There Is Only One Sinnacle

Raul set to join New York Red Bulls – report

The Madrid-based newspaper, that has close ties with Real, claims Raul is eager to play in America and will be paid the same wage he receives at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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New York Red Bull needs a big name player to go along with their new stadium. This team needs a buzz surrounding it. Juan Pablo Ángel is a classy player but he is able to walk around unnoticed in New York City. While Raul billboards wouldn’t be put up in Times square he is still a household name and more importantly can still score against MLS defenders.

Cesc Fabregas’ dad says his son would talk to Barcelona about a move but only at the end of the season. The Daily Mirror

With the transfer window shut for another 5 months papers (and websites) have to fill in the space somehow.

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero will have Premier League chairmen drooling after admitting a move could be on the cards. The 21-year-old Argentine says: “I have enormous affection for Atletico but you cannot say I’ll be here for ever.”: The Sun

How many Premier League chairmen can afford Aguero these days? The scary thing is the few who can most likely couldn’t spot Aguero in a police lineup.

Roberto Mancini is planning a £6 million bid to bring 22-year-old West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans to Eastlands. The Daily Mirror

Makes perfect sense for an Italian coach to bring in a Scottish player.

The Manchester City boss is also interested in Fiorentina central defender Alessandro Gamberini.
Full story: Daily Mail

Now this may have some legs come the summer.

Portsmouth and England keeper David James could lead the exodus of the club’s top players if the cash-strapped side goes bust. The Daily Mirror

Where would David James go? More importantly where would David James go where he can start?

Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is first choice to replace West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola should the Italian leave the east London club. The Daily Mirror

Even with yesterday’s win it appears Zola will be on the hot seat for the foreseeable future.

Chelsea’s first summer target will be Barcelona’s £30m-rated right-back Dani Alves. Daily Star

Too little too late. Chelsea couldn’t get a deal done when Alves was with Seville a couple of years back. Can’t see any player wanting to leave Barcelona now.

Manchester United are on the hunt for Roma’s 15-year-olds Valerio Verre and Filippo Cipriani. Daily Mail

Manchester United pissed off Lazio to no end when they signed Federico Macheda a couple of years ago. Maybe it’s United turn to now do the same to Roma.

Wigan and Sunderland will renew their interest in Paraguay international Cristian Riveros over the summer. The midfielder currently plays for Mexican side Cruz Azul.: Daily Mail

Best to do it now before the World Cup. As I’m tipped Paraguay to surprise a few people if this happens to be the case someone like Riveros value would surely go up.

Arsenal have beaten Liverpool to the signature of Marouane Chamakh. The Bordeaux striker is set to agree a five-year, £50,000-a-week deal with the Gunners. The Mirror

Sounds a little cheap for the going rate of a top European striker in the EPL.

Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic has ignored interest from Manchester City and Birmingham and has agreed to join Liverpool this summer. The Mirror

Done deal, free transfers are always tricky because if a club pays a transfer fee that player usually gets a fair shot at a starting spot. With a free transfers they usually have to work twice as hard to earn a place since it’s much easier for a coach to justify not starting him.

Out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has admitted he may be forced to look for a new club after failing to force his way into new manager Robert Mancini’s plans. The Times

Manchester City would be foolish to let Ireland go. Stephen Ireland could be to Manchester City what Frank Lampard is to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that when it comes to signing the world’s best players, the Gunners cannot afford the top stars. The Times

Great thing to say to the 60,000 people who pay top dollar to watch games at Emirates Stadium.

Bolton are seeking a second opinion in the case of Gary Cahill’s blood clot – a condition that could end the defender’s World Cup dream. The Mirror

One of the few missteps Martin O’Neill has had in the transfer market since taking over Villa was letting Cahill leave for Bolton. Shame to see his season and most likely a place in the England set up is over.

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh says he would prefer to join Arsenal over Liverpool in the summer. Chamakh’s contract with the French club finishes at the end of the season. Daily Mirror

Too bad Wenger didn’t bring in Chamakh last summer instead of next summer. Maybe Arsenal title chances wouldn’t be flat lining.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is to reject a new contract at Arsenal and instead join Spanish side Barcelona. Spanish newspaper Sport

No idea how legit this story is but after losing to Manchester United isn’t the best time to try and lock up Fabregas.

Portsmouth could be welcoming their fifth owner of a turbulent season after executive director Mark Jacob revealed that “two or three groups” have approached the board. Daily Mirror

To Liverpool or Manchester United fans who hate their owners just remember, things can always get worst. Compared to Portsmouth, Liverpool and Manchester United ownership picture looks rosey.

