[Football] Winter Transfer Window 09/10

[Rappy Veteran]

roma are making some loopy decisions of late..

they have given totti a 4 year contract extension, and are rumoured to be circling for dossena AND toni. **** me, glad i'm not a roma supporter!

totti is a stalwart for Roma though, but I really can't remember the last time he actually played!

Harry rules out Keane sale

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed suggestions that he is willing to sell captain Robbie Keane in the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland forward has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane after reportedly organising a Christmas party against the wishes of Redknapp.

However, the Spurs boss said: "Robbie is the captain and that wasn't going to change. Not a chance and it never, ever entered my mind, I was never going to change it.

"I don't want to sell Robbie, there's not too many Robbie Keanes about in the game.

"He has enthusiasm and knowledge, a lot of things that he brings into the game, so he's certainly not a player we'd want to lose.

"He's still a big part, very much so. When we brought him here it coincided with a terrific run we had last year.

"He came and gave the place a real lift, it's been the same this year."

Arsenal Have Transfer Funds Available, But Wenger Won't Spend It - Hill-Wood

Astute Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reiterated his belief that his young guns have the potential to achieve imminent success, and chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed that the Frenchman's blase attitude to recruitment in the winter window is one not borne out of necessity.

The stadium move from Highbury to Ashburton Grove had, despite intentions to the contrary, a negative effect on player acquisitions, and Wenger began to operate on a tighter fiscal budget. However, Hill-Wood has stated that there is indeed a substantial fund available to Wenger should the Frenchman believe imports are required.

The 60-year-old, though, backs his youthful team to prove the doubters wrong.

Hill-Wood told the Daily Star: "We have got a lot of money available to spend - money?s not the restriction. I spoke to Arsene about this a few days ago and he said he wasn?t prepared to go out and buy a player who is not better than the ones we have got.

"You try and find a world-class striker like Robin van Persie, regardless of how much money you have got."

Meanwhile, Wenger enthused the team's ability to continue to grow and improve together in the Telegraph. He even stated that the current crop could go on to be the best team he has ever assembled.

"I hope that this squad will still be together in five years and they will dominate Europe and the league in England. At 21 or 22 you start to be a man.

"When you are younger, it's hard to stand up against a man but when you are that bit older you start to do that. People forget they are an average age of 22. What they do is remarkable," he beamed. "I'm convinced they have the potential to be my best team and what they do now confirms what I think."

Arsenal have failed to lift silverware since the FA Cup triumph in 2005. That means a plethora of his first-team have never tasted success together. Once they have done so, Wenger believes that will guarantee further titles.

"When you have never won, the most difficult is to win the first trophy. Once you are convinced you can win, the rest becomes easier because you relax a little bit.

"To win at the top level is a good mixture between being relaxed and focused. Experience is an obstacle. In 2007 we were close to winning the title. I'm confident we can use the experience of 2007 to overturn that."

[Rappy Veteran]

James eyes Spurs switch

Pompey keeper David James admits he is 'flattered' by reported interest from Spurs as he looks to boost his World Cup chances.

James is reportedly attracting the interest of Spurs and former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, who has been without an established back-up to

Heurelho Gomes since Carlo Cudicini suffered serious injuries in a motorbike accident last month.

'You could say that I'm flattered by a team of Tottenham's stature and that it would be good for my England chances to join an upwardly-mobile club,' James said.

The 39-year-old has increasingly struggled with injuries over the last 12 months and is desperate to reclaim his place as England's number one ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

Aside from fitness worries, James' chances have arguably not been helped by Pompey's struggles on and off the pitch this season.

A move to White Hart Lane would see James link up again with Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar.

James said: 'You have to focus on where you are, and I want to help Portsmouth to climb the table.

'The departure of so many players from the club last summer was a great pity, especially when those players are your proven goalscorers.

'When half of the team disperse, you feel a bit cheated.'

[Valerus]

of course Wenger doesn't want to spend money.

[Rappy Veteran]

Agent: Toni wants Roma move over Chelsea

The agent of Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has poured cold water on talk of a move to Chelsea.

Tullio Tinti insists Roma remain favourites to land the Italy international.

He said: "Broadly speaking we can say that if it is in Italy, he will go to Roma. Many situations are open to him in Europe, but his will is to come to Rome.

"The announcement of the agreement? Either the 1st or 2nd of January. "

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Stoke come in for West Ham?s Parker

Stoke City are preparing a January swoop for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker.

