[Jazz 16]

To be honest for a transfer window its been quite boring. Nothing major has gone
on yet and a lot of clubs seem happy with their lot, or else they dont have the funds,
or even cant find some good players. There arent many players out there that
will dramatically change a squad.

[RedForceRising]

To be honest for a transfer window its been quite boring. Nothing major has gone
on yet and a lot of clubs seem happy with their lot, or else they dont have the funds,
or even cant find some good players. There arent many players out there that
will dramatically change a squad.

Originally Posted by Jazz 16

The current economic situation have seen the rich clubs unwilling to part with money and the lesser clubs with talent to flog unwilling to sell cheap.

I think Man City will buckle and splash big on mediocre talent though.

[RedForceRising]

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have sent a high-powered delegate to Italy to try to secure a stunning world-record deal for AC Milan's Kaka. It is understood City are prepared to wait until the summer to land the Brazilian if they can persuade the Serie A club to part with him - but they want to do business now. (Daily Express)


City are expected to agree a deal to sign Craig Bellamy for about £12m this week after preparing an improved bid for the Wales striker. (The Times)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to scupper Liverpool's attempts to lure Brazilian defender Anderson from Fluminense. (The Sun)

Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios is wanted by Harry Redknapp, with the Tottenham manager preferring to offer player swaps rather than cash in deals. (The Independent)

However, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is refusing to sell his star players. (Daily Mirror)

Redknapp is losing patience with left-back Gareth Bale and wants to sell him or use him as part of a deal to land Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are pursuing Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones as Redknapp attempts to recruit an imposing target man, but the Black Cats are understood to be unwilling to sell to a club they regard as relegation rivals. (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle midfielder Geremi has emerged as a target for Turkish club Besiktas, while FC Porto midfielder Raul Meireles may be making a £4m switch to St James' Park. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear wants midfielder Nigel Quashie, whose three-month loan move to Birmingham from West Ham expires after this weekend, to help the Magpies stave off relegation. (Daily Mirror)

Mikel Arteta has denied he could be heading to either Manchester City or Arsenal in a £12m move and the midfielder has pledged his future to Everton. (Daily Mail)

Birmingham have told striker Kris Boyd his wage demands will have to be more realistic if his £3.8m move from Rangers is to go ahead. (Daily Mail)

Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano is said to be attracting interest from Fulham, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Newcastle. (Daily Telegraph)

West Brom are tracking the progress of Greek international Angelos Charisteas as the striker remains unsettled at Bundesliga Zwei side Nurnberg. (The Independent)

Hearts winger Andy Driver, who has attracted the attention of Everton and Burnley, has said he is in no rush to leave Tynecastle. (Daily Record)

Ipswich are close to signing midfielder Luciano Civelli, who recently rejected a £1m move to AEK Athens. (Daily Star)

Barnsley manager Simon Davey is keen to sign Bury striker Andy Bishop in a £400,000 deal. (Daily Star)

Celtic are hot on the trail of £3m rated Croatian midfielder Anas Sharbini. (Daily Star)

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear will decide within the next 72 hours whether to swoop for Rangers captain Barry Ferguson. (Daily Star)

[RedForceRising]

BREAKING GOSSIP

Charles N'Zogbia says he wants to know how much Newcastle value him at so he can leave the club. "The club want to sell some players, so why not me? Lyon, make a move!" said the French midfielder. (Aujourd'hui Sport, 1015 GMT)

Former Brazil international Denilson should tie up a deal with Bolton on Wednesday, says his brother. "They even gave him the key of the closet at the training ground," he said. (Gazetaesportiva.net, 0745 GMT)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Two names are on every back page today - Kaka and Manchester City. The majority verdict seems to be that they will offer £100m with weekly wages of around £500,000. (Various)

Middlesbrough are ready to offer Burnley £2m for Chris Eagles. (Daily Express)

Inter Milan could hijack Arsenal's bid for Zenit St Petersburg striker Andrei Arshavin. (Daily Star)

Real Madrid could offer Wigan Javier Saviola, plus £15m for winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Star)

Tottenham are keen to sign Inter Milan striker Adriano on loan but failed in a bid to swap Heurelho Gomes for AC Milan's reserve goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. (Daily Mail)

