What may have otherwise been a quiet day in transfer news and rumors was made just a little bit livelier by the news that Michael Owen was on his way to Manchester United.
Along with looking over the official word in today’s roundup and seeing him among the new additions to our summer transfer lists, you can catch Ahmed’s reaction on the Owen signing, and the SL forum has a spirited Owen-centric discussion going.
That was the biggest news of the day by far, but they’re not the only club around that’s searching for a new striker, and with that in mind, this morning’s roundup is striker heavy.
England
Owen Signs For Manchester United
Michael Owen has signed for Manchester United on a two-year deal. The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Newcastle striker went to United’s training ground for his medical on Friday, and the deal was sealed shortly after Owen passed his medical. (ManUtd.com)
Analysis: Bargain or bust? We’ll find out.
Sunderland Join Race For Chamakh
Sunderland have become the latest Premier League club to be linked with Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: I imagine if Arsenal come in for him, that he’d jump at a move to the Emirates. But that all depends on Emmanuel Adebayor and whether he moves to AC Milan, and that may not be as likely as it looked recently. Sunderland would no doubt have to sell Chamakh on their ambition though, and that could well be a stumbling block.
Blackburn Trial For Vieri
Veteran Italian striker Christian Vieri is set to join up with Blackburn for a ten-day trial. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: His best days are well behind him, but it can’t hurt to see if he still has something left in the tank.
Stoke To Make Benjani Bid
Stoke are set to make a £5m bid for Manchester City striker Benjani. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Things haven’t exactly panned out for Benjani since he moved to City last year, and with their desire to load up on strikers this summer, his future is pretty bleak there. But he has proven that he can score goals in the Premier League, and Stoke do need to add to their front line. However, it might be better to try to land him on loan initially if they can to avoid making such a sizable investment up front.
Birmingham After Aliadiere
Birmingham City are interested in signing Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Aliadiere won’t exactly light it up, but he would add Premier League experience to the squad, and that’s never a bad thing when you’re a newly-promoted side.
Italy
AC Milan Bid For Fabiano
According to the agent of Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, AC Milan have made an official bid for his client, and he has set a timeline of two to three weeks for a deal to be struck by the two sides. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Manchester United have been linked with a move for Fabiano, but if they’re not looking to seriously pursue an expensive forward, that would give AC Milan a pretty clear run at landing him. He helped his value with a fantastic Confederations Cup performance, but it shouldn’t be an issue for Milan to find an extra few million from somewhere.
Udinese Sign Corradi And Orellana
Udinese have added a couple of new strikers, landing former Manchester City man Bernardo Corradi on a free from Reggina (Goal.com) and signing Fabian Orellana from Chilean side Audax Italiano (Tribal Football).
Analysis: After selling Fabio Quagliarella to Napoli, Udinese needed to add some more firepower, and along with getting a promising young talent in Orellana, they get a proven, experienced striker in the 32-year-old Corradi, who netted 10 times last season for Reggina.
Germany
Bayern Still Interested In Bosingwa
Bayern Munich’s interest in Chelsea right back Jose Bosingwa has not waned, despite having not yet reached Chelsea’s valuation of the Portugal international. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said that he’s remained in contact with Chelsea and that the possibility of signing Bosingwa still remains open. (ESPN Soccernet)
Analysis: They might have to wait a while to land him, if they’re able to at all. Chelsea won’t let him go unless they get a new right back, and with Glen Johnson off the list, the top target looks to be Inter Milan’s Maicon. But, Maicon could either go to Real Madrid or stay at Inter, and if either one of those things happen, then Bayern might well come up empty-handed.
Portugal
Braga Get Possebon On Loan
Manchester United midfielder Rodrigo Possebon will spend next season on loan at Portuguese side Sporting Braga. (ManUtd.com)
Analysis: Possebon’s prospects at Manchester United are still bright, but this is an excellent move for him. He will be able to earn some experience for a quality side in a quality league, and he’ll also get some European experience as well, with Braga once again playing in the Europa League.
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