The January Transfer Thread

[Rebelred]

I figure its handy to have this rather than 500 threads over the course of the month... so here it is.

Fist up, Montella to Fulham!

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_1815514 ,00.html

Roma striker Vincenzo Montella has joined Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.

The Eternal City club confirmed that an agreement had been reached to loan out the 32-year-old hitman to the Premiership outfit.

"Roma announce that they have perfected an agreement with Fulham Football Club to loan on a temporary and free basis the sporting rights of the footballer Vincenzo Montella for what remains of the 2006-7 sporting season," read the one paragraph statement posted on club website, www.asroma.it.

Montella's departure means that now only club skipper Francesco Totti remains of the starting line-up that won the Serie A title five years ago.

Montella, nicknamed 'il aeroplanino' (the aeroplane) because of his trademark goal celebration, previously played for Empoli, Genoa and Sampdoria before moving to Roma in 1999.

He scored a number of crucial goals in the Scudetto-winning season of 2000-01, many as a substitute, after refusing to hand over his cherished number nine shirt to newly-signed Argentinian striker Gabriel Batistuta, who had demanded the jersey.

He was part of the Italy squad for the 2002 World Cup but did not feature in Marcello Lippi's victorious 23-man party in Germany last year.

[STEVIEG]

Tori Andre Flo (sp) to Leeds-there's a blast from the past

[STEVIEG]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6230031.stm

With all the complications it's still worth remembering he is a quality player
I'd love to see him at United but I can't see it happening with the structure of the transfer
It will be interesting if he stays in the Prem and joins Liverpool

[Lamps]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6230031.stm

With all the complications it's still worth remembering he is a quality player
I'd love to see him at United but I can't see it happening with the structure of the transfer
It will be interesting if he stays in the Prem and joins Liverpool

if I can be serious for a minute, from the little i've seen of him he looks a far better player than Hargreaves and about a third of the price.

united would be mad to overlook him

[STEVIEG]

if I can be serious for a minute, from the little i've seen of him he looks a far better player than Hargreaves and about a third of the price.

united would be mad to overlook him


South Americans haven't always worked in the premiership

And United avoided him already because of the third party dodgyiness with regard to who owns him-

Another potential draw-back is the guy seems to have been seriously rattled by the Defoe incident earlier in the season

Still a quality player though but i've a feeling Ferie isn't interested

[homer jay]

if I can be serious for a minute, from the little i've seen of him he looks a far better player than Hargreaves and about a third of the price.

united would be mad to overlook him

depending on who you talk to, he told utd to get fooked or vice versa

[STEVIEG]

depending on who you talk to, he told utd to get fooked or vice versa


Yeah He didn't though
(dealt with extensively elsewhere-United looked at him in the summer but weren't interested because of complications with his owners, the 3rd party)

Confirmed once again this week that United DID try and sigh Gattuso this summer though-that would have been great

[homer jay]

Yeah He didn't though
(dealt with extensively elsewhere-United looked at him in the summer but weren't interested because of complications with his owners, the 3rd party)

yeah i know, that's what i was alluding to

[STEVIEG]

yeah i know, that's what i was alluding to


Ah-cool

[STEVIEG]

Load of interest in this fella too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/6230073.stm

[homer jay]

Load of interest in this fella too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/6230073.stm

what are the odds on richards going to chelsea? boulahrouz (spl?) ain't the may west. defo something needed there by josé

[EDDIEB]

South Americans haven't always worked in the premiership

And United avoided him already because of the third party dodgyiness with regard to who owns him-

Another potential draw-back is the guy seems to have been seriously rattled by the Defoe incident earlier in the season

Still a quality player though but i've a feeling Ferie isn't interested

What about Ossie Ardilles & Ricki Villa at Spurs ?:D

I'd say Fergie is done with South Americans after Veron / Forlan not working out which have to be some of the worst signings to the premiership until Shevchenko arrived at Chelsea.

[Papa Smurf]

Load of interest in this fella too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/6230073.stm


I rate Young highly as well based on what I have seen of him. He had a great start to the season. Was particularly brilliant at home to Fulham in that 3-3 game. His form has slumpped badly though since King got injured, i expected him to kick on from that at be there main man. Not an out and out striker but still good value at the prices quoted IMHO.

[drinkfeckarse]

I'm surprised that Mourinho has lost faith in Bouhlarouz so quickly especially after a couple of decent performances in the Champions League.

After forking out approx £6m just a few months ago it doesn't say a lot about his judgement if he can't feel that he can rely on him already.

I thought it was a surprise signing at the time myself considering he was small for a defender (Cannavaro is a different animal) and wasn't really considered a first choice for the Dutch team.

[Rebelred]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6230031.stm

With all the complications it's still worth remembering he is a quality player
I'd love to see him at United but I can't see it happening with the structure of the transfer
It will be interesting if he stays in the Prem and joins Liverpool
I still think he can do a job in the prem, for any side.

[STEVIEG]

I still think he can do a job in the prem, for any side.


Yeah, i have no doubt about his ability personally
I don't think Fergie is interested though

we'll see what happens

[Rebelred]

The player I'd be interested in salvaging from the wreckage of the Hammers relegation season is Benayoun.

[AmadeusDC]

I'd say Fergie is done with South Americans after Veron / Forlan not working out.

Heinze???

-AmadeusDC-

[STEVIEG]

What about Ossie Ardilles & Ricki Villa at Spurs ?:D

I'd say Fergie is done with South Americans after Veron / Forlan not working out which have to be some of the worst signings to the premiership until Shevchenko arrived at Chelsea.

Okay i should have said at United:)

Yeah the Veron thing unbalanced the midfield and Forlan only did really well when Ruud was injured and although they both played their part in the 2003 league title they have to be deemed transfers that didn't work
Veron did worse at Chelsea too just not suited to that league

I think Mascheranos (like Gabby's) game is a lot more suited to this league though than Verons

[STEVIEG]

The player I'd be interested in salvaging from the wreckage of the Hammers relegation season is Benayoun.


Good player
Always linked to Liverpool could happen this time (though they seem to have cover in those positions)

[drinkfeckarse]

Good player
Always linked to Liverpool could happen this time (though they seem to have cover in those positions)

Good player but not top quality IMO. Good inventive player last season but been posted missing a number of times this season when he has played.

I'd be very surprised if he signed for any of the the "Big 4".

[Teknique]

On sky news at lunch time

Hammers have around 25mill to spend in january
Only club to offer chelsea cash for SWP
also interested in Neale & Viduka

[EDDIEB]

Heinze???

-AmadeusDC-


Half German / Italian - different mentality and looking as Gabby is on the bench whilst Evra continues to cement that position for himself we will see if he will stay put or request a transfer.

[Up For The Ba]

Mascherano would be ideal for United, its just a pity he`s part of such a circus at the moment. Im not referring to West Ham by the way.

[Lamps]

so let me get this straight.

the Germans are efficient/pragmatic and luckily for Heinze he has some of this blood, but its too early to say if his genetic make up will force a strop
the Italians slimy
the Spanish are bottlers
the Portugeuse are all divers
and South Americans are cheating non apapting divers who tend to bottle it


And we have lads on here giving out about Stephen Jones.

