Rumours and gossip

[JohnDoe]

A few people have said this but I've never seen a shred of evidence to support it.

That's because you've always seen him at the big stages, where he chokes.

His technical ability is amazing. He's build like a brick wall, but he's got unbelievable dribbling ability as well as great pace for someone his size. Basically, he's a number 9 and a number 10 rolled into one player.

The problem is his mentality, but football wise, he's quite awesome.

If Barca manage to sort his head right, they'll have a better player than Eto'o, but that's a huge if which is why I find this move very risky.

[red g]

http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/33857/default.aspx

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo is set to be plying his trade in the Premier League next season, according to the player's agent.

The 23-year-old has bagged 32 league goals in 70 outings for Almeria since arriving from Real Madrid's B team in 2007, with the youngster's form leading him to be linked with Liverpool in the past.

However, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly leading the chase for the front-man's services, with Harry Redknapp also thought to be keen on bringing Negredo's Real team-mate Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to White Hart Lane.

And, according to the player's agent, the forward is almost certain to sign for a Premier League club, possibly by the beginning of next week.

"There is a 95 percent chance that Negredo will be moving to the Premier League," Juanma Lopez said.

[JohnDoe]

Just take a look at this

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJd52i_APIE"]YouTube - Ibrahimovic Serie A 08/09 All 25 Goals[/ame]

[Fivex]

Goal number 19 is just incredible

[Leyton388]

Inter must be pissing themselves laughing at this 40M EUROS PLUS ETO!!!!!!

[BrooklynRed]

Guardian is confirming Eto'o for Ibrahimovitch swap in their unlinkable banner headline. Done deal.

"Barcelona confirm signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter with Samuel Eto'o going the other way. More to follow"

Ibra is in Los Angeles with Inter for pre-season, here he is with Cincinnatti Bengals Wide Reciever Chad Johnson (hilarious man on twitter)...

Chad Johnson and Zlatan

[MrsB]

Manchester City have taunted rivals Manchester United by putting up a Carlos Tevez poster in the city centre declaring: Welcome to Manchester. City signed the Argentine striker from their neighbours this week. (Daily Mirror)

[Van Halen]

Any more jibes like that may turn purple nose to drink!

[Pablo]

Wolves set to tie up McCarthy deal

Hamilton youngster James McCarthy could be set for a move to Premier League new-boys Wolves after the two clubs agreed a fee.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is now expected to hold talks with the Molineux club.

The 18-year-old has been the source of constant speculation about his future, having been linked with Celtic, Burnley and Portsmouth.

But he could be set to join Brian Easton in England's top-flight next term after his former Accies team-mate sealed a move to Burnley.

According to reports, Wolves had an initial offer for McCarthy rejected earlier this week, before coming back with an improved bid of more than £2million.

Asked if it would be a blow to lose McCarthy, Hamilton boss Billy Reid said "I think that's an understatement.

"To lose James would be a blow, the same as it was a blow to lose Brian.

"But it's not at that stage yet. That's really all I can say at the moment."

He's signed for Wigan:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/8146848.stm

Hamilton midfielder James McCarthy has agreed a four-year contract to join Wigan Athletic for a fee of about £1.2m rising to £3m depending on appearances.

Wigan's English top-flight rivals Wolves also had an offer accepted by the Scottish Premier League club.

Accies chairman Ronnie MacDonald told BBC Scotland: "James is a superb prospect and I know Roberto Martinez and Wigan will look after him."

Wigan expect the deal for the 18-year-old to be concluded within 24 hours.

Promoted Wolves were the first club to agree a fee, but once Wigan joined the race it meant it would be down to the player to choose a preferred destination.

We are very sad to see them go, but that is what Hamilton Accies are about - taking young boys through our youth system and giving them a chance

Tottenham Hotspur made a late expression of interest, while Celtic manager Tony Mowbray admitted that his club were being priced out of the race after they, Burnley and Portsmouth had bids rejected earlier this summer.

And it appears to have been manager Martinez's promise of involvement in the first-team squad that tipped the balance in favour of Wigan.

McCarthy, who rejected a transfer to Liverpool in 2007 and was also linked with Chelsea, received no such guarantees from Premier League rivals Spurs or Wolves.

He told Accies' website: "I had an absolutely brilliant time at Accies. The club have been tremendous with me."

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international travelled to Wigan on Monday and will join his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Austria.

He follows former Hamilton team-mate Brian Easton to the Barclays Premier League after the Scotland Under-21 left-back moved to Burnley for £350,000 last week.

Now Accies have trebled their previous record sale - they received £380,000 from Millwall for Paul Hartley in 1996 - for McCarthy.

"We are very sad to see them go, but that is what Hamilton Accies are about - taking young boys through our youth system and giving them a chance," said MacDonald.

"They have become very wealthy young men and I am delighted for them.
"It's a disgrace that James was not capped for Scotland."

MacDonald, who thinks the Scottish FA missed out on a great talent, was recalling the decision by Glasgow-born McCarthy to accept an offer to become part of the Republic of Ireland set-up after they were first to approach the teenager.

There is a possibility that a third product of the Hamilton youth system, James McArthur, could also be on his way to England's top flight.

His agent, Willie McKay, who also acts for Easton and McCarthy, claims Premier League clubs are interested in signing the 21-year-old midfielder, although there have been no firm offers yet.

Wigan, who had already signed Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas and midfielder Jordi Gomez, on Saturday signed former St Johnstone striker Jason Scotland from Swansea for £2m.

------------------------------------------------

Will be interesting to see how he gets on there.

[JohnDoe]

McCartney aside, Wigan's transfer deals have been a bit bizarre. In the last 6 months, they've lost all of their strike force, Valencia and Palacios. They haven't exactly replaced them with quality. I think a season of struggle is their future.

[-V-]

They will struggle. But its a good move for McCarthy, he has joined a prem club where he should get games

[red g]

They will struggle. But its a good move for McCarthy, he has joined a prem club where he should get games

yep let him settle in the north west, before moving to us after a couple of seasons, good move alround

[Tee]

yep let him settle in the north west, before moving to us after a couple of seasons, good move alround

Dave Whelan is just keeping him warm until he moves him on to his pal Fergie - guaranteed.

[JohnDoe]

Dave Whelan is just keeping him warm until he moves him on to his pal Fergie - guaranteed.

Wigan are Man United B.

[Reece]

Sunderland have dropped their interest in Portsmouth's Peter Crouch.

The Black Cats had agreed a £12m fee with Pompey, plus personal terms with the 27-year-old England striker.

However, the offer was withdrawn after Crouch indicated that he would prefer to remain in the south of England rather than move to the north east.

"Naturally this is hugely disappointing for us as Peter was one of our primary targets," Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told his club website.

"I know he was impressed with the set-up here when he came for talks but it's simply a matter of geographical location and that's not something we can affect.

"What's pleasing, however, is that it shows the intent of the club going forward that we are trying to bring players in of his calibre and we will continue to pursue other targets."

606: DEBATE
He's blue his white, he turned down the stadium of light.

Faustino AKA Tino

Bruce has already signed striker Frazier Campbell from Manchester United this summer for a fee of £3.5m and has also brought in Paraguay defender Paulo da Silva.

The former Wigan boss, backed by millionaire owner Ellis Short, has funds available to further strengthen his squad and revealed there could be plenty more arrivals at the Stadium of Light before the start of the new season.

"We have a number of irons in the fire," added Bruce.

"We'll be looking to make several additions to our squad in the coming weeks."

Fulham were also reportedly interested in signing Crouch after they agreed to sell striker Bobby Zamora to Hull City for £5m.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8161157.stm