Besiktas move for Gudjohnsen

June 21, 2009

Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen is almost certain to leave the Nou Camp in this transfer window after being frozen out of the playing eleven due to the emergence of young players like Iniesta and Bojan. Turkish powerhouse Besiktas have expressed interest and are set to bid for Gudjohnsen, who won the first European trophy of his career with Barcelona last year.

The 30-year-old forward had his heart set on a move to France, but neither Marseille or Lyon have pursued interest or tabled a concrete offer. However, Besiktas, the new Turkish league Champions have identified Gudjohnsen as the person to lead their Champions League charge. Manager Mustafa Denizli is believed to be a big fan of Eidur.

Besiktas are willing to offer €3 million for the Barcelona star. The Catalans will most like approve of his transfer as he was always on the periphery of the Barcelona squad. With more reinforcements coming in, Gudjohnsen would find it difficult to even make the bench.

Gudjohnsen played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey success and a minor supporting role coming off the bench in their La Liga and Champions League triumphs.

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Written by soccer-writer · Filed Under Football Rumours

Hull Interested In Signing Owen

June 21, 2009

Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has revealed that the club would be interested in signing former England striker Michael Owen if it was ‘on the right terms’. City are believed to be ready to offer a 12 month contract with the option of a further 12 months to the former Liverpool star.

The Newcastle striker’s contract expires at the end of the month and he will be a free to join whichever club that wants him. His representatives have sent a brochure about the 29 year old to a ‘select number’ of Premier League clubs.

Everton and Aston Villa continue to be favourites for the player’s signature, but Hull have now registered an interest. Owen has had an injury hit four years at St James Park and is hoping to resurrect his career with a move to another Premier League club.

We’re interested in Michael Owen on the right terms,” Duffen told the News of the World.

“He’s a fantastic footballer. He’s had a few injury problems, but we would have to be interested in him.

“If the right deal can be done then we would definitely be keen to sign him. We are an ambitious football club and we want to show that.

“It would be an enormous move for us, but the deal can be done if it is on the right terms.”

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Championship, Premier League Transfers

Aston Villa show interest in Atletico youngster Jurado

June 21, 2009

The News of the World has reported that Atletico Madrid youngster Jurado is a summer transfer target for Martin O’Neill. The attacking midfielder, who is currently part of the Spanish U-21 side playing in the European Championships, started his career with Atletico’s city rivals Real Madrid. He joined Los Colchoneros in 2006 for a reported €3 million fee, and signed a four year deal.

He was loaned out last July to Real Mallorca, and scored nine goals for them, and ended up as their second highest goal scorer.

According to the report, O’Neill is willing to pay as much as €8m to bring the 22 year old to England. Jurado, whose full name is José Manuel Jurado Marín, has also played for Spain at the U-17 and U-19 levels. He can also operate on the left wing.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

Rennes sign Japanese midfielder Inamoto

June 20, 2009

French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais ( better known as just Rennes) have snapped up Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto on a free transfer. Inamoto, 29, was a free agent after being released by German side Eintracht Frankfurt.

The presence of Frederic Antonetti would have influenced Inamoto’s decision a bit. Antonetti coached Japanese giants Gamba Osaka in the late 90′s. Inamoto started his career at Gamba in the same period.

Inamoto has signed a two year deal with Rennes. Prior to Eintracht Frankfurt, he has played for Arsenal, Fulham and Galatasaray, amongst other clubs.

Rennes finished seventh in Ligue 1 last year, a disappointing result when you consider the fact that they were in the running for a top five finish for most of last season.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Football Rumours

Ashley Young linked with Barcelona

June 20, 2009

Newspaper reports suggest that Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is a a transfer target for European champions Barcelona. Barca boss Pep Guardiola has turned his interest to Young after being put off by Bayern’s price tag on Franck Ribery.

Reports suggest that Barcelona will offer Villa £25m for Young. There is also talk about a cash+player swap, with Aliaksandr Hleb returning back to the Premiership.

If Young does depart, it will be a big blow for Villa boss Martin O’Neill, who has already lost club captain Gareth Barry to Manchester City earlier this month.

Young, who joined Villa from Watford in 2007 for £10m, has also been linked with moves to Chelsea and Tottenham. He signed a new improved deal last November that will keep him at Villa Park till 2012. Recent reports said that Young had threatened to quit if O’Neill did not make any major signings to reinforce the squad. Apart from Barry, Villa have also lost Danish defender Martin Laursen to injury.

Villa were in the running for a Champions League place last season, but their lack of squad depth ultimately told, and they were overtaken by Arsenal. Young wants Villa to maintain their challenge for a spot in Europe’s premier club competition.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

West Ham Look To Snap Up Balotelli

June 20, 2009

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is trying to secure the signing of Italian starlet Mario Balotelli. The 18 year old is currently playing for Italy at the European Under-21′s Championships and had a mixed game against Sweden in his last game scoring and then being dismissed.