Sacked England captain John Terry has phoned new skipper Rio Ferdinand to offer the Manchester United defender his support. The Sun

First smart thing Terry has done in awhile.

Robinho made a dream debut on his return to Brazilian team Santos by coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Sao Paulo. Full story: Daily Mail

Could of used Robinho against Hull last weekend.

Euro 2012 Draw: Italy Meet Serbia, Germany-Turkey & Portugal-Denmark

The qualifying draw for Euro 2012 was made in Warsaw, Poland with Group C arguably the toughest where Italy, Serbia and Slovenia were placed together.

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I’m happy with the draw. Norway will be a tough 3rd seed but like the fact Portugal gets to meet up with Denmark again. Mind you I’m sure after beating Portugal in World Cup qualifying Denmark is pretty happy about it themselves. Hopefully this go around Portugal doesn’t take Denmark or any other country lightly.

Group A

Germany
Turkey
Austria
Belgium
Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan

Group B

Russia
Slovakia
Republic of Ireland
FYR Macedonia
Armenia
Andorra

Group C

Italy
Serbia
Northern Ireland
Slovenia
Estonia
Faroe Islands

Group D

France
Romania
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Belarus
Albania
Luxembourg

Group E

Netherlands
Sweden
Finland
Hungary
Moldova
San Marino

Group F

Croatia
Greece
Israel
Latvia
Georgia
Malta

Group G

England
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Wales
Montenegro

Group H

Portugal
Denmark
Norway
Cyprus
Iceland

Group I

Spain
Czech Republic
Scotland
Lithuania
Liechtenstein

If rumours are to be believed Fabio Capello has shown who is boss by stripping the captaincy from John Terry after a meeting which took place today.

My respect for Capello would grow if he took a firm and heavy hand in dealing with this matter. It’s like the movie Casino, old school Italians are not going to deal well with people missing around with each others wifes (or girlfriends). The only different is Frankie most likely won’t end up taking a bat to John Terry in some cornfield over this.

Aston Villa are to hold talks in the summer with midfielder James Milner regarding a new contract. He signed a four-year deal when he became Villa’s record signing in a £12m switch from Newcastle 18 months ago and is under contract until June 2012. Wolverhampton Express & Star

James Milner’s agent must be happy hearing this news. Between Milner and Ashley Young you have to edge the edge to Milner being Villa best midfielder this season.

Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, is being chased by Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona – according to his dad. The Sun

Key part of his rumour “according to his DAD.” According to my dad I could be playing for Benfica if I had applied myself. According to reality I had no pace and no right foot.

City also want to bring Lazio striker Mauro Zarate back to England to replace Robinho – the Argentine previously had a spell at Birmingham. Goal.com

It’s not like Zarate is leading Lazio to new heights. He is a good player but it would be foolish spending lavish amounts of money for a player who won’t play week in and week out.

Manchester United are resigned to losing Nemanja Vidic in the summer, with AC Milan ready to rival Real Madrid’s £20m attempt to prise him away. Daily Mirror

You knew once Manchester United bought Chris Smalling from Fulham rumours of Vidic’s exit would heat up. Don’t image United buying Smalling so he can be a 4th central defender.

The Gunners boss has also apparently stepped up the chase for £14m France striker Loic Remy, dubbed the ‘new Thierry Henry’. The Sun

Ryan Babel was once dubbed the Dutch Thierry Henry, that hasn’t gone according to plan.

Manchester City have offered first-team regulars at Eastlands a bonus of £1m each to take the club into the Champions League and win the FA Cup. Daily Express

What do they mean by first team regulars? Manchester City do play a lot of different players. Would Rogue Santa Cruz be listed as a first team regular and if not what motivation does he have then? This offer should be for the entire team in order to make it mean something.

Aston Villa have banned youth defender Nathan Baker from this month’s League Cup final after the 18-year-old was caught selling his ticket allocation for the game on social networking site Facebook. (Various)

The kid is 18, it was dumb and he’ll learn from it. Image he’ll be getting more friend request in the coming days.

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is looking into selling his company’s NHL ice hockey team the Dallas Stars. The Guardian

Tom Hicks would sell you the shirt off his back if you came up with enough cash.

Five Portsmouth fans will walk into the Premier League’s luxurious offices in London on Friday looking for answers as to why their club has become football’s financial basket case. The Times

Really are those fans dumb? Fratton Park only holds 20k with no luxury boxes. Toronto FC make more on game day than Portsmouth does. Toronto FC hasn’t paid over 50 million in transfer fees nor have players making serveral million dollars on the books. The Premier League’s TV money can only take you so far.

