Chelsea In For Johnson
Chelsea are one of a number of clubs tracking Middlesbrough star Adam Johnson. The only concrete offer thus far, however, has been from Wolves, but their £6.5m bid is significantly lower than Boro’s £10m valuation. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: No matter how you shake it, £6.5m or more is a nice sum for a Championship player, even if he is anything but a Championship player in terms of talent and potential. Johnson has certainly proven his worth now that he’s gotten a full opportunity to do so, and I’m sure he’ll end up getting his chance in the top flight soon, even if it isn’t with Boro.
Arsenal Target Mandzukic
Arsenal are in the market for a new striker, and one of the names on their shortlist is Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, the man who replaced current Gunner Eduardo at Dinamo Zagreb. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Judging by Arsene’s comments, it’s hard to see them making a move for anyone this month, but Mandzukic would certainly be a good one to go after. If they do, as an Arsenal fan, you certainly have to hope that he comes with a little better luck with injuries than Eduardo and the rest of Arsenal’s strikeforce has.
Liverpool Battle For Jovanovic
Liverpool and AC Milan are battling it out for Standard Liege attacker Milan Jovanovic. The 28-year-old Serbian star is out of contract at the end of the season and is set to make a decision on his future soon, according to a club source. (The Sun)
Analysis: Another case of, ‘if only he could get here right now…’. Jovanovic has certainly driven his stock up even further than it was already with a fantastic campaign in an otherwise disappointing season for Standard, and even though he’s no spring chicken, he’s well worth the fat contract he’s lined up to get.
Tottenham Close On Kjaer?
Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini was in London on Saturday to hold talks with Tottenham officials about a deal for highly-rated Danish center back Simon Kjaer. The 20-year-old has a buyout clause of £11m, which Tottenham could easily stump up after selling off Roman Pavlyuchenko. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Tottenham need a short-term and a long-term solution at center back, what with the injury concerns that come with having Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate in your back line, and Kjaer would very much kill two birds with one stone.
Stoke Return For Foster?
Ben Foster, that is, and it could well be, as Stoke City, along with Sunderland, are considering moves for the out of favor Manchester United keeper. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Sunderland are set at keeper, but quality depth is never a bad problem to have at that position. I’d have to give the edge to Stoke, as they’re more actively searching for a new keeper, but whether or not a concrete move happens will depend on the outcome of their attempts to land David James.
Beckford Staying At Leeds
Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, who has been linked with a January move to Newcastle, has withdrawn his transfer request and will instead stay at Elland Road until the end of the season, when his contract is set to expire. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Being able to get something for him would be nice, sure, but the paltry sum they’d get for him doesn’t compare to the significant role he’ll stay to play in Leeds’ push to return to the Championship.
Turkey
Van Nistelrooy Set For Galatasaray?
Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy could be set to snub a return to the Premier League in favor of a move to Galatasaray. Liverpool, Tottenham, and Stoke City have all been linked with the former Manchester United star, but he is considering a lucrative offer from the Turkish side. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Galatasaray are tops in the Turkish top flight in goals with 36 (through 17 matches), but they could use an extra goal-getter like van Nistelrooy to help power them to the title in what looks to be a race that will go down to the wire.
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