ESPN Soccernet - On The Move
soccernet blog
On The Move
Posted by ESPNsoccernet Staff on 01/25/2010

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


Robinho: Chewing over move? © Getty Images

23:54: Right then, transfer news has slowed down to a snail's pace so it's time to sign off for the evening. Join us again toimorrow though, for all the news and speculation about who is going where this January.

23:35: Inter Milan's approach for Lazio duo Aleksandar Kolarov and Cristian Ledesma has hit a stumbling block, according to reports on Lalaziosiamonoi.it.

23:22: Despite there being an injury crisis at Anfield, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed he is considering sending young midfielder Damien Plessis out on loan. Rafa said:

"Plessis is a young player who isn't playing games. We were considering a loan but we're talking to the player and his agent. We had an Italian team asking about him and we'll see if we can find a solution that is best for him and for us.''

23:17: Well it's all slowing down now, though Scotland appears to still be bussing. Falkirk and Scotland defender Darren Barr has agreed a three-year deal with Hearts that will see him make the switch to Tynecastle in the summer.

22:26: And speaking of Celtic, Hoops defender Danny Fox is expected to move to Burnley for a fee believed to be in the region of £1.5 million, according to the Herald. The 23-year-old left-back has struggled to settle in Scotland since failing to settle in Scotland since his move from Coventry City last summer.

22:07: One-time Celtic target Olivier Giroud will sign for Montpellier on Tuesday, before being loaned back to Tours, according to L'Equipe.

21:38: And another player staying put is highly-rated Lyon youngster Maxime Gonalons. The versatile 20-year-old can play in either defence or midfield and you may remember that he scored in Lyon's Champions League victory over Liverpool earlier in the season. He has been tracked by plenty of big European clubs but has now signed a contract extension, keeping him at the Stade Gerland until 2014.

21:31:One player not going anywhere is Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who has stated that he is not planning to leave the Old Trafford club.

21:00: Jay reckons that should Chelsea let Nicolas Anelka go, Marouane Chamakh is a ready-made replacement. He says:

I don't see Chelsea letting Anelka go. Abramovich is not known for his tight purse, and I don't think he would let his player walk over some money differences. But on another note, does this open a door for Chamakh to get his shot in England?

20:49: Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Leicester City forward Max Gradel for an undisclosed fee.

20:14: We're hearing that West Ham United have bid for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy. The Hammers are desperately chasing a striker and the South Africa international, who has found his chances limited at Ewood Park this season, could well fit the bill.

19:32: BREAKING NEWS: Santos have confirmed that club officials have flown to London for talks with Robinho over a return to Brazil.

18:52: With rumours rife that Gianluigi Buffon could be heading out of the Juventus exit door, James reckons that Arsene Wenger should be aiming to add him to the Gunners' ranks. He says:

If Buffon is available, then Arsenal should take him. Man City hav Given, Man Utd hav Van der Sar, Chelsea hav Cech so Arsenal would be perfect for Buffon as its the only big club without a proper goalkeeper. Even though they hav Almunia, but lets face it he is no asillas or Van der Sar who can pull off a world class saves.

18:45: QPR striker Patrick Agyemang has joined Championship rivals Bristol City on loan until the end of the season.

18:03: According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Uruguayan midfielder Sebastian Eguren could join Lazio from Villarreal in the coming days for a fee of around 3.5 million euros.

17.34: It is being reported that West Ham, having failed to land Ruud van Nistelrooy, are lining up a move for Manchester City striker Benjani. Not exactly like for like, but oh well.

16.56: The Anelka story is sure to generate some debate but Aadithya does not think that the French striker will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

"As a TRUE chelsea fan I don't think Anelka's gonna leave. Even if his contract talks have stalled, Abramovich will make sure he'll stay...forever."

16.43: Stoke manager Tony Pulis says the club are still in talks to sign Pompey goalkeeper David James and a deal may yet be done. Come on now guys, there is only a week left of the window...

16.15: We have word from Portsmouth that they fully expect their transfer embargo to be lifted later today. An insider has told us: “At long last we are expecting some good news. We are really optimistic that the Premier League will lift the embargo. In fact we are so hopeful we expect to hear something later today."

