England
Arsenal Make Squillaci Bid
Sevilla have confirmed that Arsenal have made a bid for center back Sebastien Squillaci. Sevilla sporting director Ramon Rodriguez said, however, that the offer is inadequate. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Squillaci didn’t play in Sevilla’s Champions League defeat away to Braga last night, so that maintains his value for the time being. However, it’d be wise for Arsenal to up their offer and get the deal done within the next few days to avoid running the risk of Sevilla playing him in next week’s second leg.
Second Schwarzer Bid Rejected
Fulham have once rejected an offer from Arsenal for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. The Gunners‘ initial offer was £2m, and their second offer falls short of Fulham‘s £5m valuation. (The Guardian)
Analysis: Well, I hear Shay Given might be available, so…
Spurs Close On Gallas
Tottenham look set to sign one of Arsenal’s former defenders, as Sky Sports says that center back William Gallas is set to have a medical at White Hart Lane tomorrow.
Analysis: Holding Manchester City goalless in last weekend’s Premier League opener was impressive, but with Ledley King’s being a constant concern and Tuesday night’s defensive non-performance against Young Boys, Gallas can’t get in a Spurs kit fast enough.
West Ham Target Taylor
West Ham are interested in Bolton midfielder Matthew Taylor, according to Sky Sports.
Analysis: Taylor may not be prominently in Bolton’s plans, but this would be a great bargain deal for Avram Grant. Taylor’s a proven commodity in the Premier League and can score goals on the regular and set them up as well, and he’d be a real asset for the Hammers.
Italy
Juventus’ Krasic Deal Back Off?
It looks like Milos Krasic’s on-again, off-again Juventus move looked to be off for now, as there has been no recent contact with Juve, according to the CSKA Moscow playmaker’s agent, Vlado Borozan. (Sky Sports)
However, CSKA have released a statement on their official website saying that Krasic, who didn’t take part in CSKA’s Europa League qualifying romp against Anorthosis Famagusta, is now set to make the move to Turin. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Neither side seemed to want to budge for the longest time, with CSKA standing firm on their €18m asking price and Juve standing firm on not meeting it, but with the whole saga no doubt adversely affecting Krasic’s play, it had to be settled soon, one way or another. All’s well that ends well!
France
Marseille Sign Remy
Marseille have signed Nice striker Loic Remy. The 23-year-old, who’d been linked with Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, and Stoke City this summer, has penned a five-year deal with Marseille, who are shelling out around €15m to land the former Lyon product. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Mamadou Niang’s departure for Fenerbahce left Brandao as the only experienced true striker at the club, but the arrivals of Remy and Toulouse’s Andre-Pierre Gignac will ensure that Niang’s not missed. Now, if only they could do something about that defense.
Scotland
Rangers Land Weiss On Loan
Rangers have beaten Celtic and VfB Stuttgart to land highly-rated winger Vladimir Weiss on loan from Manchester City. The 20-year-old Slovakia international had a loan spell at Bolton last season. (BBC Sport)
Analysis: This is an excellent move for Weiss. He’ll get Champions League experience and exposure, and he’ll come back to City either ready to state his case for a first-team place or in position to earn a move to a quality club if City don‘t have room for him when he returns.
Greece
Nemeth Makes Olympiakos Switch
Olympiakos have signed Liverpool striker Krisztian Nemeth. Liverpool will receive €1.3m, and a 25% sell-on clause has already been included in the deal for the 21-year-old, who has penned a three-year deal with the Greek giants. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: This is a good move for him. His chances at Liverpool looked dim, but this is an opportunity for him to show that he can indeed make his mark at the highest levels, provided he can avoid the injury bug, which hindered loan spells at Blackpool and AEK Athens.
Russia
Russians Enter Riordan Race
Sky Sports says that Spartak Nalchik are interested in Hibs striker Derek Riordan. The 27-year-old is also receiving interest from Blackpool, Wigan, Barnsley, and Derby.
Analysis: During his first spell with Hibs, Riordan turned down a move to Lokomotiv Moscow, but perhaps times have changed now. However, if he was to seriously consider such a move, it’d be a wise idea to talk to former Hibs strike partner Garry O’Connor first, given that Riordan is a new father and O’Connor’s failure to settle in Russia during his short spell with Lokomotiv were related to family reasons.
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