Football Rumours Archive May 05 2008
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This page is updated several times a day. Last update: 10:18:59 GMT+1
Arsenal: Wenger will not sell Fabregas at any price so you can get that out of your head.
Flamini is more than likely gone so expect Arsenal to bid 4 yaya Toure or gareth barry the latter would cost around £12 million but yayais the best bet to buy.
Wenger has already stated he needs experienced players therefore joining will most likely be Mexes or Lucio as Gilberto already has a good relatioship with him. Wenger will also take in Micah Richards if he can get him on the cheap tthis is only if Sven goran ericsonn leaves.
Giovanni dos Santos may join but unlikely. Expect a Summer of rumours of Ben Arfa joining.
Arsenal outs:
Senderos–8 million Juve
Gilberto–3 million to Juve or Wenger may let him go back to Atletico minero 4 free. however Wenger may not let him leave due to his exeperience if lucio signs Gilberto will not leave expect Gilberto to make a starting place next season
The notorious Lehmann will leave for munich to link up with his old pal Oliver Kahn Wenger will not sign a player for replacement as vito mannone is more than capable of stepping up to the grade
Avram Grant has been given the green light to launch a bid for Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona for a whoppin £76 million.
= v1=
Suggesting that Norwich will have more money to spend than Ipswich is ridiculus. mainly because a huge sponsorship deal will not affect transfer funds it would go towards Norwich's huge debts.
anyway jim magilton will look to extend his irish conigency at the club with northern irish central defender gareth mcauley in as a long term replacement for Jason de vos.
Juande Ramos has put the ball back in Berbatov's court in regards to his future. my drum is that Berbas will stay because the off–season will see the following:
Robinson out = Middlesbrough 5 mill
Cerny out = end of loan
Chimbonda = Newcastle 7 mill
Huddlestone out = Bentley + 8 mill
Lennon out = £7 million + Kewell
Jenas out = £2 million + Kranjcar
The inside info is that Green will come in or failing that, Hennessy from Wolves and seeing as he has inside info, a winger from La Liga.
That means:
Goalkeeper – sorted
Defence – sorted
Midfield – sorted
Forwards – sorted
All in all, seeing as the Emirates are in financial strife and Benitez has no idea it is 2009 Champions League here we come.
This is no joke, Keegan wants a English team next year. He feels too many foreigners cannot play when the going gets tough.
Newcastle signings:
Wayne Bridge (6 million) Chelsea
Shaun Wright Philips (12 million) Chelsea
Peter Crouch (10 million) Liverpool
Tom Huddlestone (6 million) Tottenham
Glen Johnsen (7 million) Pompey
Stewart Downing (10 million) Boro
Robert Huth (6 million) Boro
Arsenal Rumours
outs
EBOUE– worst Arsenal player this year
Senderos– has not the agility for the Premier League L.
Lehmann– German club (dortmund)
Gilberto– Italy
Traore (loan)
Flamini– (AC Milan or Juve)
Ins
Ben Arfa
Lucio
Richards
Dimitrov
mputu
Robinho
few youngsters
Liverpool signings in the Summer:
Barry (to play DM) in for £10 million + Riise
Degen (to play RB) in for free
Mancini (to play RW) in for £4 million
Silva (to play ST) in for £22. 5
Maxi Rodriguez (to play LW) in for £17.5 million
Liverpool Promotions:
Insua (LB)
Bouzanis (GK)
Liverpool Sales
Pennant (£5 million)
Voronin (£2 million)
Riise (SWAP)
Finnan
David Villa might be joining Arsenal
for £14 million pound
Manchester City will appoint Sam Allardyce as their new manager come June.
In order to make the push for Europe Allardyce will be given a sizeble transfer kitty to strengthen and add some funds from players departing Eastlands.
Rolando Bianchi and Bernardo Corradi will seal permenent deals at Lazio, Samaras will stay on at Celtic after admitting he does not want to stay at Manchester City and Dickov will move to Crystal Palace permanently to help their push in the play offs this season. Following on Isaksson will leave for Bayern Munich, Dabo for Nice and Sun Jhai will leave to return to his native China.
