Gareth Barry poised for Liverpool switch
July 9, 2008
The most talked about deal in football at the moment is Aston Villa and England midfielder, Gareth Barry’s, proposed move to Liverpool. Liverpool want him, they’ve offered a cash plus player deal (involving Steve Finnan) but Villa want more.
That’s about the size of it.
Villa have now made it clear to Liverpool what they want for the player, which they have sent to the Reds in a letter. Villa are asking for £17 million plus Steve Finnan, and they want the full amount paid within 12 months.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill stated:
Liverpool have come back to us and we have responded to their proposal with a letter. We’re still waiting to hear back.
It’s really up to Liverpool. I really don’t know how it’s going to work out at the moment. I’m sure there will be some sort of resolution at some stage or another.
Liverpool placed a value of £2 million on Steve Finnan, but Villa believe the Irishman is worth just half that amount because of his age, and that’s he in the final year of his Liverpool contract.
Who will win the Premiership this season?
July 8, 2008
With last season’s title race going down to the final day between United and Chelsea, this season promises to be just as close. Will it once again be a two horse race though, or will Arsenal and Liverpool finally be able to sustain a challenge?
Manchester United will no doubt start again as favourites, even though they’ve yet to add any big guns to their squad this summer. If they can hold on to Ronaldo, with Real Madrid getting ever closer to luring him away, they’ll surely be the pace setters again this season.
Chelsea now have themselves a genuine successor to the special one in ‘Big Phil’, so would be expecting to run United close, if not win the title themselves. They’ve already bought Deco from Barcelona, and Big Phil stated today that Drogba and Lampard would be staying next season. You expect Chelsea to get their cheque book out again too; they usually spend at least £50 million each summer.
Arsenal meanwhile are struggling to hold onto their stars, with Adebayor looking like departing to Italy or Spain. Their start last season was extremely impressive, but they fell away badly as their Champions League challenge also faltered.
Perennial under achievers in the league, Liverpool, will be hoping that this year, as they do every year, will be their year. Fernando Torres capped off a great season with a winning goal in the European Championships, meaning he’ll be looking for success again this season.
It’s difficult to see beyond the top four though, as their stranglehold on the Champions League places gets stronger every year.
Lampard set for Inter Milan?
July 8, 2008
Jose Mourinho’s new club, Inter Milan, have opened negotiations with Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard. It’s believed that Inter have faxed Chelsea with their intent to sign Lampard.
Lampard has now entered the final year of his Chelsea contract, so would be available for a knock down fee. The player is firmly in the driving seat now. He would be free to speak to clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement from January and leave Chelsea on a free transfer next summer if they don’t sell him or renew his contract now.
Inter have apparently offered just £6.5 million for the player, once rated at over £30 million.
With Deco signing just last week, Chelsea could afford the loss of Lampard, but his move to Italy would unquestionably weaken their team.
Their new manager, big Phil Scolari is due to address the English press Tuesday morning, where he will undoubtedly be questioned about Lampard’s future.
Didier Drogba is another player tipped to leave Chelsea this summer, with Mourinho himself having already expressed an interest in signing him:
I cannot forget Deco, Lampard and Drogba. These are players who I could never say no to.
I would love to work with them again in the future but I don’t know which of these three will leave their clubs, but we will see.
Drogba however is likely to start a bidding war should Chelsea decide he can leave the London club.
Peter Crouch to join Portsmouth for £9 million
July 7, 2008
Liverpool’s lanky striker Peter Crouch looks set to join Portsmouth this week for £9 million. Initially Liverpool had slapped a £15 million price tag on the player, but have been forced to reduce their price as he only has a year remaining on his contract, meaning he could leave for free next summer.
It is believed that the fee could rise to £11 million depending on appearances.
Liverpool today announced:
We have reached a verbal agreement with Portsmouth and have given them permission to speak with Peter.
Crouch played for Pompey six years ago, and will form a new-look front line for the south coast side with former Liverpool target Jermain Defoe.
Crouch’s chances at Liverpool have been limited this season, starting just nine league games for the Anfield outfit. Despite having his chances restricted, Crouch has remained very popular with fans, as he’s scored an impressive 40 goals in just 135 appearances for Liverpool, many of those as a substitute.