Between this and the computer game stuff, standards are at an all time low.

[homer jay]

Between this and the computer game stuff, standards are at an all time low.

that and video phone footage of mancs singing.


sunderland have signed johnny evans from utd on loan till the end of the season

[EDDIEB]

so let me get this straight.

the Germans are efficient/pragmatic and luckily for Heinze he has some of this blood, but its too early to say if his genetic make up will force a strop
the Italians slimy
the Spanish are bottlers
the Portugeuse are all divers
and South Americans are cheating non apapting divers who tend to bottle it


And we have lads on here giving out about Stephen Jones.

Between this and the computer game stuff, standards are at an all time low.

If you say so .

Now I am off to book a flight to Utopia.

[EDDIEB]

that and video phone footage of mancs singing.


sunderland have signed johnny evans from utd on loan till the end of the season


Is Johnny Evans a Norn Iron international ?

[homer jay]

Is Johnny Evans a Norn Iron international ?

yup

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_1815787 ,00.html

[Rebelred]

Is Johnny Evans a Norn Iron international ?
yep

[Lamps]

Junihno, Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardiles, Mirindinha, Faustino Asprilla, Emerson, Heinze, Poyet have all had varying degress of success in the English top flight. Not many South Americans actually play there because of work permit restrictions.

Does anyone think that the great South Americans couldn't do it.

We'll have less of the racism and more thinking before allowing lazy stereotypes to form opinions. Anyone would think there were a bunch of Sun reading monglatroids propogating the place

[Lamps]

that and video phone footage of mancs singing.




that was a service to the site, i thought a liverpool fan might appreciate it.

[homer jay]

that was a service to the site, i thought a liverpool fan might appreciate it.

i appreciate the thought, but its hardly big news is it? sensationalistic tabloidism Lamps, you can do better than that.

[Lamps]

i appreciate the thought, but its hardly big news is it? sensationalistic tabloidism Lamps, you can do better than that.

it is big news.

if it was John Terry singing about burning Irish drive pavers there'd be uproar from Kola and Stevie.

Luckily the SFI haven't gone away

[STEVIEG]

Anyone would think there were a bunch of Sun reading monglatroids propogating the place


Oh the irony...........

[EDDIEB]

Oh the irony...........

Or "The News of the World"....................

[Lamps]

Oh the irony...........

jesus H

you're slow.

try to avoid using words like irony in future

[STEVIEG]

jesus H

you're slow.

try to avoid using words like irony in future


From someone who sources most of his tiresome exclusives from these tabloids it's all a bit rich and very IRONIC..........

[Forsberg]

Tori Andre Flo (sp) to Leeds-there's a blast from the past

Jesus.

Denis Wise is desperate

[Philby]

5 Live are running with a story strongly linking Boa-Morte to West Ham in a £5m deal. As captain and talisman he'd be a huge loss for Fulham. I could see this having a big effect on their season if it happens. Lucky for them that there are so many other poor teams at the bottom of the league this year.

[Philby]

Didn't think there was much legs in the to Anfield stories but if Bascombe is running with it there must be something in it as he is the club's unofficial mouthpiece...fabulou s player & would be top notch cover for Gerrard, Alonso & Momo (when he's back fit) if this deal happens.


Benitez eyes up double swoop
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


LIVERPOOL are closing in on January targets Lucas Neill and Javier Mascherano - with an Anfield board meeting today expected to open the door to their arrival.

As the DIC takeover saga nears a successful conclusion at Liverpool, Rafa Benitez is seeking a swift completion of deals which have been a priority for several months.

The Reds boss wants the players in place early during the transfer window, and hopes there will be no delays which may prove costly to his plans.

Both Neill and Argentinian Mascherano are ready to move to Anfield, but the finishing touches are still to be put in place.

Clearly there is a balancing act for the board as they juggle immediate concerns with the long-term strategy of the prospective owners, but the manager is in need of new recruits this month.

Benitez is also hoping to complete a deal for 16-year-old James McCarthy for £100,000 from Hamilton Academicals.

Central midfielder Mascherano's transfer would initially be a loan until the end of the season, which could become permanent if he adapts more successfully at Liverpool than he has at West Ham.

Benitez has identified the 22-year-old as a quality cover for Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso as the Reds enter a crucial period with Momo Sissoko still on the treatment table.

Despite suggestions Mascherano can't play for three clubs in the same season, in fact, he's only played for one during this campaign.

The South American season ended on December 31, 2005, before Mascherano joined West Ham in the summer of 2006.

However, any move would still have to be ratified by FIFA.

Mascherano has made it clear he wants to move to Liverpool, and a deal has been agreed with his representatives Media Sports Investments.

[drinkfeckarse]

Lucas Neill would provide decent cover without adding to the quality of the squad. I'd be more than prepared to take a look at Mascherano. There's no doubting his quality and if he can feel a bit more at home at Liverpool than he does in London it will do wonders for him.

[Sound]

stokes has been sold to charlton. near 2.7million.
great money for a player who will never be a top striker.
great money for a guy whos actually a lazy player.
great money for a kid.
crap money for a guy who was highly sought after and possibly would have fetched 6million if he had been loaned to a prem club and got close to 10 goals for the remainder of the season.

I've never seen him. Why do you think he'll never be a top striker?

[lionelhutz]

stokes has been sold to charlton. near 2.7million.
great money for a player who will never be a top striker.
great money for a guy whos actually a lazy player.
great money for a kid.
crap money for a guy who was highly sought after and possibly would have fetched 6million if he had been loaned to a prem club and got close to 10 goals for the remainder of the season.

were you not on here a while back lauding this guy as the next big shit? oh yeah and bangin on about some imaginary conversation with rahsers ages ago to back up your argument. rahsers had never heard of the guy until very recently. oh conveniently that persona got banned so you can start afresh with the bullshitting

hows reyes getting on with beating henrys goalscoring ratio for the arse?

[drinkfeckarse]

Isn't it just a rumour on the BBC rumours page at this stage? Nothing on the clubs website or Sky Sports News website....

[lionelhutz]

you lie lionel.......rahsers even came on here slagging over the duff discussion.
i never lauded him as the next big shit. just the next big irish man.

show me.

you were saying a while back that you had a discussion with rahser about this stokes fella being a great arsenal striker bla bla bla. rahsers has no recollection of any such discussions. if a discussion did take place rahsers was not in a position to argue given squat knowledge of the guy. certainly not slag you about it. maybe slag you personally cos you full of crap. every once in a while you get one right but you usually wrong. duff aint a striker so i dunno how you can square that.