With the income of £23 million from those sales + a £20 million transfer kitty from Thaskin, Big Sam will swoop for some firepower up front to support Benjani and Vassell with the signings of Djibril Cissé and Fred from Marseille and Lyon for £7 million each. Rio Mavuba will join up at Eastlands aswell for a fee of £7 million aswell.
Summer Transfers at the Bridge:
Ins:
–Messi Fee in Excess of £80 million Although Drogba May Be Used As Part Of The Deal.
–Van der Vaart Done Deal Will Be Announced Before Euros. Around £12 million as Contract Expiring next Season.
–Ribery + Lahm in exchange for £20 million+ Malouda and Boularouz.
–Zarate from Al Saad as Birmingham are surely relegated. Fee of Around £15 million.
–Sakho From Paris St. Germain for around £7 million.
–Eto'o if Drogba leaves. Around £20 million.
Outs:
–Possibly Drogba Spain or Italy
–Pizzaro, Shaun Wright–Phillips, Sidwell, Malouda, Boularouz, Ben Haim.
Arsenals available transfer budget is in the region of £83 million – Although Arsene is not interested in splashing out too much.
Arsenal will sign Robinho on a cash + player (Gallas) deal – this will be €17 million (£13.2 million)
With Gallas leaving Arsene is looking to sign one of Richards, Lucio or Kompany (Although no bids have been made as of yet) His preference would be Richards who is very interested in joining but it's unlikely that Arsene will meet the demands of Man City.
Almunia will be given the number 1 spot with Lehman leaving – Fabianski will be #2.
The transfer of Hatem Ben Arfa will not be going ahead (this season) due to the price tag which Lyon slapped on him – This prompted the move for Robinho.
To add to Robinho (who will be used as a left winger) the Portuguese winger Quaresma will leave
Porto, who are asking for a cut price €15.5 million (Around £12 million) to join Arsenal playing in his natural right wing position.
It is looking like Flamini will be leaving Arsenal to join Juve – No replacement will be purchased. Even if Hleb leaves to join Inter Arsene is confident that Diaby will do the job.
No Strikers will be brought in.
These were all confirmed By Arsene to Steve Rowley on Friday.
MON to resign, you must be joking – are you a Blue Nose by any chance?
Have Liverpool fans got nothing better to do but speculate on tranfers, 70 percent of rumours involve Liverpool. Your club is in a complete mess, you do not even know who will own the club next season and in turn if your manager will be at Anfield.
As much as I hate to say this, Barry's most likely destination is Arsenal with Hoyte and £8 million on it's way to Villa Park. Other news I have heard from sources at Villa Park:
Villa will offer Barry and £6 million for Walcott but will be turned down.
Liverpool have offered Riise, Carson and 2 unknown youth team players for Barry. Villa will say "NO", so all other possible transfers between the clubs i.e. Finnan and Crouch will not be negotiated.
Hennessey, Sidwell, Ferdinand (WHU), Ashton, Hoyte and Gera will sign.
Barry, Maloney, Mellberg, Carson, Knight will leave.
Another Centre Back will sign aswell.
up the villa.
Flamini will join Milan on Sunday Night or Monday Morning according to club vice–president Adriano Galliani.
Chelsea failed in January to sign Royston Drenthe from Real Madrid but will almost certainly try again in the Summer.
Villa wants Real Madrid not Tottenham and Alves also wants a move to the soon to be crowned Spanish Champions instead of going to Chelsea.
Carson may go to Villa along with 6 or £7 million and Barry will head towards Anfeild.
Giampaolo Pazzini who was the first player to score at the new wembley is wanted by a host of top Premier League clubs but Tottenham are leading the race for the Italian.
Two suprise moves to big clubs
1. If Hleb leaves Arsenal Niko Kranjcar could come in.
2. Antonio Valencia may be joining Man United next season.
Man United Rumours
SAF has taken the decision to take the risk of bringing in Adriano from Inter and a transfer fee has already been agreed. Philip Lahm is almost certain to join as well after his contract negotiations with Bayern broke couple of weeks ago. A £25 million fee has also been agreed for Micah Richards from Man. City, we just have to wait and see if the player would agree Man. United's contract offer.
