ESPN Soccernet - On The Move
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On The Move
Posted by ESPNsoccernet Staff on 07/15/2011

Welcome to On The Move, ESPNsoccernet's comprehensive transfer blog. Between June 1 and September 1, we will be keeping you up to date with all the latest gossip and speculation from the world of football, as well as the actual completed transfers of course.


Charles N'Zogbia is determined to leave Wigan © Getty Images

18.10 Well that's all for today folks, but be sure to comeback tomorrow for plenty more transfer talk.

18.01 We finish up Friday's transfer blog with a claim from new AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes that he turned down Real Madrid to join the Serie A Champions. “It was my choice, as I could’ve joined Real Madrid this summer. In the past I chose Roma ahead of Manchester United," Mexes said.

17.47 Nottingham Forest manager Steve McClaren is considering a move for Sunderland striker Oumare Tounkara after watching him in a pre-season friendly.

17.16 Liverpool have signed goalkeeper Alexander Doni from Roma, the Premier League club have confirmed on their website. Full story

17.01 Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas has been "kidnapped" by Arsenal, according to a Catalan mayor. "We want him to come right away, he is experiencing a kidnapping," Estanislau Fors i Garcia is quoted as saying in Sport.

16.46 Blackburn Rovers are ready to make a £12 million bid for CSKA Moscow's Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda, according to reports.

16.30 QPR boss Neil Warnock has told talkSPORT he’s surprised by the lack of transfer funds given to him his summer – but is still confident he’ll have a squad equipped for Premier League survival. "I thought I’d have a few millions, if I’m honest. I was disappointed but it’s not the end of the world," Warnock told Talksport.

16.18 Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany is reportedly set to secure a wage rise to £135k after an impressive season from the Belgian.

16.08 Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing a move for Manchester United's Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak as a replacement for injured stopper Rene Adler, according to Poland's Fakt.

15.47 Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote insists he is going nowhere amid speculation that Chelsea are lining up a transfer bid. Tiote, who signed a new six-and-a-half-year deal in February, told the Evening Chronicle: "I am a Newcastle player and I will do my job in Newcastle."

15.31 Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini claims there is a "99%" chance that playmaker Javier Pastore, who has recently been linked with AC Milan, will leave the club ... but only if the €50 million asking price is paid.

15.17 Jozy Altidore has just tweeted that he has agreed to move from Villarreal to AZ Alkmaar. "To my amazing fans, I have agreed to terms to join AZ! Thanks for all the love and the hate it's all making me better!," he wrote on his @jozyaltidore1 account.

15.11 Liverpool striker Dani Pacheco will not be going on loan to Coventry as the move has collapsed. Coventry manager Andy Thorn said: "We thought we had him in the bag but these things happen."

14.52 Blackburn have agreed terms with Argentine striker Mariano Pavone, who will sign a three-year deal with the Premier League club during the weekend, the player's agent said on Friday.

14.36 QPR boss Neil Warnock has admitted it is unlikely the club will be able to keep star player Adel Taarabt at Loftus Road, saying it is tough to hang onto players "once their head is turned".

14.18 - Twitter talk Jozy Altidore's move to AZ should be finalized today, according to SI.com senior editor Jen Chang. The deal will probably be a loan unless Villarreal's asking price of €7 miilon comes down dramatically.

14.00 West Bromwich Albion are reportedly holding contract talks with last season's player of the year Youssouf Mulumbu with Italian side Fiorentina showing an interest in the midfielder.

13.47 Alex McLeish believes out-of-favour full-back Stephen Warnock has "staked his claim'' to be part of the future at Aston Villa with his attitude in pre-season training.

13.34 Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed he will allow defender Carlos Salcido to leave the club if he receives the right offer. Jol said: "Our second XI is not good enough yet. If we don't get the right deal for Salcido he will stay."

13.20 - Twitter talk Spain-based journalist Sid Lowe doesn't believe Liverpool will be signing Valencia winger Juan Mata. "There have been so many LFC-Mata questions over the summer ... Signing of Downing ends that possibility, sadly."

13.08: Chelsea have confirmed midfielder Josh McEachran has signed a new five-year contract while full-back Ryan Bertrand has signed a new four-year deal.

12.53 The agent of Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay has dismissed reports linking his client with a move to Serie A. "There has been no contact with Juventus or Lazio,'' Rob Jansen told Calciomercato.

12.39 Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi has been released by Bordeaux and is expected to return to his formative club River Plate after seven years in Europe.