Robbie Fowler to stay at Cardiff
July 7, 2008
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler is set to stay on at Championship side Cardiff City for another season. Fowler joined Cardiff last season when he was released by his former club, Liverpool.
WinningIsEverything understands that Fowler will sign a one-year contract extension with Cardiff City.
Fowler, now aged 33, has only played 16 times for Cardiff after an injury prone season that has seen him out of action since December last year, but he did manage to score six times in those sixteen games.
Fowler has undergone hip surgery in the United States to get himself back to fitness.
Chelsea offer astronomical money for Kaka
July 6, 2008
According to Adriano Galliani, the vice president of Italian giants AC Milan, Cheslea have made an astronomical offer for their Brazilian ace Kaka. Chelsea, backed by Roman Abramovich’s billions, have been chasing Kaka for some time now, plus their new coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, used to coach the Brazil team so has first hand knowledge of Kaka.
Adriano Galliani said to the Italian press:
We received an astronomical offer from Chelsea for Kaka.
Milan, who failed this season to reach the Champions League, could do with raising some capital to settle their debts. The lack of Champions League action next season would also make any move to Premiership tempting for Milan’s big stars.
With Adriano Galliani stating:
All we would need to do in order to wipe out our debts is sell Kaka and Pirlo.
Maybe there is hope of Kaka playing in the Premiership after all?
Andrei Arshavin worth £20 million?
July 6, 2008
There’s little doubt that Andrei Arshavin was one of the stars of Euro 2008, giving one of the performances of the tournament when Russia knocked out Holland in the quarterfinals. His current coach, Dick Advocaat, has slapped a £20 million value on the player as the Premiership’s elite queue up to tempt him away from Zenit St Petersburg
Arshavin however appears to be favouring a transfer to Spain, and Barcelona. Rumours are abound that currently Arshavin is in London speaking to two of richest clubs in England, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Dick Advocaat said about his acceptance that Arshavin may be leaving the club:
We can’t keep hold of the player if someone offers good money – in the region of £20m to £25m.
According to the player’s agent, Dennis Lachter, Chelsea are no longer interested after they sign Deco from Barcalona:
I don’t believe that after this acquisition of Deco the club have retained their interest in Arshavin.
Joseph Yobo’s brother kidnapped in Nigeria
July 6, 2008
The elder brother of Everton and Nigeria footballer Joseph Yobo has been kidnapped by gunmen, according to police.
Norum Yobo was kidnapped while at a hotel in Port Harcourt. Joseph Yobo meanwhile is currently on holiday in Lagos. Everton have stated they will do all they can to help both Joseph and Norum Yobo.
Kidnappings are quite common in the region, and are often led by ransom demands. However there has been no demand as of yet.
Rita Inoma-Abbey, a police spokeswoman, stated:
We have not heard anything yet from Mr Norum or the kidnappers but we will make a statement available as soon as we can establish contact with them.
Richard Dunne signs new 4 year deal for Man City
July 5, 2008
Some good news for new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes this week as their captain, Richard Dunne, has put pen to paper for a new four-year deal. Dunne has been one of City’s star performers for the last few years and could have been tempted away with interest from other clubs, including Portsmouth.
Richard Dunne told the Manchester City website:
My first priority is, was and always has been to stay at City.
When Mark Hughes got the manager’s job I think everyone was pleased. I was thrilled he seemed to make it a priority to sort my contract out
Sparky, formerly of Manchester United of course, added:
I’m delighted with the outcome and Richard is a really important player for us.
It was one of my priorities when I took the job that I made sure that he was one of the players we needed to keep
Now Hughes can look at signing new targets to take the club forward to the level their ambitious owners want.
Harry Kewell says goodbye to Liverpool
July 5, 2008
Harry Kewell, the player thought to be the missing piece in the puzzle when he joined Liverpool five years ago, has finally left Anfield and signed for Turkish side Galatasaray.
Kewell, still only 29, has been a perennial underachiever at Liverpool due to his poor form and constant injury worries.
Kewell said about his move:
You could say it’s a new chapter.
I wanted to move on and this is the best way. I can’t wait to get started, it’s just what I’m looking forward to, a new challenge.
Kewell joined Liverpool five years ago from Leeds United.
WinningIsEverything wishes Harry the best of luck in Turkey, and hopes that his injuries are well and truly behind him now.