George7
Avram Grant has had a bust up with Shaun Wright–Phillips, this is the reason Shaun Wright–Phillips has been left out of the Chelsea squad recently. Shaun Wright–Phillips will leave Chelsea to join Manchester City for £15 million. Sidwell will leave Chelsea for £5 million joining either Sunderland Newcastle or Reading and Ben Haim will join Tottenham for £4 million. Drogba will join AC Milan for £25 million and Mourinho will be the manager of that AC team. Malouda will join Real Madrid with Drenthe coming in the opposite direction. Shechenko will stay at Chelsea, all the rumours of him leaving are flase. Belletti and Ferreira will both leave for small fees. Belletti will join Benfica and Ferreira will join Valencia to solve there poor defense. Wayne Bridge will wait until January to decide his Chelsea future, if he is still getting no games he will leave without a doubt. Makelele will retire at the end of next season, but he will not play as much as Chelsea will sign a world class defensive midfielder, people are saying United have got Veloseo but that is not yet a done deal as Chelsea also want him. The only problem is United have first pick on Sporting players. Pizarro will be loaned out to Stoke/West Bromwich/Sunderland/Fulham for a season with a Clause to buy after the loan. These rumours are certian to happen, expect Chelsea to spend big this season. Twice what the have ever spent before. More news on the players were signing will follow.
Chelsea will also make public plans for a new stadium. This stadium could be between 70,000 and 120,000 in capacity.
Chelsea will be the worlds biggest club by 2012.
After their worse season in over 40 years, Norwich City will commence an enormous player clear out as early as Wednesday of next week.
Seventeen players are either being released or completing moves to new clubs. The total, including the loan players is made up as follows–
End of contract–Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby, Gary Docherty.
Released–Steve Arnold, Andrew Cave–Brown, Rossi Jarvis, Ryan Jarvis, Bally Smart.
Moving On– Simon Lappin (Motherwell), Adam Drury (Derby), Lee Croft (Sunderland), Matty Gilks (MK Dons).
Loan Players– Gibbs (back to Arsenal, loan to another Premiership club next season) ; Bertrand (back to Chelsea, expected to move to Queens Park Rangers) ; Camara (back to Derby, no more news) ; Evans (back to Manchester City, Everton and Sunderland interested but nothing resolved until City have new Manager) ; Pearce (back to Reading, expected to stay although Crystal Palace and Sheff United "interested").
Norwich have a new sponsorship deal with Aviva, however, much of the income generated by that deal will go towards investment in the club infrastructure, particularly the Academy, seen as underachieving by the present regime. Expect a significant coaching appointment with respect to the Academy in the Summer, Norwich fans should "take hart", the appointment will be a good one.
Roeder's permanent targets include another ex–Norwich loan player, Martin Taylor of Birmingham City. Taylor is desperate for a new start after the Eduardo affair, and he, + both clubs see Norwich as a ideal place for him to resume his career.
He will be the major and highest costing arrival at Carrow Road this Summer.
Leicester City's Ian Hulme is another, as is Fraser Richardson at Leeds United. Greg Halford at Sunderland is Roeders most ambitious target, although he may have more luck with two others, namely Vincent Pericard, now a free agent, and Carlos Nash, recently at loan at Stoke City.
Roeder will also anticipate 2–3 new loan signings, probably from Arsenal or Chelsea. Kieron Gibbs will not be returning however.
Latest Aberdeen transfer activity
out:
Nicholson (Burnley)
Lovell (some offers in Scotland and England)
Miller (wants to stay in Aberdeen but will have to move on for £ reasons)
in:
McDonald (Oldham)
JC will bring in one of Riordan/Gow/Niculae
Mark Kerr has turned down offers from Aberdeen, Dundee United and Preston, and will now move to Germany instead
Strong rumours coming from Anfield Rafa is on his way to Madrid due to ongoing board unrest he was told there is no money to spend he would have to sell players in order to buy or pick up some bosmans. It's not looking good.
