Football Rumours Archive May 22 2008
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This page is updated several times a day. Last update: 09:00:22 GMT+1
Guillem Balague was in the office I work today and when asked if he had any gossip would only say that David Villa will not be coming to England – he will sign for Real or Barcelona
Keeping you in the know.
The reason for all this confusion around Sevilla and Athletic Madrid is because they both finished on equal points and under English rules, Sevilla, with the superior goal difference would have finishedfourth but it is Spain, where it's decided via head to head results before goal difference.
People saying Sevilla finishedfourth were not the only ones, a supposedly 'entertaining' sports network had the table wrong on their interactive tables cough setantacough
Anyway down to business.
Rafa is not loaded but neither is he completely lacking funds. Around £15–20 million is available in net spend.
Ins:
Stuart Downing (barry deal to high for Rafa's liking) – £12 million
Philip Degen– Free
Dossena – £8 million
Sergio Garcia – £8 million
Pablo Aimar – £7 million
David Villa and Silva are out of the price range but despite what some people are saying, there may be a cheeky bid for Huntelaar, after Ajax's failure to qualify for the Champions League and the fact that Rafa has previously expressed his admiration for the forward but only if Kuyt is sold, which is unlikely, considering Rafa will allow Voronin to leave and Crouch, as he cannot promise him enough football.
Outs:
Riise – £5 million
Pennant – £6.5 million
Crouch – £11 million
Carson – £6 million
Voronin – £3 million
Rumours going about Edinburgh that Hibernian are going to sign Derek Riordan and Darren O'Dea from Celtic and Gary O'Connor is coming on loan.
West Bromwich Albion are hoping to sign Song from Arsenal on a seasons long loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Roman Bednar will almost certainly sign permanently at The Hawthorns.
Despite much interest from many clubs including Benfica, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle, Zoltan Gera has stated that he would stay with West Bromwich if they could prove they are long term Premier League contenders and not just be relegated at the end of the season. A large wage offer from Jeremy Peace has also assured Zoltan Gera that he is very much wanted at the club.
Portsmouth are after Ishmael Miller for around £5 million and if that kind of money was offered, Mowbray would definitely sell and bring in another forward of more quality, which sees Luke Moore way out of the picture after failing to impress on loan.
Kris Boyd is still a major transfer target from Rangers at around £5 million.
Arsenal transfers.
GK;Frey
Reserve RB;Milligan
CB;Mexes/Laursen
CM;De Rossi/Yaya Toure/Noble
LWM;Ben Arfa
CAM;Nasri/Auguro
If Hleb leaves both Nasri and Auguro will be bought and Auguro will play off the forward.
If Wenger recieves an offer of £25 million + for Adebayor he will let him go and sign Roque Santa Cruz for half that price
Vela and Merida will play in the carling cup for the first half of the season and then be loaned to Derby for the second, Song may also follow them
Lehmann is off.
Gallas will stay, as will Toure.
Rosicky may be used in a swap deal with Auguro but if not he will have one last chance to have an injury free season if not he will leave the same goes for van Persie.
Arsenal may sign Diego Milito from Zaragoza on loan as Zaragoza want to keep him in hope that they make a quick return to the top flight of Spanish football and Arsenal want someone to cover for the injured Eduardo but do not want to spend lots of money on a player for one year.
Do not expect Vela and Merida to play as many games as everyone says as the will be bedded in gently.
I have it on good authority ruud van nistelrooy will be signing for Sunderland alongside Scholes o shea and also pablo aimar these are done deals apparently come on keano
Hot off the press he had talks agreed terms fee agreed but Rafa will not say until dossena and two wingers and a forward are bought but andrea Pirlo is a Liverpool player
Rangers Summer targets
ins:
ivan klasnic–free– Werder bremen
Steven Fletcher–4 mill–Hibernian
Darren Fletcher–2 mill–Man United
Jay McEveley–1 mill–Derby County
Christophe berra–1 mill–Hearts
pascal feindouno–2.5 million + papac–St. Etienne
Steve Davis–swap (cousin) –Fulham
vasilis torosidis–1.5 mill–Olympiacos
kenny Miller– £2 mill– Derby County
All of this nonsense about Arsenal "about to sign Nasri" or "Ben Arfa" or "Diego" is a joke. I have close connexions with Arsenal and unless Usmanov or Kroenke infuses more cash the club just does not have the money for these purchases. Arsenal will continue to make cut–rate purchases of promising youth, as big–name talent is just too expensive for them given their crippling stadium debt. Look for Arsenal to sign Tresor Mputu and Nikolay Dmitrov and a couple of young French defenders but nobody else.