[Rebelred]

Bayern say they're willing to listen to offers for Hargreaves

[lionelhutz]

stokes wasnt a striker while he was playing at arsenal either rashers ya moron. and we had that conversation at your gaff so how the fuck can i show ya? and thirdly you remember fuckin everything and your just being a dip shit.
if you think back i told ya arsenal had a young irish player in their team who was playing far better than duff had at the same age and was cropping up with a good few goals too. your attidude at the time was that duff was world class and i was claiming a reserve arsenal player was better than him. i was not claiming that but i still stand by the no way was duff ever world class. the guy was a fuckin one trick pony.

think long and hard cause you know we had the conversation wankstain and i aint buying for one second that you dont recollect. ive never known you once to forget something. not once.


ps. welcome back. but lionel hutz? i mean comn ffs.

as i said rahsers knew squat about him until recently although kevin davies as a wing wizard does sound interesting. you just stated that rahsers "came on here".show me. you didnt mention his gaff.
rahsers is more likely to remember more sensationalist tripe like when certain people claimed reyes would break henrys scoring records or pennant should have been in the team instead of pires...

[Rebelred]

Boa Morte gets on board the Titanic...

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_1816870 ,00.html

[STEVIEG]

Bayern say they're willing to listen to offers for Hargreaves

interesting alright


Link won't work but Uniteds website are carrying the story too

[lionelhutz]

pennant was a right winger so how could he have been in a team ahead of pires?
and as i said if you werent trying to be sensational was that meself and rahsers had a debate.....like many a debate we had in them happy days.
i never debated on here cause you acted the cunt all the time.

happy debates on why peter crouch should be at a big club, on liverpool winning a european cup and if you remembered and stopped trying to steal debates it was upfortheba i said the reyes thing to.

so you admit the reyes thing was tripe. thats big of you. i stand by rahsers comments on crouch. hes not a big time player and doesn't deserve a start in a team like liverpool. at least we might make a profit on him. arsenal can have him.

as for pennant, you insisted he should be in ahead of pires, rahsers just disagreed as i recollect. pires could play either side in any event, because he was world class and could adapt. pennant on the other hand...

[lionelhutz]

show me

rahsers remembers. sure, he never forgets

[lionelhutz]

he has selective memory.....he remembers it when he wants to.
you know we did.

but since that conversation stokes has gotten lazier and lazier.
and davies has been playing on the wing this season mostly linking up with anelka up front who at the start of the season had been playing in that roll and was linking up with davies who was up front. hence the sudden splurge of goals since sam reversed it.

if...if at the time this "conversation" took place stokesy was playin as a winger, rahsers, who knew nothin of the lad, would have said something along the lines of wait and see how good he is, duffer and keane have done it in the world cup, the biggest stage. you used that "conversation" to back up a claim recently that good ol stokesy is the cats pyjamas and that youve known of his prodigious talent for years and years etc etc. (im sure having tracked him and sky plussed him and taped him since he was playin in his nappies etc etc etc).
as for davies playing as a winger this season or ever, don't be daft.

[BlueSkies]

For fuck sake, can't ye have this argument via PM?

[lionelhutz]

oh right so bolton havent been playing 4-5-1 this season and diouf, davies and anelka, havent played nearly all the games together

and where did i say ol stokesy is the cat pyjamas....in fact if anything i said dont believe all the hype. hell probably make it as a striker but not at a top club.
duffer and keane havent "done it" at a world cup. the same said players couldnt even help beat a ten man spain side who "always" play crap at tournaments so people say


i never said bolton dont play 4-5-1, i said davies does not play on the wing. tracking back does not make him a winger.

is this the spain you said were practically guaranteed to win the world cup? ffs

[lionelhutz]

For fuck sake, can't ye have this argument via PM?

no. fuck off.

[lionelhutz]

right so bolton are playing 4-5-1 so your saying its diouf and anelka on the wings? oh ffs mockery.
you know nothing about bolton.

they play 4-3-3 the odd time, 442 very rare

thats not what i said. davies does not play on the wing is what i said. 4-5-1 and 4-3-3 are the same thing.

[Sound]

Lupoli wants out
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/6234329.stm

[lionelhutz]

Lupoli wants out
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/6234329.stm

oh yeah that fella, the best striker at arsenal according to some...

[ho chi feen]

Half German / Italian.

Is this is an actual fact?

[EDDIEB]

Is this is an actual fact?


Apparently - according to the BBC's John Motson ethnic Germans who lived in the Volga part of Russia were forcibly removed from the region by Stalin (remember him ?) and lots of them went to South America and Patagonia where bizarrly the hooked up with the huge Welsh community there.

It was during an injury in yet another exciting game of World Cup soccer so he had a lot of time on his hands hope he did'nt make it up but he sounded like he knew what he was on about....for a change.

[afeencalleddan]

Bayern say they're willing to listen to offers for HargreavesOnly €30 million. That's an obvious "fuck off" from Beckenbauer.

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2007/January/5/hargreaves-can-go-for-30-million-euros-beckenbauer/

Hargreaves can go for 30 million euros: Beckenbauer


Written by: AFP
http://cache.images.soccerw ay.com/trans20x10.gif England midfielder Owen Hargreaves answers questions during a press conference in August 2006. Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has opened the door for Manchester United to sign Hargreaves, but only if they stump up 30 million euros.
MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has opened the door for Manchester United to sign England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, but only if they stump up 30 million euros.

Beckenbauer said in sports newspaper Bild that it would take an offer of that size to tempt the German double-winners into selling.

"If Manchester United came to see us with that offer of 30 million euros that everyone is talking about, we would have to think about it," Beckenbauer wrote.

"That is a figure that would allow us to be active in the transfer market."

Until now, Bayern have stoically refused to do business with United over a player whose stock rose hugely during last year´s World Cup, particularly during England´s quarter-final defeat, on penalties, to Portugal.

With Wayne Rooney sent-off, Hargreaves seemed to take on the role of two men to make light England´s numerical disadvantage.

However, the Kaiser´s comments come in stark contrast to the position held by Bayern´s general manager Karl-Heinz Rummenigge since United first made inquiries about the Canadian-born player before the season began.

Rummenigge claimed in August that Hargreaves was not for sale and warned the midfielder about his conduct after the England man went on record saying he wanted to join United.

Only last month, Hargreaves said his desire to join United was related to a wish to play in the league whose national team he represents and was not financially motivated, something Beckenbauer disputes.

"It is normal to want to keep a player who has just extended his contract and who only wants to join another club because they will pay him better," added Beckenbauer.

Hargreaves, who has been out injured since September after breaking his leg, joined Bayern in 1997 and last season signed a contract extension taking him through to 2010.

But last month he said of his desire to join United: "It´s about the opportunity to possibly play in another league I haven´t played in before, which is also the country I represent and where my family lives.

"If people don´t understand that, I don´t expect them to. It´s not their life. It´s mine. But I don´t think anyone in the football world is in the same situation as mine.

"But it´s not like I´m saying I want to go to AC Milan or Inter Milan because they´re offering me more money.

"It´s because it´s England and because Britain is where my family is. My parents and my brothers are in Canada, but the whole of my dad´s side of the family is in Bolton and my mum´s side is in Rhyl.

"I think some people don´t realise that. They think I´m half-German or something, but I´m not. I was brought up by a British family. It just happened to be in Canada."

[ho chi feen]

Apparently - according to the BBC's John Motson ethnic Germans who lived in the Volga part of Russia were forcibly removed from the region by Stalin (remember him ?) and lots of them went to South America and Patagonia where bizarrly the hooked up with the huge Welsh community there.

