Football Rumours Archive April 18 2008
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Ok, due to my close relationship to many footballing agents; here are a few rumours which may be liable to occur in the Summer. With growing controversy towards Wes Browns future; Man United have lined up a big money deal to sign highly–rated German wing back Phillip Lahm of Bayern Munich. However; with Fergie looking to retire in the next few seasons, he wants to leave the team in a 'sustainable' position and my informant tells me that there is 'consistent' talk with United and City over the future of Micah Richards. Arsenal fans can look forward to a new Frenchman in the Summer; 3 names which have come to my attention are Hatem Ben Arfa of Lyon, Rio Antonio Mavuba and Samir Nasri. Wenger feels these possible signings would re–invent Arsenal's ability to win trophies. Hatem Ben Arfa (Clinical finisher with skill and pace), Rio Antonio Mavuba (Long term successor to Gilberto, replacement to Flamini if he decides to move) and Nasri (Dubbed the new Zidane. Wenger feels he cannot refuse the option to make an audacious bid for him). The rumours about Chelsea are untrue with regards to them signing Gareth Barry or Kaka. However, Sheva will be leaving for the San Siro. Chelsea will only sell him though if Milan allow them to sign Ronaldinho from catalan giants Barcelona; they will beat Inter to his signature due to there consistency in Europe and Ronaldinho says he wants to win it again before he retires. Juande Ramos is plotting a huge Summer sellout; my informants are incredibly reliable and I reported to this site in the past under a different name and the reports were 100 percent true. I have not been given any names as to who is being sold in the Summer from White Hart Lane but my assumption is that another forward is on the way out. With Berbatov wanting European football at the highest level; a team may bid for him (not Man United though, this relates to their new youth policy). If Tottenham can keep ahold of Berbatov; they will sell Darren Bent with the Hammers; Villa and even Sunderland reportedly interested in him. I'll keep you updated; these are all totally legit
To the chap who claimed Athletic Bilbao's 19 year old midfielder Javi Martinez is going to Newcastle. you are hoping for something that will not happen. Javi is one of the brightest prospects in Spain and is seen as a future international. The REALLY big clubs (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man United, Liverpool etc) have been watching him for a while but will wait a year or two before they bid as he's improving nicely at the San Mames. If he leaves it will be in a couple of seasons, and for big money. Basically he will have the pick of any club in Europe in a few years and is already playing for a club that is bigger in Spain than Newcastle is in England. A more realistic bet to replace Butt at St. James Park is Steve Sidwell. 90 percent certain to join Newcastle in a £5 million move.
Any business minded Liverpool fan will know that Hick has got a huge and very valid point. Liverpool football club has been run on sentiment and this has tended to benefit underperformers like Rick Parry. This has led to Lfc falling behind on key issues that have seen Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal overtake Liverpool. In the 80s Lfc was the biggest club in the world and should have benefited the most commercially had this been exploited when the Premier League began. Man United did and they have seen exponential growth in the 90s as did Arsenal and the key people in this where Peter Kenyon and David Dean respectively. Most recently Chelsea have done the same not because of the Russian Billions but by having the ability to make money as well. Through all this Liverpool has lost ground and Parry is to blame. The man is an opportunist who is only out to save his own skin. When DIC said they would bring in their own team he turned to Gillett and Hicks. Rafa complains about his underperformance in the transfer market he tried to get rid of him. We have lost out on may possible big names during his time Ronaldo during Houlliers days, Malouda, Daniel Alves etc. I do not like the Americans as much as any other Lfc fan but I do recognise that Parry has to go and go before the end of the season before he does anymore damage to the club. He should not be let anywhere near any of Rafas transfer targets. Rafa has changed the way the academy is run and the reserves teams most of which was resisted by Parry but it all bearing fruit now.
Afc Bulletin ) ) ) ) ) )
Possable player swap deal with Valencia forward David Villa moving to Arsenal and maybe a Arsenal player moving the other 2 way 2 Valencia + some cash as part of the deal. LYON player Ben Arfa has said he expects 2 sign a new deal and so will not be leaving LYON any time soon. Arsene Wenger 2 sign a gk probaly Wigens Kirkland as PSV are asking 2 much 4 gk Gomez.
Hot off the prees.
Gillet has agreed to sell his stake to DIC. Making the stay of Hicks untenable. Handshakes have already taken place and will all be finish towards the end of may.
This from my brother who lives in Dubai and on Talk Sport with Alan Brazil.
reds roll on.
Arsenal
Ins–
Robert Green
Lilian Thuram
Felipe Baloy
Mbarek Boussoufa
Jonaton De Guzman
Outs–
Jens Lehmann
Emmanuel Eboue
Justin Hoyte
Phillipe Senderos
Abou Diaby
Arsene's news.
–what the boss has said this week.
