West Ham Transfer News and Rumours, Friday 31 December
West Ham Knocked Back In Bridge Loan Attempt
West Ham have been knocked back in an attempt to sign Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge.
The Hammers have offered to pay £95,000 a week towards Bridge’s wages but City have turned down the bid as they will only consider a deal in which Bridge’s wages are paid in full; when bonuses and add-ons are taken into account that still leaves West Ham short.
West Ham are hoping City may change their mind as the transfer window drags on and it remains to be seen if City get any more offers for a player who is now surplus to requirements at Eastlands.
Although he has 18 months left on his current deal Bridge has found first-team opportunities limited at City since the arrival of Aleksandar Kolarov and has only played in three Premier League games this season.
West Ham Preparing Bids for Owen and Yakubu
West Ham are also looking to sign Manchester United striker Michael Owen and Everton’s Yakubu, according to the Daily Mail.
Former England striker Owen has just six months left on his current deal at Old Trafford but is still said to be part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans. However, the 31-year-old has hinted in the past that he is not interested in a relegation dog-fight and may be reluctant to move to a side in the drop zone.
Yakubu was on Avram Grant’s wish list in the summer but despite making two bids for the Nigerian international the two clubs couldn’t agree on a fee. Everton are believed to want around £8 million for Yakubu, who has appeared in 13 Premier League games this season, mostly off the bench, scoring just one goal.
West Ham are also one of a number of clubs tracking Barnsley winger Adam Hammill. The 22-year-old former Liverpool youngster has been linked with a £500,000 move to Notts Forest but the Hammers as well as Bolton are also said to be interested.
Roma About To Sign Behrami
Roma could be about to sign West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami. The Serie A outfit are set to pay around £4.5 million for the Switzerland international having been given the green light to sell striker Julio Baptista to Malaga for a fee of £2 million.
Behrami has played in just seven games for the Hammers this season, scoring one goal.
Reports from Portugal suggest that Chelsea’s £17 million bid for Benfica defender David Luiz will be turned down as the Portugese champions insist he will not move for less 50 million euros (£43 million).
Manchester City are also keen on the 23-year-old with reports last week suggesting that they had made an offer of £21 million but Benfica are insisting that Luiz will not move for less than the 50 million euro release clause in his contract.
Benfica want to hold on to Luiz and are touting Fabio Coentrao and Carlos Martins instead to try and raise funds.
Meanwhile The Guardian is suggesting Bolton’s Gary Cahill or Everton’s Phil Jagielka may be bought to plug the central defensive gap at Chelsea. Branislav Ivanovic is suspended for the Blues’ clash with Aston Villa on Sunday so Carlo Ancelotti is faced with partnering John Terry either with youngster Jeffrey Bruma or Paulo Ferreira.
Arsenal Transfer News: Fabregas Linked With Real Madrid Move
Mourinho Wants Fabregas
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho wants Cesc Fabregas to come and join him at the Bernabeu according to a report in The Sun.
The paper says that the Spanish giants are ready to offer £35 million to tempt the Arsenal talisman away from the Emirates this summer. The paper suggests that Real could offer Ezequiel Garay, midfielders Lassana Diarra or Mahamadou Diarra or Fernando Gago in part exchange.
The Sun also quotes someone it describes as “an insider” at Real as saying that Mourinho wants to personally convince Fabregas that he can be the leader of the next Real team though after the summer saga in which Fabregas was unable to join Barcelona, the team of his youth, it seems unlikely he would sanction a move to their fiercest rivals.
After yesterday’s reports linking Arsenal striker Carlos Vela with a move to Spain, The Sun today reports that the Mexican is now likely to join Serie A side Chievo Verona. The Italian club hope to wrap up a deal next month.
Spurs lead a list of Premier League six clubs said to be interested in a loan deal for LA Galaxy’s David Beckham, according to a report in the Daily Mirror.
Tottenham have been in contact with Beckham’s advisors about a two-month loan deal now that the MLS season has come to an end.