16.10: In his weekly press conference, Harry Redknapp has confirmed he has been keeping an eye on Palermo defender Simon Kjaer, along with half of Europe, and that he wants Roman Pavlyuchenko to stay at Tottenham Hotspur.

"We've watched him, like the other top Premier League clubs,'' Redknapp said. "He played against Fiorentina at the weekend and is a top young player but we've not made any enquiries about buying him.''

16.01: Some interesting news is coming out of Chelsea where it is reported that contract talks with Nicolas Anelka have broken down and that the striker could well leave the club in the summer. We didn't see that one coming, do we think it is true, Chelsea fans?

15.50: Stoke boss Tony Pulis will be striving to complete the loan signing of David James this week so the England goalkeeper can face his old club Manchester City
in the FA Cup fifth round.

15.07 Rafael Benitez has revealed that Liverpool have been in contact with Sunderland over a deal to sign striker Kenwyne Jones. "(Managing director) Christian Purslow has been talking with (Sunderland chairman) Niall Quinn so they have to manage the situation because I was not doing anything," Benitez said.

14.32: According to FilGoal, Mido is in England to complete a loan switch back to the Premier League until the end of the season. The Middlesbrough man has been in Egypt with Zamalek for the last few months but wants to play in England again. Hull and Fulham have both been strongly linked.

14.20: Sticking with the Buffon thing, the Daily Mail reckons United and Arsenal are on alert, too. Presumably they won't be after they read what his agent's said.

14.08: There are rumours Buffon wants out of Juve, and his agent, Silvano Martina, has got straight onto the case. He told Tuttomercatoweb:

"Buffon has three and a half years left on his contract, so these are just rumours. Realistically, it would take a team with a lot of money to make both Juve and the player happy."

Given that City are one of the clubs linked, you'd think that wouldn't be a major stumbling block. The fact that Shay Given is there already probably is, though.

14.05: We mentioned earlier that City apparently want first option on Santos youngsters Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar if Robinho goes to the Brazilian club on loan. Here's Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro confirming that story:

"They want the first choice to buy the two boys. That does not bother us because we sell the players for the best offer. If City have the conditions to match the offer, they can have the players."

13.55: Lens striker Toifilou Maoulida has told L'Equipe he has a 50/50 chance of leaving the club. He's open to a move to England and West Ham, Wigan and Stoke are said to be interested.

13.46: BREAKING NEWS And boy is it a big one. Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili has joined Reading on a season-long loan. Reading director of football Nicky Hammond is "very pleased".

13.43: Brondby striker Morten Rasmussen is in Scotland to have contract talks and a medical with Celtic ahead of a £1 million move, according to BBC Sport.

13.40: Portsmouth newspaper The News says Pompey are set to sell both Younes Kaboul and Nadir Belhadj this week. Spurs and City are battling it out for Kaboul and Sporting Lisbon, Birmingham and Wigan want Belhadj.

And, apparently, those sales "will then open the door for either Jamie O'Hara or Giovani Dos Santos to arrive on loan from Spurs".

13.35: Benni McCarthy has not turned up to Blackburn training today and has no intention of returning to the club, according to Sky Sports News. He's announced that he wants to join West Ham and - as Soccernet told you - it's likely to be a question of sorting out his work permit.

13.33: Derby are likely to extend Bolton defender Nicky Hunt's loan until the end of the season, according to the Derby Evening Telegraph.

13.23: According to Diario de Noticias, Real Madrid are interested in Benfica defender David Luz following Pepe’s injury.

13.15: Burnley boss Brian Laws says the club are continuing talks over Portsmouth striker David Nugent and are confident of completing a deal. He added:

"We have been working all weekend pursuing a couple of targets and we are closing in on a few. We're delighted at the progress made so far and you never know, there might be one in before Tuesday."

13.00: Bolton have confirmed the loan signing of Manchester City midfielder Vladimir Weiss until the end of the season.

12.42: South Korea international Ku Ja-cheol believes his chances of joining Blackburn Rovers are '50-50' after the Jeju United midfielder revealed his representatives have begun talks with the Premier League club.

12.31: Roma are refusing to contemplate selling Daniele De Rossi despite Real Madrid entering negotiations with his agent, according to As.