Potters boss Tony Pulis has launched a ?9million bid in an attempt to lure the England international away from the cash-strapped Hammers who may be forced to sell in January.

Stoke have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the race for the 29-year olds signature after Pulis was promised funds to play with during the transfer window and the addition of Parker would provide a major boost to Stoke?s midfield.

[Kralik]

Reports on AS of Barca wanting to exchange Henry for David Silva in winter..

[Weld_El_7aj]

Reports on AS of Barca wanting to exchange Henry for David Silva in winter..

It won't be in winter but in summer,

Bar?a already declared that they are not buying this winter

[Rappy Veteran]

West Ham rule out Mutu move!

Speculation has been rife that Mutu is set for a return to London with the Hammers poised to make an audacious bid for the former Chelsea player.

The Romania international's agent claims a January move is not out of question but Nani has dismissed the reports outright.

"I would like to talk about serious things," Nani told Violanews.com. "I prefer not to say anything about Mutu.

"It's all rubbish. I'm saddened by all these voices which insist there's a deal.

"There's little respect and that's not right."

Mutu is in his fourth season at Fiorentina where he has scored 58 goals in 117 matches.

The 30-year-old has had a troubled past few months as he battles against the 17million euro ($A27.2million) fine he has been ordered to pay Chelsea, although there is a glimmer of hope after the fine was temporarily suspended by the Swiss Federal Court.

Mutu cost the Blues ?15million ($A26.5million) in 2003 but was sacked a year later after he tested positive for cocaine, and was given a seven-month worldwide football ban.

After being axed by Chelsea and serving his ban, the Romanian joined Juventus in January 2005 before moving to Fiorentina at the end of the following season.

Mutu has become one of La Viola's key players and scored 13 goals in 19 games last campaign as he and Alberto Gilardino formed one of Serie A's most formidable partnerships.

[Rappy Veteran]

Manchester United planing ?20million transfer swoop for French goalkeeper

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to get his hands on France World Cup keeper Hugo Lloris - but will have to pay Lyon ?20million for their top shot-stopper.

Ferguson is ready to make a move for the tall 23-year-old as he looks for Edwin van der Sar's long-term replacement and he could make a major splash when the transfer window opens.

Lyon are wealthy and hard to deal with - as United have found in the past when they courted Karim Benzema - but Ferguson hopes their indifferent season may tempt the star keeper to leave.

Ferguson would ideally like a new keeper next month, but is also willing to wait until the summer to land his man. However van der Sar's personal problems - with his wife gravely ill - have added more urgency to the chase.

Lloris has been a stand-out for Lyon and France this season, helping his country beat the Republic of Ireland in the controversial play-offs with a strong and safe couple of displays.

United have been tracking Lloris's progress and feel he is the best emerging keeper around. He could be at the top for a decade or more and looks to have the bottle for big-game action.

The problem will be the fee, with the Glazers careful about their spending. But in Lloris's favour he has age on his side and a potential sell-on value down the line.

Ferguson is also a fan of Spartak Moscow's Igor Akinfeev, who is the same age and just slightly smaller than Lloris. He caught the eye when the clubs met in the Champions League.

The downside on both Lloris and Akinfeev is that they have both appeared in the elite competition this season, leaving them ineligible for the knock-out stages.

United are carefully monitoring van der Sar's position just now but may have to act swiftly if the Dutchman is to spend more time with his stroke victim wife. If he is ruled out they will make a major splash for his replacement.

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Real Madrid prepare ?20m swoop for Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic

Real Madrid are ready to raid Manchester United for the second time in a year by launching a bid for Nemanja Vidic next summer.

Having signed Cristiano Ronaldo in a world record ?80million deal in June, Real now want his former Old Trafford team-mate and sources in Spain claim they will make a ?20m offer for the Serbia defender at the end of the season.

Vidic?s future at United has been in doubt for some time. His wife Ana is known to be keen on a move to a warmer climate and he has been linked to some of the top clubs in Europe, including AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona and Real.

United thought they had done well to keep Vidic last summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson adamant that he would not sell his central defender so soon after sanctioning the sale of Ronaldo.

The two players became close during their time together at United and it is no secret that they discussed the possibility of linking up abroad in future.

Although Vidic is under contract until 2012 and was honoured with a place in FIFA?s World XI last week, he has struggled to live up to the reputation he has built as one of the best central defenders in Europe since joining United for ?7m from Spartak Moscow four years ago.

