[Football] Summer Transfers 2008

[Rappy Veteran]

12.01 Rafael Van der Vaart has announced that he will move to Real Madrid this week after Hamburg agreed a deal with the Spanish giants. The Dutchman will be presented at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

[Rappy Veteran]

Real Madrid have confirmed that Rafael van der Vaart will be joining the club from Hamburg.

The Holland international had announced on Monday, on his personal website, that he was set for a move to the Spanish capital, but neither side had verified the deal.

However, German outfit Hamburg have conceded that the talented playmaker will be leaving them this summer, while Real have hailed his arrival.

The 25-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with the Primera Liga champions and will be officially unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday following a routine medical examination.

The financial details involved in the transfer have not been released, but reports in Spain suggest that Real have parted with around 13million euros (?10.3million).

Van der Vaart becomes the fifth Dutchman in Bernd Schuster's squad ahead of the 2008/09 campaign, joining compatriots Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Royston Drenthe.

The former Ajax man is looking forward to joining up with his international team-mates, and has hailed the move as "a dream come true".

[Kralik]

Zenit St Petersburg have denied lowering the asking price of Tottenham target Andrei Arshavin.

The striker's potential move to Spurs appeared to be revived when reports in Russia suggested they would slash the ?24million price tag to ?19m - much closer to what the Premier League club would be willing to spend.

But Zenit have hit back, with spokesman Alexei Blinov branding these rumours "untrue".

I repeat.. I do not think Zenit want to let him go this year coz they are in the UCL!!!

Edited August 4, 2008 by Kralik

[Crazysah]

I repeat.. I do not think Zenit want to let him go this year coz they are in the UCL!!!

Yeah totally. They won't allow him to go!

[Rappy Veteran]

They will if you give Zenith the money they want!

[Kralik]

They will if you give Zenith the money they want!

But that's the whole point!! They are asking for an outragous amount of money!!!! NO ONE in the EPL at least would in their right mind pay ?21M for Arshavin when you can buy Berba for almost the same!!! And Spurs should try to hold him.. coz no top class striker would come to a team thats not in the Champs League. And he has shown what a prolific striker he is.. I really believe they are asking for that much money as a tactic to keep him and well if someone really does pay that much for him.. then ofcourse that will be great!! but we should not forget one thing.. Zenit are sponsored by Gazprom mate!!! they dont need the money.. but they do need tested players like Arshavin to atleast go through to the second round of UCL;))

Edited August 6, 2008 by Kralik

[Rappy Veteran]

West Ham have released midfielder Freddie Ljungberg after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract.

Former Sweden international Ljungberg, 31, may now decide to retire from football, according to a statement on the club's official website.

He was just a single season into a lucrative four-year deal, having joined the Hammers from Arsenal in July 2007 for a fee approaching ?3m.

"This is mutually acceptable," said West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury.

Ljungberg only managed to start 22 of West Ham's 38 Premier League matches last season after enduring injuries that included a cracked rib.

In its statement, the club was keen to stress that the player's fitness was not in question.

"The decision to part company has been taken jointly and has no bearing on Ljungberg's fitness, which he proved during Euro 2008," it read.

"We respect Freddie Ljungberg's position and are pleased we could reach agreement and wish him all the best in the future," added Duxbury.

Ljungberg, who captained Sweden at the European Championship in June before retiring from international football, is also considering offers to play in the United States and Asia.

"I gave my all at West Ham and enjoyed my time there but the decision is the best for the both of us," he said.

"Now I will take my time to consider my football future."

West Ham are relegation favourites now, Curbs just won't spend to enforce the damn squad!

[Mike]

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will remain at Manchester United "for at least another year", according to Portuguese newspaper Publico.

Winger Ronaldo, 23, had frequently expressed his wish to leave for Spanish champions Real Madrid this summer.

"Sir Alex Ferguson heard my arguments, I heard his and, in fact, it was settled that the best for both parties would be for me to stay," he said.

"I can confirm that, next season, I will play for Manchester United."