Arsene Wenger will spend £50 million in the Summer he will sign
Niko Kranjcar–Portsmouth £9.5 million
Lucio– Bayern Munich £7 million
Toulalan–Lyon £12 million
Huntelaar–Ajax £14.5 million
Gomes–PSV £6.5 million
£50 million
Leaving will be Flamini (AC Milan) Hoyte, Gilberto, Lehmann, Senderos,
To sweeten the pill of losing Flamini, Arsenal will announce a double signing before the Euro Championships– Artem Ben Arfa will be first in and then Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich will sign to replace Eboue–this will be £20 million Arsene has been promised in funds–any other transfers in will depend on funds from transfers out and this will mean an end to Gilberto, Hleb, Senderos–that money will fund a centre back and central midfielder–they are likley to be Mexes and Makoun. How do I know this–I work for Air Emirates and flights in for these four players have already been booked in order the four players to visit London Colney training facilities and the Stadium. By the start of July all four of these players will be Arsenal footballers.
NUfc rumours
This is what I have heard.
In (Apparently):
Frey
swp
Crouch
Out (Apparently):
Ameobi
Duff
N'Zogbia
Viduka
Faye
Given
P. S A strong rumour about Huntelaar joining internation team mates, Kuyt and Babel at Liverpool. = NUfc_RV=
Arsenal outs
I hate to say it but it is going to be big this year. Some they want to get rid of, some they do not have a choice.
Out:
Gilberto: Villareal
Flamini: AC Milan (which is stupid, he will never please them there)
Hleb: Inter
Rosicky: Atletico
Senderos: Newcastle
Eboue: Lyon
Lehmann: Some BL2 club
People need to stop taliking about Bendtner out, it will not happen.
In:
Nasri (Marseille)
Menez (Monaco)
Joseph (NE Revolution)
Richards (Citeh)
Ruffier (Monaco – did you see his saves yesterday? )
Niang (Marseille) + some unknown but young and versatile all purpose defender who can play fullback, central defense and even in a pinch winger or defensive mid
Believe me, this is addition by subtraction especially with players like Harvard Nordveit, Carlos Vela, Fran Merida and Rui Fonte being ready next year.
To the rumour–monger who suggested that Celtic will sign Ognjen Vukojević (Dinamo Zagreb) bad news, Rangers have been watching this player for a while and have submitted a formal offer of 1.25 milllion. (check the archive) Rangers also trying to sign Torosidis of OlympiAkos before the Euro Championships begin. And finally Rangers want to sign Luke Moore but the price
Alan Curbishley to be sacked after the Aston Villa game on Saturday as BG does not trust Curbs with the money he will give him and he knows he ain't the man to take us forward.
The following are the ones who will be linked with the job in order from favourite is:
1) Roberto Mancini,
2) Martin jol,
3) Avram Grant (if he is sacked)
and 4) Sven Goran Eriksson.
Arsenal Transfer Targets 2008/2009:
Nigerian International Obafemi Martins has been told he can leve St. James Park after Newcastle came to terms over a fee for Ligue One star Bafetimbi Gomis. Martins is now open to a switch to the Gunners with Arsenal look set to make a £11 million bid for the forward.
Arsenal will announce the signing of Australian International Mark Milligan by next week after a secret trial was a success with midfielder to move to Arsenal on a free transfer subject to a Work Permit.
Greek forward Nikos Karelis is currently on trial with The Gunners after Scouts watched him as he broke a world record being the youngest player to ever play in the Greek Super League last week after coming on as substitute at the 76th minute aged 16. Arsene Wenger came to terms with his club over a £1.5 million price–tag rising to £3 million should he ake first team appearences.
Portsmouth Winger Niko Kranjcar confirmed he would be intersted in a move to the Emirates Stadium in the Summer. Arsene Wenger was poised to move for him as a replacement for Alexander Hleb who looks se for Spain or Italy. Arsene has labelled Niko Kranjcar as one of the best wingers in Premier League football at the moment for his blessed passing ability along with his tremendous skills to get past his man but Arsene Wenger has explained his interest and has reportedly already made a £8 million bid which Redknapp will find hard to turn down.
The Gunners agreed a fee to bring Algerian International Kamel Ghilas to the Emirates Stadium in the Summer. After shining in Portugal with current side Vitória Guimarães Ghilas enjoyed a season on the left midfield after playing in strike when he was playing with France.