However, Real see the uncompromising Serb as an ideal partner for Pepe as they look to tighten up a team that is top-heavy with attacking players.

[nothuman]

Lloris will not come to us, or any other team, in winter, not with the world cup coming on. Still, I would love to see him at United, he is such a brilliant goalkeeper.

As for Vidic, surely not this winter, but next summer will be an other story. I fear he may go at the end of the season.

[Rappy Veteran]

Liverpool to Sign Fantastic ?20m Trio and Make ?19.5m Quartet Sale: Good Bit of Business

Liverpool fans, here?s a titbit from the web deep throats? site of choice: ?Ryan Babel to Birmingham for ?10m. Andriy Voronin to Zenit St Petersburg for ?3m. Philipp Degen will move to Wigan for ?2m and Andrea Dossena is going to Atl?tico Madrid for ?4.5m. With ?20m at his disposal, Rafa will spend ?11m on [Galatasaray's] Arda Turan, ?3.5m on [standard Liege's] Milan Jovanovic and ?5m on [Crystal Palace's] Victor Moses.? (Guardian)

Arda a Neowin favourite :D

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Ribery transfer to Real for $88 million

BAYERN MUNICH'S French international Franck Ribery may be set for an $88.3 million move to Real Madrid next summer, a year before his contract expires.

According to the German specialist website ran.de, the move was hammered out in August between Bayern and the Spanish club at the time of Dutch star Arjen Robben's transfer to Munich.

Bayern did not pay Real the agreed 25 million euros ($A40.13 million) price tag for the Dutch winger, instead sitting on the cash in anticipation of the Ribery deal, said ran.de, which is owned by German private broadcaster Sat.1.

Ribery, 26, who has been out of action through injury for over two months, has made no secret in the past of his desire to join Real.

"I would really like to win the Champions League, but our team doesn't have the necessary firepower right now,'' the winger told the Bild daily recently.

"At the moment, we can't compete with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Inter.''

Other recent reports have linked Ribery with a move to Chelsea.

[Kralik]

Arda is good but not as good as Silva or Navas..

Anyways we are linked to Bellamy again despite Arsene saying he can't buy any players from City.. we should be looking for atleast 2 players in winter and preferably 3.. a striker and one to replace Song while he's away and to add depth to the bench once Song is back.. and of course a CB in case we lose either Gallas or Vermaelen..

[Subject Delta]

Liverpool to Sign Fantastic ?20m Trio and Make ?19.5m Quartet Sale: Good Bit of Business

Liverpool fans, here?s a titbit from the web deep throats? site of choice: ?Ryan Babel to Birmingham for ?10m. Andriy Voronin to Zenit St Petersburg for ?3m. Philipp Degen will move to Wigan for ?2m and Andrea Dossena is going to Atl?tico Madrid for ?4.5m. With ?20m at his disposal, Rafa will spend ?11m on [Galatasaray's] Arda Turan, ?3.5m on [standard Liege's] Milan Jovanovic and ?5m on [Crystal Palace's] Victor Moses.? (Guardian)

Arda a Neowin favourite :D

Interesting if true

[leesmithg]

I hope Arsenal sign Belamy, even though I consider him a chav.

I don't think it will happen.

Bendtner has another set back so I am sure is finished till late March, if not the season.

We need someone to play where Arsharvin is currently playing so that Arshavin can play in his natural position thus improving the team.

I think if Arsenal can get the right strikers, the title will be in our grasp, or at least a top 3 finish.

[BGM]

some interesting rumours in this thread.. ribery to real is weird though.

they already have so many players for his position!

also, looks like toni has completed a loan move to roma today.. meh, weird bit of business imo.

[Rappy Veteran]

Arsenal prepare January swoop for English wonderkid

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly preparing a January move for English wonderkid Raheem Sterling.

The QPR star, who recently became a 15-year-old and has been on the Arsenal radar for some time, is expected to make his debut for the west London club and become the youngest player to compete in the Football League when he does.

Manchester City, Liverpool and Fulham have all been linked with the youngster, who has represented England at a handful of junior levels.

It is Arsenal who lead the chase however, with Academy director Liam Brady already thought to have made contact with the youngster.

The Daily Mirror reports that the Gunners are ready to intensify their interest when the window opens, with Wenger keen to avoid a bidding war with fellow suitors.

