germain and Borussia Monchengladbach for Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu. (The Sun)

Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate has recommended former team-mate Stewart Downing to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp. (Daily Mirror)
Southgate rules out Downing sale

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has urged fellow frontman Roque Santa Cruz to resist a January move to Manchester City. (Various)

Manchester City forward Daniel Sturridge is close to signing a new contract at Eastlands. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea striker Florent Malouda is being linked to a move with Bayern Munich. (Daily Telegraph)

West Brom have made an offer for Paris St Germain striker Peguy Luyindula. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton manager Gary Megson is lining up West Ham defender Calum Davenport. (The Sun)

Everton have warned Manchester City off midfielder Mikel Arteta and defender Joleon Lescott. (Guardian)

QPR are favourites to win the chase for Aston Villa winger Wayne Routledge. (Daily Mirror)

Cardiff City are hoping to bring former defender Glenn Loovens back on loan from Celtic. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland striker Michael Chopra looks as if he will stay at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season. (The Independent)
Sbragia ends Chopra's loan spell

[idiort]

without arteta,i think everton will struggle sia

[Deunamist]

Andrea Dossena linked to Milan but his agent has refuted the rumours.

but apparently Dossena might be unhappy with losing his first team place to Emiliano Insua.

any Pool fans care to comment?

[Michael Shoemaker]

if i am arteta , i rather stay in everton and play first team football week in week out.

go arsenal be stand in player? what the fiak is that?

at his age , i guess he wants regular football also.

[dle4e_2005]

Blues close on Bridge

Manchester City are expected to make Chelsea full-back Wayne Bridge their first signing of the January transfer window after agreeing a £10 million transfer fee for the England international.

Chelsea have confirmed an approach from City to sign the 28-year-old and Bridge is due at the City of Manchester Stadium to thrash out personal terms to bring an end to a frustrating five-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge, where he was a peripheral figure.

City manager Mark Hughes had identified his defence as a problem area and the signing of England international Bridge will come as a huge relief for the former Blackburn Rovers manager, who had also considered a swoop for Bayern Munich left-back Philipp Lahm.

Bridge is set to sign a four-year contract at City and is expected to earn close to the £4m-a-year wages he earned at Chelsea since moving to Stamford Bridge from Southampton in a £7million deal in 2003.

The left-back is behind Ashley Cole in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and has started just three Premier League games so far this season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is reportedly eager to sign CSKA Moscow's Yuri Zhirkov as a replacement for Bridge, although "Russia's Ronaldinho" has earned far more recognition as an attacking winger rather than a left-back.

The 25-year-old is a Russian international and the Blues may face competition for the highly rated player.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=606249&sec=transfers&cc=4716


WTF!! crazy..
Now we know why Robinho ish worth 32m or 3 W.Bridge

[Cumzilla]

....
WTF!! crazy..
Now we know why Robinho ish worth 32m or 3 W.Bridge

so how much do u think he's worth?

[vasilli07]

I don't think it's crazy...bridge is english, an proven international and playing for an english club. His defending is on par with Cole. 10 million is a reasonable price.

[idiort]

10m is cheap...

[Deunamist]

10 million is a reasonable price for an English international considering how overrated and overpriced they are these days.

[dle4e_2005]

so how much do u think he's worth?

6million
He would be made the highest paid full-back in the world by Man city at 110,000pound per week

but glad that he would be joined by his old friend SWP

[poring24]

10 million is a reasonable price for an English international considering how overrated and overpriced they are these days.

Don't worry, City will be bidding 80m for Kaka next.

English Nationals are overrated and overpriced!

Italian Nationals are all awesome, magical, and cheap!

[Deunamist]

i didn't know Kaka played for Italy :s13:

[idiort]

Hahahhaha.. Italian Kaka..

[poring24]

Just talking about the Serie A's transfer window, I probably wasn't paying attention to what I was typing, you may change that to Chiellini/Pirlo/Any important player that would be worth a lot of money

But City would probably try to bid for Kaka

[Cumzilla]

Just talking about the Serie A's transfer window, I probably wasn't paying attention to what I was typing, you may change that to Chiellini/Pirlo/Any important player that would be worth a lot of money

But City would probably try to bid for Kaka

hope he bid for half a dozen more players to replace half the team that played today

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Tevez To Leave Man U ?

His loan deal has still not been made permanent.

And Fergie said United chief executive David Gill is having problems agreeing the details with his owner and agent Kia Joorabchian.

He wants the £32million that was verbally agreed when he first moved to the club but United now value Tevez at less.

Ferguson said: “We have been trying but it’s difficult sometimes with agents.”

[xavier4]

Andrea Dossena linked to Milan but his agent has refuted the rumours.

but apparently Dossena might be unhappy with losing his first team place to Emiliano Insua.

any Pool fans care to comment?

imo.. i dont think we got the time to let him blend in liao.. we already got aurelio.. and insua seems promising oso.. so.. why not? SELL !!

[TrueBeliever_jh]

dunno old news or not..

Downing to hand in transfer request

By Soccernet staff

January 5, 2009

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Tottenham Hotspur target Stewart Downing handed in a transfer request to his club Middlesbrough on Monday.

GettyImages

Downing: Tipped for Tottenham transfer.

The England international is eager to move to White Hart Lane and following Boro's rejection of a "derisory" £6million offer from Spurs Downing has taken steps to force through his departure from the Riverside Stadium.

Although Boro chairman Steve Gibson has warned Tottenham counterpart Daniel Levy to forget about signing their £15 million-rated winger it looks like player power will provide the driving force behind any deal.

Downing signed a five-year contract last February but when Ayegbeni Yakubu handed in a transfer request to force through a move to Everton, Boro boss Gareth Southgate decided there was no point in hanging on to a player who did not want to be there.

However, it is expected that Gibson will reject Downing's transfer request and on Sunday night the Boro chief broke his silence regarding Spur's pursuit of his player.

