Rumours and gossip

[-V-]

Its funny how all of a sudden nobody is talking about Roque Santa Cruz anymore. Not flavour of the month anymore?

[dww]

Its funny how all of a sudden nobody is talking about Roque Santa Cruz anymore. Not flavour of the month anymore?

I think he would be a good option if his injuries haven't affected his game and the price was right. Didn't see enough of him second half of last season to judge really - and being injured since March is not a good sign.

[Vermilion]

Depends what you mean by more like him. I think their interest in Tevez is purely based on the impact that them signing him would make as a statement of intent, much as Robinho did, but not necessarily addressing the needs they have. They can pile up midget strikers all they want - after a certain point it seems pretty pointless.

The Barry signing I think was more important. I agree with you though that by the end of next season they will almost certainly be a force to be reckoned with. Their form at Eastlands in the past season indicates they aren't as far off as some think but I don't think they had the right framework to build on without taking something away from what they had so it will take a while to settle with the new signings.

No i didn't mean loads of 'Midget strikers', i meant players of a similar quality in different positions, i could have included Barry in my 'more like him' remark, as you say he was just as an important signing as this one, and is a good player for his position, as Tevez will most likely be in his.

It's just i see so much piss taking of Citeh, and admit i've been guilty of it myself, but sooner or later, probably sooner at the rate they are signing players, people will have to sit up and take notice of Citeh, because like it or not they are coming, and will be challenging for one of the Champion League places one way or another, even if it means getting a better manager in like Maureen say.

The rumour i posted this morning seems to have some substance if what i'm hearing on the airwaves now is true, in that the Tevez deal is done, but not announced.

[dww]

No i didn't mean loads of 'Midget strikers', i meant players of a similar quality in different positions, i could have included Barry in my 'more like him' remark, as you say he was just as an important signing as this one, and is a good player for his position, as Tevez will most likely be in his.

It's just i see so much piss taking of Citeh, and admit i've been guilty of it myself, but sooner or later, probably sooner at the rate they are signing players, people will have to sit up and take notice of Citeh, because like it or not they are coming, and will be challenging for one of the Champion League places one way or another, even if it means getting a better manager in like Maureen say.

The rumour i posted this morning seems to have some substance if what i'm hearing on the airwaves now is true, in that the Tevez deal is done, but not announced.

I didn't mean to imply you meant literally only midget strikers - more that they need to balance the attacking and more defensive minded signings and with some flashy owners an excess of attacking players might be the way they went.

For me the fact they have kept Hughes is a positive sign (for them) that they will probably be willing to try and balance the side.

[Vermilion]

I didn't mean to imply you meant literally only midget strikers - more that they need to balance the attacking and more defensive minded signings and with some flashy owners an excess of attacking players might be the way they went.

For me the fact they have kept Hughes is a positive sign (for them) that they will probably be willing to try and balance the side.

I know.

I also believe Hughes is good for them, so long as he's allowed to sign who HE want's, which will be players he needs, rather than as you say the Owners buying big names just because they're available and will make big headlines, but not necessarily what they may need on the pitch.

And if it doesn't work as planned with Hughes, they have the luxury of being able to bring in a Maureen or even a Hiddink, and continue the spending.

[Ben_Itez]

I think City will just fall short of the top four this season but overtake the likes of Villa, Everton and Tottenham. The season after i see them genuinely challenging the top four and who knows perhaps for the title.

They've got a pretty decent squad already and who knows who else they're going to buy.

[MrsB]

Celtic will have to pay West Brom £2m in compensation if they want Baggies boss Tony Mowbray. (Daily Mirror)

West Brom will hold out for £2.5m in compensation if they lose their management team to Celtic. (The Times)

West Brom want £1.5m for Tony Mowbray should they lose their manager to Celtic. (The Scotsman)

[Tee]

Averages to 2m. Always trust The Mirror.

[-V-]

Antonio Caliendo, agent of Inter full-back Maicon, is extremely angry at the way his client is being treated by his club.