12.30: Spurs have made a €10 million offer for Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, according to The New Fotball Pool.

12.15: Reports in Spain suggest Fernando Gago's agent, Marcelo Lombilla, is set to speak to Real Madrid general director Jorge Valdano today. Marca says Manchester City are prepared to pay 15 million euros for him, but Boca Juniors and Everton are also said to be interested in the defensive midfielder.

12.10: In Spain, Diario Sport says Barca are looking to tie Dani Alves and Gerard Pique to new four-year contracts. The paper also claims Barca are looking for a new back-up keeper to replace Jose Pinto - who's likely to leave - and Real Sociedad's Claudio Bravo could be the ideal candidate.

12.05: Tuttosport claims Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has had enough of the club's failure to challenge for honours and wants to leave. The 32-year-old has been linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

12.00: Legia Warsaw keeper Jan Mucha is set to join Everton, but apparently they weren't the only Premier League side interested. His agent told SITA:

"I can confirm the interest of Arsenal. Their scouts watched him in a number of games during the autumn. They labelled him as one of two goalkeepers they were keen to sign, with the addition that Mucha was their primary target.

"As a result of that I held talks with Arsenal representatives in November. We went through all important matters and then I was waiting only for one call, which has, however, never been made.

"Indeed, a large number of clubs contacted me, but mostly they have not made a specific offer. Among these teams are Wigan Athletic, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Stoke City from England."

11.54: Interesting stuff in L'Equipe. It says Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has not yet made a decision on his future - effectively because he doesn't fancy agreeing to join Liverpool while he thinks there's a fair chance Rafa will get sacked. He still wants to move to England though, apparently, and isn't completely ruling out Liverpool.

11.50: The full story of Danny Welbeck's decision to play for Fergie Jnr is here.

11.34: QPR have confirmed the signing of Wolves defender Matt Hill on loan until the end of the season. It's been a busy day at Molineux, well as busy as it has got throughout this frankly disappointing transfer window.

11.25: It's not strictly transfer news but Arsenal have tied third-choice 'keeper Vito Mannone to a new long-term contract. Arsene Wenger probably fast-tracked that after watching a horrible performance from Lukasz Fabianski at the weekend.

11.02: Robinho's turned up for training at City today, which may or may not be significant.

11.00: Former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi - disgraced during the Calciopoli scandal - has told Studio Stadio that he'd like to see Arsene Wenger at the club.

“The only foreigner that I see doing well at Juventus is Arsene Wenger of Arsenal, who we had in hand to replace Lippi in 2004, but then Capello freed himself from Roma and it all went like you know.

“Wenger would be the perfect manager with whom to start again. Even with these directors…

“Juventus are paying for their incapacity and the leadership at board level. You can see the players aren't going on to the pitch in a calm frame of mind and that they have lost self-esteem. They lack an authoritative point of reference in the club."

10.55: Bolton boss Owen Coyle has confirmed he expects to tie up deals for midfielders Vladimir Weiss and Stuart Holden later today.

10.50: Jerome Rothen has told France Football he's off to join Ankaragücü in Turkey. The Rangers flop is set to move on loan from PSG until the end of the season.

10.45: Wolves have signed Chaleroi midfielder Adlene Guedioura on loan until the end of the season. More here.

10.35: As suggested earlier, Preston have signed Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck on loan.

10.28: Ruud van Nistelrooy says he rejected the chance to head back to the Premier League because he wanted "a new challenge". He told Bild that he had "five good years in England", but feels he's better off at Hamburg as he wants to test himself in the Bundesliga.

10.20: Steve Bruce is clearly still haunted by the team's display against Chelsea and wants to sign more defenders despite the capture of Matt Kilgallon last week. He said in the Sunderland Echo:

"That's where we have to improve. We've got strength in that area and before the window closes, hopefully we can strengthen again. Obviously with the injuries to Nosworthy and Ferdinand, we are very, very short at the moment.

"We're chipping away at various different things and whether something will progress in the next few days, I'm not so sure, but we'll keep trying."