"I can confirm we have received an offer from Spurs for Stewart Downing and I can also confirm we have rejected that offer," Gibson said. "I've spoken to Daniel Levy and told him categorically that their interest is not welcome.

"I've also told him we will not entertain any further offers for Stewart or, for that matter, any other senior member of our squad. The same applies to Tuncay and it also applies to Gary O'Neil.

"I repeat: none of our senior players will be leaving the Riverside Stadium this month. We've got a talented group of players and it's time for us to knuckle down and focus on the job in hand. As far as we're concerned, this is now an end to the matter."

On Sunday, Southgate claimed Downing, 24, remained unaffected by speculation over his future following his starring role in the FA Cup victory over Barrow.

The Boro boss said: "Stewart played in the middle of the park for us on Monday night (at Manchester United) and I think it has given him something else to focus on. It has given him a freshness and I think it gave us a bit more creativity."

Southgate is under no pressure to sell, although he had made no secret of the fact that he will have to raise his own funds if he wants to buy this month.

Teesside-born Downing has won 21 senior England caps to date, the last of them in the 2-1 win over Germany in Berlin in November, and has made 164 appearances for Boro since making his senior debut in 2001.if he goes... Southgate has to come out of retirement liaoz:s22:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=606985&sec=transfers&cc=4716

[silent_espy]

dunno old news or not..

if he goes... Southgate has to come out of retirement liaoz:s22:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=606985&sec=transfers&cc=4716

:s13: ya and play left wing for boro.....if he plays well maybe aston villa will buy him back :s13:

[vasilli07]

Finally...Jermaine Defoe has come back to WHL...:D

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/defoedealagreed060109.html

[TrueBeliever_jh]

Finally...Jermaine Defoe has come back to WHL...:D

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/defoedealagreed060109.html
wah... the partnership with Crouch is sibei short lived....

some competition with Darren Bent I supposed

[xavier4]

great to see defoe back to spurs.. he gonna wear 18?

[1920_me]

Defoe's deal: WHAT A MESS

Jermain Defoe's return to Tottenham Hotspur has yet to be finalised and reports suggest that not only has a fee yet to agreed with Portsmouth but the deal could also come under close scrutiny for a possible breach of transfer rules.

The delay in Defoe's move will cause confusion amongst fans who witnessed the player's unveiling at White Hart Lane ahead of Tuesday's 4-1 win over Burnley in their Carling Cup semi-final first leg tie.

Fans greeted Defoe warmly after it seemed the striker had completed a £15 million move from Fratton Park after just 12 months on the south coast.

However, it is understood that a final deal is yet to be agreed between the two clubs and paperwork remaining unsigned; as such Defoe's registration remains with Portsmouth.

Added to that, Premier League rule L19 states: "A Club which transfers or cancels the registration of a Player may not apply to register that Player within a year except with the prior written consent of the Board."

It is less than a year since Defoe was loaned to Portsmouth and technically Tottenham still held his registration until May when the transfer was made permanent. The only player ever to be permitted such a move was Chris Powell when he returned to Charlton, though he was without a club.

And Tottenham have previous experience of the rule when they initial attempted to sign Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson. That fell through when the Premier League blocked Spurs from loaning him back to the Elland Road side immediately.

Further muddying the waters are reports suggesting Defoe's mother could have played a part in negotiating his return to White Hart Lane, a fact which would breach transfer regulations as she is not registered to do so.

Last year Defoe split acrimoniously with his former agent Sky Andrew, who is now suing the player for breach of contract. Andrew alleges Defoe was illegally represented by an unregistered agent in his £7 million January 2008 move to Portsmouth.

As a result of the continuing case Defoe was unable to appoint new representation and was therefore left to negotiate the move to Spurs himself. The Guardian reports that Andrew could make a further claim against Defoe if his mother, Sandra St Helen, influenced the transfer.

In another twist it has been reported that the deal initially stalled Defoe when Defoe demanded Portsmouth pay him a £700,000 loyalty bonus due to him because he did not seek a move away.

Despite the uncertainty Defoe has begun training with Spurs, but at present would be ineligible to play for Harry Redknapp's side.

[vasilli07]

simple...just loan him back 1st, transfer in the summer.

[Carnage]

What if.. just what if... Tevez moves to Man City?

[eddygames]

look at mancity now. you think he will go?

[tksksks]

i rmb alex ferguson saying dat he will nt b adding to his squad in the january transfer window...now nt even 1/3 of the transfer window he has alr signed 3 players...hu noes if animore r coming...wat irony...

[vasilli07]

Defoe is 101% a Spurs player...and he will be available for the wigan game...

http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/?cms_id=78&qs_articleid=1999&qs_media=html

[MoneyHoney]

look at mancity now. you think he will go?

Tevez might not be so convincing when it comes to winning championship but u can bet he's the top man when it comes to fighting against relegation ;)

[xavier4]

i rmb alex ferguson saying dat he will nt b adding to his squad in the january transfer window...now nt even 1/3 of the transfer window he has alr signed 3 players...hu noes if animore r coming...wat irony...

precisely.. that time he say sell the 2 serbian youngsters.. then say no more signing.. in the end? signed another defender right ? from stoke if i not wrong.. lol..

[tksksks]

i reckon more signings to come for man united n mayb arsenal...chelsea n liverpool sld b nt buying dis transfer window....

[poring24]

precisely.. that time he say sell the 2 serbian youngsters.. then say no more signing.. in the end? signed another defender right ? from stoke if i not wrong.. lol..

he signed them he didnt sell them (how to sell them before even signing them :s22:)

[Cumzilla]

From The Times

January 14, 2009

Manchester City launch £91m bid for Kaka

Gabriele Marcotti, European Football Correspondent

Manchester City blew the January transfer window wide open last night when they launched a world-record bid of €100 million (£91 million) for Kaká, the AC Milan forward.

Officials from the Barclays Premier League club met their counterparts from the Serie A team in Milan yesterday and, according to reports, were armed with a salary offer from Sheikh Mansour, their billionaire owner from Abu Dhabi, that would result in the 2007 Fifa World Player of the Year earning £13.6 million a year after tax.