West Ham will be hoping to sign the player on a season-long loan. Inter are unlikely to allow the youngster to leave permanently as he is rated as one of the top young players in world football. Balotelli impressed last season making his debut at just 17 and became a regular in Jose Mourinho’s side. It could be a major signing for Zola as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

Zola said “I have done everything I can to sign Mario and it would be in both our interests and his.”

Balotelli’s Inter teammate Luis Jimenez could also be on his way to the Hammers, the Chilean is also wanted on loan. Hes highly rated, but has failed to secure a regular role at the San Siro and it looks like hes not in Mourinho’s plan for next season. He would add creativity to Zola’s team, which they slightly lacked last season.

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Football Rumours, Premier League Transfers

Santa Cruz Heading To Manchester City

June 19, 2009

Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz is set for a £18million move to Manchester City, after the two clubs agreed a fee. The Paraguayan star has been a long-term target of the club from Eastlands and it looks like City manager Mark Hughes has finally landed his man.

Santa Cruz has voiced his discontent at life with Ewood Park and it looked likely he would move in the January transfer window, but City missed out due to the clubs being unable to agree a fee. Hughes knows the 27-year old from his days at Ewood Park and the pair look set to be re-united.

Personal terms will now be discussed and a medical held ahead of the striker making the move to the North-West. He looks set to be just one of many major arrivals at City this summer, his arrival will be their second big money signing of the summer after capturing Gareth Barry from Aston Villa for £12million.

Santa Cruz could be joined at Eastlands by Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who is set for talks with City, Chelsea and also Manchester United about a permanent move. City’s chances of signing the Argentine star were increased by the player snubbing a move to United’s rivals Liverpool.

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Written by football writer · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

Official- Arsenal sign Thomas Vermaelen

June 19, 2009

We had reported here that Arsenal were close to securing the signature of Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen.

Now news has come in that Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Vermaelen. The Gunners have not revealed details of the deal, but Ajax Amsterdam’s official site states that the fee for Vermaelen is €12m, out of which €2m is a variable component ( clauses which depend on the player achieving an individual milestone, or the team winning a particular trophy for example)

Vermaelen came to Ajax from their satellite club, Geerminal Beerschot. He made his debut for the Dutch giants at the age of 18 against RSC Volendaam in 2003. Vermaelen has made 143 appearances for Ajax, netting 10 goals for them in his six year long career.

The 23 year old can play both in the left and in the centre, and this gives Arsene Wenger some much needed options in defence. It also ensures that he may not have to put young Kieran Gibbs on the pitch in high profile games if Gael Clichy gets injured.

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

Official- Wigan Athletic sign Jordi Gomez from Espanyol

June 19, 2009

Wigan Athletic have signed striker Jordi Gomez from Spanish side Espanyol for £1.7m. Gomez is new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez’s first signing of the summer, and played under Martinez when he was at loan at Swansea last season.

Gomez, a product of the Barcelona youth system, scored twelve goals in 44 appearances for Swansea last season. From Barcelona, he moved to Espanyol, but was loaned out to Swansea shortly after he made the move from the B side to the main XI.

Martinez said that he thought Gomez, 24, would definitely do well in the Premier League. Gomez has signed a three year deal at Wigan.

Well, Roberto, the new season will tell us whether your thoughts were right or not !!!

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Written by Le Foot · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

Toure out, Vermaelen in ?

June 18, 2009

After being unhappy with the recent fallout with fellow center back William Gallas and the limited transfer budget Kolo Toure is ready to move away from Arsenal with Manchester City the likely destination. Toure put in a transfer request in January which was turned down by the club and instead he was given the captaincy in the absence of Fabregas. Manchester City, who have been long admirers of Kolo, will tempt the Gunners with a 10 million pound offer for the Ivory Coast international. Arsene Wenger reportedly wants one of Sebastien Bassong and Felipe Melo to fill his shoes. Bassong was impressive in the Premier League campaign although his team, Newcastle United were relegated. Melo’s star has constantly been on the rise over the last year or so and it would be difficult to price him away from Fiorentina.

Also, Arsenal inched closer to completing the signing of Ajax centre half Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian defender will fly to London on Friday for a medical after which the contract will be signed. Vermaelen is a good back up alternative especially when the futures of Kolo Toure and William Gallas hang in the balance.

‘On Friday I will fly to London to undergo a medical. Then I hope to sign. I feel so proud. Arsenal is a fantastic club and as a child I watched them play.’

‘On Friday, if I go to Emirates Stadium I will be seriously impressed. This will be a big change in my life, next year I will suddenly be facing the best strikers in the world.

‘This does not scare me, I will give everything my body has. This is one of the best days of my life.’

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Written by soccer-writer · Filed Under Premier League Transfers

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