EPL Gossip Wednesday July 28th
Benfica have slapped a £33m price tag on Brazilian central defender David Luiz, who is wanted by Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid. Daily Mail
And it is City who are believed to be leading Real Madrid in the bidding war for Luiz. imscouting.com
While it’s very much a look to the future squad, being called up to the Brazilian national team hasn’t hurt David Luiz stock any.
France coach Laurent Blanc says he will quit before the end of his contract if he fails to secure qualification for the 2012 European Championships.
He’d be fired regardless.
Meanwhile, the Eastlands club will end their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder James Milner and concentrate on offloading Craig Bellamy, Stephen Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz. Daily Star
You can say James Milner is better now but you can also easily say Adam Johnson has the talent to be just as good as Milner.
City are ready to sell Santa Cruz to Marseille for less than half of the £18m they bought him for.
Full story: Daily Mirror
You don’t spend 18 million on a 3rd striker. Roque Santa Cruz is one of many players who Manchester City has wasted massive amounts of money on.
Or the French side will try to sign striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City. imscouting.com
Another example right there. Adebayor brought his attitude but not his goals from Arsenal.
Striker Jo could also be on his way out of Eastlands, with Blackburn eager to snap up the City striker. Daily Mirror
Totally forgot about Jo.
Former Real Madrid striker Raul will disappoint Tottenham and Newcastle by joining German side Schalke 04. imscouting.com
This deserve it’s own post but happy for Raul. German football will add on extra years to his career. Playing in England would only mean being on the sidelines due to injury.
Maxi Rodriguez is ready to join the exodus from Liverpool, with his old club Espanyol keen to take the winger back to Spain in a bargain deal. Daily Mirror
Not a good sign when you hit the rumour mill only six months after arriving.
Blackpool are losing their fight to sign Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley on loan – but boss Ian Holloway will make Maccabi Haifa defender Dekel Keinan his first summer signing.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Going to be a long year for Blackpool.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will turn his attentions to German international central defender Per Mertesacker after being beaten to Sol Campbell’s signature by Newcastle. The Gunners are confident a £10m offer can persuade Werder Bremen to part with the 25-year-old. Daily Mirror
I’m sure Wenger is losing sleep at night over Sol Campbell leaving.
Several Premier League sides are tracking New York Red Bulls striker Macoumba Kandji after he played impressively against Tottenham and Manchester City in pre-season friendlies. (Daily Star)
Add me to the list of people who like Kandji who is a diamond in the rough. At 6″4 he can handle what English football has to offer.