With the Zlatan Ibrahimovic issue taking the front row, Maicon's contract is being given second importance, something which Caliendo cannot stand.

"It seems Inter are just Ibrahimovic," remarked the player's agent to 24oredisport.com.

"It's been weeks that I've tried to contact the Nerazzurri directors, but I have not obtained a response. I say it once again: it's not fair that only the Swedish player is being considered.

"Joking with Maicon, I told him, 'Why don't you make them give you half of Ibra's stipend? With all the assists you make...'

"He's being treated like the last wheel of the carriage, when instead he should receive a different treatment. He's the best right-back in the world."

This past season, the 27-year-old starred for the Scudetto winners as he made 29 appearances in Serie A and scored four goals.

goal.com
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He would be ideal for us if Rafa wanted to sell Arbeloa. A top quality attacking brazilian right back. One of the best in the world, would make a mockery out of all the £18m full-backs chelsea have bought and Glen ****in johnson

[dww]

Arsenal join race to sign £17m Goran Pandev as Spurs target tells Lazio he's quitting

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:19 PM on 10th June 2009

Arsenal are reportedly battling Juventus to sign £17million-rated Macedonia striker Goran Pandev.

The 25-year-old has told Lazio he needs a new challenge after five years in Rome and the Gunners are said to have joined the race for his signature.

Last month he was linked to Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool, while Bayern Munich and Fiorentina are now also reported to be interested.

With so much interst, Lazio will demand around £17m for a player who scored 15 goals in 37 games and won the Coppa Italia this season.

But his agent Leonardo Corsi suggests offers around £13.5m might get his man. Juventus's would step up their interest if France striker David Trezeguet departs, as expected.

Pandev told Sky Italia: 'My cycle with Lazio is over. I want to find other motivations and go and play for another team.

'I have spoken to (club president Claudio) Lotito and I explained to him the situation. The president wasn't happy.

'He still doesn't believe that I want to go away, but I am finished with Lazio. I hope Lotito finds a solution that makes us all happy.

'I have spent five wonderful years with Lazio. I have improved a lot and I always behaved well.

'In the last few months I wasn't all that focused. I thought Lotito would ask me to renew my contract and now I have decided to go away.'

Corsi added: '(Lazio) understand but obviously do not want to sell their prize asset. If there is a team willing to meet Lazio’s financial demands, maybe they will let him leave.

'They retain a very good relationship and mutual respect, as has always been the case.

'For our part, the decision is not based on economic reasons – not least because the chairman has done all he can in that respect – but rather for sporting reasons.

'He wants a change and to test himself in a fresh environment after growing comfortable in his many years at this one particular club.

'Having said all that, it is important that we find a club of the same stature as Lazio. There are several teams interested, but no concrete offers as yet. When we do receive offers, the player will evaluate his options.'

[MrMichael]

Valencia confirm Villa bid

Sky Sports, 11th June 2009

Valencia have confirmed that they have received a bid for star striker David Villa that originates from outside of Spain, with speculation that Chelsea are the club that have made the offer.

The cash-strapped Primera Liga outfit are understood to be ready to make a profit on the 27-year-old, who has also been linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City in the past.

Real Madrid, however, are thought to be in the driving seat to secure the Spain international, with the forward said to be keen to stay in his homeland.

But Valencia president Manuel Llorente has revealed a European offer for Villa has been received, although he has not confirmed whether it was from Chelsea.

He told regional newspaper Las Provincias: "Yes, we have an offer for Villa but not from Spain."

Chelsea's Spanish scout, Juan Cruz Sol, met with Valencia president Manuel Llorente to discuss Villa on Thursday.

But Cruz Sol is resigned to the fact that Villa is set to join the 'Galacticos' revolution at Real Madrid, who recently signed Kaka before having a world-record offer accepted for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Valencia-based newspaper Levante quote Cruz Sol as saying after the meeting: "Chelsea made an important offer for him (Villa).

