As we gear up for another exciting weekend of football action, it’s also time to gear up for the end of the summer transfer window.
With the hours steadily ticking down towards Tuesday’s deadline, time is getting thin for clubs to finalize moves that are already in the works and have a chance to put their feet up on deadline day instead of making a mad dash to get things done at the last minute.
One of the busiest clubs right now is Everton, who had a mostly quiet summer with transfers into the club until recently. That no doubt took a few possibilities off of their board, but the Lescott sale has kicked off of a mini spending spree for David Moyes, who’s added a couple of quality signings already this week but is close to adding yet another.
Who else is hard at work to bolster their squads before the window slams shut? Find out the latest transfer news and rumors here, and keep yourself in the loop with all of the latest signings as they happen over the next few days with our summer transfer lists.
England
Everton Close On Heitinga
Everton have agreed a fee of £5.7m with Atletico Madrid for versatile Dutch international Johnny Heitinga, and the 25-year-old is discussing terms with his soon-to-be new employers. (The Guardian)
Analysis: Atletico are taking a loss on Heitinga, but their financial loss is Everton’s overall gain. Heitinga’s versatility to play multiple positions at the back and to be able to slot in as a midfielder makes him a quality asset, and so does his ability to find the net semi-regularly.
Muntari-Jenas Swap Deal For Tottenham?
According to the Daily Telegraph, Tottenham are set to offer £5m plus Jermaine Jenas to Inter Milan in an attempt to reunite former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari with Harry Redknapp.
Analysis: Jenas may be someone that Jose Mourinho has had interest in, and Redknapp can’t have enough former Portsmouth players in his squad (well, the good ones, at least), but despite the recent ‘row’ involving Mourinho and Muntari, I don’t see this one going anywhere.
West Ham Sign Diamanti
West Ham have completed the signing of Livorno striker Alessandro Diamanti for £6m. (Daily Mail)
Anlaysis: It might be considered a risk for a club that doesn’t have a ton of money to spend to use a chunk of it on someone who has little top-flight experience, but as shown by their signing of Brescia’s Savio Nsereko in January, taking a risk is not an problem for West Ham.
Fulham Turn To Novak
Fulham may not be getting Red Bull Salzburg’s Marc Janko after all, but Roy Hodgson is still in the hunt for another striker, and his man could well be MFK Kosice’s Jan Novak. The 24-year-old was the top scorer in the Slovakian top flight in 2007/08 with 17 goals, and he scored 18 goals in all competitions for Kosice last season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Novak’s got some skills, as shown by this fine move to net the equalizer in the first leg of Kosice’s Europa League playoff round tie against Roma. Excellent move to completely fool the Roma man, just as excellent of a shot to beat the keeper from a relatively tight-ish angle.
Sunderland Sign Mensah
Sunderland have signed Lyon defender John Mensah on a season-long loan deal. (The Mirror)
Analysis: It took a while longer than expected for the signing to be completed, but Mensah should fit into the mix right away, what with one of Sunderland’s current starting center back off to another Premier League club (more on that below).
Spurs Duo Off To Pompey
Portsmouth have signed Tottenham midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng in a £4m deal, and the club has also brought in Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara on loan until the turn of the year. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: O’Hara still fits into Harry Redknapp’s plans for the future, but he needs regular football and more first-team experience in the present, so the move is good for him. As for Boateng, well, he didn’t really figure into Redknapp’s plans from the time he arrived, but he’s got a lot of promise, so he could be a big hit at Portsmouth if he chooses to take advantage of the opportunity.
Potters Look Toward The (Stadium Of) Light
After signing Middlesbrough’s Robert Huth, Stoke are busy trying to further bolster their back line, as Sunderland defender Danny Collins is in talks over a move to the Britannia Stadium. (BBC Sport)
Analysis: Collins started each of Sunderland’s first three Premier League matches and has been a key player for the club for the last several seasons, but Sunderland’s pursuit and acquisition of Mensah made him an expendable asset.
However, Stoke’s push to land striker Kenwyne Jones has been far less successful, as Sunderland manage Steve Bruce has dismissed any possibility of such a move happening. (Sunderland Echo)
Analysis: The partnership of Jones and Darren Bent has proven to be quite profitable thus far, with Bent providing the winner in the season opener against Bolton and Jones netting a match-winning brace against Blackburn, and if the production continues as it has, that duo won’t be broken up anytime soon.
Spain
Atletico Move For Torres?
According to Spanish news sources, Atletico Madrid could soon move to land Real Madrid defender Miguel Torres. (Goal.com)
Analysis: A move to Atletico Madrid would no doubt give Torres the opportunity to have a lot more regular first-team football and give himself a chance to earn a place in Spain’s senior team in the near future, but for the sake of maintaining a nice amount of depth at the back, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Real to hold on to him for the time being.
Italy
Roma After Vennegoor Of Hesselink
Roma could be set to snap up former PSV Eindhoven and Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink on a free transfer. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Their financial situation puts them in a position of having to go the inexpensive route, but this would be a solid signing. They’re set with their starting forwards, but Vennegoor of Hesselink would provide quality depth and off of the bench, and with the scoring record he has in his career, he can be counted on to find the net fairly regularly.
Brazil
Palmeiras Loan Love
CSKA Moscow have loaned striker Vagner Love to former club Palmeiras until July 2010. (AFP)
Analysis: Normally, this would be a lot more surprising, but given that there are extenuating circumstances, then it’s a move that had to come about. Unfortunate for Love and CSKA both, but it’s yet another reason to keep a regular eye on the Brazilian league if you weren’t doing so already.
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