England
Everton In ‘Hunt‘ For New Strikers
Everton are in the market for some new firepower, and one name high on David Moyes’ wishlist is AC Milan’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, according to The Sun.
Analysis: Huntelaar has the goods to be the man to fire Everton to Europa League glory and another high Premier League finish, and though a higher-profile move might seem more appealing, picky is the last thing he should be right now.
Meanwhile, summer target Jermaine Beckford could be more of a January target now, as The Mirror says that Everton are set to make a £2m bid for the Leeds star.
Analysis: If £1.8m from Newcastle wasn’t enough to do the trick, £2m from Everton won’t either. He’s content to wait for his move, and Leeds appear to be perfectly content to lose him for nothing, as long as his goals get them back to the Championship.
Midlands Move For Pavlyuchenko?
According to The Mirror, Birmingham City are set to step up their efforts to land Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Analysis: For his sake and Birmingham’s both, hopefully this can come to fruition, but color me anything but surprised if the window closes with Pavlyuchenko still on the books at Tottenham.
Birmingham Sign Gardner
Birmingham may still be waiting on a new striker, but they have bolstered their midfield, signing Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner in a £3m deal. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Despite not quite making the breakthrough as an every-match starter for Villa, Gardner was highly rated by Martin O’Neill and has a lot of promise, and this move could help unleash it if he can avoid injuries, which had curtailed his chances this season.
Weiss Joins Bolton
Bolton have taken Manchester City starlet Vladimir Weiss on loan for the remainder of the season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: If he can show that talent that has him tabbed as a star for the future for club and country, he can be a catalyst for Bolton’s push for survival, starting with today’s six-pointer against fellow strugglers Burnley.
Wolves Sign Guedioura
Another day, another loan signing from Charleroi for Wolves. After completing a loan deal for Geoffrey Mujangi Bia last week, Wolves have signed French midfielder Adlene Guedioura from the Belgian club. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Guedioura has worked his way up from the French lower leagues, to Belgium, and now to the Premier League, all in the span of a few years, which is a pretty impressive rise. If he can take advantage of this chance as he has the others, it could well mean a place for him in Algeria’s World Cup squad.
Preston Land Welbeck
Young Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has moved to Preston North End on loan for the remainder of the season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Father helps son stay up, son helps father with player development, it’s a win-win situation all around.
Germany
Bayern Target Pienaar
Bayern Munich are eying Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar as a possible replacement for Franck Ribery. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Pienaar is familiar with the Bundesliga, having spent the 2006/07 season with Borussia Dortmund before moving to Everton, but given that the experience wasn’t exactly memorable, he might not be raring to return. However, Everton’s hand may well be forced by their current contract stalemate with Pienaar, so there could be some legs to this one…but not until the summer.
Russia
Dynamo Bid For Benayoun
Dynamo Moscow are set to make a £7m bid for Liverpool‘s Yossi Benayoun. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: The potential salary would certainly be a reason to consider such a move, but consider is about it.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