12.22 Juventus are negotiating with Villarreal over the signing of Giuseppe Rossi, the player's agent has confirmed. "We hope that the deal will be completed soon," Federico Pastorello told Tuttosport. Full story

12.17 Brazilian defender Jonathan has completed his switch from Santos to Inter Milan for an undisclosed fee. "I'm delighted to have this chance to ply my trade here and show what I'm capable of," he said.

11.58 Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is enthusiastic about the possible arrival of Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez and believes he would add further quality to the La Liga champions. Full story

11.41 Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given after agreeing a fee with Manchester City, according to Sky Sports.

11.23 QPR boss Neil Warnock has warned Adel Taarabt and Kieron Dyer that they will be in direct competition for one place in his starting XI.

Warnock said:"Kieron’s pace would be ideal for that role, and in truth, with all the speculation – I thought Adel might be moving. But he’s keen to get started again, and so for the time being I have two excellent players who can fill the gap.

"When I met Kieron it was all about him wanting to play again and prove past injuries were behind him. Money didn’t even come into the reckoning. And you can call it one of those manager inklings if you like – but I could see myself getting on well with him."

Taarabt v Dyer - We wonder who would be the preferable option for most QPR fans...

11.12 The Lancashire Telegraph reports that Blackburn are looking to tie up deals for Argentinian striker Mariano Pavone and Monaco defender Cedric Mongongu before they go on tour.

11.01 We're anticipating sighs of disappointment all round as we reveal that
Wolves midfielder Kevin Foley has signed a four-year contract extension at Molineux. Massive.

10.49The comments continue to flood in and SEAscouser believes Liverpool should keep hold of their fringe midfielders:

"As a Liverpool supporter, I quite like the current glut in our midfield. There are rumors today on both Cole and Aquilani and I hope both prove untrue. The recent Guangdong match revealed both are still highly valuable players possessing unique arsenals that will be useful during the long season. Get Poulsen out, surely, but I'd pause before letting these two go, and with them, the deepest, most diverse midfield in the league."

10.34 Blackburn are chasing Freiburg's Papiss Demba Cisse, but Schalke are favourites to sign the prolific striker, who netted 22 Bundesliga goals last season.

10.23 Juventus are considering a £7m swoop for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, according to that most reliable of sources - the Daily Star. Make of that what you will.

10.18 Everton talisman Tim Cahill says he is unworried by the club's lack of new signings.

Cahill said: "I focus on the good things, such as the players that we have got. We’ve got a lot of players now on long-term contracts. The good thing we have done is keeping a good core of lads, and people need to understand that is a big, big investment by the club.

“Bringing in players is not something that concerns us as players, we have to just focus on being ready for the start of the season. If new players come in then fantastic, but if they don’t then it won’t be down to us.â€

10.07 Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has appeared to suggest that left-back Jose Enrique will not be leaving for Liverpool, as the Spaniard is keen to play in the Champions League.

Pardew said: "The noises coming out of Jose's camp are that he wants to get a new club playing Champions League football. Unfortunately we can't offer him that but that seems to be his focus. Hopefully that will change but we've offered him a massive contract which he does not want to sign, so it's a difficult position."

10.00 Stuttgart have signed Mexico defender Francisco Javier Rodriguez from PSV, ending the 29-year-old centre-back's three-year spell in the Netherlands.

09.51 Lazio are believed to be chasing Barcelona defender Gabi Milito, though getafe have emerged as favourites to sign him, says Gazzetta dello Sport.

09.42 talkSPORT reckons Tottenham are weighing up a £5 million bid for Switzerland European Under-21Championship star Xherdan Shaqiri, who currently plays at FC Basel.

09.39 You can also get your comments into us using the tool below. That's what Jim did, lamenting Arsenal's lack of signings:

"Arsenal are still not stepping up their signing of a world class or inspirational player!!! What are they doing? Look! Liverpool got the many good players they wanted! Man Utd have also signed some good players and maybe even Sneijder!

So who are we waiting for Mr Frenchmen!? I think its another goner season for us right before it even started! Metersacker, Augero, Pastore and maybe Hugo Lloris would be good for us next season and we're all ready to rock!"

09.31 Remember you can also keep up to date with the latest news and gossip on Twitter - follow us at @ESPNsoccernet for all your Tweeting needs.

09.25 Despite his agent consistently staying he is staying at Liverpool, Gazzetta Dello Sport reports that Alberto Aquilani is "a step away from Fiorentina". Just how big that step is remains to be seen!