Arsenal scouts were really impressed with the Wing Forward and sent scouts to watch him at every game he played. Ghilas will now join Arsenal for a maximum fee of £2.5 million and could be the permanent replacement of Tomasz Rosicky.
Cameroon International Jean II Makoun is a strong target for Arsene Wenger as he has top Wenger's list as a replacement for Free Agent Matheiu Flamini as the midfielder's agent exclusively speaking to setanta sports told them he is on the verge of a move to Arsenal.
Portsmouth youth winger Franck Songo'o has been on radar the of Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger after scouts continuously have been watching him play.
As Leicester are down to league one, we need to think about possible signings.
in
Danny Welbeck (Loan, Man United)
Ian Harte (Sunderland)
Svetoslav Todorov (Charlton)
Kelvin Etuhu (Permanent Manchester City)
Harry Worley (Permanent Chelsea)
David Bell (Permanent Luton)
One of the Hungarians (Lazcko or Bori)
Jason Jarrett (Preston maybe)
Sam Vokes (Bournemouth? )
Matthew Spring (Luton)
Steven Gillespie (Cheltenham, get him quick)
For all my fellow Arsenal fans.
as much as I hate to admit it but as we all truely know Mr alexander Hleb is off to inter. but sir Wenger is bring in kranjcar a quality player that will fit in well. Flamini is off aswell why I cannot understand, he has finaly cemented a place in our team after four years of of hard work, but as we all know money makes the world go round. it was pretty obvious Flamini would listen to offers n makes you wonder why Arsene Wenger let Diarra go but I hope n expect Arsene to bid for Real Madrids Diarra. As for a defender who knows we hav had a lot of speculation ie. Mexes, micah Richards. but Wenger being Wenger will get unknow quality. Nordtveit will come in to replace the dodgy Senderos. It is also worring that Tottenham will probly beat us in the race to sign Gomes credit to alumia he has done well a great shot stopper but we need a top commanding keeper. As we seen last Summer we failed to snap up Ribery I feel the same thing will happen with Hatem Ben Arfa. CESC FABREGAS TO LEAD DA GONNERS AS CAPTAIN NEXT SEASON.
out
Hleb
Flamini
Lehmann
Senderos
in
kranjcar
Mexes
Richards
Diarra (Real Madrid)
Hatem Ben Arfa
Gomes
Dubai International Capital are moving to buy out George Gillett's 50 per cent share in Liverpool.
The Independent says DIC will seek to purchase the American's stake within six weeks when a legal bar on the sale of his share is lifted.
Despite co–owner Tom Hicks' interview yesterday, this will not deter DIC from a plan to take over Gillett's 50 per cent share in Liverpool – when pre–emption rights preventing the sale expire – enduring Hicks for as long as they must and then attempting to force him out of the club by putting up money for Liverpool's new stadium and challenging him to do the same.
They believe he will be unable to do so.
. and finally
E ABIDAL – FC Barcelona – Lfc £8.5 million
malmo
To the Melwood groundsman who said he heard from the horses mouth Stevie G was going to Spain. a talking horse hey? If it is true I want to know why Rafa brings a horse to training. Is it one from the Godolphin stable?. DIC must be taking over.
Keep me informed please.
Everton are to sign both Manuel Fernandes and Raul Albiol from Valenica in the Summer. Everton will also sign Sebastian Larsson and Brian Howard.
Know facts Man United have a big budget once again this Summer of around 50 million –75 million.
Ferguson has lost patience with Nani – he sees him as immature and lacks the quality needed at this level.
Fergie is chasing a few midfielders as Giggs (retirement) and Fletcher (Rangers 2–mill) and Nani all definatly going.
midfielders:
palacios, loan for a season (to see if he's worth the money) – £4 million – Wigan
Valencia – £7 million – Wigan
Gattuso has been a target and this is purely my thoughts we could do with a player like him to provide backup for Hargreaves as he cannot stay fit. if this fails we will surely sign veloso from sporting roughly £14 million.
fergason is also needing some new forwards these are:
dean Ashton – straight swap for Luis Saha (thank god)
manucho – loan return
there is a possibility that we could sign pavlychenko if the price is right (12 million) but facing competition from Arsenal who see him as a replacement for Adebayor who is off to Real Madrid.