BBC Source

i know it's not exactly a transfer but i guess it fits with transfer news. As i've said from the first day of the rumours, yes he wants to play for real madrid at some point, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to play for man utd or isn't happy at man utd.

as for the quote "at least another year", i don't know if he said that as it's not mentioned later just that he'll be playing at man utd next season (and most likely for a few more years after that)

[Rappy Veteran]

At least that ends this summers biggest saga now if only they can end the Gareth Barry saga.

[Kralik]

Tottenham's hopes of signing Andrei Arshavin appear to be dead in the water, with Zenit St Petersburg refusing to lower their ?27 million asking price for the Russian playmaker.

?27 Million!!!!!:woot:t: lol.:rofl:l:

Lachter told The Independent that the chances of Arshavin joining Tottenham were now "very, very weak".

"This is the Russian way," he added. Nothing will change because this is the old Soviet Union. For the Russian sports establishment the desires of a player mean absolutely nothing.

"They are the big bosses. It is a dictatorship. He is a slave."

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh.. come on!!! Not another 'slave' comment!!!:unsure:e::/:/ Cmon whats happenin??!! I wish i was paid ?50000 a week.. what a life for a slave!!

Edited August 7, 2008 by Kralik

[Crazysah]

At least that ends this summers biggest saga now if only they can end the Gareth Barry saga.

Yeah totally! Finally it is over and I hope Gareth Barry saga gets resolved pretty soon!

[Rappy Veteran]

Chelsea have made a ?19.7m bid for Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Robinho, BBC Sport understands.

The 24-year-old former Santos star played a key role in helping Real secure the Spanish title last season.

But he is believed to be keen to join fellow countryman Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge.

BBC Sport revealed in July that the Blues were monitoring Robinho, although media reports that they had made ?48m bid were wide of the mark.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said on Saturday that, although talks with Real had stalled, he remains hopeful that a deal for Robinho would go through.

Kenyon believes Madrid's eagerness to secure a replacement is the only factor preventing the 24-year-old Brazil striker moving to Stamford Bridge.

"A key issue over buying Robinho has always been that Real are looking for a replacement," he told the club website.

"It is fair to say that is what has been holding up discussions."

Scolari, who took over as Chelsea boss in July, is currently working on bringing in new faces ahead of his first Premier League campaign.

Robinho has previously stated: "It would be a dream for me to work with Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is one of the best coaches in the world.

"I have always spoken highly of him and he has always spoken very highly of me, since well before he was at Chelsea.

"In 2003, when I was unknown in Europe, he called me to play in a charity match. It was brief but it was enough for me to see his style and character."

And Robinho's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, was reported as saying in Spain: "Madrid have failed to value him as he deserves and I do not like the fact that they tried to include him in the Ronaldo deal. Money is not the problem for us now.

What matters for Robinho is to leave the club and play for Scolari at Chelsea."

However, Real president Ramon Calderon insisted the club was not forcing Robinho out of the Bernabeu.

[L3thal Veteran]

It would be disastrous if Chelsea fail to win anything this year with the team they have at hand. I sure hope they fail miserably since I have a sour taste towards Scolari. Here I was hoping Drogba would leave Chelsea and go with Mourinho.

[Rappy Veteran]

It would be disastrous if Chelsea fail to win anything this year with the team they have at hand. I sure hope they fail miserably since I have a sour taste towards Scolari. Here I was hoping Drogba would leave Chelsea and go with Mourinho.

I think it may take a while to get going under scolari.

[Crazysah]

But we still can't rule them out of winning any trophies this season?

[Rappy Veteran]

Fenerbahce striker Mateja Kezman is set to join French side PSG.

The clubs have reached agreement over the transfer of the former Chelsea hitman, 29, after PSG coach Paul Le Guen had originally targeted Rennes' Jimmy Briand.

The Serbian now needs to sort out a financial matter with the Turkish side which means he should not officially join the French outfit before next week.

Le Guen told L'Equipe: "Our chairman called me on Thursday to tell me an agreement has been found between both sides (for the transfer of Kezman).

Quality

"I took good note of his possible arrival. I had other priorities in that position, but I will do my best for him to adapt well. He is a player of quality."