On a day of frantic transfer activity, Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, was also spotted at the San Siro watching Adriano, Inter Milan’s out-of-favour striker, in a 3-1 Coppa Italia victory over Genoa.

Tottenham are prepared to offer Gareth Bale as part of any deal, which could pave the way for Inter to let Adriano go and allow them to pursue their interest in signing Carlos Tévez, the Argentina forward, from Manchester United.

Garry Cook, the City chief executive, met Ariedo Braida, the Milan sporting director, and Adriano Galliani, the Italian club’s executive vicepresident, to discuss the offer for Kaká. Two agents were also present: Ernesto Bronzetti, who advises Milan on transfer activity, and Kia Joorabchian, who has strong links with Brazilian players and acted on behalf of City in the deals that brought Robinho — a British-record signing at £34.2 million — and Jô to the City of Manchester Stadium last summer. Kaká’s agent, Gaetano Paolillo, and the player’s father, who is involved in his son’s business affairs, were not present.

Milan tried to explain the arrival of the City delegation by saying they were there to discuss Dida, the 35-year-old Brazil goalkeeper, but it is unlikely that it would take the top brass of both clubs to discuss the transfer of an ageing reserve. Silvio Berlusconi, the Milan owner, said: “I don’t know anything about any offer, but I do hope Kaká is not for sale and that he stays.”

Unlike Juventus, who parted with Zinédine Zidane for a world-record fee of £48 million in 2001, Milan have never sold any of their star players while still in their prime. Moving Kaká, 26, would be quite a departure and a blow to the ego of Berlusconi, Italy’s Prime Minister and one of the wealthiest men in Europe. However, when faced with Sheikh Mansour’s chequebook and an offer that would just about cover Milan’s wage bill for an entire season, even an ego as big as Berlusconi’s might be ready to concede.

Inter, meanwhile, have offered Tottenham the opportunity to sign Adriano, with Bale, the Wales left back, going the other way in part-exchange. The 26-year-old Brazil striker’s career has been in decline after a blistering spell in which he was arguably the world’s best centre forward.

Adriano has battled against depression, injuries and drink in recent times and in the latter half of last year he was loaned back to São Paulo. This season, under José Mourinho, he has made only seven appearances in Serie A, scoring one goal.

Bale, 19, is believed to have caught Mourinho’s eye during the Portuguese manager’s time at Chelsea. He has featured 12 times for Tottenham this season since recovering from an ankle ligament injury. Selling Adriano and cutting his £5 million-a-year salary from the Inter wage bill would enable Mourinho to pursue a deal for Tévez.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article5513160.ece

[Kennedy]

AC Milan initially thought that the $100 million world record bid was for Dida, that's why the red carpet was rolled out instead of a F.Off notice.

[xavier4]

he signed them he didnt sell them (how to sell them before even signing them :s22:)

woops typo :s22:

i meant he said he only wan sign the 2 serbian youngsters.. haha.. :s22:

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Maradona tells Tevez to move to Inter Milan

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has urged striker Carlos Tevez to quit Manchester United and move to current Serie A leaders and champions Inter Milan.

Carlos Tevez: Could be on his way out

Tevez's future is in doubt as United have failed to agree a fee with Kia Joorabchian's Media Sports Investment (MSI) which holds the rights to the player. Tevez's two-year loan with United comes to an end this summer and his long term future remains in doubt.

The fact that the 24-year-old has struggled to get into the team following the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov at the start of the season has further muddied the waters, especially with MSI seeking up to £32 million to sign Tevez permanently.

The former Corinthians player has started just eight Premier League games so far this season and may be considering his options if he is going to be nothing more than a bit part player at Old Trafford.

And now his new international boss, the legendary Maradona, has urged his star player to move elsewhere in order to get first team football.

"Yesterday (Sunday) I saw Manchester United win (3-0 against Chelsea) without Tevez. This isn't good for him," Maradona was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport on Tuesday.

"Certain episodes are certainly bringing closer his exit. Italy and Inter in particular would be excellent solutions.

"What's more, his contract is running out, which makes it easier to change team."

Maradona, who is in Italy to watch Inter's Italian Cup tie against Genoa at the San Siro later on Tuesday, said Atletico Madrid's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero should also consider transferring to Inter.

"What advice would I give him? To come running to Inter," he said. "I can already imagine the extraordinary partnership he'd form with (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic."

Aguero is in a relationship with Maradona's daughter Giannina, who is expecting his child next month.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=609074&sec=transfers&&cc=4716

[xavier4]

hmmm tevez to inter..

he's a star.. imo.. if he still kena benches.. of cause he shld move..

[croc1977]

Manchester City have opened talks with Italian side AC Milan over the transfer of their Brazilian playmaker Kaka, BBC Radio 5 Live understands.

A report on Mediaset, a website of Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi, says City want Kaka "at all costs".

A City delegation has reportedly met with their Milan counterparts with a bid of £100m and a weekly wage of £500,000 on offer for the 26-year-old. :s22:

The Eastlands club refused to comment on the latest transfer reports.

A club spokesperson told BBC Radio Manchester: "We have been linked with in excess of 70 names that could have been coming in this transfer window.

"We are not going to be drawn into any speculation on any names, no matter who they might be."

The current record for a player's signature is £46m when France's Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.

Kaka joined Serie A giants Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003 and has since won the league title, Champions League and Club World Cup.

The attacking midfielder has also picked up the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards in 2007.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, estimated to be worth £15bn, took over as City owner in September 2008 and extensive funds have been made available to manager Mark Hughes.

However, he has only secured the services of Wayne Bridge in January's transfer window, with bids rejected for West Ham forward Craig Bellamy and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The four-man delegation who travelled to Italy to initiate talks with the Milan officials is reported to include executive chairman Garry Cook and two representatives of the Sheikh.

BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis says the reported move underlines Sheikh Mansour's "desire to transform Man City", although he added "actually pulling off what would be an incredible coup is another matter entirely".