finaly fergason is going to bolster the United defense by adding a rb to replace Gary Neville who's injury is going to force him into retirement, this will be boswinga from Porto (15.8 million) or theyre will be a cheeky bid for Glen Johnson (2.5 million + Danny simpson + Danny wellbeck)
cheers,
Arsenal are looking for a defencive midfielder and a winger to replace the outgoing Hleb and Flamini (shame). Wenger will also buy young talent to bolster his squads depth for next year.
ins:
gol – Kirkland (Wigan) 5 mill
Def – Lucio (Bayern) free agent
Def – Mbaye (sm cans) 200 k
Def – Arbeloa (Liverpool) 1.25 mill
Mid – Ribery (Bayern) 8 mill
Mid – Nasri (Marseille) 12 mill
for– Crouch (Liverpool) 8 mill
for– Vela loan return
that is all
Out:
Senderos £2 million – villareal
lehamn free – dortmund
Gilberto – £2 million Wigan or roma
Hleb – £8 million inter
Flamini free – AC Milan or Juve
Adebayor – £17 million – Real Madrid
bentner – £7 million ManChester City or totenham or Wigan.
fabianksi – £1 million – racing Santander
Gallas £4 million – swap Robinho
cheers
Totenham to make radical changes this Summer, with an unlimited transfer budget for the final push into the top 4.
outs:
Lennon – Portsmouth/Everton–11 million
cerny – slavia prague – free
Robinson – Middlesborogh – 3 mill
Lee young pyo – PSV – 2 mill
chimbonda – Wigan – 2 mill
king ( retirement his injury is irrepaiable)
malbronque – Sunderland – 3 mill
zokora – Bayern Munich – £5 million + sweinsteiger
kaboul – leverkusen– 3 mill
tainio – Fulham – 200 k
ghally – Sunderland – 3 mill
boateng – leverkusen – 4 mill
bent – the Hammers – 9 mill
ekotto–dervitte–rocha free agents
Ins:
modric –15.8 million agreed–dynamo zagreb
David James – £3 million – Portsmouth
kameni – £4 million – Espanyol
lahm – £8 million – Bayern
sweinsteiger– swap – Bayern
leScot – 7 mill– Everton
tel Ben Haim – 2 mill
fazio – free – Sevilla
lolo – free – Sevilla
jesus Navas – £14 million – Sevilla
Quaresma – £18 million – Porto
cambiasso – 2 mill– inter
capel – 4 mill– Sevilla
Sidwell – free – Chelsea
kone – free Sevilla
fabiano – 9 mill– Sevilla
Gomes – £12 million – Bayern
cheers
Dimitar Berbatov to join Man United for £25 million, he will be in Manchester with his agent on Monday. I know this, due to doing his currency transfers and was told this by his advisor.
Roy Keane wants this team for next year and nail quin is giving him the money, come on you black cats.
Goal – Gordon – already here,
LB – Warnock – Blackburn – 4 mill
CB – Evans – Already there
CB – Addison – Derby younster – Swap nosworthy,
RB – Chimbonda – Tottenham – 2 mill
LM – Daryl Murphy – Already there
CM – Long – Reading – 6 mill
CM – Whitehead – already here
RM – Barnes – already here
ST – Forlan – 12 mill
ST – Jones – already here
he also wants –
nalis – Plymouth free
ebanks blake – Wolves
Kamara – Fulham – £2 million
smith – Newcastle– 5 mill
Liverpool will make only three new signings.
RB – Degen or Sergio Ramos (Mates with Torres)
CM – Barry will come in and Alonso will return back to Spain.
And Finally move for Stuart Downing to play on the left wing.
Crouch will not be sold.
Arsenal
All of these rumours about Wenger going to sign Barry, Johnston or Richards are obsurd as all the time he has been incharge of the club he has only once signed a player from our leaqgue (campbell) and that was because he was for free.
As I said a while ago, I live next door to one of the coaching staff from Arsenal and even he is not privy to who the main transfer targets are.
He did say a few weeks ago that there was talk about Robinho being targetted yet again should either Hleb or Bendtner leave. He also said that Chivu was being looked at by Mr Rowleys team, but we have now sent scouts to have a look at Van Buyten.