Phillip Degen sign already for Liverpool coming in July 1 08 after two weeks Liverpool will get David Silva and David Bentley after two weeks they will try to sign aguero or Huntelaar or even benzema but before august they will try to get gareth barry and rifinha will also sign on July 1 08 and that is all the signings for Liverpool FC this year more youth players will play for the first team such as insua and plessis and nemeth.
"Livepool FC" numero 1
u herd it here first J. e. d
Watford will be signing Helguson who has been released by Bolton. Going the other way will be defender Danny Shittu, while Lloyd Doyley could sign a contract with Aston Villa.
Anyone has any information or rumours on Taye Taiwo and players from AC Milan (not qualified for CL)?
I still heard that Rafa has contacted Porto on the price of Queresma. Knowing that he has qualities to C. Ronaldo and the impact that he will have not just on the field but off (will sell merchandise) he will be making a major bid eventhough he's been limited on Transfer money. Gerrard will leave next year if Liverpool end up infourth again
Drogba heading to Inter.
My brother works at Craven Cottage and yesterday met David Beckham who was having lunch with Mohammed Al Fahed. Not saying that Becks is joining but his kids were all presnted with Fulham Kits with Beckham 08 on the back.
Nasri is going to pen a deal with Arsenal in next 24 hours. and that is confirmed.
Rafa has a £10 million NET expenditure, this is how he will sign:
UlRich Rame (Itjande) as no. 2 to Reina
Andrea Dossena (8 million)
Michael Owen (7 million)
Amantino Mancini (3 million) will buy out his contract
Gareth Barry (8 million + Carson)
Lulinha (6 million)
Aaron Ramsey (5 million)
Leaving will be:
Steve Finnan (2 million)
John Arne Riise (5 million)
Peter Crouch (10 million)
Jermaine Pennant (6 million)
Andrey Voronin (1 million)
Danny Guthrie (2 million)
Charles Itjande (1 million + Rame)
Kieron harrison from Burnley will sign for Stoke in a deal worth 50 k
. "To the guy who said "Please Enough already
Most of the Liverpool rumours on here are exactly that – rumours. There is no basis for them. "
You're sharp It's a RUMOUR site. The Degen transfer is not 'up in the air' – it is a done deal so that fact you gave us is not fact at all – it is a rumour. ".
When I wrote that it was up in the air, it still was. Degen's agent held out for higher wages and signing fee right to the end playing LFC off afainst a German club. My source is implacable – a senior player.
Some of the rubbish on here is terrible. to the guy who thinks gareth barry will cost Liverpool £25 million in all, seriously mate are you a complete fool.
Big Premiership Signings
Man United– Berbatov, Veloso,?
Arsenal– Elano, Ben Arfa, Yaya Toure + T. Henry in Exchange for Gallas, Also expect a bid for LeScott
Chelsea– Boswiga, Expect Bid for Benzema and Robinho
Liverpool– Barry, D. Silva, Rafinah, Lennon, Deagen
Tottenham– Bentley, Kanoute, Modric, Vicente,
Manchester City– Marquez, Deco
A. Villa– Pennant, Riise,
Portsmouth– Defoe, Crouch
Newcastle– Sol Campbell, Podolski, Arashavin
Everton– Jo,
So far my rumours have been 100 percent correct. One of the most important things is to read between the lines. Rafa nearly lost his job when he spoke out last time so now he's a lot more wiser. ask yourself why Stevie G is asking for the yanks to splash the cash. it is because because Rafa cannot and the yanks know Stevie is indispensable. I said give it a fortnight and Rafa has only obtained a free and a possible exchange. Finnan, Crouch, Vorinan will probably be the next exits. Only then will you see a proper purchase. I am sorry Liverpool fans but the yanks are in deep trouble and Hicks is not being honourable. SOS DIC. Deco will be wearing red next season.
Who is this guy who keeps saying Atletico finishedfifth? They werefourth, Head to Head goes above goal difference in Spain, please get facts right before criticising others. On to the rumours, nothing concrete but heard that Kevin Doyle could be on his way to Celtic Park for around £5.5 million, think He would do well in the Scottish Premier League but Champions League is a different ballgame. Arshavin will not go anywhere for £8.5 million, Manchester City have bid £12 million already which was turned down instantly. Zenit are looking for £15 million+ for the crafty midfielder, Gattuso to stay put at AC Milan, as will Kaka, Seedorf, Pato and Nesta. Liverpool looking for 1 "star man" to play on the wing. Quaresma and Silva linked, although I fancy Bentley to play wide right with Babel making the left side his own.