Meanwhile, Le Guen wants to recruit another central defender, with Lamine Diatta thought to be a candidate for the role.

He added: "I have a good group. But, having enough defenders is something and asking for an additional centre defender is different. Both things can be right..."

I always liked Kezman shame he never really made it at Chelsea.

[Rappy Veteran]

Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Rangers for Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar.

Cuellar has been linked with a move away from Ibrox since Rangers lost their UEFA Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas last week.

Walter Smith had been hoping to keep the 26-year-old but Villa have now made a bid of 10million euros (?7.8million) which triggered a release clause in his Rangers contract.

Villa are now set to hold talks with Cuellar On Tuesday and he will officially join the Premier League club if he passes a medical.

[Kralik]

According to the Evening Standard, Dimitar Berbatov is close to joining Manchester United for a fee of around ?28million.

[Brodel]

all these big signings and last minute deals are making fantasy football too stress full!

[Rappy Veteran]

Valencia have rejected a bid by Manchester United for David Silva, according to the striker's agent.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants a new forward before the transfer window closes on 31 August - but ?20m-rated Silva, 22, wants to stay at Valencia.

The Spanish international's agent Julio Llorente said: "United made an offer for David Silva, but this has been turned down by Valencia."

He also said, if Silva had to move, he would prefer Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"Silva doesn't want to play in England because he is happy at Valencia," he said. "His family are settled and if he was to move it would only be to another Spanish club, like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"David Silva will start the new season at Valencia."

Silva, who plays in an advanced attacking role for both his club and country, has been closely linked with a number of top clubs this summer after helping Spain to win the European Championship in June with a series of inspired displays.

But it appears highly unlikely the player will be moving soon, unless Valencia decide to sell.

[Mosqutus]

It would be interesting to see if Henry were to join Man Utd before the weekend as currently the rumour has it

[Rappy Veteran]

Aston Villa have signed defender Carlos Cuellar for ?7.8m from Rangers.

The Midlands club invoked an exit clause in the player's contract for that amount and have signed the 26-year-old on a four-year deal.

Cuellar made it known he wanted to play in the English Premier League and is Villa's seventh signing of the summer.

"My ambition has always been to play for Spain and I believe that playing in the biggest league in the world will help me realise that," said Cuellar.

The player agreed personal terms and underwent a medical at Villa on Tuesday to complete the switch.

Cuellar moved to Ibrox from Spanish side Osasuna last summer and enjoyed a superb debut season for the club, helping them to the Uefa Cup final and winning both the Clydesdale Bank SPL and Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year awards.

Rangers manager Walter Smith expressed his disappointment at Cuellar's decision to leave, having insisted the club did not need to sell him in order to balance the books following their shock Champions League exit last week to FBK Kaunas.

"This has come as a surprise and I am disappointed," he said.

"Carlos Cuellar has been a great player for the football club and inevitably there has been speculation about him playing in the Premier League.

"The club has received a substantial uplift in fee and we will now reinvest in the team."

Cuellar joins Curtis Davies, Steve Sidwell, Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan, Nicky Shorey and Luke Young as Villa's arrivals this summer.

[rajputwarrior]

yeah right henry is going to join Man U. YOu really think he would do that after his time and love for wagner. The only way i could see this happening if Wagner gives his blessing...

[Rappy Veteran]

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has signed a new five-year deal which will keep him at the club until 2013.

The England international did have one season left on his contract and was a target for Inter Milan, who are managed by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

But Lampard, who had held out for a long-term contract, has agreed a new deal, which could keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

Lampard, 30, moved to Stamford Bridge from West Ham for ?11m in June 2001.

[gregb0b]

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has signed a new five-year deal which will keep him at the club until 2013.

The England international did have one season left on his contract and was a target for Inter Milan, who are managed by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

But Lampard, who had held out for a long-term contract, has agreed a new deal, which could keep him at the club for the rest of his career.

Lampard, 30, moved to Stamford Bridge from West Ham for ?11m in June 2001.

This made my summer:))!