With the club struggling in 15th position in the Premier League, it would give the club an incredible boost if they were to seal the deal for one of the world's best players.

Having started his career with Sao Paulo where he scored 58 goals, Kaka moved to Milan for £5m and has scored 86 goals in 244 appearances.

Kaka is on a contract at the San Siro until 2013 and although he stated in February that he wanted to remain at Milan for the rest of his career, he did hint at a desire to play in the Premier League - a division he has described as the "best championship in the world".





Story from BBC SPORT:

[poring24]

kaka won't come....unless robinho go and psyco him :s13:

[othniel80]

watch football long liao, should have a never say never attitude to transfer saga :D

[croc1977]

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00707/KAKA-SPLASH1_707996a.jpg

MANCHESTER CITY last night offered a sensational £175million in a bid to land AC Milan superstar Kaka.

SunSport understands that City chief executive Garry Cook and deal broker Kia Joorabchian met Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani to make the world-record bid.


Milan would pocket £100m and Brazilian playmaker Kaka almost £75m for a five-year deal worth £15m a season — or £280,000 per week.


According to a top Milan source, the Italians’ technical director Ariedo Braida was also at the meeting.


An informant at the negotiations said: “The Manchester delegation were determined to make their offer but it was rejected.


“But our owner Silvio Berlusconi is now concerned that the player himself may want this deal to happen.”


Berlusconi said: “I hope Kaka stays.”


But Galliano told the City delegation: “We would not consider selling Kaka for £100m — it would have to be an obscene amount more.”


The Italian giants have never sold ANY of their superstars but admit they have been taken aback by the jaw-dropping bid.


Milan have twice in the past rejected megabucks offers from Real Madrid.


But what only a few months ago seemed inconceivable still looks a possibility.


The 26-year-old Brazil star was the 2007 World Player of the Year.


He was again a candidate this year but Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned as his successor in Zurich on Monday.


The midfielder has been the cornerstone of Milan’s success in recent years.


If City’s offer is eventually successful it will eclipse the world record £46m transfer that took Zinedine Zidane from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.


Kaka currently earns £10.8m a year at Milan and is the second-highest paid player in Serie A behind £11m-a-year Zlatan Ibrahimovic,


City boss Mark Hughes would be thrilled to pair Kaka with his fellow Brazilian Robinho.


Hughes was already keen to strengthen his midfield before yesterday’s news that Dietmar Hamann is out for three months.


The former Germany star, who suffered the injury in training, will travel to Switzerland to see a specialist for the exact diagnosis.


Hughes, already without long-term injury victims Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov, said: “Didi kicked a ball in training and unfortunately it looks like he may have ruptured a tendon.


“The best-case scenario is that it will be nine weeks, but it could be 12.


“We are a bit light in midfield areas so we could have done without this.”

Sause: The SUN UK

[xavier4]

alamak i wanted start a thread on that haha..


what u guys think?

i think.. AC may accept.. higher chance than reject.. too much $ liao..

[xavier4]

oh and yea.. i think this deal if go through.. will stay as the highest record transfer ever.. for a longggggggg time..

so they can make history.. why not..

not saying kaka' is $_$ money face.. but.. its really a deal of $.. + he can try it out at epl.. but why mancity.. thats weird tats all..

[vasilli07]

I think it will depends on how Milan fare this season...if they somehow manage to win the Scudetto, he will stay...if not, milan will probably sell him and bring back ‘Zidanesque’ Gourcuff...=:p

[idiort]

its good if milan sell.. really good money...

but will kaka go man city> later man city tio relegated how...

and confirm wont go champions league or even uefa also... like tat play in england only. fun meh

[xavier4]

lol imagine if kaka go man city during jan.. then he go down coca cola championship..

cause no other club can afford to buy kaka liao ma.. 100m leh.. mancity wan sell at a loss meh lol..


woah a superstar in coca cola championship.. cool..

[idiort]

man city 2 points away from relegation position now...

if i were kaka,see lohz.. wan to play football or earn money...

[xavier4]

man city 2 points away from relegation position now...

if i were kaka,see lohz.. wan to play football or earn money...

if i were kaka' i will go to villa for 10m !

lol !

i remb him running faster WITH ball than messi WITHOUT ball..

messi was chasing behind him.. when kaka' scored a goal against argentina..

[Devilsire]

£175million lol.... how i wish they bidding for C.Ron even tho they are our rival

if im Milan i surely accept, £175million ley... can build a full star-studded team liao

[idiort]

milan will only get 100mil pound lehz but good enuf lahz.. can buy 2-3 start player also

[Hua_Hui]

wa lan eh. 100mil pound is godly leh.. y milan dont sell.

[Wryer]

I believe Milan will want to sell. 100m pounds is no joke. They need a revamp of their squad, and they will really need serious cash.

But I don't think Kaka will want to leave.

[idiort]

they need find replacement 1st lahz..

beckham replace kaka> lol

yar man,100 m pound they can revamop their aging squad.. change entire def,midfield also.. gattuso,seedorf so old.

[vasilli07]

I believe Milan will want to sell. 100m pounds is no joke. They need a revamp of their squad, and they will really need serious cash.

But I don't think Kaka will want to leave.

i think it's euros...but it's still alot...91 million pounds...

[TrueBeliever_jh]

should get Messi... help other BPL clubs to win Champion's League again this season:s22:

[Kennedy]

Kaka + Robinho are great but Man City better find some hard men in midfield to tackle and win the ball for the Brazilians first.

[Wryer]

If the Arabs are willing to with Man C for the long haul, I can see the Chelsea second coming. All they need to do is to add in top-notch quality alongside the existing players to make a real good squad.

Their core should be Richards and Ireland. They are like the Terry and Lampard of Man C.

50m will not get them to the level of Aston Villa. 100m will not get them to the level of Top 2.

You can't expect to pay 100m to win a title I hear you say!

But 200m can.

