August 26th 2008
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Robinho deal moving closer - Agent http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...050844,00.html
Chelsea could finally be set to sign Robinho after the Brazilian's agent revealed the playmaker's Real Madrid career was about to end.
The Blues have been tracking Robinho for much of the summer and lodged a bid with Real earlier this month.
The Spanish champions were initially keen to keep the 24-year and Chelsea were not willing to match their lofty valuation.
However, Robinho recently admitted he was desperate to leave the Bernabeu and secure a move to Chelsea, and Real responded by saying they would let him leave.
The former Santos playmaker has been warned he may have to pay to terminate his contract, but agent Wagner Ribeiro expects the matter to be resolved before the close of the transfer window.
"The deal is about to be reached," Ribeiro said in the Daily Mirror.
"Robinho's cycle in Spain has come to an end and he is looking forward to a new project."
Reports suggest that Robinho will travel to London this week to discuss personal terms ahead of a proposed £28million move.
Pompey Hand Trial To African Full-Back http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.a...enutoId=835189
Portsmouth have handed a trial to South African full-back Innocent Mdledle, according to his club, Orlando Pirates.
The 22-year-old reportedly impressed Pompey manager Harry Redknapp during the course of his nation’s 2-2 with Australia last week at Loftus Road in London.
The left-footer, who won Orlando Pirates’ Player of the Year award last season, has travelled back to England and will hope to earn a permanent deal at Portsmouth.
With Hermann Hreidarsson the only specialist left-back in Harry Redknapp’s panel, the FA Cup holders are short on cover in that position.
Pirates chief executive Floyd Mbele told the South African press: “We have received a request from Portsmouth to have a look at the boy and we acceded.
“We had an understanding with the club that he should be back in the country before the league kicks off this weekend.
“Should he make the grade, then we will look at their offer and give him a chance to play at that level.”
Peter Staunton
Berbatov's agent flies in for Spurs crisis talks to force through United move
Dimitar Berbatov has been locked in crisis talks over his future with Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos.
It is believed Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev was present at the meeting in London this morning as the Bulgarian tries to convince the club to let him join Manchester United.
The 27-year-old refused to play against Sunderland on Saturday because his 'head wasn't right' and Spurs have threatened to let him rot in the reserves if they don't get a high enough bid from United.
Berbatov is in danger of becoming an outcast at Tottenham with some senior players left furious after he didn't play against Sunderland. He wasn't even on the subs' bench as Spurs lost their second straight game of the season.
The striker has told the club to let him fulfil his dream of going to Old Trafford, but the deal has been held up due to chairman Daniel Levy's complaint to the Premier League over United's pursuit of the Bulgarian international.
The saga is threatening the mood in the dressing room and a few players would rather lose his talent up front than keep him at the club.
Berbatov's attitude in pre-season didn't go down well with members of the squad and it is understood that some players lost patience after he didn't play against Sunderland.
Defender Jonathan Woodgate insisted afterwards that the team's poor start to the campaign shouldn't be blamed on Berbatov, but it is not a view shared by everyone behind the scenes.
He has also lost the backing of many of the fans and was booed loudly when he appeared as a substitute against Middlesbrough last week.
Tottenham are still maintaining they will keep the player unless they get a bid of £30m, but they were prepared to accept £28m a few weeks ago as long as they were able to buy a replacement.
They have even threatened to put Berbatov in the reserves should the move not take place and his attitude continues to be disruptive, but an agreement is expected to be reached.
Ramos is desperate for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible so the club have enough time to find a replacement what with the transfer window closing at midnight on Monday.
Other juicy morsels of gossip...
West Ham have no intention of selling striker Craig Bellamy, thwarting Manchester City's hopes of signing the Wales international. (WHFC.com 1215)
Sunderland have rejected a bid from an unnamed club for Danny Higginbotham, but look set to let fellow defender Russell Anderson go on loan to Burnley. (Setanta Sports 1126 BST)
Arsenal are likely to miss out on Switzerland midfielder Gokhan Inler after the Udinese midfielder's agent said a move to the Emirates "would be too early for him". (Metro 1123)
Danny ****tu wants plenty of win bonuses with new club Bolton - to pay his enormous mobile phone bills. The former Watford defender said: "I spoke to a lot of clubs, including a few in France and Greece. I'll have a really big phone bill!"