3 in a row. RIP Tommy Burns
Not a rumour but would like to clarify that
Atletico Madrid finishedfourth in La Liga and as such qualify for Champions League with Real Madrid/Villareal and FC Barcelona
Valencia also qualified for Europe but in the UEFA Cup
Rumours now– FAbiano the Sevilla fwd linked continuously with a move to Man United will not be signing as it would appear that FC Barcelona have entered into negotiations with him and Guiza of MAllorca both players being the top 2 goalscorers in LA Liga last season.
Also Henry not coming back to play in England but there is strong rumours around Spain that he may be going to Lyon in exchange for certain players from their ranks.
I can confirm that Deco and Drogba are most definitely holding onto their passports for the arrival of Mourinho at whichever club. so Newcastle fans unless you get rid of Keegan do not expect Deco.
Also rumours around Madrid is that Schuster has been given the green light to sign whoever he wants in order to regain the European Cup. expect Van Nistelrooy to move and some rather unexpected movement into Madrid. with one expected and that is Villa already completed personal contract just having to thrash out final details with Valencia. grumble from player being used in part exchange.
Birmingham City news
Players that are serious targets are:
Micheal Sturrige on loan from Manchester City
Ian Hume from Leicester £1.2 million
Danny Shittu from Watford £1 million
Ben Foster on loan from Man United
Players Out:
Forssell (Free)
Kapo Newcastle/Tottenham
De Ridder back to Celta
Stephen Kelly West Bromwich Albion
James McFadden Newcastle/Celtic
Seb Larrsson will sign a new contract at Birmingham and vowing to help the club win promotion.
McFadden is said to be willing to stay and give all, but reports are if the club getthe right offer, then they will accept it, of course James can turn the move down. do not expect a lot happening early on, as the club are waiting to see what players some Premier League clubs will be releasing.
Pompey Fc
Ins –
Crouch £8 million
Kaboul £2.5 million
Joe Ledley £3.5 million
Mauro Zarate £5 million
Jermaine Pennant £7 million
Luisao £7.5 million
Harry Kewell Free
Outs –
Richard Hughes (Derby)
Diarra (Everton) £8 million
Nugent (Preston N. E) £5 million
Krancjar (Arsenal) £8 million
man united
Sulky face Berbatov will arrive next week after the post Champions League final media circus, it's all done bar the signing on the line (which I am not that happy about to be honest).
Do not be surprised to see Saha go as part of the Situ deal.
Alves will take some wrangling but wants to come. It is just getting the right price on both sides. No Micah Richards deal is getting anywhere.
Man Unitedmick (back from the brink)
sky blues
Chris Coleman is a very busy man expect too see or linked with
in:
GK – Kasper Schmeicel – £1.5 million (Manchester City)
RB – Tony Capaldi – £0.5 million (Cardiff)
AM – Guillaume Beuzelin – Free (Hibernian)
CB – Dean Leacock – £250.000 (Derby)
FW – Freddy Eastwood – £1.5 million (Wolves)
RW – Xabi Prieto – £500.000 (Real Sociedad)
FW – HEider Helguson – £Undisc (Bolton)
RW – Bobby Convey – £Undisc (Reading)
LW – Gary McSheffrey – £2 million (Bham)
AM – Isiah Osbourne – Loan (Villa)
RB – Danny Simpson – Loan (Man United)
out:
Gary Borrowdale – Queens Park Rangers
Chris Birchall – Leicester
Kevin Kyle – Released
Wayne Andrews – Bristol Rovers
Robbie Simpson – LOAN
Stephen Hughes – MLS
Suggesting that Norwich City will have a transfer fund of £11 million is ridiculous we all know the board do not have that kind of money and it seems the Turners are not about to pump anymore of their money into us any time soon so realisticly I see us having a fund of around 3 maybe £4 million if we are lucky this will be used to sign the following.
Martin Taylor (Birmingham 750K)
Kaspers Gorkss (Blackpool 250K)
Wes Hoolahan (Blackpool 250K)
Ched Evans (Manchester City 750K)
Maceo Rigters (Blackburn 750K)
James Brown (Hartlepool 250K)
Mcdonald (Dundee 500K)
Aswell as several Premier League loans including Gibbs, Bertrand and Jack Cork.