The aim this Summer is to keep the squad together. Lehmann will leave, possibly Gilberto, either Senderos or Djourou. Flamini?
Lehmann will go with fabianski stepping up. if a new keeper is bought, I hope so, it will be to replace Almunia who does not put a foot wrong but never makes a top class save.
an experienced centre back good in the air will arive, song promoted tofourth choice.
Gilberto will be replaced by Denilson and Diaby will be moved to CM also.
this leaves a space on the left wing, esp. considering Rosicky's injuries. Vela will arive, but so will another. probably from France certainly not over 25. the team lacks dynamism and dribbling in attack, so pace will be key. Robinho is the dream but that is unlikely. ben arfa or Nasri maybe. I like menez, but less likely.
With eduard out injured expect a similar replacement. Wenger likes 1 up front, ade or Bendtner who le boss has said is DEFINITELY staying, kids class. so someone who can play behind or out wide. Villa?
3 players for the first team squad and the usual kids, that is all. only one of them will be more than 10 million, I hope it's a quality forward.
cookie monster
To the person who said that Wenger stated he will only buy one player this Summer, he actually said he will buy at least one EXPREIENCED player, not just one player in general. Anyway Arsenal could shock the footballing world with a swoop for Kaka after a French journalist on Arsenal TV hinted that the Gunners will sign him BEFORE Euro 2008.
What do people not understand about '4 or 5 quality players' at Newcastle. Keegan wants no more than 4 or 5 because of upsetting the teams balance. He will sign:
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
Giles Barnes (Derby)
Simon Davies (Fulham)
Metzelder (Real Madrid)
Hyypia (Liverpool)
LuaLua (OlimpiAkos) – Maybe as an Aemobi replacement
He will sell:
Geremi
Ameobi
Rozehnal
Carr
Arsenal to sign
rob green
micah Richards
joloen leScott
Ashley young
Gabriel abonghlor
David Villa
Newcastle are well on their way to making a great coup in signing Clarence Seedorf from AC Milan. Seedorf is frustrated with Pato's inclusion in the team while he warms the bench. Keegan sees his wealth of experience crucial to bring on the younger members of the squad as well as maintaining a very high standard of football. Newcastle are also casting an eye over several players in the Eredivisie League while everyone is talking about Huntelaar KK is looking to bring in his strike partner Suarez who can play in a deep strike role or attacking midfield but Keegan can not but notice the goals from N'Kufo of Twente who scores week in and week out but as he turns 33 this year it maybe a few years too late for the Swiss International.
Main Summer buys for each club (promoted clubs included, relegated clubs excluded):
Arsenal–David Villa, Hatem Ben–Arfa
Villa–Boruc, Jenas
Birmingham–D. Fletcher, Cacapa
Blackburn–Bradley, Kitson
Chelsea–Kaka, Messi
Everton–Downing, Carr
Hull–Campbell, Ebanks–Blake
Liverpool–Modric, Rafinha
Manchester City–Behrami, Gomis
Man U–Joao Moutinho, Miguel Veloso
Middlesbrough–SchmeiChelsea, Duff
Newcastle–Lennon, Metzelder
Portsmouth–Nolan, Crouch
Reading–George Boateng, Senderos
Stoke–Ameobi, Kaboul
Sunderland–Forlan, Wes Brown
Tottenham–N'Zogbia, Jesus Navas
West Bromwich–Halmosi, Richard Wright
the Hammers–Toni, Ramsey
Wigan–Gera, Donovan
Carrick is to return to the NE as Newcastle and Middlesbrough battle to sign the England international. Man United look set to invest more money in Sporting Lisbon as they circle around long time target Miguel Veloso as well as Sporting captain Joao Moutinho. Veloso will cover RB and DM while Moutinho looks set to be Carricks replacement. This will also spell the end of Darren Fletchers United days with Celtic thought to be very interested.
Gerard Piqué looks to be set for a return to La Liga with Zaragoza, Villareal and FC Barcelona all bidding for his signature though the latter is rumoured to have first option.
When West Bromwich Albion get promoted to the promised land of the Premier League, there will be some transfer activity at The Hawthorns.
Ins:
Nicky Maynard 1.5 mill
Luke Moore 3.5 mill
Craig Gardner 2 mill
Anthony Gardner 1 mill
Wayne Routledge 1.5 mill
Jack Hobbs (season long loan with view to permanent deal)
Outs:
Hodgkiss £500,000
Cesar (loan return)
Curtis Davies 8 mill
Oh, and for everyone who says that gera and phillips are on their way out, gera is only going if we do not get promoted and phillips is signing a new deal, so that proves you all wrong.
Robert Koren to join Pompey or Wigan if West Bromwich Albion stay down.
