Arsenal fans are kicking up a ruckus over Chelsea’s public statement that they are not willing to increase their offer for Ashley Cole.
I’m all for raking Londoners (Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, it’s all the same to me) over coals but how they decided that Arsenal hold the upper hand here, I don’t know. Discussion continues here, the latest transfer rumours are below.
Today’s headlines are all about Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 16.7 mil move from Juventus to Inter Milan. We covered this in an earlier article today but on a broader perspective, the availability of Martins and Adriano (despite Inter Milan’s rejections) will interest a host of European clubs. Bayern Munich have been after a striker and while the Bundesliga has lost its charm Bayern may have the money to test Inter.
Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United are all looking for strikers, although the Spurs have denied any interest in Martins and are instead being constantly linked with Mido. How will Defoe will feel about that? Newcastle are reportedly still after Kuyt but could be tempted to bid, although the only thing they have to offer is a guaranteed starting place.
With Manchester United – well, we don’t know if we have the money, but either prospect is enticing (although neither of them have stellar goal-scoring records). More on United’s quest for a striker here.
French sources are claiming that Manchester United have made an official bid for Diarra, now that they are clear of how much Real Madrid are interested and what Lyon are asking. If true, it goes well with what Ferguson said last week about United looking at players other than Senna as well.
Us United fans have been praying for that statement to be true for the whole week, so I’ll take that rumour as hope for now.
Diarra could fetch for at least 15 mil, more likely 20. With Madrid already spending a lot of money, United might be able to edge them out by offering more for Diarra. Still speculation for now, but the next couple of days will be very interesting.
The Reyes saga is nearing a close with Mijatovic in London to hammer out a deal with Arsenal. Expect this to be over by the end of the week. Rumours are that Arsenal have offered Cole to Madrid as well, though nothing can be confirmed. Capello’s obviously fond of Reyes though – solves his left-side problems and allows him to dispose of Cassano or Ronaldo.
Portsmouth – the mini-Chelsea – are on a roll, with David James supposed to be their next signing after Sol Campbell. James has told his club that he wants to head on south for family reasons, and Portsmouth are ready to help him out.
What’s interesting about this is the pattern Harry Redknapp is following – he’s chasing difficult, out of favour players (Anelka, Campbell, James – well, at least internationally) who are getting old, but most of all, players who haven’t fulfilled their potential. Whether he’ll be able to mould this motley crew into a surviving side, I don’t know but it’s a positive step for sure.
Oh and…any ideas who will buy Tim Howard next year? The Sun has reported that Kuszczak was in Manchester United for a medical and that the deal was done. If so, Howard is on his way out next year, so let’s hope he impresses Moyes enough for him to buy the American stopper.
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