It was during an injury in yet another exciting game of World Cup soccer so he had a lot of time on his hands hope he did'nt make it up but he sounded like he knew what he was on about....for a change.


But Stalin died 60 years ago. Was his father evicted from there as an infant, or something?

I thought he had EU (German) nationality through one of his grandparents, which couldn't be the case if they were Russian or Ukrainian, and wasn't aware of any Italian links (although that's entirely plausible).

PS- Most Argies I've met are Argies. Simple as. Lybian, Syrian, Jewish, Italian, German, Welsh, Mestizo- all pure Argies to the last. So I think your point, as well as being prejudiced, is moot.

[Philby]

I don't know anything about his history but I took one look at Cambiasso the first time I saw him and thought "I'd be shocked if he didn't have any german roots"..can anyone confirm?

[STEVIEG]

I don't know anything about his history but I took one look at Cambiasso the first time I saw him and thought "I'd be shocked if he didn't have any german roots"..can anyone confirm?

Nah, he's bald

http://i3.tinypic.com/40n9hci.jpg

[homer jay]

Didn't think there was much legs in the to Anfield stories but if Bascombe is running with it there must be something in it as he is the club's unofficial mouthpiece...fabulou s player & would be top notch cover for Gerrard, Alonso & Momo (when he's back fit) if this deal happens.

looks like its going thru alright...

There are a lot of similar situations with players who have played for three clubs in the same season, and in some cases four, so I think it is not a problem.

"We are watching good players and we want to find someone who can add more balance but at this moment we are focusing on the next game, and we are not talking about players.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1818379 ,00.html

i don't see why rafa is going for him. i know cover ain't great in centre midfield, but this guys got a ton of baggage. i suppose its similar to the anelka situation, if it doesn't work out during the loan period, bump the fucker off.

[Philby]

Nah, he's bald

http://i3.tinypic.com/40n9hci.jpg

Sweet god man, I though you were marginally better than that...

http://bitrot.net/images/blog/tumbleweed.jpg

[ho chi feen]

I don't know anything about his history but I took one look at Cambiasso the first time I saw him and thought "I'd be shocked if he didn't have any german roots"..can anyone confirm?


One of my best Argie mates describes himself as an Italian-Argentinian, yet his surname is the rather teutonic sounding Weiss.

I wouldn't be surprised, like. Those of Italian descent outnumber those of Spanish descent (certainly if the surname count is taken as a measure). Beyond that, Germans comprise the biggest ethnic group- be it weirdoes out in the pampas, or urban dwellers. Quite a lot of the ones I've met have sort of German link.

[ho chi feen]

Nah, he's bald

http://i3.tinypic.com/40n9hci.jpg


Clint Mathis?

[Rebelred]

http://football.guardian.co .uk/News_Story/0,,1983862,00.html

United pursue Hargreaves and Bale in £25m swoop




Sir Alex Ferguson has already brought in Henrik Larsson and the Manchester United manager is increasingly optimistic of recruiting another two new signings during this month's transfer window. One is Owen Hargreaves, Bayern Munich's England midfielder, and the other is Gareth Bale, the raw but talented Southampton left-back.
Bale, the youngest-ever Wales international, is understood to be the subject of a £5m offer. Tottenham have already failed with a bid of £3m rising to £5m and several other clubs are also monitoring the availability of the 18-year-old, an attacking left-back and dead-ball specialist who has scored four free-kicks this season.
When Ferguson was asked about Bale yesterday he seemed taken off guard and said he did not to want to talk about it publicly. Perhaps revealingly, he chose not to deny the speculation when presented with the chance. He did, however, say he was working on "a couple of things". Highly placed sources at Southampton have confirmed Ferguson's interest in the teenager and there are suggestions a deal could be brokered early next week.

Should United be successful, it will invite speculation about Gabriel Heinze's position at the club. Heinze has never regained his best form since rupturing his cruciate knee ligaments at the start of last season and, though Ferguson remains an admirer of the Argentinian's defensive qualities, he now regards the more attack-minded Patrice Evra as his left-back for the bigger games. Bale, who still has 18 months of his contract to run at Southampton, appears to have been earmarked as Evra's understudy.

Southampton may ask for Bale to be loaned back until the end of the season but another theory is that Heinze could be sold in the summer. Bayern are among the clubs who are watching what happens and it is possible Heinze could be used as bait during United's negotiations with the Bundesliga champions about the proposed transfer of Hargreaves.

Negotiations for the 25-year-old are more advanced than either club is willing to admit publicly. Hargreaves is still recovering from a broken leg and might not be available for another month, having had a slight setback in his rehabilitation, but he remains Ferguson's priority and it is noticeable that Bayern's stance in the media has considerably softened.

Having once declared it impossible, the club president Franz Beckenbauer admitted last night that a deal could be done if the money was right. "If this supposed €30m (£20.2m) offer from United was put on the table, we would have to think about it," he said. "That sum would give us some impact in the transfer market."

United's full-back Phil Bardsley is set to join Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season. Bardsley will become Martin O'Neill's first capture of this transfer window on Monday, 24 hours after the teams' FA Cup meeting at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old was on loan at Rangers for the first half of the season.

Bardsley's arrival would allow Olof Mellberg to revert to central defence. But it could put a question mark against Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes, who has struggled to regain his place after recovering from injury.

[ho chi feen]

Apparently - according to the BBC's John Motson ethnic Germans who lived in the Volga part of Russia were forcibly removed from the region by Stalin (remember him ?) and lots of them went to South America and Patagonia where bizarrly the hooked up with the huge Welsh community there.

It was during an injury in yet another exciting game of World Cup soccer so he had a lot of time on his hands hope he did'nt make it up but he sounded like he knew what he was on about....for a change.


Correctomundo on the Volga-German descent bit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Heinze

[Philby]

The legal battle to bring the Argie to Anfield begins. For what it's worth I don't think it would be right for this deal to go through unless there is a precedent or FIFA change the rules for everybody.

Reds begin legal battle to sign Mascherano Jan 8 2007

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have begun a legal battle to complete the transfer of Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano played for Brazilian club Corinthians after the World Cup in August 2006, just before his switch to West Ham.
West Ham have agreed to allow the 22-year-old to leave, Mascherano has agreed a move to Anfield and Liverpool want to sign him, and it's hoped FIFA will assess his case on this principle.
Lawyers will argue no-one is suffering but the player

http://icliverpool.icnetwor k.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_method=full%26obj ectid=18419798%26sit eid=50061-name_page.html

[Philby]

Juve boss eyes 'outstanding' Heinze Jan 9 2007


Juventus coach Didier Deschamps has revealed an interest in Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze to help boost their bid for promotion back to Serie A.
The 28-year-old Argentinian moved to Old Trafford from Paris St Germain in the summer of 2004, but has found himself playing second fiddle to Patrice Evra this season.
"I saw Gabriel play in France during his time there, so I know him really well," Deschamps told French radio station RMC Info.
"He plays left-back at Manchester United, but I don't think it's the position where he can make the most of his abilities. He is better as a central defender.
"United have several left-backs so if they put Heinze up for sale, and we have the possibility to buy him, I don't see any reason why we can't do just that.