Jay Simpson is also expected to be used in a possible bid, with the loan star already scoring goals at Loftus Road. A player plus cash deal seems a likely scenario in the New Year.

Sterling is also thought to favour a move to the Emirates, unsurprising considering the Arsenal track record with youth talent. Although QPR don't need the money, they will struggle to keep hold of a player in such demand with Premier League sides.

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson lining up move for Roma striker Stefano Okaka

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he is interested in signing AS Roma striker Stefano Okaka on loan in January.

The 20-year-old is free to leave on loan in the new year after the Italian side completed the loan signing of striker Luca Toni from Bayern Munich.

Okaka started both Europa League matches against Fulham this season and scored the winner against them at the Stadio Olimpico.

Hodgson told a news conference: "Okaka is a possibility for us. We're looking into it and have shown an interest.

"How far we go down that road will depend on other things like whether he wants to come on loan to England. The finances of the situation will also be important.

"Okaka has got quality and the fact it's a loan is also advantageous because he's a young player and largely untried.

"We're happy with our striking options but we would like to have some cover and someone who can put pressure on the guys we have.

"Okaka seems to be that type of player but a lot of water must pass under the bridge before he pulls on a Fulham shirt."

Fulham reportedly face competition from cash-strapped Portsmouth for the signature of Okaka, providing the Premier League?s bottom club have their transfer embargo lifted.

[Rappy Veteran]

Rafa Benitez wants Liverpool loan deal for Atletico Madrid star Maxi Rodriguez

Liverpool want to take Maxi Rodriguez on loan from Atletico Madrid as manager Rafa Benitez looks to reinforce his squad.

But Benitez will have to move quickly to capture the 28-year-old Argentine who plays wide on the left of midfield as he has already had talks with Boca Juniors over a return to his home country.

Meanwhile, Ryan Babel is likely to turn down overtures from Fiorentina and delay Liverpool's hopes of bringing players in.

Benitez knows that he'll have to work in the loan market to strengthen unless he can raise cash by selling or agree exchange deals.

He has been offered Olympiakos right back Vasilis Torosidis as a quick fix to Glen Johnson's absence but Benitez is likely to save funds for attack and wide midfield.

He is ready to part with Babel, Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen, but they are attracting minimal interest.

Babel, 23, represents their best hope of raising funds. But he is not keen on a move to Florence or Turkey, where there has been interest from Besiktas.

Inter will not be given encouragement if they follow up reported interest in Steven Gerrard.

[BGM]

maxi would be a good catch imo

[Rappy Veteran]

Reds Move for Maxi (Sky Sports)

Sky Sports News understands Liverpool are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who is out of contract in the summer, has fallen out of favour at Atletico and the Spaniards are understood to be willing to let him move on.

The 27-year-old is believed to be keen on a move away from the Vicente Calderon as he looks to secure his spot in Argentina's World Cup squad by playing regular first-team football.

Boca Juniors have been linked with a move to bring the winger back to his native Argentina, but Liverpool are thought to be favourites for his signature.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is keen to bolster his squad in the January transfer window and with Rodriguez available for a small fee, he fits the bill for what Benitez is looking for.

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Official: Nuernberg Loan Bayern Munich Defender Breno (Yahoo)

Beleaguered Bundesliga side Nuernberg have completed the transfer of Brazilian defender Breno from Bayern Munich. The centre-back has signed a six-month loan deal at his new club.

Nuernberg are battling against relegation and newly appointed head coach Dieter Hecking was eager to add a defender to his ranks in the winter transfer window.

The 20-year-old Breno joined Bayern Munich from Sao Paulo in December 2007, but the young defender failed to secure regular first team action ever since. Therefore, he requested to leave FCB on a temporary basis.

Hertha Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen were also believed to be keeping tabs on the defender, but Breno has now made the decision to join Nuernberg instead.

[Kralik]

The serious injury suffered by Robin van Persie has made recruiting a new striker Wenger's top priority this month but he has effectively ruled out a move for Chamakh.

Wenger would prefer to land someone who is not cup-tied in Europe, while he expects Bordeaux to keep Chamakh even though he is coming towards the end of his contract.

"Chamakh is in the Champions League with Bordeaux and at the top of their league, so he will not move now," said Wenger.

"He has four months [of his deal] to go with Bordeaux and they have no interest in selling him."

However, he maintains that he has no specific targets in mind at present.