09.19 Lucio is set for crunch talks with Inter Milan on Saturday, as the two parties look to thrash out a new deal. The Brazil defender's contract is due to expire next summer and he wants an extension to 2014, though Inter are reportedly only willing to offer a one year deal. Bayern Munich are thought to be waiting in the wings to bring him back to the Bundesliga.

09.14 Corinthians have revealed that Juventus have a £45 million bid on the table for Carlos Tevez. Full story here.

09.08 Back to Spain and Sport reckons that things are a touch quiet on the Cesc Fabregas front this week (Xavi v Wenger spat aside) because Barcelona want to tie up a deal for Alexis Sanchez this week before focusing all their attention on the Arsenal skipper. We've got that to look forward to then!

09.02: A quick Premier League interjection here - A West Ham insider has told ESPNsoccernet that QPR are yet to make an official approach for Carlton Cole.

08.49 AS is reporting that Neymar has reached an agreement with Real Madrid on a six-year contract worth five million euros per season.

08.41 Let's keep the Iberian flavour going and move to Spain, where it seems Atletico Madrid remain at risk of losing striker Sergio Aguero to city rivals Real. Kun has been chatting away again, and has blatantly angled for a move to Los Blancos.

Aguero said: "I would not play in Racing, but Madrid... I want to leave and I made it clear, I am of Independiente, not Atletico...If I told you that I will continue at Atletico would be lying, I will not stay. I have no idea of ​​the clubs, but it is Spain and England that attract me"

08.36 Staying in Portugal and Benfica captain Luisao has been tipped to depart the club for Paris St-Germain, though the Parisians will have to pay up the centre-back's €20 million release clause. A touch expensive for a 30-year-old we tend to think.

08.32 Portuguese daily A Bola reckons Porto may try to hijack Benifca's move for highly-rated young Santos full-back Danilo.

08.30 Let's turn our attention to Europe now...

08.10: A quick paper review for you:

The Metro: Adel Taarabt's agent says he is heading out of Loftus Road; Aston Villa are looking to follow up Stewart Downing's move to Liverpool by beginning talks over bringing Joe Cole to the club.

The Sun: Newcastle fear Chelsea will make a £10m bid for midfield enforcer Cheik Tiote; Harry Redknapp is resolutely insisting that Luka Modric will be a Tottenham player next season (eyebrows raised all round); Aston Villa are keen on Scott Parker and will try to prise him away from Chelsea's grasp.

Daily Mirror:: Carlton Cole called off his £4.5m move to Stoke because he sae chairman Peter Coates question his injuy record on TV; Aston Villa will bid £7m for Scott Parker once Stewart Downing is sold to Liverpool; Genk and Chelsea have have agreed a £5m fee for teenage goalkeeper Thibault Courtois; Everton, QPR and Aston Villa are keen on signing Real Madrid's Sergio Canales on loan;

08.00: Charles N'Zogbia is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. In fact, the cash flush side have thrown £10m Wigan's way to try and get the winger to join them.

Comments

Posted by MVP on 07/15/2011

Charles "Insomnia" hahaha

Posted by D.G.Ducci on 07/15/2011

My Brazilian two cents of the day: It seems that Corinthians interest in buying Tevez has now a Juventus bid as an obstacle. According to the Brazilian press, the Italian giants had offered £52m to Man City for the Argentinean. Corinthians is still confident on the will of the player to go back to South America.

Posted by Jim on 07/15/2011

Arsenal are still not stepping up their signing of a world class or inspirational player!!! What are they doing?

Look! Liverpool got the many good players they wanted! Man Utd have also signed some good players and maybe even Sneijder!

So who are we waiting for Mr Frenchmen!? I think its another goner season for us right before it even started! Metersacker, Augero, Pastore and maybe Hugo Lloris would be good for us next season and we're all ready to rock!

Posted by USA! on 07/15/2011

Jozy Altidore to AZ Alkmaar!

Posted by Mattan on 07/15/2011

Wenger needs to step it up. if he truly believes the defense doesnt need work, he's way off. gervinho is great, and has lots of potential, as does miyiachi and jenkinson, buyt what we need is proven, powerful, signings. Aguero wants to leave, so make a bid atleast, Mertesacker should be a number one priority, becuase hes proven, world class, tall, and strong. Baines would be another nice signing, or ENrique. Samba, Cahill, Benzema, Mata, Oxlaide-Chamberlain, come on, just show your intentions,

Posted by Shane on 07/15/2011

@Jim

Metersacker, Aguero, Pastore, and LLoris would cost pretty close to 150m. Do you really think Arsenal would spend that much money?

