34 replies to this topic

[Rappy]

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Germany striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal from Cologne for the start of next season for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old international began his career at Cologne in 2002 and joined Bayern Munich four years later before returning to his first club in 2009.

Podolski, who has 95 caps, said: "I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal and the Premier League. They are one of the top clubs in Europe with a huge history.

"There are many top-quality players at Arsenal and their style is fantastic."

He added: "I have made this decision not against FC Cologne but because it is a great opportunity.

"This was not an easy decision for me at all, as Cologne, our fans and the city are something special for me."

The Poland-born forward, who had one year left on his contract, has scored 18 league goals so far this season for a side battling relegation, which is his best ever top-flight return.

He added: "I will always carry FC Cologne in my heart. We need to pool our strengths now and have to be fully focused on our survival in the Bundesliga."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "He is a top-class player, a very good finisher and a proven performer at club and international level. He is a very strong player and will provide us with good attacking options."

Arsenal are looking to add to their striking options. While although Robin van Persie has netted 28 to become the Premier League's leading scorer, their next highest scorer is Theo Walcott on eight goals.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/17895063

[Cute James]

Good signing.

Provided they can hold onto RVB, Arsenal will be a real force to be reckoned with next season.

[+Lingwo]

I think RVP will stay if Arsenal have a good end to the season and Wenger is aggressive in the transfer market and get some experience in the squad. RVP is proof what experienced players can do for a team.

[Rappy]

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Chelsea interim first-team coach Roberto Di Matteo had little say over the decision to sign Werder Bremen playmaker Marko Marin.

It was on Saturday that it was confirmed the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup finalists had agreed a deal for the Germany international, despite at present not having a permanent manager.

Di Matteo has worked wonders since March having been appointed on a temporary basis until the summer and Sunday's 6-1 thrashing of QPR boosted his long-term credentials.

But whether or not the Italian does get the job, the signing of Marin should not be taken as any indicator.

It solely seems to represent more free-thinking from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, as Di Matteo said of the acquisition of Marin: "I tend to give my recommendation but, ultimately, the club decides who they want to sign.

"He's a very good player, technically very good, skilful.

"He will add some qualities to this team."

Abramovich has in the past been rumoured to have gone over the head of his Chelsea managers and the decision to sign Fernando Torres, who scored a hat-trick against QPR, in January 2011 is considered one of the signs of a breakdown in his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti.

http://www1.skysport...rin-not-my-call

[Rappy]

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Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa looks set to join Manchester United in the summer.

Despite being quoted as saying that he would not begin to discuss his future until after the German Cup final next weekend, the Japan international is certain he will be playing at Old Trafford next season.

"May 12 will be my last game for Dortmund and then I will start a new chapter in Manchester United," Kagawa told TV Osaka.

Dortmund president Michael Zorc confirmed on Thursday that Kagawa would not sign a new contract. He said: "Shinji is going to play in England because he has officially rejected our offer of a new contract."

Kagawa's 13 league goals this season has helped Dortmund secure back-to-back Bundesliga titles and they remain on course for a league and cup Double when they face Bayern next weekend.

[Rappy]

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Eden Hazard's future will be decided after Lille hold talks with Manchester City and Manchester United next week.

No formal offers have been made but the Premier League rivals are both interested in signing Hazard.

Belgium forward Hazard, 21, recently said he would be playing in Manchester next season.

Lille are unwilling to enter negotiations until after Sunday's final Ligue 1 match against Nancy, although they cannot finish higher than third.

The French club want to strike a deal on their terms and maximise the return on one of Europe's leading talents.

Hazard has scored 17 goals in 37 league games this season, with a further 16 assists, and featured in all six of Lille's Champions League group games.
He scored his first goal for Belgium, was named Ligue 1 player of the year for the second successive campaign, and has also been linked with Chelsea, Tottenham and Real Madrid.

But Premier League champions City and runners-up United have emerged as the only realistic candidates, and both have been in dialogue with Lille for some time.
Les Dogues are in no rush to complete Hazard's sale but accept he will leave this summer.

Meanwhile, they also expect contact from Liverpool next week to discuss the future of midfielder Joe Cole, who has spent the season on loan from Anfield.

[Rappy]

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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has flown to Amsterdam to try and conclude a deal for Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen.

A host of Premier League clubs have been tracking the Belgian international, but he has indicated his preference is to move to White Hart Lane.

He has called on Ajax not to stand in his way and to come to agreement with Spurs, and now talks are on-going - although the two clubs appear to be some way apart in their valuations.