There is also office gossip that Karren Brady will be working at Arsenal next season in Edelmans place.
As I said above none of this is concrette as the coaching staff are not told of transfer target as it is not part of their jobs, the person who told me this got the information from others at the club in passing and from general chit–chat with other staff.
Will b busy at Hillsborough this Summer if takeover is finalised and the owls stay up. Ins will b Eastwood (Wolves), sularski (w brom), mcguigan (Forest), songo (Portsmouth), out will b bullen. burton, Clarke, burton o brien
Transfer rumours:
Sir Alex Ferguson made a list of players he wants to buy. Of course United need a Rght back and their main target is Micah Richards of City. If this bid fails which is unprobable because they are ready to offer £20 million United will make an approach for Bosingwa or Dani Alves. As for a forward United wants to sign one of these three Benzema, Huntelaar or Neves which pays in Brazil.
Do not be surprised that English Clubs buy Brazilian player this Summer wth players like Kerlon, Thiago Neves and other Brazilian stars.
FC Barcelona are ready to offload lots of players and make a new era with Messi the main player for them. They will offload Zambrotta, Sylvinho, Thuram, Henry, Eto'o, Deco, Ronaldinho. They will sign David Capel and There are rumours that they made contacts with Aguero of Athletico.
Liverpool signings
Rafa is ready to replace Andrei Voronin with the signing of Michael Owen. Rafa has been impressed to the way Owen has played in a deeper role recently and will give him that same role with Torres up front. Owen will not cost more than £8 million
Bayern Leverkusen are ready to make a £9 million bid for Dirk Kuyt and although Benitez is a big fan of him, the offer would be too good for him to say no.
Harry Kewell will be replaced by Barry for £7 million + Riise. Although many see Barry as a CM, Rafa will give him a utility role in the DM, LM and LB role. Yossi Benayoun (5 million) will be replaced by David Silva who could cost up to £18 million.
Philip Degen has already signed on a free and he will replace Steve Finnan. Marcell Jansen will replace Riise and will cost around £10 million. Rafa wants a left back who is tall and good in the air as well.
Carson will also leave for a fee of around £5 million.
Ins: Owen Barry Silva Degen Jansen
Outs: Voronin Kuyt Kewell Riise Finnan Carson
Rafa wants more height from his full backs and with Jansen and Degen he has that, as well as more pace than Riise and Finnan.
There will be a rush to buy English players this Summer, as the big 4 are worried about possible new rules coming in. A rule stating that 7 home country players must be in the squad, would not break EU rules as it does not stop clubs employing as many overseas players as they like. Therefore Gareth Barry, Dean Ashton, Micah Richards, Kevin Nolan, David Bentley and a few others are high on the shopping lists. Expect to see some amazingly high offers put in. Although all the paper talk is about Gareth Barry, it is Dean Ashton that is attracting the most interest with all the top 4 teams wanting him. Expect bids of over £20 million. Kevin Nolan is being lined up by Newcastle. The busiest clubs this Summer will be Newcastle and the Hammers. Both are intent on huge clear outs, and will have big transfer budgets for replacements, (Do not believe the rumours than the Hammers are short of money). First move for the Hammers will be to move Alan Curbishley upstairs and appoint Mancini as manager. Curbishley is not keen about the move and will quit after next weeks game.
I know this will make me look oppurtunist, but there were strong rumours MON was monitoring the Valencia situation very closely even before he put two past them on Saturday. Routledge has not had any game time, so this one could well be solid.