The club will confirm that both Gary Doherty and Mark Fotheringham will sign new contracts by the end of next week.
If Roeder fails to get us promoted in the next two seasons he will be sacked.
Breaking Rumours
Newcastle are looking into the prospect of taking Kenwyn Jones to Newcastle in exchange for £8 million and The Duke (Viduka).
Also, look for a cheeky bid for Eboue of Arsenal to fill the problematic RB spot.
On a lighter note Moyes or Everton is looking to have a weewee before he manages to get a dudu.
T to the B to the Wood.
Stoke In:
lita £9 million
higginbotham £4 million
Finnan £4 million
Shevchenko (loan)
nash £350K
out
fuller – West Bromwich want him
dickinson – Port Vale
lawrence – Liverpool
Adriano back to inter
ibra to FC Barcelona
ibra swap with Eto'o
Ronaldinho to Milan
yaya Toure Arsenal
Celtic are very close to completing a deal for Vukojevic from Dinamo and he will be one of only 3 or four new players to arrive this Summer. Strachan wants an experienced centre back to partner McManus and Cuellar's success has led him to Spaina and Jarque in particular. If he loses out with Jarque, then alternatives include Simunicic and Paramot.
Other transfer targets are a left back either to replace or to compete with Naylor. Several targets have been watched and but Huzsti from Hannover is very close to coming.
Lastly, Strachan will add further competition at Goal Keeper and Striker, several players have been watched and I understand Sam Volkes and Steven Fletcher are being closely monitored.
I am a lifelong Owl, who is fortunate enough to work for a firm that brokers large scale takeovers within the entertainment/sports industries.
Following a series of meetings with all parties concerned I can advise that Sheff Wednesday will soon announce will confirm that a takeover by a group of Sri Lanka businessmen (rubber and sugar magnates) is likely to be completed by the end of June.
Laws will be leaving. Replacing him will be Gianfranco Zola + several new backroom staff, made up of top class Italian coaching staff and physios etc.
The clubs debt will be cleared in one go and Zola will be handed a budget unheard of outside of Premiership.
Zola has already been sounded out about the job and is keen to take it. His immediate plans include bringing over several Italian Under–21 internationals using his contacts over there.
In the long term he will be completely revamping the coaching and playing structures as well as set up a global scouting network.
Good times ahead OWLS fans.
Chesea is selling Drogba to Inter.00 percent True. I saw Drogba having a meeting at the hotel lobby in Milan. Believe it or not
I have heard that Tottenham are trying to sign Carlos Cuellar from Rangers
From a very good source, Norwich City Board and Management are fighting day to day to stop the Club from falling into administration. Roeder took a bold step to axe a large amount of playing staff and back room staff, but this is a brave move, because if the club does fall into administration a transfer embargo will be imposed leaving the club dangerously low on players
Man United are after Everton youngsters Jack Rodwell, Dan Golsing, Jack McGonigle and Kieron Agard for a combined fee of £6 million although Everton may not sell as these have all performed well at acadamey and reserve stage this season
Derby are looking to stregnthen there squad with the signing of Peterborough forword Aaron maclean for 800 k + tottenahm defender anthony Gardner £1 million
Leyton Orient, I sit high up at brizze, and bary hearn will give lingy 200,000 squid to make a push for championship, if lingy stays that is and that looks very unlikely.
ins
Tottenham lonaness
Darren Huckerby
outs
For sure tamika makandwire will go to swance for
200,00
Boyd will go
and Jason demitriou to charton for £1 million
The Hammers Rumours Gianluca Nani has warned Alan Curbishley off of Andy Johnson and reccomended Everton target Jo of CSKA Moscow. Curbishley has been preparing a scouting trip with Nani where they will look at and discuss transfer targets. Ins: Jo – £15 million – CSKA Davide Lanzafame – 2.75 million – Juve Zdravko Kuzmanovic – 8. £25 million – Fiorentina Steven Taylor – £5 million – Newcastle Lorenzo De Silvestri – £6 million – Lazio Outs: Carlton Cole – £3.5 million – Sunderland Bobby Zamora – £4.5 million – Fulham Freddie Llungburg – 500 k – Villareal Luis Boa Morte – £2 million – Stoke Callum Davonport – £1.5 million – West Bromwich Lucas Neill – £1.5 million – Sunderland Lee Bowyer – 250 k – Nottingham Forest Kyel Reid – Free – Crystal Palace Jimmy Walker – Free – Swansea