[xavier4]

buy whole brazil squad into man city la..

then every match play samba soccer

[TrueBeliever_jh]

liked our good old days in malaysia cup :s13:

[Asakura]

they shld realise they need to improve their defensive dept

[idiort]

200 mil pounds.. ccan form a good team...

man city need buy a reliable keeper,a world class centre back,better wing backs,one good winger,one solid def mid,one creative midfielder and another striker..

so total 8 players at least...

the rest,micah richards,ireland,petrov,wright phillips,robinho...

8 players for 200 mil pounds,shud be can,dun need buy all the world class ex...

[idiort]

anyway kaka reject man city already.. he wan stay in milan

[Deunamist]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4301/kakaxb4.jpg

[nam314]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4301/kakaxb4.jpg

:s13::s13::s13:
LMAO

[croc1977]

Brazil star Kaka's spokesman left the door open for a potential record-breaking transfer to Manchester City, if AC Milan wanted to sell the player.

A City delegation has been in Italy and reportedly made a bid in the region of £100m for the 26-year-old midfielder.

Kaka earlier vowed to stay at AC Milan but his advisor, Diogo Kotscho, says he is open to offers from Manchester City.

"It is not impossible, if Milan let us talk, then we will see what City have to offer," Kotscho told BBC 5 Live.

But Kotscho added any move to Manchester City would be done for the right reasons and not just for the reported £500,000 a week wages.

"Kaka knows about the offer but the club did not give authorisation for talks, so we did not meet," said Kotscho.

"It was a great proposal but it's not about only money.

"We have to see if Manchester City have a project to become a Champions League team and become one of the top teams in the world, and to stay there long term."

"Kaka wouldn't do anything based on money," Kotscho earlier told Corriere dello Sport.

"He would never do something like Robinho, who, just to earn more, contented himself with a solution that was not a winning one."
Previously Kaka had told the website of Mediaset, a TV company owned by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi how he wanted to stay at the club for life.

"I want to grow old at Milan," he said.

"I repeat what I have always said. Other clubs can make all the offers they want but it all depends on Milan.

"As I have said before, as long as Milan share my goals, I would like to stay here. Then if one day the club wants to sell me, than that would be a different matter altogether.

"My aim is to become at some point in the future the captain of this team."

With Paolo Maldini currently holding the AC Milan skipper's armband, Kaka added: "I know there is a hierarchy and Maldini and (Massimo) Ambrosini are before me, but after..."

Following early reports of the tabled bid on Wednesday, City refused to comment officially on the story.

A City spokeswoman told BBC Radio Manchester: "We have been linked with in excess of 70 names that could have been coming in this transfer window.

"We are not going to be drawn into any speculation on any names, no matter who they might be."

AC Milan confirmed that their chief executive Adriano Galliani had met officials from City on Tuesday to discuss Kaka's future.

In a statement, the Serie A club said: "Galliani received a delegation from Manchester City yesterday in Milan as a gesture of courtesy like always in these cases. There are no talks at the moment."

The current record for a player's signature is £46m when France's Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001.

Kaka joined Serie A giants Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003 and has since won the league title, Champions League and Club World Cup.

The attacking midfielder also picked up the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards in 2007.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, estimated to be worth £15bn, took over as City owner in September 2008 and extensive funds have been made available to manager Mark Hughes.

However, he has only secured the services of Wayne Bridge in January's transfer window, with bids rejected for West Ham forward Craig Bellamy and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The four-man delegation that travelled to Italy to initiate talks with the Milan officials is believed to have included executive chairman Garry Cook and two representatives of the Sheikh.

BBC Radio 5 Live's senior football reporter Ian Dennis says the move underlines Sheikh Mansour's "desire to transform Manchester City", although he added "actually pulling off what would be an incredible coup is another matter entirely".

With the club struggling in 15th position in the Premier League, it would give City an incredible boost if they were to seal the deal for one of the world's best players.

However, it is thought the move to target Kaka is being driven by the club's top officials rather than Hughes himself.

Having started his career with Sao Paulo where he scored 58 goals, Kaka moved to Milan for £5m and has scored 86 goals in 244 appearances.

He has also picked up 62 caps for Brazil and scored 23 goals having made his debut against Bolivia in January 2002 and featured in the 2002 World Cup winning squad.

Kaka is on a contract at the San Siro until 2013 and although he stated last February that he wanted to remain at Milan for the rest of his career, he did hint at a desire to play in the Premier League - which he has described as the "best championship in the world".

Following Robinho's surprise £32.5 move to Eastlands in September and not, as expected, to Chelsea, Kaka's spokesman Diogo Kotscho warned City it would need more than a large cheque to persuade the player to move.

Italian football expert Gabrielle Marcotti told BBC Radio 5 Live he believed the City delegation had begun conversations with Milan representatives talking about signing goalkeeper Nelson Dida.

"As I understand it, they went to Milan supposedly under the ruse of talking about another player and in the course of the conversation they brought up Kaka and said they would be prepared to spend this much," Marcotti said.

Story from BBC SPORT:

[vasilli07]

"I want to grow old at Milan," he said.

"I repeat what I have always said. Other clubs can make all the offers they want but it all depends on Milan.

"As I have said before, as long as Milan share my goals, I would like to stay here. Then if one day the club wants to sell me, than that would be a different matter altogether.

"My aim is to become at some point in the future the captain of this team."

With Paolo Maldini currently holding the AC Milan skipper's armband, Kaka added: "I know there is a hierarchy and Maldini and (Massimo) Ambrosini are before me, but after..."



I guess in the same article kaka also provide some answers to his own camp...so i believe the rumours is dead...at least for this transfer window...

[Midfielder04]

AC milan seems interested to sell kaka but kaka doesn't want to go

[donut33]

500k a week!..play one season can retire oredi...hohoho

[Kennedy]

actually Man City is a interesting project but would it last?

if Kaka go, the top players might follow suit with lure of super high wages and seeing that the top players are starting to fall in at Man City.

If they have Robinho, Kaka. Would the likes of David Villa, Buffon, Messi, Agüero be tempted to join.

But first Man City need to survive relegation this season and find a top manager.

