[Football] Summer 2009 transfer thread

[Kralik]

So do I. Seeing the back of that arrogant, self-absorbed diving pansy would give me an untold amount of pleasure

+1 (Y)

[leesmithg]

Arsene Wenger tried to sign Salomon Kalou at the beginning of the season, Chelsea refused permission to speak with the player.

He in my opinion is Chelseas best player this season, he would make a great Arsenal player.

[Kralik]

Manchester United are reportedly planning to sign Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery this summer, according to a report in the News of the World.

The British tabloid claims that the English champions have joined the chase for the French international and will beat off competition from the likes of Barcelona and Inter to sign the 25-year-old.

The paper reports that their sources at the Nou Camp believe that the Red Devils are almost certain to capture Ribery and have already begun negotiations with the Bayern man.

Source is News of the World.. so reliability of the story is questionable.

Manchester City have reportedly joined the long list of suitors interested in signing Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o.

The forward’s contract at the Camp Nou expires in 2010, which has led to speculation that he may leave the club this summer.

Reports that Barcelona want to sign Valencia striker David Villa have only intensified the hype surrounding Eto’o’s future at the club he joined in 2004.

Should he decide to quit the Catalan side there would be no shortage of clubs chasing his signature and Liverpool and Inter have both been linked with the Cameroon international in recent weeks.

They have now reportedly been joined by Manchester City with the Mail on Sunday claiming that the Citizens are willing to offer Barca €22 million for the 28-year-old.

They would go after anyone and everyone :rofl: chance for teams to sell to City and make some outrageous amounts of money :p

Former Arsenal winger Robert Pires has revealed that he believes Cesc Fabregas should remain a Gunner for at least another year.

...

However, according to Pires, the Arsenal skipper should remain in north London in order to be sure he maximises his on-pitch time and continues to improve as a player.

“I do not have any advice to give Cesc, but the ideal situation for him would be to carry on with Arsenal in order to keep on improving,” the Frenchman told setanta.com.

“The main reason for him to stay is that he knows he is going to be played week in, week out.

“I am not saying that he would not play if he was a Real Madrid or a Barcelona player, but it is more difficult to be part of their starting line-up.”

Fabregas made his long-awaited return from injury yesterday and played a starring role as Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Emirates.

Yeah great advice Pires.. stay at Arsenal till you are a great player and then leave.. :crazy:

"Once more, there have been stories in the media recently talking about my future," Fabregas told Arsenal’s official match programme.

"I’m very happy at Arsenal and have said it many times – but I cannot control what the newspapers say or stop the press.

"When they speak for me, I don’t understand it because only my friends, family and the boss know what I think.

"It’s just a story that will go on and on, even if I was to say I would stay and retire here!

"I’ve said many times I’m proud to be captain of this club and I see my future with Arsenal.

"All that I want to do is to focus on my football and finish the season very well because I think Arsenal have a lot to say in the next few weeks."

Good lad! :happy:

Although van Persie might leave.. :unsure:

[Kralik]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may be lining up a bid for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, according to The People.

This news comes on the back of similar reports linking Gunners star Robin van Persie with a move to Primera Division giants Barcelona.

According to the newspaper, the Dutch striker is reportedly wanted by Barca boss Pep Guardiola as a replacement for Thierry Henry, who is rumoured to be returning to the Premier League next season, possibly to Manchester City.

Higuain would command a transfer fee of around ?20 million, which is the sort of fee that flies in the face of Arsenal's transfer policy. So, if Wenger is considering going for the Argentina international, he will have to sell at least one of his big name players first.

The 21-year-old has been on fire for Madrid this season after a disappointing first couple of years at Santiago Bernabeu.

Possible? :huh::

[Kralik]

The Daily Mail suggested Manchester United were weighing up the possibility of making a summer swoop for the Italian shot stopper. Buffon has not been in the best of form recently and talk in Turin suggested he could be sold to provision funds for a busy transfer market.

However, Martina has wasted no time in reacting as he plays down the speculation.

"I have nothing to say about Buffon," the agent told Calciomercato.it.

"I am tired of always having to comment on things which do not exist. Manchester United? I know the environment very well and there is absolutely nothing true."

"Daily Mail suggested".. says all there is to know abt this..