10.05: The Liverpool Echo says Liverpool have offered Milan Jovanovic the chance to move to Anfield at the end of the season. "The Standard Liege striker is out of contract this summer and the Reds have put together a package that would see Jovanovic sign a three-year deal." Reports last week suggested Jovanovic had his heart set on a move to Liverpool despite interest from Italy.

10.01: Also in the Mail, there's word that Dynamo Moscow want to buy Yossi Benayoun for £7 million.

09.50: With Robinho seemingly off, the Daily Mail says city will "make the most of a bad situation" by telling Santos they can only have Robinho on loan if they're allowed first option on Neymar and Paolo Henrique. Seems Santos are quite happy to go along with it all, too.

09.46: The Daily Mirror reports that Wigan are set to spend £7 million on Villarreal B striker Marco Ruben.

09.21: Striker Robbie Fowler will not be leaving fledgling A-League club North Queensland, chairman Don Matheson has insisted. The veteran was linked with a return to England.

08.55 The Daily Mail report that Preston North End boss Darren Ferguson is hoping to persuade his father, Sir Alex, to let him have Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck on loan.

08.30 Stoke City's James Beattie is the latest striker to be linked with a move to West Ham United. He would cost the Hammers around £3 million.

08.20 Everton boss David Moyes has confirmed he would be interested in signing AC Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar but reports suggest he would need to find £65,000-a-week wages for the Dutchman.

08.15 Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is chasing highly-rated Bosnia international Senijad Ibricic - for the second time, according to the Daily Mirror.

08.10 It seems Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has finally realised that it is his defence that needs strengthening and could sign Roma right-back Marco Motta, who has fallen out of favour with manager Claudio Ranieri, on loan.

8.05 Danish defender Simon Kjaer is still in the news and today it is Harry Redknapp's turn to try and land the 20-year-old Palermo player for Tottenham Hotspur.

08.00 We start, of course, with Robinho. Will he stay or will he go? Well, The Guardian insists he is on his way as a delegation from Santos, Robinho's former club, is set to meet Manchester City officials this week. Benfica are also interested.

Comments

Posted by Ethan on 01/25/2010

We all talk about how Sir Alex Ferguson should buy a defender in the transfer market, but how about a striker Rooney is basically the only one up their who is scoring every game unlike Berbatov or Owen, so what about Klaas Jan Huntelaar, any hopes of him going to Old Trafford

Posted by Shoga on 01/25/2010

Hi everybody? Tel arsene 2 buy striker

Posted by tachena murthy on 01/25/2010

i think now SAF team are playing great at the moment berba,owen and diouf are also in the great form.i think give them until end of this season.
have faith in SAf and MANUTD.

Posted by tachena murthy on 01/25/2010

rooney is great coz he got great support from midfielder.SAF kill the game by bring in gibson who has ruined a few chances.pls SAF,gibson are not ready.i think nani play great with great passes.if nani play like that then he is ready for 1st team action.

Posted by john on 01/25/2010

what are they else looking for since they sold ronaldo who won the champions league with them,and their old coach thinks tevez is not worth 25millon pounds,please tell me why they sold ronaldo for 80i think it's foolish. they've eaten their cake and they want's to have.

Posted by Aadithya on 01/25/2010

As a TRUE chelsea fan....i don't think Anelka's gonna leave.....Even if his contract talks have stalked....Abrahimovich will make sure he'll stay........forever......

Posted by Chamberlain junior on 01/25/2010

Hi guyz.Since Wenger is 2 economical in signing a 5-star striker like WVan Persie bcos he believes Bendtner could do great things when he recovers,den he can secure getting 1 on loan latest 2morrow.he has 4 consecutive premier league derby matches in which if he wins 3 out of d 4 can make him d premier league title holder.we arsenal fans are 'patience-less' as i could say.he really has 2 react.

Posted by Liz on 01/25/2010

Any thoughts on that ridiculous Man City projected £100m bid for Liverpool Striker Fernando Torres this Summer?

Posted by James on 01/25/2010

hey if buffon is available, then arsenal should take him. man city hav given, man utd hav van der sar, chelsea hav cech so arsenal would be perfect for buffon as its the only big club without a proper goalkeeper. even though they hav almunia, but lets face it he is no casillas or van der sar who can pull off a world class save.
And arsenal should sign 1 striker, bendtner before he got injured was doing well on a wide position so it will be kinda stupid to think he can fill in van persie's role. arsenal need some with a physical presence.