[xavier4]

lol yea.. we cant blame AC to accept the deal.. cause 100m is alot of $..

if kaka' wanna stay.. i 2nd him..

maybe wearing AC milian's armband worth more than millions to him haha..

[croc1977]

By NEIL CUSTIS

Published: Today

KAKA will move to Manchester City only if he is given a series of get-out clauses as part of a world-record £175million deal.

Despite the Brazilian star claiming yesterday that he wants to grow old at AC Milan, the mega-money swoop to take him to Eastlands is still very much alive.


His father and main agent Bosco is flying in from Brazil to Italy to enter into the negotiations, with Milan ready to take the money on offer from City.


But first Kaka, 26, wants written guarantees in his contract that during his time at City:



Sheikh Mansour remains the owner of the club and continues his substantial investment.



City qualify for the Champions League within two years.



Robinho is not sold.



His representatives remain in sole ownership of his image rights.


If any of these terms are broken or not met in his time at the club then a clause will be triggered, allowing him to be moved for a predetermined transfer fee, reducing with each year.


Kaka himself is not convinced Milan definitely want to keep him with a £100m transfer fee on the table, so he will listen to City if there is any indication the Italians are willing to sell.


The £75m on offer for himself in wages over five years is not the major point for the player.


He wants to play in the Premier League but for a club in the Champions League, not one currently looking over its shoulder at the relegation zone.


That is why he wants a get-out clause if City fail to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.


Likewise, he wants to see all the promises of building a world-beating team kept and is adamant that compatriot Robinho stays by his side throughout.


One of Kaka’s personal assistants, Diogo Kotscho, yesterday admitted that the move “isn’t impossible”.


Kotscho added: “If Manchester City come to an agreement with Milan we will talk to them — but it is not just about money.


“They have to show us that this is a project that we will be interested in.”


Yesterday, Kaka said the right things as far as the Milan fans were concerned.


Kaka said: “I want to grow old at Milan. I have already turned down some important offers.


“My objective for the future is to become captain of this team. There is a hierarchy here and Paolo Maldini and Massimo Ambrosini are first — but after them.”

[idiort]

kaka still young,see he wan to play football or earn money..;.

if i were him and 27-28 yrs,maybe can move but he still so young.. 24 isit..

[idiort]

one kaka wont change the team....

man city need buy reliable keeper,a world class centreback,solid both wingbacks... one more wingers,one more world class strikers...

[idiort]

since man city so much money,they shud buy kaka,daniel alves,david villa, mancini... sergio ramos?

[hellfire190]

see where they end up @ end of season first... seriously, if Man City wanna build a great team n whack $$, shld juz go for top playas~ not ppl like wayne bridge who are qte gd playas, but not exactly world class~

[idiort]

cant think of many world class leftback lehz.. evra,clichy.. abidal? not much...

wayne bridge is good buy lehz.. he is experienced in epl.. its the 1st step.. world class players,not at all position lahz..

the rest must be not bad... currently,only ireland,wright phillips,robinho is good enuf,the rest so so or below average.. even micah also not performing

[idiort]

anyway i think kaka either move now or never.. end of season,man city position sure damn jialat

[idiort]

anywya latest news tat man city withdrawn.. so its over...

[Deunamist]

every transfer window open i see some club going after Kaka, which is hilarious.

he can reject Real Madrid and Chelsea, what's Man City? :s13:

Berlusconi and Gaillani might be stupid when it comes to buying players but they are certainly not stupid enough to sell.

hell, if i had 100 mil pounds, i'd be organising a massive orgy every other day :s13:

[skyblues90]

MANCHESTER CITY insist they are close to sealing their sensational £100million deal for Kaka.

The mega-rich club hope to wrap up the swoop for the AC Milan superstar after making their move this week.

Looks like one more superstar is on his way to the EPL!

[Wryer]

Threads merged. Including Kaka's possible move to Man C.

[hellfire190]

man city needs to revamp its team~ that is the entire team... buying juz another mega star is insufficient... this transfer window is too short n man city's choices r too limited~

[TrueBeliever_jh]

Manchester City have stepped up their attempt to sign former World Player of the Year Kaka by lodging an official bid with AC Milan, the Serie A club's television channel is reporting. Sources in Italy are suggesting the bid is in the region of £107 million. Associated Press are reporting Milan have given City permission to talk to the midfielder.

highest paid in bpl john terry earns 130k per week... kaka will earn 500k per week..

[MoneyHoney]

highest paid in bpl john terry earns 130k per week... kaka will earn 500k per week..

1 million in 2 weeks omg

if i were him i would go even if i have to play goalkeeper

[1920_me]

Everything is getting over-shadowed by Kaka and Man City. But there are other interesting deals taking place.

Pompey agree fee for Pennant

Portsmouth have confirmed they have agreed a fee with Liverpool for winger Jermaine Pennant, believed to be in the region of £2 million.

Further negotiations will occur over the weekend, with Portsmouth manager Tony Adams determined to add to his squad after the loss of Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe.

Soccernet.com


Lyon forward Fred has revealed that he is considering a proposal from Stoke City.
Sky Sports News understands Tottenham Hotspur have made an enquiry to sign Hernan Crespo from Inter Milan, but will not be signing his team-mate Adriano.
Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports News that he wants to sign Jermaine Jenas. The Tottenham midfielder is thought to be surplus to Harry Redknapp's requirements at White Hart Lane.
Steve Bruce has conceded Tottenham have 'virtually agreed' deal to sign Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios.
Hull City have signed Manchester United striker Manucho on loan until the end of the season.
West Ham have rejected new bids from Manchester City and Tottenham for striker Craig Bellamy, Sky Sports News understands.

[idiort]

2 mil.. for pennant.. cheap buy

[TrueBeliever_jh]

Pennant also rarely play for liverpool.. wonder if he still good or not..

[dreamer75]

Daniel Agger's agent has dismissed speculation linking the defender with a move to AC Milan.

The reports surfaced after agent Per Steffensen was seen in Milan - but he insists his client is not on the verge of leaving Liverpool.