Blackburn, West Ham, Sunderland, Everton and Newcastle are also said to be keen on taking the former England captain on loan as he tries to force his way back into the national side. Clubs in Italy and Spain are also said to be interested, however a move to a London side may well appeal to Beckham who recently ruled out a move to Everton on the grounds that it was geographically too close to Old Trafford. That would also rule out Blackburn while it is difficult to see his wife struggling to contain her enthusiasm over a winter move to the north-east.
That leaves just the Hammers and Spurs with the prospect of Champions League football an added incentive for Beckham.
However, Galaxy have yet to give their approval to a loan move after Beckham picked up an Achilles injury during a loan spell at AC Milan last season.
Arsenal Transfer News and Rumours, Thursday 30 December
Arsenal Keen On Barcelona Youngster
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who are set to be disappointed in their pursuit of Barcelona teenager Thiago Alcantara.
The 19-year-old midfielder has made four appearances for the first team in La Liga this season and was described by coach Pep Guardiola as having “a quality that is a little different from many players in the squad,” but there is some confusion about his status at the Nou Camp with his contract at the Catalan club reported to be about to expire. Some reports are quoting that his current deal expires on 31 January although that is said to be the deadline the Barca set for him to sign a new contract. Alcantara signed a one-year deal last summer which expires at the end of June.
Barcelona have yet to agree a new deal with the youngster – who Bolton tried to sign on loan in August – and Chelsea and both the Manchester clubs are also said to be interested.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both said to have spoken to Alcantara’s father, the Brazilian World Cup-winning midfielder Mazinho, about a move to the Premier League but Barcelona look set to formalise his status as a first-team player. He is currently registered with the club’s B team which won promotion to Spain’s second tier last season.
The player’s current problem is that while he is highly regarded by Guardiola he is behind both Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the Barcelona pecking order and fears that opportunities at the Nou Camp could be limited.
Meanwhile, the English clubs in pursuit of the Italian-born Alcantara are all aware that whoever captures his signature will also be in pole position for the signature of his younger brother Rafael, a striker who is also at Barcelona.
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has ruled out a loan move away from the Emirates and says he is prepared to bide his time on the sub’s bench before he gets his chance.
Bayern, Inter and Ajax are all said to be interested in Bendtner but the Dane says he is going nowhere.
“I won’t be loaned out – that’s not going to happen,” said Bendtner I’ve got the patience to wait till I get the chance and when I get it, I’ll grab it and conquer that starting place that I definitely feel should be mine.
“It’s nice to hear, when a big club is interested, and I feel I belong in such a club but right now I’ll stay at Arsenal and fight for my own chance and give everything for my club.”
Reports from Spain are linking Carlos Vela with a move away from Arsenal. Valencia, Villarreal, Sevilla, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid are all said to be keen on a move for the Mexican striker who has scored just three times in 29 appearances for the Gunners.
Celtic Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 29 December
Celtic Keen On Villa Duo
Celtic are looking at a couple of signings with Aston Villa’s Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland currently in their sights, according to the Daily Mirror.
Both have been squeezed out by Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa and the Frenchman is ready to part with Dunne immediately on a loan deal which has alerted Celtic boss Neil Lennon. Celtic are on the look-out for a central defender and according to the paper Dunne fits the bill and the SPL side are ready to pay out a big chunk of the Republic Of Ireland international’s wages in order to bring him to Parkhead. Lennon is hoping to wrap up a deal before Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Rangers.
Ireland has soon fallen out of favour after arriving at Villa Park the start of the season in an £8 million deal from Manchester City and Houllier is keen to get him off the wage bill as soon as he can though Villa would prefer an outright sale.
Celtic Looking at 12-Month Deal For Ljungberg
Meanwhile, Lennon is hoping to wrap up a deal for former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg. The Swede is a free agent on 1 January and Lennon is working on a 12-month deal to bring him to Parkhead.
“It’s fair to say we’re dealing in the short term but that’s not to protect me. I’m doing what I can to get players who can win the title.
“It’s a big year for us. I’ve brought in guys like Beram Kayal, Joe Ledley and Efrain Juarez to look after the club’s development in the next few years but I also want a couple of kings in the team who can talk others through games.”
Toronto FC’s Dwayne de Rosario is also on trial at Parkhead although the player’s agents and the MLS club are at loggerheads over whether his Celtic trial was officially sanctioned.