Deco reveals retirement plans

Deco, 32, was born in Brazil but received Portuguese citizenship in 2002 after spending six years in the country playing for Benfica and Porto.

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After all these years I have never quite figured out what I should make of Deco. He was always one of those all or nothing type players. You can generally tell within the first 20 minutes of a game if Deco is going to make an impact or not. I even remember at the time wondering if Deco should even be on the National team, then he kissed the crest when he scored against Iran in the last World Cup. From then on I’ve been good with Deco playing for Portugal.

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs believes team-mate Wayne Rooney is about to join Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid duo Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in being seen as the best players in the world. Daily Star

Win and score in a Champions League final as the key player of a team then we will talk. No denying the form Rooney is in however.

England manager Fabio Capello will give Chelsea defender John Terry the chance to quit as England captain following newspaper revelations about his private life. The Sun

Newspapers must love this story breaking just after the transfer window closes. Gives them plenty to write about in normally quiet period.

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan, has signed up for an Italian cookery course. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said the former England captain. (Daily Star)

Guess in point stories like these.

Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai, who has so far lent Portsmouth £20m, is exercising his right to seize control after the cash-strapped club failed to honour their repayments to him. The Sun

Chainrai has taken over the 90% shareholding held by Ali Al Faraj to become Portsmouth’s fourth owner in a year. The Guardian

No idea why Chainrai took over the club now, if he had bought it earlier in the season Portsmouth would at least have a chance to stay up.

Capello’s hopes of having Owen Hargreaves fit for the World Cup finals have suffered another blow after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson removed the midfielder from his Champions League squad. The Times

Hargreaves was one of the few England player’s who plays better in a big game. Still remember him and Arron Lennon scary the hell out of me when England took on Portugal four years ago. Was the only player to score from the spot too.

Barcelona are piling the pressure on Arsenal, with the Spanish giants planning a £40m summer swoop for midfielder Cesc Fabregas. The Sun

Barcelona are also interested in another Gunners player, midfielder Emmanuel Eboue. The Sun

Both Fabregas and Ebouse rumours to Barcelona leave me sppechless.

Arsenal midfielder and captain Cesc Fabregas is set to rejoin Barcelona in the summer. The 22-year-old Spaniard is contracted to the Gunners until the end of the 2013/2014 campaign but is unhappy with the team’s lack of ambition. (Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo)

At least Fabregas would remember what it’s like to win again by joining Barcelona and no I don’t believe this rumour.

Unsettled striker Roman Pavlyuchenko could still secure his Tottenham exit. The transfer window remains open in Russia and Pavlyuchenko’s agent spoke to the Lokomotiv Moscow president three times on Monday about a deal. Daily Mail

This exit will only come in the summer til then it’s more of the same for Pavlyuchenko.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is unconcerned with stories surrounding boss Rafael Benitez. Despite reports in Italy over the Spaniard’s potential move to Juventus, Carragher said: “Liverpool has always had speculation about managers, players, players coming, players going and it’s the same as managers.” (PA)

Rafa’s people sure attached themselves to the Juventus coaching uncertainty quite well. Rafa Benitez is like dating a girl who you’re pretty sure won’t cheat on you but will talk to other guys at the bar.

Paris St Germain’s bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Anderson fell through because the French club were reluctant to pay the Brazilian’s wages. Daily Mail

How far along in the process could PSG of been if they didn’t want to pay Anderson what he is making at Manchester United?

One of the most unusual deals on deadline day was Mido’s move to West Ham – where he will be on the lowest wages for a player in the Premier League. The Egypt striker signed on a six-month loan from Middlesbrough for £1,000 a week and Hammers owner David Sullivan called the deal “one of the most amazing of all time”.: The Sun

Mido to West Ham might work out for both club and player. Mido is used to life in London playing with Tottenham, then again the oft travelled Mido is used to life in a lot of different cities.

Midfielder Park Ji-Sung has warned Chelsea that Manchester United will not capitulate as the Premier League title race heats up. The Sun

Was Chelsea at any point thinking that Manchester United was going to lay down and give them the title?

Fiorentina and ex-Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine last week, has been labelled a “child” by the Italian club’s sporting director Pantaleo Corvino. The Sun

Considering the offers Fiorentina must of turned down over the years for Mutu this positive test must make the club sick.

It wasn’t the most dramatic of transfer deadline days, with less than £20m being splashed out in the final 24 hours of the window. Daily Mirror

Not even close to the £170m that was spent this time last year.