England
Liverpool Land Wilson
Liverpool have signed Rangers defender Danny Wilson in a deal that could be worth up to £5m. Liverpool will pay £2m up front for the 18-year-old, who was both the Scottish FWA and PFA Young Player of the Year last season. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Making your first-team debut and winning those accolades in the same season is no small feat. Wilson won’t be counted on to start from the outset, given Liverpool’s depth at center back, but he certainly has the potential to be an anchor at the back for Liverpool for many, many years.
Premier League Duo In Raul Link
According to the Sun, Tottenham and Newcastle are both interested in signing veteran striker Raul on a free. According to their reports, the former Real Madrid star is said to favor a move to London.
Analysis: Here’s another player who it’d be great to see in the Premier League before his career is over, and I think he still has plenty to offer. Raul may be getting up there in years, but it wasn’t that long ago that he put together back-to-back 20+ goal seasons after it looked like he was almost done.
Sunderland Close On Bramble
Wigan defender Titus Bramble was set for a medical at Sunderland yesterday after the two clubs agreed a £1m fee for the 28-year-old. (The Guardian)
Analysis: Sunderland had struck out in their search for a second new center back to this point, but Bramble is a nice consolation. Bramble has already had success under Steve Bruce, having been a regular while Bruce was at Wigan from November 2007 to the end of the 2008/09 season, so Bruce knows he’s getting someone he can rely on.
Hammers Near Double Striker Swoop
Meanwhile, the Hammers have also improved their chances of signing Nice striker Loic Remy. Instead of paying in installments as was their original preference, West Ham have agreed to pay €13.5m up front for the Frenchman, who is also wanted by Liverpool. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: So, which one will it be, West Ham or Liverpool? West Ham will be much improved under Avram Grant this season and would offer more regular starting opportunities, while Liverpool would offer immediate European football, the chance to play for one of the top clubs in Europe, and perhaps a better salary. Can’t go wrong either way, but West Ham are in a good position…for now, at least. If things happen to go against them though, it looks like Rosario Central striker Milton Caraglio could be their consolation prize.
Scotland
James Set For Celtic Talks
Celtic manager Neil Lennon is set to meet with free agent keeper David James later this week after Celtic return from their North American tour. Celtic are in the market for a new keeper after the sale of Artur Boruc to Fiorentina. (The Guardian)
Analysis: Perhaps James would prefer to find an option where he’d be first-choice keeper, which wouldn’t be guaranteed at Celtic, with Lukasz Zaluska in the mix. However, this would be a good opportunity for him, as he could help with the development of a young(er) keeper and perhaps even get his first-ever taste of Champions League football.
Spain
Atletico‘s Taiwo Deal In Limbo
Atletico Madrid looked set to complete a deal for Marseille defender Taye Taiwo, but the deal has stalled, as Marseille want the transfer fee all up front instead of in installments. (BBC Sport)
Analysis: If the two sides can reach a compromise (that shouldn’t be hard, should it?), Atletico’s defense will take another step towards respectability. Plus, with the addition of Taiwo and Filipe Luis, who can both score the occasional goal, they’ll have two new additions that fit in well in Atletico’s attack-oriented style of play.
France
Lorient Loan Coquelin
Lorient have signed Arsenal starlet Francis Coquelin on loan. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: While he would’ve likely seen more cup and league appearances than he did last season, this will be a good opportunity for Coquelin to earn regular first-team experience in a top league, which will only serve to hasten his development. With his versatility to play in midfield and defense, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Portugal
Sporting Seek Spurs Striker
The agent of Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko says that negotiations are ongoing over his client moving to Sporting Lisbon on loan. According to Portuguese reports, Tottenham are also interested in including Sporting’s highly rated young winger Armindo Bangna Bruma in the deal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: The Portuguese top flight isn’t known for its scoring, so even with only 42 goals in 30 games, but Sporting need to strengthen their attack to have any hope of keeping up with Benfica and Porto this season after finishing 28 points back of Benfica and 20 back of Porto (who were only one spot ahead in third) last season. Pavlyuchenko hasn’t shown it on a regular basis at Tottenham, but he’s capable of finding the net on a regular basis if given the opportunities.
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