Ever the sceptic, I genuinely believe that with the EPL destroying Europe lately and literally raping it of it's assets, the situation is to be addressed by UEFA in the most conniving of ways. Within five years, despite all the money in the EPL, many top players will find themselves on the continent once more. All this talk of limiting foreign players is a ploy to stop the English teams from looting Europe of it's talent. The England team not qualifying is a dream come true for UEFA to justify it's underhand tactics. I am sceptical, this is cynical, it is a conspiracy but you better believe it. Why would they care if we qualify or not? Or if English talent comes through or not? They are proud men who have seen their once proud leagues ransacked of talent by the EPL. They can already limit the non–EU quota, and this will be done in ime for the start of the 2010 season guaranteed. It was even stated they were looking at restricting the EU quota, and whether the EU would allow this
Expect a very much improved Chelsea model this year. Henk Den Cate is looking to the fuure as well as wanting to implement the attractive football policy Roman wishes to have in place. Expect Chelsea to try and emulate the academies of the other top 4 and bring and nurture some young talent along with improving the facilities and scouting departments. In terms of transfers AC Milan want both Schevchenko and amazingly (considering the age of thier midfield) want to replace Emerson with Makalele. Chelsea never need to sell but the 3 in 3 out system has served them well before and it makes financial sense. Expect Schev allowed to move on, with bids put in to test the water for Nesta Pirlo Kaka and Pato to see what options are feasible. I personally think Makalele is still a great player to have and Chelsea would be a bit fickle to let him leave. Scheva Sidwell and Shaun Wright–Phillips look the most likely to leave. Poss joined by Pizarro. The talent bought in will be largely dependant on the nature of other dealings in the market, ie If AC acquire Rdinho a move may be made for Kaka etc. But expect calls to be made regarding Ribery Messi Rdinho Kaka Silva Villa Berbatov Hunterlaar Vaart Diego Aguero and Zlatan. Id seriously expect one if not two to be in blue next season. Maybe three if the Drog leaves. ps Mourinhos 'lasting' legacy will be blown out the water if Avram wins the cup. Considering he hauled them to level points with the champs and won the cup. He might even stay on if he can produce an attractive project for Roman and Henk to believe in. To do what he has done already is quite an achievement by the man. He strkies me not as great but 'Sensible' and considering the means at his disposal that is probably all he needs to be.
Juande Ramos will replace Jermaine–man Defoe with none other than Antonio 'nobodys better' Cassano. Juande also looks set to cash in on some of the technically–inferior English contingent at the lane. Defoes gone, expect Gardner, Murphy, Robinson and Lennon to follow suit and possibly even Jermaine–mans sidekick Jenas. Ramos can easily raise £20 million this season from outgoings alone. This is net after fees and payments. Expect those lot, Boateng, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Rocha and Kaboul to leave. Signings to replace this sorry rabble will be Diego Lopez in Goal, Diego Ribas and Diego Capel in attacking roles, Cassano up front and David Bentley on the right. Gk Lopez Cerny. RB Hutton Ekotto. centre back King Woody Dawson Huddlestone. LB Bale Young. RW Bentley Malbranque. CM Diego Jenas Zokora King/Huddlestone. LW Modric Capel. ST Berbatov Keane Bent Cassano. In: Lopez £8 million Bentley £10 million Diego £13 million Modric £17 million Cassano £8 million (56 million) Top 4 beware.
MON looking at replacing Olof with Chimbonda, and strenghtening the right with Valencia or Bullard.
Harrys done it again. Brian Mcbride had shook on a deal to take him to fratton park whether Fulham stay up or not.
Its pretty obvious that Henry would b making a return to the emerites this Summer. as everyone has heard Henry's interview on bbc. He has said that if he comes back to England he will only come back to Arsenal + Wenger has stated that if Henry wants to come back he is most welcome. Henry has been shown a green light from FC Barcelona so he can leave if he wants to. Now why would he stay in a club which did not start him in a Champions League semifinal. You just cannot ignore a player of a caliber like Henry's.
Flamini is leaving for th san siro while Hleb is still confused.
Benafra and lucio are most likely to join Arsenal.
maybe even barry if Arsenal can compete with Liverpool's bid.
Following Barry's performance against Wigan on Saturday it is likely that Barry will be going to Liverpool.
A source close to Manchester City has told me that O'Neill has been watching Michael Johnson in an attempt to sign and replace Barry. With the prospect of working under O'Neill and the current problems at the top at Manchester City, this could be the ideal way for Johnson to move forward and possibly get into a full International squad under the stewardship of O'Neill.
Afc news
Gattuso has said he wants to move to England,
as we all no Wenger is a huge fan of him and with Flamini going to ac Gattuso wants out and see's and favours Arsenal out of the top four do not be surpised to see Gattuso in the heart of the emerits next year