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On The Move
Posted by ESPNsoccernet Staff on 01/03/2010

We'll be keeping you as up-to-date as possible on the latest transfer talk in On The Move. You can catch read up on all the Latest Transfers and then follow the developing stories in our constantly updated transfer blog here:

22:32: Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford was the matchwinner at Old Trafford today and he has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road over the past few months. But his boss Simon Grayson has insisted he is hopeful of holding on to his prized-asset in January.

21:38: BBC Sport are reporting that record-breaking SPL striker Kris Boyd could be heading to join former gaffer Alex McLeish at Birmingham. Apparently the Blues had scouts watching Boyd in Rangers 1-1 draw with Celtic.

21:28: ja wallin reckons Arsene Wenger should repeat last January's transfer exploits and bring a Russian forward to the Emirates.

"I think Arsenal should pursue wantaway striker Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham. We already have one Russian at the club, and Pavly could maybe even keep his current abode! Do it Arsene, as Pavlyuchenko probably hates the Hotspurs as much as the next gooner! Go Gunners for the treble (PL,CL,FA)!!!"

21:24: A manager transfer could be on the horizon with Bolton Wanderers apparently making an official approach for Burnley boss Owen Coyle, according to Sky Sports News.

18.31: BostonChris joins the Manchester United debate and also calls for the Glazers to open their chequebook in January. He also fancies seeing Hulk arrive at Old Trafford.

"United need another winger and I wouldn't hate to see another center half either. I can't wait to buy my red HULK jersey, but there seem to be more pressing needs..."

17.25: Reader tachena murthy clearly wasn't too impressed with Manchester United's showing against Leeds and calls for widespread changes at Old Trafford. Does Ferguson need a rethink?

"I think Sir Alex should sell Nani, Berbatov, Gibson and Welbeck."

16.24: A report in the Birmingham Mail claims Alex McLeish is on the brink of signing midfielder Michel from Sporting Gijon. Birmingham tried to sign Michel in August, to no avail, but should get their man now.

15.40: Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has reiterated his desire to extend the loan spell of Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara. Pompey are still under a transfer embargo and must resolve that pressing issue soon if they are to strengthen their squad in January.

15.04: Tottenham's forgotten man, Giovani dos Santos, enjoyed a loan spell at Ipswich Town last season and now Roy Keane says he would welcome the Mexico international back at Portman Road.

14.25: West Ham defender Matthew Upson has once again stated his uncertainty over whether he will be remaining at Upton Park in January. He said: "It's difficult because there are so many things out of my control and things that may happen."

13.55: Continuing our foreign sweep, Portuguese publication A Bola reports that Fiorentina are plotting a move for Sporting Lisbon star Miguel Veloso. The midfielder has long been linked with a move to England but could he be heading to Italy in January?

13.45: Our reader gunners ftw has some advice for Arsene Wenger as he goes about the process of replacing Robin van Persie. Gabby Agbonlahor though, are you sure about that?

"It's no surprise that Arsenal need a striker or two. If I were Arsene I would be looking to buy one of the Juventus strikers, realistically Iaquinta or even Amauri. I think Agbonlahor would create a lethal combination with Walcott, and even going for Diego Milito or Stephen Kiessling would be good."

13.36: We have a confirmed transfer from the Bundesliga where Alexander Baumjohann has left Bayern Munich to return to Schalke on a three-and-a-half-year deal. More details here.

12.59: No doubt Birmingham City would love to grab Joe Hart on a permanent deal this month but the goalkeeper is waiting until the summer before deciding on his future.

12.36: Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses looks set to be a constant presence on the back pages in January but for now he is ignoring speculation linking him with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. Oh, and Barcelona.

12.06: Staying in Italy, La Repubblica is reporting that Real Madrid have offered 63 million euros for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato, who scored against the Spanish side when the teams met in the Champions League group stage.

11.42: Reports reach us from the continent where Italian rag Gazzetta dello Sport claims Chelsea have opened negotiations with Sampdoria for £19m-rated striker Giampaolo Pazzini. We should of course bear in mind that Carlo Ancelotti has promised to run around Chelsea's training ground naked if he breaks his promise to not sign any players in January. Not a pleasant thought.

11.20: Our reader MUFC_Fan_Jay has this perspective on the possible link between Manchester United and Porto striker Hulk, as well as one of today's other rumours:

"I think Man United don't need Hulk. He's not a really decent striker and Birmingham shouldn't waste their money on Rodallega. They've got Benitez and Jerome. I think they need a star midfielder and a star defender, and maybe secure Joe Hart."

10.30: You can send us your thoughts throughout the month so if you want to let us know who your side should sign, or which players you have spotted hanging around club training grounds or lunching with agents, let us know using the comments form below. We will use the best in the blog.

10.16: The agent of Porto striker Hulk looks intent on drumming up some interest in his client and has claimed that "big clubs in England" want the Brazilian. That includes Manchester United apparently.