[dreamer75]

West Ham have refused to give Craig Bellamy permission to talk to Tottenham or Manchester City - and have offered the Wales striker a new contract.

The Hammers have turned down several bids from the two clubs for the 29-year-old, with Spurs having a £12million offer knocked back.

The ball is now back in Tottenham's and City's court to see whether they will go any higher. West Ham are keen to hang on to the player - unless they get an offer they cannot refuse.

A West Ham spokesman said: "We can confirm that Craig Bellamy has been offered a new contract. We can also confirm that he has no permission to talk to other clubs, including Spurs and Manchester City."

The Hammers have also had to fend off interest from Manchester City in midfielder Scott Parker and from Newcastle in captain Lucas Neill.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Bellamy moved to Man C and Kaka move has fallen through

Frank Lampard Tipped Off Tottenham To Wilson Palacios
With Spurs set to sign Wigan's Honduran ace, 'Arry has revealed that he had a little bit of scouting help from Stamford Bridge

Harry Redknapp revealed recently that Tottenham Hotspur are deep in negotiations with Wigan Athletic over Wilson Palacios, with a £14 million deal expected to be completed shortly.

A number of clubs have expressed interest in the young Honduran midfielder. Manchester City had an approach rejected, while Manchester United and Liverpool have also been keeping tabs on the player's progress.

But now Palacios looks certain to move in at White Hart Lane this winter, and Redknapp revealed that his nephew, Chelsea's Frank Lampard, strongly recommended the 24-year-old.

The Spurs boss said in The Sun, “I like the way Palacios plays, he’s an all-round modern midfielder.

“Frank Lampard reckons no one has had an easy game against him. He has the ability to become real top class.

“Manchester City came in for Palacios last week but the Tottenham chairman is trying to sort out the deal now after we agreed a fee with Wigan.”

[vasilli07]

Spurs transfers...

Wilson Palacios - Official (http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/palaciosdealagreed210109.html)
Carlos Cudicini - Appears to be official (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1125052/EXCLUSIVE-Chelsea-keeper-Cudicini-moves-Spurs-1million-deal.html) :eek:
Nicolas Burdisso - Deal seems to be accepted... (http://www.goal.com/en/news/699/tottenham/2009/01/20/1069807/tottenham-hotspur-agree-fee-with-inter-for-nicolas-burdisso)

[Wryer]

Again, very good buys from Tottenham on paper. They need to start transforming it onto the pitch.

Wilson Palacios is one that I rate very highly. Fantastic midfielder. Good all round player. There isn't any particular aspect he is very weak at.

[rojiko]

another midfielder for spurs.. they lk gt alot midfielder liao leh

[idiort]

spurs really lots depth sia... quality depth also.. even jenas cant even play at all... so many sia.. crazy... revolution.... palacios is good buy... buy from other teams tats 'fighting' relegation... smart lahz spurs...

but wigan pretty up there also...

[idiort]

If spurs relegated,really over liao. all players sold

[Preacher1010]

the circus that is Man City...coming to a theatre near you.

Money-bags City don't have a clue: Bemused Kaka lifts the lid on slipshod transfer talks

Manchester City target Kaka intensified the war of words between England and Italy as the Brazilian accused the Premier League club of 'not having a clue'.

A bitter war of words has broken out between City executive chairman Garry Cook and Milan after the proposed £100million deal crumbled at the last minute.

Cook has insisted the deal failed because the Italians and Kaka were 'too greedy' and he accused them of being ignorant.

But according to media reports in Italy Kaka told his team mates at training: 'There was a total confusion. Not one of them had a clear idea of what was going on. I have taken a weight off my mind.'

Italian media also reported how the negotiations were 'stop-start'' after Cook and his party insisted on going into a side room during meetings to discuss aspects of the transfer between themselves.

Corriere Della Sera said that during the meeting between Kaka's agent father Bosco Leite and Adriano Galliani there was a disagreement with City over the Brazilian player's image rights.

Top selling sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport also reported the fall out between City and AC Milan and splashed across its front page the headline: 'City so many errors.'

Kaka's agent Diogo Kotscho also hit back at City and said: 'We can see that he (Cook) knows very little about how a football player's head works.

'If Kaka was thinking only about money then he would have chosen Manchester City but there are more important things that money just cannot buy.

'Now we are more convinced than ever that we made the correct decision.'

Gazzetta's report only added deeper to the whole mystery surrounding Kaka's transfer.

It quoted an insider close to the negotiations as saying: 'The truth is that in six hours of talks with Manchester City they only asked questions and didn't make an offer for Kaka.

'How on earth did they think they were going to buy him? It's one thing buying a property or a company but completely another when you are trying to charm one of the best players in the world.'

Gazzetta revealed that the negotiations had taken place in the law offices of Milan firm Izzi-Tognazzi and were stop-start as City were constantly ''asking for time outs.''

The paper said that Kaka's agent Bosco was getting fed up at the fact that City's Cook and Simon Pierce were just asking questions primarily on the player's image rights.

It was also claimed that at 10pm on Monday night City, after 'consulting with the sheik said they would make an offer via email the following day'.

The report said: 'At that point Bosco and AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani looked at each other and asked to call off the talks. Cook tried to change direction but it was too late as Galliani had already called Silvio Berlusconi.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1125882/Money-bags-City-dont-clue-Bemused-Kaka-lifts-lid-slipshod-transfer-talks.html

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/21/article-0-03171C2D000005DC-889_468x350.jpg - yup mate..those Man City are idiots. hahahaaha!

[Cumzilla]

the circus that is Man City...coming to a theatre near you.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1125882/Money-bags-City-dont-clue-Bemused-Kaka-lifts-lid-slipshod-transfer-talks.html

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/21/article-0-03171C2D000005DC-889_468x350.jpg - yup mate..those Man City are idiots. hahahaaha!

nobody can say who is telling the truth about what happened behind the meeting room, unless u really believe on the tabloids

[vasilli07]

spurs really lots depth sia... quality depth also.. even jenas cant even play at all... so many sia.. crazy... revolution.... palacios is good buy... buy from other teams tats 'fighting' relegation... smart lahz spurs...

but wigan pretty up there also...

jenas sucks...:s8:

[1920_me]

CARROT HEADS

Manchester City have literally paid the price for their impatience in the transfer market after it emerged that £17m new signing Nigel De Jong had a £2.3m release clause in his contract that would have activated in just four months.

