Summer Transfer Window 2013 (General)

[Tee]

Chelsea have a good habit of getting deals closed relatively early and quite quickly.

Could this mean Balague was all over the Falcao to Man Utd? I doubt it.

Its the way we should be as well, although tbf there were signs of efficiency in January that we are sorting that side out.

[Neil Young]

Although it helps Chelsea's cause that they're able and willing to pay way more than almost everyone else.

[Arn]

Serie A outfit Catania have completed the free transfer of former Liverpool centre-forward Sebastian Leto.

The 26-year-old had been a free agent ever since he was released by Greek side Panathinaikos back in January of this year.

"Catania can confirm reaching an economic agreement for the next few seasons with the striker Sebastian Eduardo Leto," read a statement on the club's official website.

Leto, who left Liverpool in 2009, never made a Premier League appearance for the Reds.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football...ker_79854.html

[Fivex]

That Google Alert has finally paid off then.

[Bender]

Paris Saint-Germain director of football Leonardo insists the club have not made an offer for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney but admitted that Manchester City's Samir Nasri and Yohan Cabaye of Newcastle are on their radar.
Full story: the Independent

[Fosterbloke]

but admitted that Manchester City's Samir Nasri ... are on their radar.
Full story: the Independent

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

It's probably fair to say De Bruyne has had a better season than Schurrle, not sure it makes much sense if De Bruyne is involved in the deal.

[Chazza]

It's probably fair to say De Bruyne has had a better season than Schurrle, not sure it makes much sense if De Bruyne is involved in the deal.

Looks a good player, maybe it will be on loan again for the season?

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Looks a good player, maybe it will be on loan again for the season?

Maybe. But you never know with Chelsea, I mean they were bidding for Butland in January apparently but they have Courtios out on loan, are they planning on using any of the 20 odd players they've loaned out

[Corndog]

http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/17/alex-song-misses-arsenal-and-hates-life-at-barcelona-says-cousin-rigobert-3620572/

Song to return to Arsenal.....

i doubt it would happen but if he is unsettled like Rigobert appears to have hinted at, then he'd be worth an inquiry from LFC imo. Strong, athletic defensive mid who has an underestimated range of passing imo.

Apparently his cousin still lives in Liverpool.

[Chazza]

Chelsea close to signing Andre Schurrle in £20m deal from Bayer Leverkusen

Chelsea were closing in on the £20million signing of André Schürrle on Thursday night after Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller travelled to London to close the deal.

Schürrle has been a long-time target of the European champion. They had bids of £16million and £18million rejected for the Germany start last summer but their latest offer looks to have broken Leverkusen’s resistance.

The 22-year-old, who is expected to sign a five-year contract at Chelsea, can play as a central striker or out wide in the club’s usual 4-2-3-1 system. There had been talks about Kevin de Bruyne heading to Leverkusen as part of the deal but Chelsea would prefer a money-only deal.

The progress on Schürrle further underlines Chelsea’s desire to revitalise a squad already in transition. With interim manager Rafael Benítez expected to leave at the end of the season, it also demonstrates that the transfer strategy is mostly driven by sporting director Michael Emenalo in consultation with owner Roman Abramovich and his advisers.

Whoever replaces Benítez will almost certainly have to accept that situation, with Manuel Pellegrini top of the club’s shortlist ahead of Jose Mourinho.

An advisor for Pellegrini is understood to have met Chelsea officials this week to discuss the possibility of taking over this summer.

Like Mourinho, the Chilean has fallen out with previous employers over transfer policy, most notably at Real Madrid.

He openly criticised the Spanish club for signing too many flair players, famously saying: “It’s no good having an orchestra with the 10 best guitarists if I don’t have a pianist.”
He has arguably had more influence at Malaga, whom he led to this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. It remains to be seen how he would respond to role with reduced responsibilty at Stamford Bridge.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10004894/Chelsea-close-to-signing-Andre-Schurrle-in-20m-deal-from-Bayer-Leverkusen.html

[Liverpel]

Manchester United midfielder Anderson could return to Porto this summer, with the Portuguese club attempting to fund a summer move for the Brazilian.

The 25-year-old, who cost United £25.7m when he left Porto for Old Trafford in May 2007, has failed to realise his potential since arriving in England as a teenager and it is understood that Alex Ferguson is prepared to sell him at the end of the season.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ferguson-ready-to-dispose-of-anderson-29201697.html

Did he really cost that much?

[Leyton388]

£25m LOL

[Fivex]

Surely that's the package, including wages etc.

[Red_Polo]

I thought he was £17m? Same as Nani?