"He's an outstanding player, a leader and a winner, and on top of that he owns an EU passport which makes him even more attractive."

Heinze has also been linked with AC Milan and former club PSG.

[STEVIEG]

They've also been linked with a swoop for, wait for it, Christiano Ronaldo, in a swap deal, for , wait for it, Buffon

Do Juve realise that the football world is moving on without them..........

[STEVIEG]

The legal battle to bring the Argie to Anfield begins. For what it's worth I don't think it would be right for this deal to go through unless there is a precedent or FIFA change the rules for everybody.

The rules have been changed for Liverpool before though

























Though, in fairness they did deserve to defend their trophy

[Rebelred]

They've also been linked with a swoop for, wait for it, Christiano Ronaldo, in a swap deal, for , wait for it, Buffon

Do Juve realise that the football world is moving on without them..........

well they'll be back in Serie A next year and strangely, their attendances have been up this season.what's going to screw them is missing out on europe again next year

[STEVIEG]

well they'll be back in Serie A next year and strangely, their attendances have been up this season.what's going to screw them is missing out on europe again next year



They have launched a PR and charm campaign and it's working so far
Yeah Europe next yera is gonna fuck them alright
Fair play to the Nedveds of the world for staying though

[Rebelred]

They have launched a PR and charm campaign and it's working so far
Yeah Europe next yera is gonna fuck them alright
Fair play to the Nedveds of the world for staying though

true,Buffon,Nedved,D el Piero,Trezueguet all could have gone elsewhere. When you look at it, the Europe thing aside, they're nearly fairing better than Milan, who are 28 points off Inter

[shammy feen]

The rules have been changed for Liverpool before though
Though, in fairness they did deserve to defend their trophy


ZING!......StevieG 1 Philby 0

[Rebelred]

Beckham on the move... I reckon he should go to Bolton, he could cross ball into their big men all day, Big Sam, snap him up!

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_1827737 ,00.html

[FL4ZGN]

Charlton have agreed a fee with Manchester City for full-back Ben Thatcher. The former Wales international will now hold talks with the London club.

[FL4ZGN]

Celtic have been told to increase their bid if they want to sign Swiss youngster Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

The Bank of Scotland Premier League champions are vying with Serie A side Palermo for the FC Basle midfielder.

The 19-year-old has established himself in Christian Gross’s side this season and Hoops boss Gordon Strachan has made one unsuccessful attempt to bring him to Glasgow.

It has been reported that the Italian club have had a bid of around £1million rejected for the Swiss Under-21 international.

Basle owner Gigi Oeri told the Daily Record: “We refused offers from Palermo and Celtic so it’s up to them to increase their bids. It’s possible a decision will be taken on Zdravko by Monday.

“We don’t want to let him go but there comes a point when we must sell.”

[FL4ZGN]

Portsmouth have made their first signing of the transfer window with defender Djimi Traore moving to Fratton Park from Charlton on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who only joined Charlton from Liverpool last summer, is joined on the south coast by France under-21 midfielder Arnold Mvuemba on loan from Rennes until the end of the season.

Traore, a Champions League winner in 2005, has signed for an undisclosed fee which is thought to be around £1m (€1m).

Mvuemba, a 21-year-old all-action midfielder, has signed on until May with an option for Pompey to buy him outright.

[Sound]

Harry takes on biggest challenge yet.

[Paddy Wagon]

John Stead has joined Sheffield Utd from Sunderland for 1 million..
What is it managers see in this guy?

[FL4ZGN]

John Stead has joined Sheffield Utd from Sunderland for 1 million..
What is it managers see in this guy?

Looks like Keano has spotted something in him.

That he is fucking useless.

[STEVIEG]

John Stead has joined Sheffield Utd from Sunderland for 1 million..
What is it managers see in this guy?

Great move by Keane

edit-snap with TBT

[lionelhutz]

Portsmouth have made their first signing of the transfer window with defender Djimi Traore moving to Fratton Park from Charlton on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who only joined Charlton from Liverpool last summer, is joined on the south coast by France under-21 midfielder Arnold Mvuemba on loan from Rennes until the end of the season.

Traore, a Champions League winner in 2005, has signed for an undisclosed fee which is thought to be around £1m (€1m).

Mvuemba, a 21-year-old all-action midfielder, has signed on until May with an option for Pompey to buy him outright.

you shittin me? has he gone fuckin mad? maybe harry is on the take after all

[the puerto rican feen]

Shay Given to replace Lehmann at Arsenal

http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=30 5613

[RonnyB]

Shay Given to replace Lehmann at Arsenal

http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=30 5613

I dont get how a £5m fee for Given is a 'sticking' point. If you want proven quality you have to pay for it & Given has been one of the most consistant keepers in the Prem over 10 years as is still probably to reach his peak as a goalkeeper.

The example of Man Utd going for the cheap option to replace Schmeichel (Bosnich on a Bosman) instead of the best available (Van der Sar who ended up at Juve & cost a certain club £2m 6 years later at 34 years of age) cost them millions considering the duds signed in between (Taibi, Carroll, Barthez, Howard all cost a combined figure above £15m)

[pepe_le_pooh]

I dont get how a £5m fee for Given is a 'sticking' point. If you want proven quality you have to pay for it....
I agree. It doesn't seem a lot of money for a proven keeper with still several good years ahead of him.
My first reaction to this was, no way, Given would never leave Newcastle.
But if he has any ambitions of actually winning a big trophy, it could be his last chance.

[ho chi feen]

traore was just like cygan. unluckey.
i liked him as a defender.

Unlucky as in unlucky because he's shit?

[FL4ZGN]

Unlucky as in unlucky because he's shit?

At least traore has a champions league winners medal :???:

[lionelhutz]

traore was just like cygan. unluckey.
i liked him as a defender.

im sure fans of any opposing team like him as a defender.

[ho chi feen]

At least traore has a champions league winners medal :???:

The only thing I'd use that for would be to strangle him with.

[Rebelred]

At least traore has a champions league winners medal :???:

so does Jonathan Greening!

[Paddy Wagon]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/6255757.stm

Djemba x 2 off to Burnley on loan...

[Philby]

Reds begin legal battle to sign Mascherano Jan 8 2007

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


LIVERPOOL have begun a legal battle to complete the transfer of Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano played for Brazilian club Corinthians after the World Cup in August 2006, just before his switch to West Ham.
West Ham have agreed to allow the 22-year-old to leave, Mascherano has agreed a move to Anfield and Liverpool want to sign him, and it's hoped FIFA will assess his case on this principle.
Lawyers will argue no-one is suffering but the player


A little snippet in the echo points the figure towards a conclusion in the moves to bring Neill & Mascherano to Anfield.

"In a hectic few days, the Lucas Neill and Javier Mascherano sagas are close to a successful conclusion after a long chase."

http://icliverpool.icnetwor k.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=benitez% 2D-there-is-no-split%26method=full% 26objectid=18455236% 26page=2%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html

[Sound]

Lucas Neill is a dreadful signing IMO unless he is completely free and on a low wage. Serial card waver Lauren is also available and would be the best of a bad bunch.