Posted by Alex on 07/15/2011

It is frustrating seeing clubs like MC, ManUtd and Liverpool with major signings. Come on AW, it's time to spend.

As you've mentioned our attack are very good but yet we concede so many "crucial" games last season. Let's strengthen our wing back, central and goalkeeper.

Lloris & Akinfeev are good replacement for Almunia.

Cahill and Shawcross could help out while Vermaelen recovers.

Cissokho, Baines, Marcelo, Tremoulinas or Enrique could fill the spot left by Glichy. Maybe you can try Santon as a backup for Sagna

Posted by Chilee Agunanna on 07/15/2011

Pls tell Mr. Wenger that if he doesn't get into the transfer market to sign quality players for us, we Arsenal fans are going to place ourselves on the transfer list... Pls make sure he gets this. Thanks.

Posted by Damien on 07/15/2011

@Jim, if you just want signings, then you are better off supporting Real Madrid. Liverpool signed many good players? Really? Really? Define good? And are you supporting Arsenal for the first time? When will Arsene Wenger tell the whole world who he wants to sign? Knock knock, reality check please! Metersacker, Augero, Pastore and maybe Hugo Lloris? Too much of Football Manager don't you think? Or do you think money can be plucked out of nowhere?

Posted by Kris on 07/15/2011

Sneijder to United would be a terrific signing. But to me this all seemd like paper talk. We know Sir Alex will invest money on stars when needed. But we also know how he takes favour in investing in youth. With a few experienced players already in contention for a starting spot in central midfield including Giggs, Carrick and Fletcher, I can see more preference being aimed towards bringing in someone young. Cleverly and Anderson are already 2 young options for that role. But 2 previous links United have had this season have included Ozil (having the bid rejected by Madrid) and Kagawa (with Kagawa prefering to stay in Germany). So I see the pattern falling more towards Sir Alex bringing in a young playmaker rather than spending a large 35mil and 200k/week on a 27 year old Sneijder's wages.

Posted by SEAscouser on 07/15/2011

As a Liverpool supporter, I quite like the current glut in our midfield. There are rumors today on both Cole and Aquilani and I hope both prove untrue. The recent Guangdong match revealed both are still highly valuable players possessing unique arsenals that will be useful during the long season. Get Poulsen out, surely, but I'd pause before letting these two go, and with them, the deepest, most diverse midfield in the league.

Posted by suarez on 07/15/2011

Agree with seascouser.It is ok to have lot of midfielders rather than a forward or defenders.Its b'coz a midfielder can transform into a forward or a defender in case of emergency.And I think Poulssen should leave as he will not get much chance under Kenny Dalglish next season.

Posted by Ishu on 07/15/2011

It will be same old story for Arsenal , it seems.
We'll buy only young blood who seem to show tremendous amount of quality ( as The Professor thinks ) , and then when they are at their peak , we'll sell them . And we're not gonna change our strategy , even if it means not winning a single trophy , cuz club finances are the only think that matters!!
Way to go...

Posted by Adam on 07/15/2011

Am a chelsea fan. I Want 2 kno wat is hppening wit d new coach AVB in d transfer blog. 4 heavenly he jst 2 slow ofcourse d blues fan wil bear wit we r d sluggish type wen it comes 2 tranfer. K essein is dwn wit 6Mnt injury, we dnt hve stable R/L winger, our Attk/midfield needs imrovment, d Modric saga d cash is dere n he wants 2 join us even he's nt want away. Anelka, feriera shud b sold.

Posted by Jonaz Gomez on 07/15/2011

Liverpool is the best . Sell poulsen , aurelio and ngog . Buy a nwe replacement for Jamie Carragher . Liverpool need a new , young and good centre back . Liverpool can try to buy Giovani Dos Santos . He is a good player

Posted by diego on 07/15/2011

a letter to mr wenger.
Please make us happy for once boss, we havent won anything in almost 7 years & still counting & all you come up with evry year are you explanations, its over now we nolonger want to listen to your explanations about how good your defence is because they are just not good enough to win us anything. You promised to sign defenders when the season ended & now you are saying we have a good defence. Hope you are still ok in the head...

Posted by Aritra Gnaguly on 07/15/2011

the lack of transfers is frustrating but fans have to understand that a team can not be propelled to success by signing a group of big names. Wenger has failed to deliver over the last few seasons, and we need some aggressive signings but I feel he is right in not shopping by the price tag. Matuidi or Vidal would add depth, while a Baines or Samba might just give us the physicality we need. With the possible departure of Cesc and/or Nasri, it is imperative we hold on to our team spirit rather than try to fill in those shoes with a coup.