A loan swap deal taking Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas to Everton in return for Leighton Baines has fallen through. (Daily Mail)

Giovani Dos Santos and Hossam Ghaly are also on their way out of White Hart Lane. (The Sun)

Newcastle interim boss Joe Kinnear has told owner Mike Ashley they need to spend money in the transfer window or their season will suffer, as he is so short of fit players. (The Sun)

Arsenal are considering a double swoop for Fulham pair Jimmy Bullard and Brede Hangeland. (The Sun)

Birmingham could move for West Ham's Calum Davenport after his £3m move to Bolton collapsed. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland will listen to offers for Liam Miller and Daryl Murphy, with QPR believed to be interested in both of them. (The Sun)

[Jazz 16]

Kevin Kilbane Wigan to Hull.
Kilbane hold a record with 3 other players I think who have played 50 consecutive games
for their country. Other were Billy Wright and the Montenegro keeper. Cant think of the other right now....

[21 May 2008]

I really, really hope Agger does get sold. Not getting my hopes up though.

[RedForceRising]

HULL SET TO SEAL FINNAN DEAL
http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...799925,00.html

Hull are expected to complete the signing of former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan this morning.

The 32-year-old is thought to have discussed personal terms and taken a medical at Hull yesterday after the club reached agreement with Spanish outfit Espanyol.

Ex-Republic of Ireland international Finnan is understood to be keen to return to the Barclays Premier League after enduring a difficult five months since leaving Anfield.

Hampered by injuries, Finnan has made only four first-team starts at Barcelona's second club and there have also been off-field problems at the Olympic Stadium with the sacking of coach Tintin Marquez before Christmas.

The Spanish press at least reported Finnan to be fit earlier this week after overcoming a leg injury.

Finnan's arrival could negate the need for Hull to pursue a permanent deal for Sunderland defender and fellow Irishman Paul McShane.

McShane has played at right-back for most of Hull's first season in the top flight but was recalled early from his year-long loan by the Black Cats on Wednesday.

[RedForceRising]

Pompey agree Pennant fee
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...801751,00.html

Liverpool winger set for Fratton Park move

Portsmouth have seen a bid for out-of-favour winger Jermaine Pennant accepted by Liverpool.

Pennant, who is out of contract in the summer, has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and has made just four appearances for the club this season.

The former Notts County, Arsenal and Birmingham player has been linked with a host of teams since the opening of the winter transfer window.

Real Madrid, AC Milan and Hull City were all reported to be considering a move for his services, Pompey appear to have won the race.

The two clubs have agreed a fee, which is believed to be in the region of £2million, with the Fratton Park outfit now set to meet the player to discuss personal terms.

Depart

Pompey boss Tony Adams knows Pennant from their time together with the Gunners, with the North London outfit investing £2million to bring him to the club from Meadow Lane as a teenager in 1999.

Pennant was unable to make the breakthrough under Arsene Wenger and after loan stints with Watford, Leeds and Birmingham he signed a permanent deal with the Blues in 2005.

Rafa Benitez then splashed out £6.7million to bring him to Anfield in the summer of 2006 and he now looks set to depart Merseyside for the South Coast.

A statement on Portsmouth's official website read: "Pompey have had a bid for Jermaine Pennant accepted by Liverpool.

"The Blues plan to discuss personal terms with the player over the next few days."

[canto]

I really, really hope Agger does get sold. Not getting my hopes up though.

Originally Posted by 21 May 2008

he not one of your fans favourite so?

[canto]

hull are doing a good bit of bussiness ion this market manucho finnan and killbane could be 3 top signings

[RedForceRising]

he not one of your fans favourite so?

Originally Posted by cantos red army

Probably one of Jamie Carragher's loyal fanatics


Real ready to let Saviola leave
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...800314,00.html

Premier trio linked with Argentina international

Real Madrid are believed to be ready to let Argentina international striker Javier Saviola leave the Bernabeu in the winter transfer window.

Saviola has struggled to make an impact with Real following his arrival from bitter rivals Barcelona in the summer of 2007.

Premier League trio Everton, Portsmouth and Newcastle are all reported to have made tentative enquiries over securing his services, although no formal bids have been received.