09.50: The north east's Sunday Sun reports this morning that Sunderland will have to up their offer for Maynor Figueroa to £8 million if they are to sign the left back from Wigan in January. Clearly that wonder goal against Stoke added a few million to his price tag.

09.00: Good morning and welcome to another day of rumour and intrigue (hopefully) in the January transfer window. To kick things off, we take a look at some of the more eye-catching rumours in the ever-reliable Sunday newspapers.

The Mail on Sunday dedicates its back page to the news that Chelsea are eyeing up Emile Heskey as they look to compensate for the loss of Didier Drogba to the African Nations Cup. Meanwhile, former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira is believed to be a target of Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, who managed the Frenchman at Inter.

The News of the World, when not detailing a fistfight between two of Jordan's ex-lovers (classy stuff today in the Screws), leads with the news that Manchester City have also targeted Rubin Kazan's Argentinian defender Cristian Ansaldi. Across Manchester, the paper have also spoken to the agent of Porto striker Hulk who is a target for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Mirror claims that Birmingham manager Alex McLeish will use some of the £40 million burning a hole in his pocket to recruit striker Hugo Rodallega from Wigan Athletic.

Comments

Posted by MUFC_Fan_Jay on 01/03/2010

I think Man United dont need Hulk. He's not a really descent striker. and Birmigham shouldnt waste there money on Rodallega. they've got Benitez and Jerome. i think they need a star Midfielder and a star Defender. and maybe Secure Joe Hart.

Posted by Shashwat on 01/03/2010

I am a Man Utd fan and I think they need a goalkeeper as a successor to Van Der Sar as neither Foster nor Kuzchak are worthy. They also need an attacking midfielder....how about David Silva

Posted by gunners ftw on 01/03/2010

It's no surprise that Arsenal need a striker or two. If I were Arsene I would be looking to buy one of the Juventus strikers, realistically Iaquinta or even Amauri. I think Agbonlahor would create a lethal combination with Walcott, and even going for Diego Milito or Stephen Kiessling would be good.

Posted by Gooner in Stamford on 01/03/2010

Arsenal need two players a proven world-class striker and a hard tackling holding midfield player. Mr Wenger is by some remote chance you read ESPN's soccer blog - read this: Miroslav Klose (German international, starting striker - you know the big lad up front that scores goals with his head as well, which is where we are so poor); and Patrick Viera (old head, been it, seen it, done it - he's not quite got the engine but what experience to sit in midfield or play at center back). Eat a bit of pride and bring him back!

Posted by tachena murthy on 01/03/2010

i think sir alex should sell nani,berbatov,gibson and welbeck. this player are not a create player.
hulk,dzenko,Cignac would be a good signing in january transfer.

Posted by bjlzdjbapdfj on 01/03/2010

Messi will sign for Portsmouth.
Pato will go to Real Madrid.
Birmingham will permently sign Joe Hart.
The Queen is the new owner of Hull City.
Kaka will go to the prem.
Van Der Sar will quit United for Dutch Club

Posted by BostonChris on 01/03/2010

Disgraceful showing by Man U today, they looked much too casual. really shows lack of young depth in outside midfield...obertan is nice but not there yet and welbeck looked overwhelmed and out of position on the wing. Valencia looked better than he had in some time- glad he's finding his form.

United need another winger and i wouldn't hate to see another center half either. i can't wait to buy my red HULK jersey, but there seem to be more pressing needs...

Posted by tachena murthy on 01/03/2010

dear MUFC fan jay,

i think u r wrong about hulk. his presence at OT will change the offence side very obviously.because
he is good in physically and he had good pace and striking power. he is not like berbatov not even responding to the ball at all. welbeck is a selfish guy.when he go to the pitch with rooney he seldom pass/cross the ball to any strike.i think obertan should start play more games now. michael and rooney should more often play together.gibson,he should hold his position when attacking go forward.he is not a creative midfielder.fletcher is good but he shouldn't keep the ball too long
rooney is a magnificent player.he should be feeded by the midfielder and winger alots.

Posted by ja wallin on 01/03/2010

I think Arsenal should pursue wantaway striker Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham. We already have one Russian at the club, and Pavly could maybe even keep his current abode! Do it Arsene, as Pavlyuchenko probably hates the Hotspurs as much as the next gooner! Go Gunners for the treble (PL,CL,FA)!!!

Posted by Augustine Mwazighe Mwabaya on 01/12/2010

I believe Arsenal needs two mature strikers who would partiner with the ones we have at the moment to give the desired results so that they increase their chances of winnig the Premier League.

Posted by CDJohnson on 01/12/2010

"Soccernet Towers?" Really? You guys reading 'The Fiver' and stealing their moniker, or did you come up with that one on your own?!? It's hard to be original these days, eh?

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