England
No Remy Move For Arsenal
Arsenal are passing on making a move for Nice forward Loic Remy due to the French club’s staying firm over a £13m price tag for the highly-touted 23-year-old. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: On one hand, you say ‘sure, why not?’, because with such a tight title race, a Champions League run, and a rash of injuries to the forward line to think about, the need is there. But it might just be better to save that £13m for the summer and roll with a soon-to-be-fit Nicklas Bendtner, unless someone like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is somehow available on loan.
Birmingham Close On Boselli?
Birmingham City are said to be close to a club-record move for Estudiantes striker Mauro Boselli. The 24-year-old could be set to arrive for £11m, which would surpass the 9m spent on summer signing Cristian Benitez. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Birmingham have swung and missed with their pursuit of Premier League strikers so far, so why not try a target abroad, and a good one at that. Doesn’t seem likely that the deal will happen, but given Boselli’s scoring exploits, it is only a matter of time before he lands somewhere in Europe.
Sunderland In Benjani Talks
Sunderland are in talks with the representatives of Manchester City striker Benjani. (The Sun)
Analysis: Another last-minute January transfer in the cards for Benjani? Can’t say the Premier League would be as nice as they were the last time.
Wilshere Joins Bolton
Bolton have signed Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere on loan for the remainder of the season. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: With Wilshere and Vladimir Weiss in the fold for the next few months, Bolton supporters should be feeling a lot more chipper than they have been for much of the season. Safe to say that there’s never been a better time to watch Bolton play, even if they’re in the midst of a battle for survival.
Hammers Eye McDonald
West Ham have made an inquiry to Celtic regarding striker Scott McDonald, who’s currently a target for Middlesbrough and has also been linked with Wigan this month. (The Mirror)
Analysis: West Ham are close to landing Benni McCarthy from Blackburn, but they were in the market for multiple forwards and are still in need after losing out on Eidur Gudjohnsen. Celtic Lite, or Boro, rather, have made a £3.5m offer for McDonald, so West Ham need to act quickly if they are serious about him.
O’Hara Returns To Pompey
Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara is back at Portsmouth for a second loan stint, and he’s set to spend the remainder of the season at Fratton Park. (ESPN Soccernet)
Analysis: Well, about time there was some good news for Portsmouth. And there’s never a bad time to mention Danielle Lloyd either. I wonder how she likes it on the south coast?
Burnley Sign Fox
Burnley have completed the signing of Celtic left back Danny Fox for an undisclosed fee. (Football 365)
Analysis: After only leaving the Championship this past summer, I’m sure he doesn’t want to go back that quickly, so it’s safe to safe he’ll be playing his tail off.
Boro Loan Naughton
Middlesbrough have signed Tottenham defender Kyle Naughton on loan for the remainder of the season. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Seeing as how opportunities would’ve been (and ended up being) minimal for Naughton this season, I think it’d have been wise for Tottenham to have immediately loaned him back to Sheffield United as was the case with teammate Kyle Walker. Now, Naughton could have a role in keeping the club who developed him from having a chance to return to the Premier League.
Italy
Fiorentina Eye Rocchi And Tavano
Fiorentina are on the prowl for a new striker, and two of the names on the top of their list are Lazio star Tommaso Rocchi (Transfer Market Web) and Livorno’s Francesco Tavano (Transfer Market Web).
Analysis: Adrian Mutu’s failed drug test could have Fiorentina in a real bind, but even if he escapes a lengthy ban, it’s smart to land some cover either way.
Portugal
Porto Capture Kleber
Porto have signed Brazilian striker Kleber from Cruzeiro for a fee of 5.5 million euros, and they have also loaned out striker Ernesto Farias as part of the deal. (Goal.com)
Analysis: Porto have plenty of depth up front, but only summer signing Falcao is scoring consistently. So, there’s plenty of opportunity for Kleber to have an ample part over the last few months of the season.
Mendes Close To Sporting Switch
Sporting Lisbon have agreed a fee with Rangers for midfielder Pedro Mendes. (The Mirror)
Analysis: Unfortunate that a lengthy injury absence proved to be a difference maker in his chances for regular opportunities this season, but nonetheless it’s the right move.
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