EFC Rumours
David Moyes has not put pen to paper on a new contract, as he's holding out for a bulky transfer fund. Players he's looking at include:
–Steven Pienaar (Permanent signing) (£2.2 mill)
–Michael Bradley (Heerenveen) (£5 – 6 mill)
–Joe Ledley (Cardiff) (£5 mill)
–Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff) THOUGH FACES A BIT OF COMPETITION (£? )
–Kim Kallstrom (Lyon) (£5 – 8 mill)
–Brian Howard (Barnsley) (£3 – 5 mill)
–Steve Sidwell (Chelsea) (£5– 7 mill)
–Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St. Petersburg) (£7 – 8 mill)
–Manuel Fernandes (Valencia) (Anywhere from £6 million – £10 mill)
These are all midfielders, so obviously only about 3 will be bought, except in the case of Ramsey who is 'one for the future'.
Some defenders Moyes is interested in are:
–Stefano Guberti (Ascoli) (Anywhere from £3 – 6 mill)
–Anthony Gardner (Tottenham) (Only for FREE though)
–Christophe Berra (Hearts) (£3.5 mill)
Also, next season, Moyes will give chances to Rodwell, Gosling and Kissock.
Also worth mentioning a goalkeeper:
–Wayne Hennessey (Wolves) (£? )
Benitez has basically said everything but the name of the players he is signing this Summer; when asked about Rafihna he said 'he's a player with real quality' which granted he does often say, but only about players in teams in which we could face, not mid–table German teams we never will (they were never going to get past Barcelona). He said the same about Bentley last week but added that he 'does not want to say too much because he is still a Blackburn player. He also bigged up Hughes in the run up to the match. With them being the 'two youngsters' (22 and 23 respectively), there only leaves the 'star'; 'Star' sort of narrows the list of players down quite a bit. Aguero is good, but not a star. Keane is good, but not a star. Ronaldinho truly is a star and on his way out, but does not fit the bill; No team ethic, never stated a love of Liverpool FC, massive wage demands. There can only be one anwswer that fits that criteria – Terry Henry.
Arsenal will look at signing the following players good source tells me. I am not saying we are signing every player listed below.
edmilson fc barcelona. free transfer.
van bommel bayern munich. 5–6 mil.
diego werder bremen 22–24 mil.
trezeguet juventus 9 mil.
eto barcelona 15–20 mil.
puyol barcelona 12–14 mil.
vicente valencia 8–9 mil.
Middlesbrough could take Adriano basso and marvin elliott from Bristol City for £5 million both of them and with the money from that City are going to sign king from Wigan and frazer campbell on loan from Man United this will happen
With regards to LIVERPOOL signing all these player's, fact is LIVERPOOL will not be able to afford anybody until the mess they are in is sorted out, no one of any stature will want to go to Anfield until hicks/gillett/Parry can stop throwing their toys out of there pramslong may it continueif by magic it is sorted LIVERPOOL will look to buy JOHNSON (MAN CITY), LENNON (SPURS), BARRY (VILLA) and PALERMO'S forward AMAURI who will probably end up at ARSENAL though.
news regarding CHELSEA. news of of the deal regarding KAKA and MESSI nice thought if your a CHELSEA fan but it will not happen. this might though? if CHELSEA do get Messi then BARCE will only sanction this IF they can land KAKA. but we think that what with VAN DER VAART begging to choin CHELSEA he will be joined by KAKA and MIRALEM SULEJMANI from the DUTCH league, MANCHESTER UNITED will make an offer for these two players 1, BERBATOV (SPURS), this offer will be turnred down by both club and player, SPURS will not sell to another Premier League league side and BERBATOV does not want to play against SPURS. the other player in question will be DANNI ALVES?
MAN CITY; were in fact due to sign RONALDINHO but all talk of SVEN being given the pay–off will in fact end the RONALDINHO saga unless CITY get BIG PHIL
Actual rumours of players linked with Sunderland thus far are:
Forlan
Nihat
Giggs
Sidwell
Ben–Haim
Bullard
Ireland
Chiellini
Fletcher
Evans
Expect some of the you talent coming through the quickly developing academy to be involved also such as Waghorn, Dowson, Mvoto, and Chandler start to be involved a bit also, along with the irishman O'Donovan who has devloped really well this year. Also expect some Carribean influence through the Sunderland Academy ran by John Barnes out there
along with this influx of players expect many to go also such as Fulop, Halford, Harte, Anderson, McShane, Yorke, Wallace Kavanagh, Miller, Stokes and Connelly
This is all genuine and majority of this has been known for some time. Just waiting for the safety first.
Thanks for Reading
Everton Fc boss has a list of players for next season:
Michael Bradley sc Heerenveen
Miralem Sulejmani sc Heerenveen
Stephen Pienarr Borussia Dortmund
Manuel Fernandes Valencia
Aaron Ramsey Cardiff