The Hamburg SV midfielder completed his switch to Eastland's on Wednesday and although City were made aware of the clause they were unwilling to wait until the end of the season as they battle against relegation.

De Jong, who cost Hamburg just £1m from Ajax in 2005, is now the most expensive player to leave a Bundesliga club and his former employers are delighted with the deal.

"The club just couldn't refuse the offer," Hamburg manager Martin Jol said.

Soccernet.com

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Spur spend around 50 million or more already and yet they are involve in relegation battle.

[idiort]

heskey joining aston villa sia

[chengsun]

4 months for 16.7m pounds......

Hamburg laugh at Jong deal

MANCHESTER CITY amazingly handed Hamburg £19million for Nigel de Jong despite knowing he would cost just £2.3m at the end of the season.

The Dutch midfield enforcer, dubbed the vacuum cleaner because he Hoovers up in front of the back four, has signed a four-year deal.

But City’s pursuit of the 24-year-old has made them a laughing stock as De Jong had a clause in his Hamburg contract stating he would be available for just £2.3m this summer.

So if the Eastlands mob had waited four months they could have bagged him for a staggering £16.7m less!

De Jong, who cost just £1m from Ajax in 2005, is the most expensive player to leave a Bundesliga club.

A Dutch source told SunSport: “Hamburg are laughing all the way to the bank.

“No one can believe that a club would act like this in the current economic climate.

“People in Holland are still shaking their heads. Nigel is a decent player but is he worth £16.7million for just four months? No way.

“City are just showing how little regard they have for money — and sense. It is ridiculous.”

Hamburg boss Martin Jol said: “The club just couldn’t refuse the offer.”

De Jong, who is in line to make his debut against Newcastle next Wednesday, said: “I feel very good.

“The ideas and the planning behind this club are very hopeful.”

Source (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2157636.ece)

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

heskey joining aston villa sia

don't think so ba already got harewood and carew 2 target man and morever Heskey is so much older than Harewood.

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Boro sign King, Mido may switch

Middlesbrough have agreed to sign Wigan striker Marlon King on loan until the end of the season, while Mido could move in the other direction.

Bullard looks set to join Tigers

Hull have reportedly agreed a £5million fee with Premier League rivals Fulham for the transfer of midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

Atletico fail in bid for Eboue

Arsenal have turned down a bid for Emmanuel Eboue from Atletico Madrid, according to the player's agent.

[idiort]

don't think so ba already got harewood and carew 2 target man and morever Heskey is so much older than Harewood.

harewood out of favour..... carew injured and need back up....

mon andheskey got good relationship,he play under him in leicester..... i wont be surprised if he really get him soon...

rafa wan heskey but mon got the man instead.. lol

[nottibeans]

harewood out of favour..... carew injured and need back up....

mon andheskey got good relationship,he play under him in leicester..... i wont be surprised if he really get him soon...

rafa wan heskey but mon got the man instead.. lol

wah heng it's heskey not kenwyne jones..lol I really scared he sign Jones..

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

wah heng it's heskey not kenwyne jones..lol I really scared he sign Jones..


If he sign Jones then their hope of getting a champions league spot will increase but not heskey.

[idiort]

they need target man mah

[poring24]

wah heng it's heskey not kenwyne jones..lol I really scared he sign Jones..

Are you sure.....I can't see how anyone would choose Heskey over Jones :s11::s11:

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

wah heng it's heskey not kenwyne jones..lol I really scared he sign Jones..

Are you sure.....I can't see how anyone would choose Heskey over Jones :s11::s11:

LOL What nottibeans meant that he fear Aston Villa will sign Jones and doesn't really care if Aston Villa sign Heskey.

[poring24]

LOL What nottibeans meant that he fear Aston Villa will sign Jones and doesn't really care if Aston Villa sign Heskey.

oh i get it..ps

[Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng]

Villa is really taking a step back by signing heskey

Bullard move to Hull City ~

Wenger won't panic over Arshavin

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is refusing to panic despite his bid to sign Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin continuing to drag on

Drogba going nowhere

[idiort]

i'm sure mon know wads he's doing lahz.. villa need heskey,need some strength upfront... agbon sometime tio bully by big defender when they defending deep.. so need heskey...

so not only aston can counter attack,they can play possesion as well...

carew will be back but maybe a bit rusty... harewood out of favour.. sure sell him soon..

[idiort]

malouda going juve sia...

and they say zenith rejected arsenal final offer

[skweam]

Villa is really taking a step back by signing heskey

Bullard move to Hull City ~

Wenger won't panic over Arshavin

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is refusing to panic despite his bid to sign Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin continuing to drag on

Drogba going nowhere

wait and see babe. Aston Villa vs Chelsea at Villa Park, he might score a hat-trick. quote this thread first if u wan. ill eat all the humble pie in the world ^^

EPL teams should fear whoever MON signs, because this guy literally make players godlike.

[idiort]

wait and see babe. Aston Villa vs Chelsea at Villa Park, he might score a hat-trick. quote this thread first if u wan. ill eat all the humble pie in the world ^^

EPL teams should fear whoever MON signs, because this guy literally make players godlike.

yar.. MON know wad he's signing.. i think he will get the best out of heskey... heskey played under him b4 also last time..

good signing i must say,some strength upfront.., he can know down ball for agbon to run..

[nottibeans]

malouda going juve sia...

and they say zenith rejected arsenal final offer

1746: According to reports, Zenit have rejected Arsenal's "final offer" for Andrei Arshavin. More on that as we get it.

:( sibei sian Arsene so giam wan... I wonder what's his final offer