"For now I am like I was when I was a student and I had to study for an exam, and I do not know what I will write," he quipped.

[Martyn]

I've heard we have practically signed Rodriguez already. 6 month loan deal, with a view to signing him permanently when his contract runs out.

[Rappy Veteran]

I've heard we have practically signed Rodriguez already. 6 month loan deal, with a view to signing him permanently when his contract runs out.

would be a good price bargain right there (Y)

[Rappy Veteran]

Aris Salonika chasing Benfica striker Adu (Tribal Football)

Aris Salonika are interested in Benfica striker Freddy Adu.

The Washington Post's Soccer Insider says a deal could be struck this weekend which would see Adu move to the Greek club on-loan.

Aris have already signed Fulham's US international striker Eddie Johnson on-loan to the end of the season.

Adu is available after being sent back to Benfica by new Belensenses coach Toni

I remember when everyone said Adu was the next bit thing :(

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Portsmouth hopes of generating income by selling players dashed by lack of interest (Telegraph)

With a range of creditors ready to demand payment on various debts, Portsmouth had hoped to push through deals for as many as four key players before the transfer window had even opened.

Since January 2009, they have generated around ?75 million through player sales and slashed the wage bill by ?30 million but, without sufficient equity coming in, the club are still facing a monthly struggle to even pay the staff on time.

However, even though the Premier League will allow Portsmouth to sell players to ease their financial crisis, the squad has already been stripped of its main assets over the past 12 months, meaning there is relatively little interest in the remaining players.

Chief executive Peter Storrie has admitted that, as things stand, he does not think Burnley want to take up an option to buy David Nugent, who is on loan at Turf Moor.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has ended his interest in David James, while Borussia Dortmund say they do not have the money to re-sign Kevin-Prince Boateng.

It is understood that Manchester City have cooled their interest in Younes Kaboul following the departure of manager Mark Hughes, while there has been limited interest in Nadir Belhadj or Aruna Dindane.

At the request of owner Ali al-Faraj, Storrie is now also in talks with various potential outside investors in an effort to ease the crisis.

Manager Avram Grant has made it clear that he wants to retain his squad and, despite the transfer embargo on the club, says there is a need to add players.

Portsmouth will be particularly depleted on Satruday against Coventry City, with Aaron Mokoena suspended, Jamie O'Hara unable to play in the FA Cup due to conditions of his loan from Tottenham and Kanu, Belhadj, Dindane and Hassan Yebda all now departed for the African Cup of Nations.

"We are very short now in the squad," said Grant. "We need all our players because we only have 18 players in the squad. Even with the problems we need to do our jobs. We are thinking about football and how to win the games, even if it's not easy."

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West Ham deny swap deal (Tribal Football)

West Ham sporting director Gianluca Nani claims the club have no plans to swap Valon Behrami for Palermo keeper Rubinho.

Latest reports suggest the Hammers could be willing to offer versatile Swiss midfielder Behrami in exchange for Brazilian shot-stopper Rubinho.

However, Nani claims there is no such plan in place, with Gianfranco Zola making it clear that Behrami remains an integral part of his plans at Upton Park.

"What makes people think we could swap Behrami for Rubinho?" he told mediterraneoonline.it.

"Behrami is absolutely non-transferable, not for any price, no-one has any idea what price we would value him at anyway.

"The possibility of an exchange with Rubinho does not exist at all."

[Kralik]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he has no plans to move for AC Milan striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

The Gunners are known to be in the market for a new frontman, keen to cover the loss of Robin van Persie to injury.

Dutch ace Huntelaar, who joined Serie A giants Milan from Real Madrid last summer, was reported to be one of the names on Wenger's wish list.

Having struggled to hold down regular first-team football at Giuseppe Meazza, it was widely assumed that the 26-year-old would be on the move during the January transfer window.

Whether he is or not remains to be seen, but it looks highly unlikely that he will be making his way to Emirates Stadium following Wenger's latest comments.

"I am surprised he never plays but he is not on our radar," the Frenchman told Arsenal's official website.

"I don't believe this kind of player can move. I am not sure he can move again in this transfer period because he has already moved once this season."

[Subject Delta]

I have seen a rumour that Liverpool where even looking at Van Nistelrooy

[Kralik]

It's funny.. rumours abt other teams are mostly abt players they want to sign and what we get from AW are players he won't sign.. hope whoever he gets surprises us like Arshavin last winter..