[Philby]

While I don't think Neill is anything special (and he's also a cnut) he can cover the entire back four unlike Lauren who probably wouldn't be keen to join as backup to stevie finnan.

[Sound]

cassano and baptista + 3.5m for reyes
hahahahaha
are madrid gone mad? id snap their hands off for it.
cassano would be great at arsenal. hed be a better option than baptista up front. but baps will come in handy in midfield do.
comn wenger get the steal of the centuary.

Seriously? Cassano is a bit of a hot-head but that's utterly nuts. Serious players who'd fit right in.

[Rebelred]

cassano and baptista + 3.5m for reyes
hahahahaha
are madrid gone mad? id snap their hands off for it.
cassano would be great at arsenal. hed be a better option than baptista up front. but baps will come in handy in midfield do.
comn wenger get the steal of the centuary.

Cassano's talented but an absolute lunatic by all accounts, surprised they didn't offer Ronaldo aswell, make it an extra value meal!

[Langer Dan]

David Dunn rejoins Blackburn (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/6254879.stm) for 2.2 mill.

[ho chi feen]

cassano and baptista + 3.5m for reyes
hahahahaha
are madrid gone mad? id snap their hands off for it.
cassano would be great at arsenal. hed be a better option than baptista up front. but baps will come in handy in midfield do.
comn wenger get the steal of the centuary.

I'd take Baptista and the money, and tell them where to stick the knacker from Bari. There's only manager who could ever get him playing well, and now that he's fallen out with him, I expect he'll end up at Cesena or Pescara, or in prison for drug-trafficking

[Philby]

Juve boss eyes 'outstanding' Heinze Jan 9 2007


Juventus coach Didier Deschamps has revealed an interest in Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze to help boost their bid for promotion back to Serie A.
The 28-year-old Argentinian moved to Old Trafford from Paris St Germain in the summer of 2004, but has found himself playing second fiddle to Patrice Evra this season.
"I saw Gabriel play in France during his time there, so I know him really well," Deschamps told French radio station RMC Info.
"He plays left-back at Manchester United, but I don't think it's the position where he can make the most of his abilities. He is better as a central defender.
"United have several left-backs so if they put Heinze up for sale, and we have the possibility to buy him, I don't see any reason why we can't do just that.

"He's an outstanding player, a leader and a winner, and on top of that he owns an EU passport which makes him even more attractive."

Heinze has also been linked with AC Milan and former club PSG.

Any truth in the rumours that Heinze is out of favour at Old Trafford as he os really poor trainer due to his knees being crocked?

Can see a fair few clubs getting involved if he is available and the fee is near the £5m being quoted.

[STEVIEG]

Any truth in the rumours that Heinze is out of favour at Old Trafford as he os really poor trainer due to his knees being crocked?

Can see a fair few clubs getting involved if he is available and the fee is near the £5m being quoted.

Evra

And Bale possibly this summer

I hope he stays though he has great spirit
Could be a crucial player these next few months too

[west cork rebel]

i agree with stevieg, would not like to see Heinze go, he is a good player, and works hard for his team.

[ho chi feen]

And he's a fantastic cb.

[STEVIEG]

From the BBC

January exit ruled out by Heinze

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze
I want to wait until June to see what happens

Gabriel Heinze
Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze insists he wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford - at least until the end of the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order this season, with Patrice Evra often preferred at left-back.

"I know the interest from AC Milan for me but now the decision remains with United," Heinze told the Daily Star.

"I have a contract signed until June 2007 and I do not want to go anywhere. I do not want to be sold in January."

Heinze joined United from Paris Saint-Germain for £6.9m in 2004, but he has made only 17 first-team appearances this season.

After an impressive first season in the Premiership, Heinze missed seven months of last term with a serious knee injury.

The Argentina international will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.

"I want to wait until June to see what happens," added Heinze.

"I am happy in Manchester with my work and I want to try and get back in the team, but it is the coach who picks the 11.

"My relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson is normal, like any other player."

Heinze has also been the subject of reported interest from Tottenham, but Spurs boss Martin Jol has said the club will not be pursuing him.

United have been repeatedly linked with an interest in Southampton youngster Gareth Bale, another left-back.

[STEVIEG]

West Ham have signed Davenport from Spurs and agreed a fee with Lucas Neill

[STEVIEG]

davenport??????????? ??

how the fuck they manage that? are spurs mental?

or is Davenport mental?

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=44240 5&CPID=8&clid=6&lid=4161&title=Hammers+snap+u p+Spurs+stopper

[afeencalleddan]

davenport is a better defender than dawson in my opinion.Are you actually serious? Dawson is well flawed but Davenport is an absolute gimp. I'd be happy if Spurs paid West Ham to take him!

[STEVIEG]

davenport is a better defender than dawson in my opinion.

I disagree

[afeencalleddan]

Dawson makes the wrong decisions sometimes, i.e. committing to certain tackles that he shouldn't. That's just bad timing which can be improved by coaching and experience. Davenport just totally switches off at times which is a mental problem and much more difficult to knock out of a player in my opinion.

[Forsberg]

Everton sign Fernandes on loan and Davies off to Fulham.

http://icliverpool.icnetwor k.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0100news/tm_headline=arteta-sweats-on-aj-injury&method=full&objectid=18513415&siteid=50061-name_page.html

I honestly haven't sen much of Fernandes but I've heard great things . He apparently impressed a lot of people at Portsmouth. He's being compared to Sissoko and already has played for Portugal at 20 so that looks like a good move by Moyes. Aneven better move is Davies seemingly off to Fulham. Some good negotiating to get 3m for him

[STEVIEG]

Fernandes is a decent player good signing his complicated transfer situation scared a few teams off i think I've been very impressed when i've seen him

[Forsberg]

Fernandes is a decent player good signing his complicated transfer situation scared a few teams off i think I've been very impressed when i've seen him

Ya, i'm not sure what to make of the transfer situation. If 12m is what yhey'll be looking for then I think the loan is a waste of time. Everton will not pay that , no matter how good he turns out to be. But after reading the official eveton site , they're still in discussions with Benfica so I'm not sure this will go ahead yet

[homer jay]

could be a good signing there for everton.

warnock looks to be on his way out of liverpool. a good player, and one hard bastard.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1863807 ,00.html

houllier is trying to sign baros again. is there something he sees that we don't?
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1863824 ,00.html

[Rebelred]

Everton sign Fernandes on loan and Davies off to Fulham.

http://icliverpool.icnetwor k.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0100news/tm_headline=arteta-sweats-on-aj-injury&method=full&objectid=18513415&siteid=50061-name_page.html

I honestly haven't sen much of Fernandes but I've heard great things . He apparently impressed a lot of people at Portsmouth. He's being compared to Sissoko and already has played for Portugal at 20 so that looks like a good move by Moyes. Aneven better move is Davies seemingly off to Fulham. Some good negotiating to get 3m for him

Fernandes is a good signing there for everton

[Philby]

I wish Stevie Warnock all the best if he does move on. Has never been less than fully commited whenever he's played for us and has done well to battle back from 2 horrendous injuries without ever showing an ounce of hesitation in the tackle.