According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mirror, Arsenal are considering raiding Premier League rivals West Ham United for defender Matthew Upson.

It is claimed that the Hammers, who were said to be in financial trouble at the turn of the year, may have to cash in on the centre-back should they fail to secure a place in next season's Europa League.

As it stands, the Irons are seventh in the table, a position that could see them compete in Europe next year, although the likes of Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic are all within three points of overtaking them.

It was rumoured that the east London outfit would sell the England international in the January transfer window and apparently the Gunners, as well as Manchester City, made inquires as to his availability.

Again.. Daily Mirror.. not exactly a credible source.. but anyways.. we should've signed him in January IMO..

Edited April 16, 2009 by Kralik

[Martyn]

I doubt any of the 'rumours' posted so far in this thread will come to fruition to be honest. Not least because The Daily Mail and The People are not the most reliable sources, and certainly not the horrible NOTW (Sunday S*n).

Most clubs are focused on matches at the moment as we reach the peak end of the season. Clubs are without doubt scouting around the world all year around looking for talent, but I don't think specific names would have entered managers minds as yet, and even if they have this is not the time to be making moves for players.

As for the Upson rumour, Arsene Wenger is a stubborn man, and I highly doubt he will consider resigning Matthew Upson after he sold him some years ago, he'll want to save face.

I'm not having a pop by the way Kralik, you are doing a sterling job of keeping us updated of the latest transfer rumours :)

[Rappy Veteran]

I can tell you one confirmed signing illunga from West Ham :p its a done deal starting from Summer :p

[Subject Delta]

I don't really see why United need buffon, VDS is a pretty good keeper.

[nothuman]

Yep, and Buffon is not the same keeper he was in 2006.

I heard tonight a french journalist at L'Equipe saying both C. Ronaldo and Kaka are becoming Merengues next season. With the Florentino Perez stuff and Zidane becoming the ambassador of Real Madrid they can be quite persuasive that the team will be back in business in the european cup next season. Why not, it could be fun to watch the galactics again. And see them crushed down by any english team. :D

[Kralik]

Carlos Tevez could join Cristiano Ronaldo by forcing a move to Real Madrid from Manchester United in the summer after failing to gain a regular place in the team, according to a report in the English press.

The Portuguese star is still being tipped to be set to move to the Santiago Bernabeu with the Spanish club's former president, Ramon Calderon, hinting that a deal has already been done.

Sir Alex Ferguson may be saying otherwise, but he could well be trying to keep more than just one player at Old Trafford in the summer as Tevez is also unsettled, according to The Times.

United have paid ?10 million to have Tevez on loan for two seasons and must now find a further ?22m to meet the asking price should they want to make his move to the club permanent.

But that is where the stumbling block may come with the former West Ham United star said to be unhappy at his lack of consecutive games in the starting line-up.

OK.. now this one is possible.. source is credible too..

[Shibby]

well what is the source?

[Subject Delta]

I don't see all the fuss about Real Madrid personally. Liverpool comprehensively showed why they aren't the force they used to be in the UCL this season.

The English league is the best in the world, and he is with one of the best teams in the world, and I just feel moving from it and United would be a mistake for Ronaldo.

[Kralik]

well what is the source?

...

Sir Alex Ferguson may be saying otherwise, but he could well be trying to keep more than just one player at Old Trafford in the summer as Tevez is also unsettled, according to The Times.

...

I don't see all the fuss about Real Madrid personally. Liverpool comprehensively showed why they aren't the force they used to be in the UCL this season.

The English league is the best in the world, and he is with one of the best teams in the world, and I just feel moving from it and United would be a mistake for Ronaldo.

Fuss is not abt Madrid.. you are right they lost comprehensively to 'Pool. Its about moving away from United an them losing these two.. Madrid can have more great players.. as much as they want.. but they have no team spirit and IMO that shows when they play..

[Martyn]

Mascherano turned down Madrid recently ;)

[Rappy Veteran]

Man City discuss Eto'o with Barca

Manchester City and Barcelona officials met on Monday and discussed the possible transfer of Samuel Eto'o to Eastlands, BBC Sport understands.

Although it was billed as a contact-building exercise, the chance of a deal for ?40m-rated Cameroon striker Eto'o formed part of their discussions.

