After giving you a rundown of the latest transfer news and rumors earlier today, I’m back this evening with another fresh batch of signings and speculation.
Despite an extremely impressive performance in holding Liverpool to a solitary goal in their surprise win at Anfield on Monday, Martin O’Neill is making it a priority to bolster Aston Villa’s defense before the close of the summer transfer window, and he’s close to making at least one new back line signing, if not more.
We’ve got the lowdown on that news, and as always, we’ve got the news on the latest summer signings, so hop to it!
England
Villa Close On Warnock
Aston Villa have confirmed that they’re in negotiations with Blackburn over a 7m deal for left back Stephen Warnock. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Nicky Shorey has been starting at left back for Villa thus far this season, so the arrival of Warnock will see his first-team opportunities take a real hit.
Chimbonda Set For Blackburn Switch
Blackburn have agreed a 2m fee with Tottenham for defender Pascal Chimbonda. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: The first or second times weren’t the charm for Chimbonda at Tottenham, so let’s hope we don’t see him being linked with a return to Spurs in just a few months. Don’t color me surprised if such speculation happens though.
Birmingham Move For Tuncay
Birmingham City have made a move to try to bring Middlesbrough star Tuncay Sanli back to the Premier League. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Birmingham have netted only one goal in their first three Premier League matches, so the signing of Tuncay will certainly help boost those numbers. He’d scored two in three sub appearances this season, so he’s got his scoring boots on already, but he’ll also help create plenty of opportunities as well.
Spain
Malaga Loan Obinna
Malaga have signed Inter Milan striker Victor Obinna on a season-long loan deal. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: It’s good for Obinna to get a chance to have regular first-team football instead of being a bit-part player at Inter, and it should work out well for both he and Malaga, who didn’t have anyone in double digits in league goals last season.
Italy
Fiorentina Sign De Silvestri
Fiorentina have signed Lazio defender Lorenzo De Silvestri for a fee of 5.5m. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: That’s a fair amount less than what I thought he would end up going for, so Fiorentina have got a real bargain for an extremely promising young talent. He can be eased into a regular role with the experienced Gianluca Comotto already at right back, but it shouldn’t be long before he’s got the first-choice spot nailed down.
France
Monaco Track Kerzhakov
AS Monaco are tracking Dinamo Moscow striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov. (Transfer Market Web)
Analysis: Kerzhakov has been in fine form for Dinamo this season, scoring 10 league goals through 19 rounds, and Monaco could do well to add a goal-getter like him to their ranks if they have high hopes of seriously challenging for a European place this season.
Russia
Spartak Return For Pavlyuchenko?
Spartak Moscow director/caretaker manager Valery Karpin has said that the club would be willing to pay 10m to bring former striker Roman Pavlyuchenko back to the club, a year after selling him to Tottenham for nearly 14m. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Spartak have the Russian Premier League’s leading scorer in Brazilian forward Welliton, but the addition of Pavlyuchenko could be what it takes to help them push past Rubin Kazan over the last few months of the season.
Daily Links
West Ham And Millwall Remind Us That Hooliganism Is Alive And Well
In case you hadn’t heard or seen, West Ham and Millwall’s Carling Cup match at Upton Park got just a little out of hand. And by a little, I mean a lot.
ESPN Garners Highest Premier League TV Ratings In U.S. History
It looks like ESPN’s move to put the Premier League on their networks in the U.S. has paid off thus far, as record ratings were set in back-to-back broadcasts.
Telling A Player To Dive Is Not A Smart Idea
There are some things that you just don’t say aloud, and this is another fine example of that.
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