At his age he badly needs first team football if he is to progress as a player. With a decent run at a table team I can see him building his confidence and going on to have a solid career in the top flight.

The Houllier-Baros thing is strange. Despite discovering him Houllier did seem to under-utilise him during his spell at Liverpool and Baros has come out in the press in the past criticising Houllier's handling of him.

That said Baros does not lack talent and would score freely in France if given the chance.

[ho chi feen]

houllier is trying to sign baros again. is there something he sees that we don't?
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1863824 ,00.html

Is quite funny that, given that it was Houllier who destroyed his confidence, and must rank as a large factor in his shite form at club level.

[homer jay]

Is quite funny that, given that it was Houllier who destroyed his confidence, and must rank as a large factor in his shite form at club level.

fuck it, now that yourself and philby mention it, didn't baros say he didn't want to go to lyon because of ged when he was being sold from liverpool?

[ho chi feen]

fuck it, now that yourself and philby mention it, didn't baros say he didn't want to go to lyon because of ged when he was being sold from liverpool?

Yes.

In fact, he delivered a stinging rebuke to M Houllier after he left Liverpool, blaming him for draining his confidence.

[afeencalleddan]

An unnamed club has matched Southampton's asking price for Bale. I wonder is it United or Spurs or possibly another club.

[afeencalleddan]

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=44334 4&CPID=23&clid=179&lid=2&title=Irons+strike+K epa+deal (http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=44334 4&CPID=23&clid=179&lid=2&title=Irons+strike+K epa+deal)

Irons strike Kepa deal

By Graeme Bailey - Created on 22 Jan 2007

West Ham have won the race to sign Spanish striker Kepa Blanco.
The Hammers have beaten off competition from Premiership rivals Charlton, Manchester City, Bolton and Aston Villa.
Sevilla have confirmed that terms have been agreed with West Ham and Kepa will sign a loan deal until the end of the season - with a view to a permanent deal.
"Sevilla centre forward Kepa will play on loan for the remainder of the season for the English team West Ham," read a statement on Sevilla's website.
"The agreement between the Nervion outfit (Sevilla) and the Londoners, which was closed early this afternoon (Monday), includes an option to buy which the Premier League team must exercise before June 30, the date that Kepa's loan ends."
Although highly rated at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, coach Juande Ramos has many striking options available to him and has thus agreed to let Kepa leave.

[afeencalleddan]

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=44332 3&CPID=8&clid=6&lid=2&title=Spurs+agree+Ro cha+deal&channel=football_hom e&

Spurs agree Rocha deal

By Francisco Acedo - Created on 22 Jan 2007

Ricardo Rocha says he is ready to fulfil a dream of playing in England after Benfica accepted Tottenham's offer for the central defender.
The Portuguese giants have been locked in talks with Spurs over the last week and they have now struck a deal.
Spurs will pay £3.3million for the 28-year-old, whilst they will also play two friendlies against the Lisbon outfit.
Rocha is now in London going through a medical and will sign a two-and-half year deal if all goes as expected.
The player himself cannot wait to conclude the move. "This will fulfil my dream to play in England," Rocha told the Portuguese press.

[STEVIEG]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6280575.stm

Baros to Lyon and Carew to Villa

Good move by O'Neill but i'd be wondering about someone leaving a potentially Champions Legaue winning team to a mid table team in Engerlund

Must have been a good sale
Excellent signing though and dare i say it, a coup

[FL4ZGN]

The pool have just signed some dutch kid from Ajax.

[STEVIEG]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/6287511.stm


Davies moved on too

[Forsberg]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/6287511.stm


Davies moved on too


Hope he does well there . He really didn't settle in at Everton. I don't think Moyes was ever able to pin down exactly what type of player he was and what was his best position. I'm sure he'll do well under his fellow countryman, but I think 3m (if that's what they paid) is a good deal for Everton.

[STEVIEG]

Hope he does well there . He really didn't settle in at Everton. I don't think Moyes was ever able to pin down exactly what type of player he was and what was his best position. I'm sure he'll do well under his fellow countryman, but I think 3m (if that's what they paid) is a good deal for Everton.

Yup very good deal

[Edmund Blackwater]

The pool have just signed some dutch kid from Ajax.
Ajax weren't too complimentary about the kid.
They should have tried to sign Van Huntelaar.

[FL4ZGN]

Ajax weren't too complimentary about the kid.
They should have tried to sign Van Huntelaar.

Strong rumours coming out of Spain that Saviola could be joining Rafa in the summer.

[Philby]

Ajax weren't too complimentary about the kid.
They should have tried to sign Van Huntelaar.

Who the fcuk is Van Huntelaar? Never heard of him.

This kid is coming for a minimal fee & Rafa has said he's one for the future. He's not being bought to force himself into the first team this year or next I think.

[Rebelred]

Who the fcuk is Van Huntelaar? Never heard of him.

This kid is coming for a minimal fee & Rafa has said he's one for the future. He's not being bought to force himself into the first team this year or next I think.

He's a cross of Van Basten and Klaas Jan Huntelaar I think

[FL4ZGN]

Who the fcuk is Van Huntelaar? Never heard of him.



One of the highest rated young strikers in Europe at the moment.

Looks certain he will move from Ajax to a top club in Europe during the summer.

He took Van Nistelrooys place in the national team.

[homer jay]

He's a cross of Van Basten and Klaas Jan Huntelaar I think

will he ever be as good as klaas jan basten tho?

[Edmund Blackwater]

You pedantic fuckwits.

It says alot that you'd rather bang on about me getting his name wrong than whether liverpool should have signed the lad or not.

[homer jay]

You pedantic fuckwits.

It says alot that you'd rather bang on about me getting his name wrong than whether liverpool should have signed the lad or not.

i'd say benitez has an eye on one of the spanish strikers in the summer, depending on the dough from the arab lads. i haven't seen much of him tbh.

[Langer Dan]

Hope he does well there . He really didn't settle in at Everton. I don't think Moyes was ever able to pin down exactly what type of player he was and what was his best position. I'm sure he'll do well under his fellow countryman, but I think 3m (if that's what they paid) is a good deal for Everton.

Looked a very good player at spurs, gone back a lot at Everton.

Better get editing on the pro evo tonight:lol!:

[Edmund Blackwater]

i'd say benitez has an eye on one of the spanish strikers in the summer, depending on the dough from the arab lads. i haven't seen much of him tbh.

I watched him tear (an admittedly poor) Ireland a new one in the friendly last year. In a game of excellent performances by the Nethers, he was the outstanding player on the pitch.
Looks like he could be the real deal.

[RonnyB]

You pedantic fuckwits.

It says alot that you'd rather bang on about me getting his name wrong than whether liverpool should have signed the lad or not.


The Niall Van Huntelaar thread anyone???