"But the answer (from Valencia) was 'no' because negotiations with Real Madrid are very advanced.

"Hence, there's no possibility that Villa will go to Chelsea because he wants to go to Real Madrid.

"The purpose of the meeting was to have some contact and know with certainty what Villa's situation is.

"Now we have clear ideas and we know that to expect."

On whether he had spoken to new Real president Florentino Perez regarding Villa, Llorente said: "We had another conversation on Tuesday and we have started talking about the matter."

[Van Halen]

Could it be that Manure are after him now that the diver has gone?

[red g]

Atletico will listen to Aguero offers
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says the club will listen to "interesting offers" for Chelsea target Sergio Aguero.

The Argentina international has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues failed in their bids to sign Real Madrid new boy Kaka and Valencia striker David Villa.

Atletico have previously stated that they intend to keep Aguero at the Vicente Calderon but it now appears they may be prepared to sell the highly-rated forward.

"We will open talks if an interesting offer is made," Cerezo told French radio station RMC.

"Many people have spoken about Aguero but the truth is that Atletico have not been contacted by any suitor."






I reckon we will be seeing him in a red shirt soon........and it wont be ours

[MrMichael]

Not necessarily, I can see him going to the Chavs as per the last bit below

Meanwhile, Spurs just make me lol


Window watch: Spurs join race for Huntelaar

The Times, June 13, 2009

Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Moussa Sissoko and Étienne Capoue, the combative Toulouse midfield players, after their approach for Sulley Muntari was turned down by Inter Milan.

Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, wants a powerful partner for Wilson Palacios in central midfield next season. Sissoko, 19, has earned a reputation as an energetic and powerful tackler. The qualities have earned him a place in the France Under-21 team, for whom he scored in the 2-0 victory against England at the City Ground in April.

Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers watched Sissoko during his spell in the Toulouse academy and Newcastle United and Juventus have previously tried to sign him. He has three years left on his contract and has said that he would prefer to stay in France next season. Capoue is a year older but is also 6ft 1½in and has mainly operated as a defender or holding midfield player. The France Under-21 captain has four years left on his contract.

Redknapp’s move comes after Fabien Piveteau, Muntari’s agent, claimed that the manager failed in an attempt to re-sign the Ghana player he had at Portsmouth. “It is true Tottenham made an offer, but Sulley remains at Inter as they declined it,” Piveteau said. “He is very happy to play and win for Inter, and wants to continue to do so.”

It promises to be a busy summer at White Hart Lane, with Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, expected to hold talks with Real Madrid on Monday about Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ruud van Nistelrooy, their Dutch forwards, who are available for transfer.

Huntelaar left Ajax for £19 million in January, but has been unhappy in Madrid. He would prefer a move to a Champions League club, such as Arsenal or Manchester United, and has four years left on his contract. Real are expected to offer Arjen Robben, the injury-prone winger, to Tottenham, who have been seeking a left-sided player for some time.

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José Mourinho is keen to be reunited with Deco at Inter Milan after the Chelsea midfield player confirmed his desire to play for his Portuguese compatriot and former manager. Mourinho, the Inter coach, is poised to make an offer for Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, Chelsea’s Portugal centre back, who has made it known he is open to offers.

Mourinho was in charge of both players at Porto and said: “Deco helped me to become European champion. If it will be possible for Deco to come to Inter and for us to work together again it would be something wonderful for both of us.

“Deco is a great player. His last season at Chelsea might not have been so good but I know about his quality.”

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Chelsea’s proposed transfer of Sergio Agüero from Atlético Madrid has been complicated by another club being ready to pay the striker’s wage demands of £100,000 a week net, but they cannot match the £45 million transfer fee the London club are happy to pay.

Enrique Cerezo, the Atlético president, hinted that the 21-year-old was likely to leave. “We will open talks if an interesting offer is made,” Cerezo said.

[tommyg]

Real attempting to establish a 'big three' a la the Celtics? Kaka Ronaldo and Villa would be one hell of an attacking force if they got along and flowed.