The former River Plate ace, who spent spells on loan with Monaco and Sevilla during the closing stages of his Barca career, is not in the plans of new Real boss Juande Romas.

Sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has been handed the task of securing an exit for Saviola, who is under contract with the La Liga giants until 2011.

A club source admitted: "We are open to some lines but the time is key in this subject."

Although Real appear ready to let the player nicknamed 'The Little Rabbit' leave, Saviola refuses to accept that the curtain has been brought down on his career in the Spanish capital.

He said: "I want to stay with Real and fight for an opportunity. I will only consider leaving if I receive an offer of a big project."

[Davey]

hull are doing a good bit of bussiness ion this market manucho finnan and killbane could be 3 top signings

Originally Posted by cantos red army

Finnan has just failed a Medical at Hull.

[canto]

Finnan has just failed a Med.

Originally Posted by Davey

bollix was a good move for him and ireland

[RedForceRising]

TROTTERS SWOOP FOR MAKUKULA

Bolton have signed Benfica striker Ariza Makukula on loan until the end of the season, subject to the granting of a work permit.

The 27-year-old is a powerful centre-forward who started his career at Vitoria Guimaraes before going on to play for Leganes, Nantes, Valladolid, Gimnastic de Tarragona and Maritimo before moving to Portuguese giants Benfica 12 months ago.

Makukula shot to prominence in Spain and has earned four caps for Portugal, scoring on his debut against Kazakhstan in October 2007.

The player becomes manager Gary Megson's second signing of the transfer window following the arrival of Sebastien Puygrenier from Zenit St Petersburg.

[21 May 2008]

he not one of your fans favourite so?

Originally Posted by cantos red army

He's a great young player imo. I would very much like to see him not at Liverpool.

[thekeanefella]

pennent says he wants to stay at lpoo, after they accepted pompeys bid.

me thinks the jailbird is holding out for a loyalty bonus...........

[migueldadon]

pennent says he wants to stay at lpoo, after they accepted pompeys bid.

me thinks the jailbird is holding out for a loyalty bonus...........

Originally Posted by thekeanefella

exactly what I was thinking

[RedForceRising]

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant says he wants to stay at Anfield despite the club accepting a bid from Portsmouth. (Sky Sports News, 1433 GMT)

Tottenham will not be signing Inter Milan striker Adriano but have made an enquiry for AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo. (Sky Sports News, 1428 GMT)

West Ham striker Craig Bellamy turns down the offer of a new contract and insists he wants to leave the Upton Park club for Tottenham, but his request has been rejected. (Sky Sports News, 1150 GMT)

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho wants to sign Jermaine Jenas from Tottenham. (Sky Sport News, 1132 GMT)

West Ham reject new bids from Tottenham and Manchester City for striker Craig Bellamy. (Sky Sports News, 0800 GMT)

Portsmouth are weighing up a shock £4m move for Celtic striker Scott McDonald. (Various)

Real Madrid have made a fresh move to sign Liverpool winger Jermain Pennant on a six-month loan until May, when he will make way for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Mirror)

But Portsmouth are confident of taking Pennant to Fratton Park and hope to open negotiations over the weekend. (Various)

Manchester City are close to signing Hamburg's Nigel de Jong with the Dutch holding midfielder valued at £15m. (Daily Mail)

But City manager Mark Hughes has warned Blackburn and West Ham they risk losing millions if they keep playing hardball over striker Roque Santa Cruz, and striker Craig Bellamy and midfielder Scott Parker respectively. (Daily Mirror)

Spanish club Espanyol say they have a deal in place for their goalkeeper Carlos Kameni to join City. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to offer striker Nicklas Bendtner in a part exchange deal for West Ham's former Gunners defender Matthew Upson. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is set to launch a £14m bid for Tottenham striker Darren Bent. (Daily Mirror)

Bent could be on his way to Sunderland, however, with Spurs stepping up their attempts to sign Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones by offering the England international in exchange. (Times)

Tottenham have made an improved cash bid for Jones after having a £13m bid turned down. (Sun)

Spurs have won the race to sign Wigan's £14m-rated midfielder Wilson Palacios. (Sun)

