As you could expect, the transfer gossip pages are being dominated by Manchester City’s potential big, big, big money move for AC Milan star Kaka. But while that’s the headline of headlines right now, there’s plenty else to report on the transfers news and rumors front.
England
Manchester City are really serious about this Kaka thing, aren’t they? It was supposedly off, but Mark Hughes says it’s back on, and it’s full speed ahead. (Daily Express)
Analysis: Don’t get too excited about managing him though, Mark. If you don’t inspire the squad you have, you’ll have to be watching him as a spectator like most of us.
On a serious note, adding a superstar like Kaka would really put City on the map, and there’s no doubt he’d have quite an impact. But, he’s more want than need, and when it comes to need, they need to beef up the defense.
One of their defensive targets is Marseille defender Taye Taiwo, who they recently made an unsuccessful bid for. However, the Nigerian’s agent says that Marseille could be tempted to sell if City do offer the right money. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: City’s need for a left back has been lessened by the signing of Wayne Bridge, but as Chelsea showed by having two top-notch left backs in their ranks, you can never have too much quality depth, especially in defense.
Tottenham are set to make an offer of £14m for Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios. (The Mirror)
Analysis: An offer they can’t refuse?
Something even more eye-catching than Tottenham’s potential offer for Palacios is the fact that Spurs could swoop for Roy Carroll. Yes, that Roy Carroll.
Analysis: Surely he’s just trying to wind up the support. Surely.
Speaking of Manchester United, they could be set to hijack Tottenham’s move for Palacios. (Daily Mail)
Analysis: And we thought United would be pretty quiet in the January window? So much for that, huh?
Newcastle have made a bid of £5m for Rennes midfielder Stephane M’Bia, and Joe Kinnear has also confirmed that talks are ongoing with West Ham about a move for Lucas Neill. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: M’Bia snubbed Everton last summer, so it’d boggle the mind a little as to why he’d move to Newcastle when he’s reportedly being followed by the likes of AC Milan and Fiorentina. Now if the move actually goes through, we’ll see just how big time Mr. M’Bia really is.
Blackburn are preparing for the potential sale of Roque Santa Cruz by making a £4m swoop for Austrian striker Marc Janko. (The Mirror)
Analysis: No telling how well he’ll do in the Premier League, but he certainly has an eye for goal.
Bolton won’t be signing Denilson, after Gary Megson decided that his style didn’t quite fit into theirs. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Bolton turning down Denilson?! Well I’ll be! Really though, if he doesn’t fit, then there’s no point in trying to put a square peg in a round hole, as they say.
Sheffield United are set to use the money from the sale of James Beattie to Stoke City to get David Nugent from Portsmouth for £3.5m. (The Sun)
Analysis: If he wasn’t keen on a move to Everton, then Sheffield United can’t get their hopes up too high. But, that’s why they’ve also made a £400k bid for Chesterfield hotshot Jamie Ward, who is in the midst of a brilliant season for the League Two side.
Italy
AC Milan’s hopes of signing Liverpool defender Daniel Agger have been given a boost after Agger’s agent traveled to Milan to meet with the club’s sporting director. (The Guardian)
Analysis: There’s still the matter of agreeing a fee with Liverpool, and that there is the hard part.
AC Milan are set to beat out the likes of Manchester United and Juventus for the signature of young Brazilian defender Felipe Mattioni. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Gremio are none too happy about the way things went with Mattioni’s transfer, but as for the Rossoneri, he’s another one for the future, and that could pay off well for Gremio in a few years’ time.
If there’s a juicy rumor that you may have missed, post it in the comments along with the link to the source, if possible.
And if you want to keep up with all of the latest confirmed transfers, check out our updated January 2009 transfer lists.
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