[homer jay]

I watched him tear (an admittedly poor) Ireland a new one in the friendly last year. In a game of excellent performances by the Nethers, he was the outstanding player on the pitch.
Looks like he could be the real deal.

i missed that one, thank christ.

[Philby]

One of the highest rated young strikers in Europe at the moment.

Looks certain he will move from Ajax to a top club in Europe during the summer.

He took Van Nistelrooys place in the national team.

Ya, I know who he is alright. Just thought I'd be pedantic bollox.

With Fowler & Pongolle likely to be leaving in the summer & potentially some dubai bobs in his pocket I can see Rafa making a move for a big name striker in the summer with the usual suspects (Villa, Torres etc.) being in the frame.

The potential addition of a new man to presumably play alongside Kuyt mainly may well accelerate the sale of either Crouch or Bellamy with the big man looking by far the more likely sale. There aren't too many outstanding prospects to take a step up from the reserves/youths (maybe only El Zhar) I can see an additional purchase of a young striker (in addition to Brouwer) to provide backup.

[STEVIEG]

Philby you might like this:)


Who's got the bigger Dong?


United or Middlesborough

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/news/story?id=404564&cc=5739

[Rebelred]

Philby you might like this:)


Who's got the bigger Dong?


United or Middlesborough

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/news/story?id=404564&cc=5739

there'll be kids all over Asia with Boro jerseys now I suppose, or does that accusation only get bandied around when its United?

[RonnyB]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6300117.stm

Kola reckons this guy is better than Bardsley. Hav'nt seen enough of him to say he's brilliant but from what I saw in pre season he wont be too far away from replacing Neville in 2 years.

[Philby]

Philby you might like this:)


Who's got the bigger Dong?


United or Middlesborough

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/news/story?id=404564&cc=5739

I've kissed girls...seriously. It was weird ;-)

[Philby]

Everton sign Fernandes on loan

I honestly haven't sen much of Fernandes but I've heard great things . He apparently impressed a lot of people at Portsmouth. He's being compared to Sissoko and already has played for Portugal at 20 so that looks like a good move by Moyes.

If this rumour is to be believed (which I don't think it is) then Fernandes may have more in common with Sissoko than you think. Rafa didn't realise that Momo was available until he was on the verge of a switch to Everton but once Liverpool were in the picture Momo wised up lively enough.

Personally while he looks a good prospect I hope Liverpool don't buy him because it would be a signal that Gerrard's medium-term future may lie on the right of midfield whereas I think the way forward may be to recruit top-class wingers, play Momo, Alonso & Gerrard in the centre and one up front with Gerrard having licence to push forward.

From footballforever:

Liverpool have entered the race for Benfica's Manuel Fernandes after a possible move to Everton looks to have fallen through.

Fernandes was set to join the blue half of Merseyside after he passed a medical at their Bellefield training ground but the fee remains to be a stumbling block for Bill Kenwright.

Benitez has been alerted that he could persuade Fernandes to join Liverpool with the lure of Champions League football. This will come as a huge blow to Everton who have lost James McFadden and Andy Johnson through long term injuries whilst selling David Weir and Simon Davies in the meantime.

[Forsberg]

If this rumour is to be believed (which I don't think it is) then Fernandes may have more in common with Sissoko than you think. Rafa didn't realise that Momo was available until he was on the verge of a switch to Everton but once Liverpool were in the picture Momo wised up lively enough.

Personally while he looks a good prospect I hope Liverpool don't buy him because it would be a signal that Gerrard's medium-term future may lie on the right of midfield whereas I think the way forward may be to recruit top-class wingers, play Momo, Alonso & Gerrard in the centre and one up front with Gerrard having licence to push forward.

I've read some of these rumours. According various Everton sites , they're pretty random rumours with no real basis. It wouldn't surprise me though. Everton are notorious for botching transfers right at the end. The board feel the urge to make announcements at every stage of negotiations. , usually spaced out over a number of weeks just so in case any other manager was away for a few days and not realised the player was available.


This is to be expected.

[Forsberg]

This is just getting weird. Fernandes extends his contract at Benfica till 2011 yet he is still being loaned to Everton. There is something seriously fishy going on there. It surely can't be a case of Benfica sending him out to get experience. A potugese international at 20 would surely be a benfica regular.

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/news/kind=1/newsid=501805.html

Can't really see how this is gonna benift Everton at all

[STEVIEG]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1779

Pool sign Maschhssseeerrranno

[Forsberg]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/e/everton/6286727.stm

Confirmed. It's too odd a situation to start getting excited about but it's a badly needed player in the position that it's needed most. T'will do till the summer I suppose

[STEVIEG]

Charlton have just rejected 18 million pounds for Darren Bent from the Hammers

[Paddy Wagon]

Charlton have just rejected 18 million pounds for Darren Bent from the Hammers

FOR REAL? Thats crazy money for a club like Charlton to be turning down...

[Paddy Wagon]

Speaking of... Charlton have signed arsenal midfielder Song on loan till the end of the season..

[dotty]

FOR REAL? Thats crazy money for a club like Charlton to be turning down...

thinks its a gamble by charlton alright,premiership survival is worth 20m+ to the club,more i gather because of the new tv deals,they obviously figure that relegation can be avoided with bent at the club and the fact its another relegation struggler bidding means they wont do business.

18m is a hell of a lot for bent imo,inflated due to his passport.

[RonnyB]

FOR REAL? Thats crazy money for a club like Charlton to be turning down...

Not when you think he might be the player to keep them up when the money next year for being in the Prem alone is huge. If they go down they can always sell him in the summer, wont be 18m but it will be a good figure all same.

[RonnyB]

thinks its a gamble by charlton alright,premiership survival is worth 20m+ to the club,more i gather because of the new tv deals,they obviously figure that relegation can be avoided with bent at the club and the fact its another relegation struggler bidding means they wont do business.

18m is a hell of a lot for bent imo,inflated due to his passport.

just beat me to it.

[Forsberg]

..

[Forsberg]

Charlton have just rejected 18 million pounds for Darren Bent from the Hammers

Jesus H Christ . I don't know which of them is crazier.

Although you can kind of see W Hams logic. Prize away the star player of their relegation rivals a day before transfer deadiline , thus giving Charlton no time to find an adequate replacement.

[STEVIEG]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/6307255.stm

[afeencalleddan]

Paul Hartley has joined Celtic.

[Rebelred]

Steve Bruce must be fairly pissed. Why didnt they accept the bid a week ago and give him time to find something resembling a replacement. If it costs them promotion they'll be a sorry bunch of directors

[STEVIEG]

Steve Bruce must be fairly pissed. Why didnt they accept the bid a week ago and give him time to find something resembling a replacement. If it costs them promotion they'll be a sorry bunch of directors

Funny if Upson went down and they went up

[RonnyB]

Funny if Upson went down and they went up

It was a stupid move alright. Its not like a Prem club wouldnt show interest in the summer even if B'ham didnt go up.

[Rebelred]

anyone signing for West Ham without a relegation clause in their contract is a fool

[STEVIEG]

anyone signing for West Ham is a fool

:):):)

[Rebelred]

:):):)

even better