Spurs hope to conclude a £13m straight cash deal for Palacios, although midfielder Jermaine Jenas could be offered in a part exchange deal. (Guardian)

Wigan will use a sizeable chunk of the money generated from the anticipated sale of Palacios to recruit the Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt from Reading. (Guardian)

But Hunt has been told he can leave Reading for Tottenham if Spurs are willing to pay £5m. (Various)

Ivory Coast full-back Arthur Boka claims he had an offer from Spurs but will resist the lure of the Premier League to sign a new one-year deal with Stuttgart. (Daily Telegraph)

West Ham striker Craig Bellamy will leave for Manchester City if the London club is offered "a substantial amount", an Upton Park executive says. (Guardian)

A player staying at West Ham is Luis Boa Morte after the winger failed to agree terms with Hull. (Various)

Steve Finnan's £1m move to Hull has fallen through after a medical revealed a deep-seated problem with the full-back's left thigh. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea are plotting to lure Carlos Tevez away from title rivals Manchester United in the summer - they see the Argentine forward and Sevellia striker Luis Fabiano as the men to revamp their strikeforce. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth are also close to agreeing a loan deal for Real Madrid forward Javier Saviola. (The Sun)

Bolton are considering an approach for Benfica striker Ariza Makukula after he rejected a loan move to West Brom. (Daily Mail)

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is targeting Nuremberg striker Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winning goal for Greece at Euro 2004. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn and Hull are showing an interest in signing Oldham's £1m-rated winger Chris Taylor, while Rovers face competition from Celtic for Salzburg's 6ft 5ins striker Marco Janko. (Daily Mail)

Lazio are lining up a £3.6m deal for Rangers striker Kris Boyd. (Daily Mirror)

[RedForceRising]

Gunners close in on record AA deal

Andrei Arshavin's agent says the deal taking him to Arsenal will be sealed next week - and the fee is likely to be a club record £15million.



The 27-year-old Zenit St Petersburg ace has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and almost joined Arsenal's big rivals Tottenham.

But now the Gunners are in pole position to seal the forward's signature in a deal which is likely to be worth more than £15million.

The deal will also represent a club record for Arsenal, beating the £13million they paid for Sylvain Wiltord some nine years ago or the fee paid for Jose Antonio Reyes.

"The deal should go through this week," Arshavin's agent Dennis Lachter said in the News of the World.

"Andrei wants to go, Arsenal want him and Zenit accept they have to sell.

"It's just a matter of sorting out the sums but the indication is it'll happen soon, perhaps within days."


City near to £15m De Jong swoop
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...811726,00.html

Hamburg star Nigel de Jong is on the verge of signing for Manchester City after admitting his desire to play for a club with 'potential'.



The Dutch midfielder was considering his options on Friday after Hamburg claimed that City had lodged a bid, believed to be worth £15million.

And De Jong, who has made 30 appearances for Holland, has now confessed that he is keen to be a part of the emergence of City, who are owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

De Jong said in the Mail on Sunday: "Some people say footballers are thick and not bright enough to be entrepreneurs.

"But when I see that a company has potential, I move the borders and go all the way for it.

"Everybody knows that I want to play for a big club eventually. I count City in that category."

[RedForceRising]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...813708,00.html

Hammers agree fee for Welshman



Sky Sports sources understand West Ham have given Craig Bellamy permission to speak to Manchester City.

Bellamy's future at Upton Park has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few days after West Ham rejected bids from City and Tottenham for the Welsh striker.

The former Liverpool and Newcastle star had asked the club to allow him to talk to City and Spurs after turning down the offer of a new deal at Upton Park.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola omitted Bellamy from his 18-man squad for Sunday's 3-1 victory over Fulham at Upton Park, increasing speculation that the Welshman is set to leave the East London outfit.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp conceded after Sunday's draw with Portsmouth that he feared he might lose out to City for Bellamy and Spurs are believed to have made a new bid for 28-year-old.

It now appears City have agreed a fee with West Ham for Bellamy as Mark Hughes looks to be reunited with a player he worked with during his time in charge of Blackburn and Wales.

Bellamy is expected to travel to Manchester to hold talks and undergo a medical as City look to tie up a deal for the forward.