When you follow up a loss at home to a supposedly inferior side by conceding a goal inside the first minute of your next match, it doesn’t speak too well of your defense, and with that in mind, Martin O’Neill is hard at work looking for back line reinforcements to help Aston Villa right the ship while there’s still plenty of time to.
Meanwhile, even at the best of times, Lady Luck doesn’t appear to be fully on Tottenham’s side yet, as Harry Redknapp is in the market for a new goalkeeper after losing his first-choice keeper to injury for an extended period of time. Fortunately for him, the one that he’s after is arguably better than the one that he just lost, and an upgrade is never a bad thing, even when it comes out of necessity.
We’ll see over the next few days whether the above sides and the others mentioned below can get things going from the ‘possibility’ category to the ‘done deal’ category, but whatever happens, you know you can find out about the latest rumors and summer signings here.
England
Everton In Talks For Taylor And Move For Distin
Everton could be close to bolstering their defense, as Sky Sports says that the Toffees are in talks with Newcastle about a move for Steven Taylor, while The Mirror says that a move for Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin is being lined up.
Analysis: Distin would provide the veteran experience, leadership, and reliability at the back that would help stabilize Everton’s back line, while Taylor has age and upside on his side but plenty of experience all the same. Hard to say which would be a better option, since it’d all depend on what David Moyes has in mind, but he couldn’t go wrong with either.
Redknapp And James To Be Reunited?
With reports saying that Heurelho Gomes is set to be out for two or three months due to a groin injury, Harry Redknapp could move for another Portsmouth old boy to replace him in David James. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: So how many signings would it take for Portsmouth to start getting referred to as Tottenham’s feeder club? In all seriousness though, the loss of James would be a pretty lethal blow to Pompey’s hopes of staying up, but that’s stating the obvious, isn’t it?
Villa In For Collins
Aston Villa have made a move for Stoke target James Collins, matching Stoke’s £5m bid for the West Ham center back. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: While issues with agreeing on wages seemed to be the roadblock in Collins completing his move to Stoke, it would appear that those same issues wouldn’t occur with Villa, unless he’s just looking for way too much money.
Fulham Take Greening On Loan
Fulham have signed West Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening on a season-long loan deal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: In the end, their persistence in chasing Greening pays off. They finally got West Brom to cave in and let him go, and they’ll be able to test Greening out for a season before having to shell out full price for him.
Hull Eye Nugent Swoop
The Sun says that Hull are set to make a £4m bid for Portsmouth striker David Nugent.
Analysis: It was a pretty cruel blow to lose out on Alvaro Negredo after it looked like they were pretty close to landing a top-class striker, and the options drop off quite a few levels after missing out on someone of his caliber. But Nugent did impress at times for Portsmouth last season, and he can do the business at Hull if given the chance to, so it could work out well for both parties.
Spain
Sevilla Sign Negredo
Speaking of Negredo, he’s spurned Hull, Real Zaragoza, and everyone else for Sevilla. The 23-year-old has penned a five-year deal with Sevilla, while the deal includes a buy-back clause that will allow Real to buy Negredo back within two seasons. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Fabiano, Kanoute, Negredo – that’s one dangerous front line. It might be asking too much of Sevilla to make a serious run at the La Liga title, but third is theirs to lose, without a doubt.
Mallorca Return For Valero
West Brom midfielder Borja Valero could be on the verge of a season-long loan return to Mallorca, who sold him to the Baggies just last summer. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Mallorca will no doubt welcome his return, as he can come in and make up for the production lost by Juan Arango’s departure to Borussia Monchengladbach. In his last season at Mallorca in 2007/08, Valero had four goals and seven assists in only 17 league starts (36 appearances total), so he’ll be up to the task.
France
St. Etienne Sign Sanogo
St. Etienne have signed Werder Bremen striker Boubacar Sanogo for an undisclosed fee. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: St. Etienne have managed just a single goal in their first two league matches, and the signing of Sanogo gives the front line a much-needed injection of quality ahead of a couple of must-win home matches against Boulogne and Grenoble.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