The 28-year-old was transfer-listed by Barcelona last season but has found his best form under new boss Pep Guardiola.

Eto'o has given no indication he would be willing to leave the Catalan giants.

In February, he said he wanted to stay at Barcelona beyond the end of his contract in 2010.

"Of course I want to continue, I'm very happy and see no reason to leave," he told TV station Canal Catala.

"I'm going to stay to the end of my contract and if the club want me, I would like to stay longer."

Manchester City certainly have the ambition and financial clout to lure the likes of Eto'o since their takeover last September by the Abu Dhabi United Group, backed by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

But the club will not figure in next season's Champions League and are by no means guaranteed a place in the new Europa League.

Officials are also likely to tread carefully in any fresh transfer bids for big-name players following the acrimony over their failed move for AC Milan's Kaka.

Manchester City's executive chairman Garry Cook was criticised after accusing Milan of "bottling" a ?100m deal for the Brazilian star.

[Kralik]

?Adebayor is a player that we have known for quite some time," he began.

"He is a great guy, intelligent on and off the field. We speak on the phone from time to time.

"He is also aware that we are looking for a player with his characteristics, but I doubt very much that he will leave London. Adebayor will stay at Arsenal,? said the Milan vice-president, in what sounded like an admittance of defeat in his pursuit of the striker.

Source

[Martyn]

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign French star Franck Ribery, according to reports in Spain.

Ribery has been a long-term target for Barca and the Catalan giants are thought to have a struck a deal with Bayern to sign the 26-year-old winger this summer.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that representatives of the two clubs met with Ribery's agent Alain Migliaccio in Ibiza, agreeing a ?30million cash-plus-player deal.

Bayern are believed to have accepted a fee of 25m Euros (?22.3m) plus the choice of either Aleksandr Hleb or Eidur Gudjohnsen, who are valued at 8m Euros (?7.1m).

Four-year deal

The France international has two years left on his Bayern contract and it is thought Barca have offered a four-year deal, although the club are yet to make an official announcement.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been linked with a big-money move for Ribery, who cost Bayern a club-record 25m Euros from Marseille in 2007.

Pretty interesting.

[Rappy Veteran]

Interesting I thought he would join Barca for ?30m sounds a sweet deal!

[Kralik]

Interesting I thought he would join Barca for ?30m sounds a sweet deal!

Yes it is a bit of a bargain..

[Rappy Veteran]

I seriously think if we can get Joe Ledley that would be a smooth bit of business (Y)

[Valerus]

Ribery at Barca? That would be pretty interesting, to say the least.

[Kralik]

I would like us to swap Ade or van Persie with David Villa with Valencia..

and get David Silva while we're dealing with them..

Edited May 5, 2009 by Kralik

[nothuman]

I prefer to read everyone sending Ribery at Barcelona rather than at Manchester United. This guy can't settle in a club more than 2 years. And I don't want that kind of player at Man Utd, even a player of his class.

[Rappy Veteran]

Juventus and Werder Bremen have confirmed that they are in talks regarding Brazilian playmaker Diego.

Juve have been tracking the former Porto man for some time, making the 24-year-old their prime target this summer.

Bremen have been understandably reluctant to open discussions regarding the sale of their prized asset, but have bowed to pressure.

An agreement still remains some way off, but it appears increasingly likely that Diego will be heading to Serie A in the near future.

Juventus officials were in Germany to speak with their Werder counterparts on Wednesday and Bremen boss Klaus Allofs has confirmed that a formal approach from the Italians has been made.

"There has been a meeting and very concrete talks were held," he told Kicker Sportmagazin.

Hopeful

Juve president Giovanni Cobolloi Gigli has also verified that productive talks have taken place between the two clubs, and he remains optimistic that Diego will be in Turin next term.

"We are hoping to be able to close the deal, but it is not closed yet," he said.

The Serie A giants could face competition for Diego's signature from Bayern Munich, who are keen to keep him in the Bundesliga, but Gigli insists he knows nothing of interest from any other parties.

"I don't know (about Bayern's interest) but we are in the process of arranging a transfer," he said.

"However, you (the press) have taught me that in the football world anything can happen as long as nothing has been signed."

Source

[nothuman]

That should be interresting if it's going to happen. Diego should play in a club with ambition, and Juventus can provide that.