Posted by Mukiibi on 07/15/2011

i think without any world class signing the wenger empire is at a tremendous speed and pace of crambling

Posted by Marcuzo on 07/15/2011

Arsene wenger has been the no noisy type when it comes to buying players because if he makes noise about a player other clubs with better finance would come and price the player away so as an adent gunner, Mr wenger should just give us a proven gk,left back and a md.Arsene wenger has been the no noisy type when it comes to buying players because if he makes noise about a player other clubs with better finance would come and price the player away so as an adent gunner, Mr wenger should just give us a proven gk,left back and a md.

Posted by ZS on 07/15/2011

I am still waiting for Liverpool to fill the missing left back that they need. Enrique rumors has gone quiet, clichy has signed for man city. who are they targeting now?

Posted by apek on 07/15/2011

yes...@jim is absolutely rite about that one. arsenal will be left off next season.gervinho is good player but arsenal need to dip into the transfer market in order to fight the other big four. i think man u will be very strong next season. liverpool has strengthen their squad too. so i do think arsenal needs big names and experience, not potential player to balance the squad.the style must change now or never

Posted by Bill on 07/15/2011

I am a US Liverpool fan and am very excited about the Reds' signings... the pace and skill have been elevated and the depth of the squad strengthened. To SEAscouser I would say I agree on Cole (staying) and Poulsen (leaving), but wouldn't mind getting some money coming back for Aquilani. Still, when all the poieces are in place, I think the Reds are much stronger this year... YNWA.

Posted by della2 on 07/15/2011

i believe dat if u guys av bin supporting arsenal 4long u should av knw gw wenger do his transfer dealing.patient guys patienti believe dat if u guys av bin supporting arsenal 4long u should av knw gw wenger do his transfer dealing.patient guys patient

Posted by 31leroy on 07/15/2011

good means what the team needs and if you know anything about dalglish and his eye for talant then maybe you have an idea, what would you have considered the likes of barnes and rush at the time asides from that and back to the point of good for arsenal,who are your defense,average would be being generous,good for you would not be hard to obtain

Posted by manutdfan#1 on 07/15/2011

Dimitar Berbatov will not be sold to Juventus for 7 million. Sir Alex Ferguson would need to use Berba in a swap deal or hold out for 10-12 million!!

Posted by onyeze on 07/15/2011

i really dont know what to expect this coming season with Arsene Wenger still holding on to his style of player signings...

Posted by Dan on 07/15/2011

I am so glad other people see that Jim has been playing way too much Career Mode in FIFA. Good thing ESPN posted this so others can see why Wenger gets so much shit, because some of our fans think we have all the money in the world.
I agree with @Mattan. We need one strong CB like a Mertersacker or Samba. I don't think we will be able too but stealing Mata away from Valencia would be huge.

Posted by suagoal on 07/15/2011

yesterday update read 'Danglish is heading to meelwood training ground to complete downing signing' what is happening now?

Posted by skempe on 07/15/2011

@damien, i think u've got a point, though it'll do Arsenal a lot of good if Wenger signs someone soon. Pre-season is not forever.@damien, i think u've got a point, though it'll do Arsenal a lot of good if Wenger signs someone soon. Pre-season is not forever.

Posted by bhavin on 07/15/2011

What arsenal need first up is a specilaist who can take care of transfers, a director of football, or somebody who is a better negotiator, recall if wenger has ever won any bidding war for a player, and gone out agressively and bought someone ... there are umpteen instances, losing out on smalling, delaying the decision to buy chamakh, the list is endless.... arsene still hasn't gotten over his stone age valuation of player values and their wages ....

Posted by matiaszuk on 07/15/2011

You need to create twitter account, that would tweet the updates of the Live Transfer Blog. Pls think about it. Would be great. Take care!

Posted by MattG on 07/15/2011

goal.com is saying man u and inter have agreed a fee for sneijder

Posted by Largekatt on 07/15/2011

If the Berb is available for 7m I'm gonna sign him to come play in my rec league!!! The man won the Golden Boot in the Prem last year, a proven EPL 20 goal scorer thats a steal. Remember Liverpool paid 35m for unproven Andy Carrol

Posted by Champ19ns on 07/15/2011

hope SAF / Gill would read this
Forget Sneijder
Try to get Hamsik and Coentrao instead.
from my observation , United have no cover in defend if fabio , evra or rafael is injured .

Posted by Chris on 07/15/2011

Permanent deal for Altidore 2 million dollar deal with incentives and a four year contract real bargain for AZ

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