United Strike Smalling Deal
Manchester United have beaten off Arsenal’s late attempts to land Fulham center back Chris Smalling in a deal that could be worth up to £12m. The 20-year-old will stay at Fulham for the remainder of the season before officially making the switch to Old Trafford. (The Mirror)
Analysis: The last time that United and Fulham did big business, United didn’t exactly get a full return on their investment. Let’s hope Smalling is a lot more durable than a certain French striker.
Premier League Duo Eye De Gea
Manchester United and Wigan are both interested in promising Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea. According to de Gea’s agent, Hector Rincon, it’d take £14m to snap up the highly-touted 19-year-old right now. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: He’s certainly a promising keeper, and if he didn’t have to compete with Sergio Asenjo at club and international (U-21) level, he might have had more chances to show why he’s valued so highly.
United To Swap Anderson For Lyon Keeper?
Perhaps the search for a long-term #1 for United could be solved with a swap deal involving misfit midfielder Anderson and Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: It is one to ponder for the summer, given that both parties are interested in the respective players that they would receive. Anderson might be running out of chances to impress at United, and the chance to land a top young keeper in Lloris isn’t one to pass up when it‘s such a pressing need for the near future.
Motta Heads To Manchester
Roma right back Marco Motta confirmed last night that he is joining Manchester City on loan for the rest of the season. (Goal.com)
Analysis: It’ll be interesting to see how much he figures into Roberto Mancini’s plans, but if it’s not much, then there’s really not a lot of difference between warming the bench at Roma and warming the bench at Manchester City.
Burnley Sign Cort
Burnley have signed defender Leon Cort from Stoke City. Burnley will shell out £1.5m initially and up to £2m overall for the veteran center back. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: He hasn’t really had a chance to do much in the Premier League, but he will help provide some experience and depth at the back for Burnley, and he could also chip in with the odd goal, as he’s shown the ability to do throughout his career.
Brazil
Robinho Close To Santos Switch
Santos officials were in Manchester today to put the finishing touches on their loan signing of Robinho from Manchester City. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Brazil – the land of redemption? It has been for Ronaldo and Adriano, so hopefully it will be the same for Robinho. At the very least, there’s another reason to watch Brazilian club football if you weren’t already.
Germany
Cologne Land Tosic
Cologne have signed Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic on loan for the remainder of the season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Even if the move doesn’t end up helping his future at Manchester United, Tosic does need the regular first-team football to remain match fit for the World Cup.
Russia
Dynamo Agree Benayoun Deal?
Dynamo Moscow claim to have agreed terms with Liverpool star Yossi Benayoun…but there is still the matter of agreeing a fee with Liverpool, which they hope to do within the next few days. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: Well…if the Liverpool board really want to give Benitez (and quite a few fans) to jump ship, then doing this deal would be the way to do it. I wouldn’t put it past them to do it, but all the same, seeing will be believing in this case.
Turkey
Galatasaray Loan Giovani
Galatasaray have signed Tottenham attacker Giovani Dos Santos on loan for the remainder of the season. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Getting the chance to link up once again with Frank Rijkaard will not only help make the transition a lot smoother, but it’ll help bring out what we haven’t quite seen since his move to Spurs.
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