Levy has been pictured by the Dutch media at the Amsterdam ArenA, where he is holding talks, along with Vertonghen's agent Mustapha Nakhli.

Ajax financial director Jeroen Slop and commercial director Henri van der Aat met with Levy to continue talks over the Belgian.

http://www1.skysport...ertonghen-talks

[Rappy]

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West Ham co-chairman David Gold has played down suggestions Joe Cole could make a 'romantic' return to Upton Park this summer.

Liverpool midfielder Cole's future looks set to be discussed again this summer following the end of a season-long loan at French club Lille.

The 30-year-old insists he has unfinished business at Anfield amid speculation linking him with a second spell at the recently-promoted Hammers.

However, Gold is unsure whether boss Sam Allardyce is interested in Cole as he plots their return to the Premier League next season.

"It's going to be a busy summer," Gold said. "Joe Cole moving to West Ham would be a fantastic and romantic thing to happen but I would be very, very surprised.

"He didn't come up on Sam Allardyce's list of players he wants to sign a couple of months ago.

"Whether that's still the case, only time will tell."

Cole made 150 appearances for the East London club before leaving for Chelsea in a £6.6m deal in August 2003.

http://www1.skysport...bts-Cole-return

[Rappy]

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Newcastle United have bolstered their French contingent after announcing the signing of Romain Amalfitano from Reims.

The 22-year-old midfielder is the younger brother of Marseille's Morgan Amalfitano and is regarded as an exciting prospect for the future.

He will officially join the Magpies on 1st July with his contract with Reims ending on 30th June, having helped the club earn promotion to Ligue 1 this season.

Amalfitano will now be hoping to emulate compatriots such as Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa by making an impact on Tyneside.

He told the club's official website: "I am very happy to be a Newcastle player. I have seen a bit of the city already and it is a change from France but one I am really looking forward to.

"When a club like Newcastle wants you to play for them it can only be a good thing. I have taken the opportunity to play in the Premier League and cannot wait to get going."

Alan Pardew has also plundered the French market for the likes of Sylvain Marveaux and youngster Mehdi Abeid, and has been linked with further moves for Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa of Montpellier this summer.

Newcastle reaped the benefits of their transfer policy as they finished fifth in the Premier League, with a new-look team that also featured the likes of Pa**** Cisse and Demba Ba impressing throughout the campaign.

[Rappy]

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Chelsea set to release Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa

Chelsea are set to release both Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa when their contracts expire in the summer.

The club will announce their retained list later on Thursday and both names are likely to be omitted along with that of striker Didier Drogba .

Kalou, 26, signed from Feyenoord in 2006 for around £8m. Bosingwa, 29, was a £16.2m signing from Porto in 2008.
Both started the Champions League final victory against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Bosingwa, who made 127 appearances for Chelsea, had a one-year option on his contract at Stamford Bridge but the club have opted not to take it up.
Kalou, meanwhile, made more than 250 appearances and scored 60 goals for the Blues.

Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and Paulo Ferreira all have one year remaining at the club and are likely to be invited for new contract talks over the summer.
Frank Lampard also has 12 months remaining, but is expected to agree a new deal.

[Rappy]

Rumours are saying Chelsea

[.Rob]

Welcome to Chelsea Eden!

https://twitter.com/...194788620017664

[Rappy]

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Burnley have accepted a £7m bid from Southampton for striker Jay Rodriguez, BBC Sport understands.

The 22-year-old striker scored 21 goals for the Clarets last season and was named in the Championship team of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association last month.

Cardiff were also reported to be interested in the forward.

The Clarets have refused to comment but BBC Radio Lancashire reports that the Southampton bid has been accepted.

Last month Southampton manager Nigel Adkins said he was already looking for players to improve his squad after they were promoted to the Premier League.
Burnley-born Rodriguez started his career at his hometown club, scoring 41 goals in 128 appearances overall. He has made one appearance for the England under-21 side.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/18246845

[+Lingwo]

That is good news. I read this morning about this in the paper and at the time it was mentioned that they might have to also swap a player (Chaplow) for him. Hopefully this is true and we won't have to lose Chaplow as he has been quality for us.

Glad Eden Hazard has gone to Chelsea. Man City and Man Utd have dodged a bullet with that one.

[Rappy]

Lingwo, on 29 May 2012 - 13:40, said:

Glad Eden Hazard has gone to Chelsea. Man City and Man Utd have dodged a bullet with that one.

yeah he'll fit in well there with his massive ego