Posted by Lium on 01/25/2010

I am a big MU supporter from Sarawak, Malaysia. Sir Alex the perfert solution right now is to buy attacking midfielder such as G. Higuain (new P. Scholes). Cause now MU have a poor goals return from midfield. Higuain can drive MU to better attacking football. I think other position in balance. Or S. Ireland (Man City) also suitable for MU as he is still young.

Posted by Jay on 01/25/2010

I don't see Chelsea letting Anelka go. Abramovich is not known for his tight purse, and I don't think he would let his player walk over some money differences. But on another note, does this open a door for Chamakh to get his shot in England?

Posted by khairil on 01/25/2010

are you kidding ? man utd need a replacement for keeper .. how long will Van Der Sar hold out due to his age ? Man Utd should consider a Goalkeeper , defender - Chiellini sounds a good buy if they decide to invest .. Forwards , give them a chance to gel .. once Man Utd realise they can't win a trophy , due to the lack of attack .. they'll definitely buy some world class players .. currently at this rate , i don't see anywhere Man Utd will buy any star players , unfortuanately ..

Posted by ADR on 01/25/2010

I really can't see Buffon leaving Juventus for the English Premier league considering the fact that the acquistion of him would shatter his own transer record. Lets be serious here Buffon is the best keeper in th world but he 32 years old. If man city, arsenal or man utd are serious about acquiring a new goalkeeper, there better off investing their money in Neuer, Adler, Mandanda or Akinfeev. These four are less expensive and are very talented.

Posted by Lamps on 01/25/2010

i would only want to see Anelka go if Abro has a big July move planned, the only worthy options for an Anelkaless Chelsea are Fernando Torres, David Villa, Sergio Aguero or Pato. Personally im a Pato fan and i think we should also replace the restless Kalou with Nilmar, Pazzini or Gomis, so the 2010/11 Chelsea forwards would be:

Drogba, Pato, Gomis, Sturridge, Kakuta, Borini

Further down the line securing Lukaku is a must so 2014/15 might appear something like this

Pato, Gomis, Lukaku, Stoch, Sturridge, Borini, Kakuta

Pato/Gomis/Lukaku/Sturridge as a front pairing with Borini/Stoch/Kakuta/Hamsik or Dzagoev in behind

Posted by Macdaddy on 01/26/2010

If Arsene buys a new stiker(a good one), I really think that Arsenal can win the premier league!

Posted by francis on 01/26/2010

sir alex pls bring veloso of lisbon to old traford

Posted by kennedy kisia on 01/26/2010

I have been a supporter of Man U for over 15yrs.
I wonder y ALF is failing to c that no more fire power from the current middlefilders.
Juventus Diego can do. Upfront, A. Villa's Aghobolour can form good partnership with Roo.The train Valencia to curve balls with his left foot from right wing, to C more goals. I'm happy for Nani and i trust the Lad can perform.

Posted by Kerry on 01/26/2010

Tell Arsene he needs to buy striker and a defender now not wait in the summer.

Posted by olakunle fadeyi on 01/26/2010

i am chelsea fan.i am strongly belief that this year EPL belong to ours.to all fans all over the world,we full ground no be 4 mouth.

Posted by Heinz Dennis Boateng on 01/26/2010

born a blue always a blue.we are the real citizens of Manchester and united cant do anything about it.i think city should step up their game and buy a top quality full backs and very good midfielders.The cash is available so why are you slacking.Manchini do something and buy.time is running out.Come on city!we love u.Mancity for life

Posted by philemon bosire on 07/12/2010

I hope Wenger being in south Africa has noticed the likes of Dede Ayew,Ozil,Kevin Boateng.Those are the talents that Arsenal need to invest in.they are young and talented.

Posted by philemon bosire on 07/12/2010

Arsenal need a play maker for them to realise their dream of winning primier legue and champions league.The likes of wrigt phillips and J.Cole is what Arsenal need.Wenger Pls buy good players coz we can"t wait

  Post your comment
Name:
Email Address:
Comments:
characters left