The 32-year-old Canadian has hit 26 goals in 55 league games for Toronto since joining them in 2009.
Manchester United Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 29 December
United Linked With Real Madrid’s Diarra
Manchester United are once again being linked with former Portsmouth, Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra, according to The Sun.
The tough-tackling Frenchman is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, where he moved in a £20 million deal from Portsmouth two years ago.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is looking for a long-term replacement for the 36-year-old Paul Scholes and is said by the paper to be ready to make a £12 million bid for Diarra, who has slipped further down the pecking order at the Bernabeu following the arrival of Sami Khadira and Mesut Ozil in the summer.
However, Diarra wouldn’t be eligible for this season’s Champions League.
The recent bad weather is still affecting the football programme with a large number of games postponed once again.
The full list of postponements for games on Tuesday 28 December is as follows.
List correct at 11am on Tuesday 28 December.
Championship
Doncaster v Ipswich
League One
Brentford v Tranmere
Carlisle v Exeter
Colchester v Oldham
Hartlepool v Leyton Orient
Rochdale v Bristol Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday v Yeovil
Walsall v Dagenham & Redbridge
League Two
Burton Albion v Stevenage
Bury v Torquay
Chesterfield v Wycombe
Crewe v Southend
Hereford v Northampton
Lincoln v Shrewsbury
Morecambe v Aldershot
Rotherham v Accrington Stanley
Blue Square Bet Premier
Altrincham v York
Barrow v Wrexham
Crawley v Hayes & Yeading
Gateshead v Darlington
Grimsby v Rushden
Kettering v Histon
Luton v Tamworth
Scottish Cup
Annan Athletic v Brechin City
Beith v Airdrie
Stenhousemuir v Threave Rovers.
Football Transfer News and Rumours, Tuesday 28 December
City Begin Dzeko Talks
Manchester City have begun talks with Edin Dzeko’s agent over a £30 million move to Eastlands, according to the Daily Mail.
Dzeko’s club, Wolfsburg, have lowered their £38 million asking price as boss Steve McLaren attempts to bring harmony to his troubled side who have slipped to 13th place in the 18-team Bundesliga, at the halfway stage.
The Mail understands that City will make a down-payment of £30 million with additional add-ons and performance-related bonuses to follow as part of the deal.
Dzeko has scored 10 goals for Wolfsburg so far after hitting the net 22 games last season but after City’s pursuit of him during the summer he wrote to the club telling them how much he admires City and how much he wants to play for the club.
West Ham Want Wayne Bridge On Loan
West Ham are interested in a loan deal for Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge. The Hammers are looking for City to make a contribution towards Bridge’s supposed subsidise £90,000-a-week wages but City will insists that West Ham fund the whole of Bridge’s salary themselves.
Balotelli Struggling To Adapt To Life In England
Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is struggling to adapt to life in England and is being linked with a move back to Italy.
The striker was signed for £25 million from Inter Milan at the start of the season but was spotted dining with AC Milan director Adriano Galliano after the recent Milan derby leading to speculation that he is looking to move back to the club he supported as a boy.
Balotelli is believed to have struggled to make friends with his team-mates and has told pals in Italy that he doesn’t think the situation is going to improve.
The 20-year-old has scored five times in his 10 appearances for City this season but has also picked up four yellow cards and one red.
Santa Cruz Set For Lazio Move
One player set to leave Eastlands is Roque Santa Cruz whose move to Lazio finally looks set to take place in the January transfer window.
The Paraguayan striker was reportedly set to sign for the Serie A outfit during the summer but the move broke down and Santa Cruz has found himself largely out in the cold at Eastlands.
According to the Daily Mail, Lazio will pay City £250,000 for a six-month loan with a view to a £2.5 million permanent transfer in the summer. City signed Santa Cruz from Blackburn for around £17.5 million in the summer of 2009.
City are also reported to be looking to make a £7 million bid for Bordeaux’s former Liverpool defensive midfielder Alou Diarra, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.
Piquionne Won’t Rule Out Villa Move
West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne has refused to move out a rule to Aston Villa in January just months after arriving at Upton Park
Piquionne was signed by his former manager at Portsmouth Avram Grant in a £1 million deal in July but the 32-year-old has been linked with a move to Villa to team up with French coach Gerard Houllier.
Asked by a French radio reporter about a move to Villa Park Piquionne replied: “Why not? He is a very well renowned coach in France and in England. I have read there is some interest but there has been nothing concrete. I am not worried about it.”
Meanwhile, West Ham are closing in on the £6 million signing of Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba.
The 6ft 3in Ba has a reputation in Germany as a powerful target man. His most successful season was in 2008-09 when he scored 14 goals for a Hoffenheim side that at one stage was challenging for the league title before fading away in the second half of the season.
Andy Carroll has pledged his future to Newcastle United.
Alan Pardew says Carroll informed him on Christmas Day that he has no intentions of leaving the club he supported as a boy.
“I spoke to Andy on Christmas Day,” said Pardew. “I asked him what he wanted to do; if he wanted to stay.
“I said to Andy, ‘I do not want to talk for you; we are talking together. If you remain here it is great news for us. But it is important that you want to stay.’
“Wanting to stay was the case that Andy put to me and it is great news because we will make sure he does. That is why I am so confident there will be no problem with Andy in January – or, hopefully, next summer, the following January and the summer after that. He is handling all the speculation very well but the most important thing is that Andy wants to play for Newcastle United.”
Barton Linked With Villa Move
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail speculates that Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier will make a move for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.
Houllier is confident he can prise the tempestuous midfielder away from St James’s Park but Alan Pardew wants to hold on to Barton and is ready to offer him a new contract, while Barton himself said recently that he wants to spend the rest of his career at Newcastle.
Huth Dismisses Liverpool Interest
Liverpool look set to fail in their attempt to sign Stoke defender Robert Huth. The 26-year-old centre-half was said last week to be the subject of some interest from the Anfield side who were ready to put in a £5 million bid, but the German defender said he is happy enough at the Britannia Stadium.
“I had some texts telling me about the story,” he said. “It doesn’t bother me because it’s great here at Stoke for me.’’
Cardiff Keen On Woodgate Loan
Cardiff are interested in taking Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate on loan.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said on Christmas Eve that he was willing to let Woodgate go out on loan as he continues his recovery from injury and Cardiff boss Dave Jones is looking to bring Woodgate to the Cardiff City Stadium to strengthen his defence for the second half of the season.
City would want to Spurs to subsidise Woodgate’s wages but a move to a Championship club would suit Woodgate who hasn’t played in over a year.
Middlesbrough are also said to be keen to offer Woodgate a spell at the Riverside.
Blackburn and Fulham Chase Espanyol Striker
Blackburn and Fulham are keen on Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo. The Argentine-born Italy under-21 striker only moved to the La Liga side on a five-year deal at the start of this season and has scored five times in 10 league games so far this season. However, his agent Dario Decoud has said that the two Premier League clubs are favourites to sign Osvaldo.
Espanyol signed Osvaldo for 5 million euros after a successful loan spell last season and are expected to want at least that before letting their player go.
United Could Meet Unique Release Clause for German Keeper
Manchester United could be about to bid £20 million for Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler.
The German newspaper Bild reports that United have watched the 25-year-old keeper and could be set to meet his release clause of 24 million euros (£20 million in the January transfer window).
Bizarrely, the release clause only applies to a bid from the Old Trafford club and Bayer chief executive Wolfgang Holzhäuser confirmed to Bild that the clause does exist in Adler’s contract.
“We will wait to see what happens,” he said while confirming the existence of the clause. Adler is under contract to Bayer until the summer of 2012.
The German side are said to have offered Adler an increase on his £40,000-a-week salary but the keeper is remaining coy about United’s interest saying “Neither I nor my advisors have had contact with Manchester United.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that United are set to make a summer bid of £20 million for Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.
The paper reports that Sir Alex Ferguson will be given £50 million to spend during the close season. United have cash reserves of £120 million, including £80 million from the sale last year of Cristiano Ronaldo, and £50 million of that is being earmarked for transfers. Reina is near the top of United’s goalkeeping wish-list according to the Mail.
