There Is Only One Sinnacle

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell says the club are not willing to pay £35m for Arsenal’s Cesec Fabregas but says the midfielder is doing “everything he can” to move to Spain. (Catalan station TV3)

Barcelona can claim Cesc Fabregas isn’t worth 35 million but to Arsenal he is. Sadly this story will drag on forever.

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy is a £7m target for Roma and the Italian club are willing to sell striker Mirko Vucinic. Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal want 12 million which is holding things up. Clinchy would be a good fit for Roma who have been quiet so far this off season.

Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas will bring Colombia striker Falcao to Chelsea when he is appointed at Stamford Bridge. The player will cost £26m. the Independent

Sheds tear over this tragic turn of events in the last couple of days.

Tottenham are prepared to offer £17m for Bolton centre-half Gary Cahill.
Full story: the Sun

Gary Cahill is a good player but I see a guy like Daniel Carriço of Sporting who is just s good as Cahill if not better at half the price.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish remains interested in signing Stewart Downing, despite new Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish’s reluctance to sell the England winger. Full story: Daily Mirror

Cause I’m sure Kenny Dalgish is really scared of Alex McLeish wanting to hold on to Downing.

Schalke midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado is wanted by Arsenal and could cost £7.5m.
Full story: the Sun

Schalke pays Jurado too much for me to be interested.

Paris St Germain are preparing a £10m bid for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Full story: Daily Star

After last year I wouldn’t blame Berbatov is he decided to sit on the bench at Manchester United before leaving on a free transfer.

Manchester City have been given fresh hope in their attempt to sign Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez as the Italian club’s negotiations with Barcelona seem to have broken down.
Full story: Daily Star

I’d feel for the agent who has to tell Sanchez instead of going to Barcelona he is going to Manchester City.

Wigan are finally set to sign goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi in a £4m deal from Bolton.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Good piece of business for Bolton getting 4 million for a goalie who wasn’t in the teams plans.

Damn you BBC for saying Andre Villas Boas to Chelsea is a done deal. All I wanted was for Villas Boas to guide this Porto team into the Champions League for one season then he could of gone. For a man who is uneasy about the Jose Mourinho comparison he doesn’t do himself any favours taking all his old jobs.

Porto is still one of the smartest teams in football. 15 million for a manager is beyond brilliant. How many small clubs have just been run over by bigger clubs picking off their talent. Porto is smart enough to know they are going to sell but when they do it will be at their price on their terms.

As for the Chelsea gig itself it’s not going to be easy for Villas Boas. They are a lot of sharks in the water at Chelsea, unlike Porto will a bunch of young hungry players were open to his ideas. Villas Boas is going to have to find a tricky balance of bringing in fresh faces to the team while moving along some of the older players who are the mainstays of this Chelsea side. Villas Boas does have the advantage of working with most of these Chelsea players previously but it will be interesting to see how he will be able to sit down the likes of Lampard and Drogba and tell them they no longer are the star players at Chelsea.

QPR’s Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt claims both Chelsea and Arsenal have been in contact over a potential summer transfer. L’Equipe (French language)

Arsenal should make a move for Taarabt. He would be within Arsenal’s price range and as a former Tottenham player you know he will always want to stick it to his former club.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will buy “one or two” big players to try to keep Luka Modric at White Hart Lane. Metro

Tottenham should sell Luka Modric, fire Harry Redknapp the second he starts whining, bring in Mark Hughes and go from there.

Former Newcastle striker Micky Quinn says Arsenal have enquired about the availability of midfielder Joey Barton. Full story: talkSPORT

However, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour says Scott Parker should be signed for the Gunners instead.
Full story: talkSPORT

Between Parker and Barton I’d go for Parker. Sadly Parker is too old for the types of players Arsenal want.

Barcelona are considering selling striker David Villa to Chelsea in order to fund the purchase of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas. Metro

Villa didn’t set the world on fire but I’d rather have him than Fabregas.

New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish wants to sign goalkeeper Ben Foster and defender Scott Dann from his old club Birmingham. Daily Mirror

I’m sure Birmingham are going to love selling their best players to Aston Villa.

McLeish is also keen to battle it out with Manchester United and Liverpool for Blackpool’s £12m-rated midfielder Charlie Adam. Daily Star

Charlie Adam would only go to Aston Villa if Manchester United or Liverpool don’t end up making a move.

Let me come right out and say I hate this move….I hate it….I hate it….I hate it. It also has little do with Alex McLeish going from rivals Birmingham to Aston Villa. Making that move only proves what kind of man Alex McLeish is. I’d love to see the hypocrisie if Alex McLeish tries to convince the likes of Ashley Young to stay at the club when he himself left Birminham a club he took down not once but down in a cloud of dust.

Aston Villa fans still suffering from Martin O’Neill leaving deserved better than to hire a run of the mill manager who plays boring football who was also the coach of their local rivals. Do you really think top players are going to trip over themselves to play for Alex McLeish? Do you really think the likes of Stewart Downing are going to committ to Aston Villa with Alex McLeish? Aston Villa needed to make an impact when choosing their next coach, sadly they have done so for all the wrong reasons by tapping up Alex Mcleish from Birmingham.

Arsenal and Manchester City are considering a move for Inter Milan’s Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o after he revealed he would like to try his hand in the Premier League this coming season. “I have already shown that I have what it takes to play in Italy and I now have the idea of proving myself in England,” Eto’o told Corriere dello Sport. Corriere dello Sport

Eto’o would be perfect for Arsenal but considering he makes 12 million with Inter and the top earner at Arsenal makes 6 million I doubt Arsenal will break the bank for Eto’o.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also keeping tabs on Germany Under-17 striker Samed Yesil. The 17-year-old is yet to break into the first team at Bayer Leverkusen but has attracted the interest of a number of clubs across Europe after some dazzling form in the European U-17 Championship earlier this year.
Full story: talkSPORT

Then people wonder why Arsenal haven’t won in five years when it’s been just more of the same when it comes to the transfer market.

The north London club could be on the verge of a double transfer coup after opening talks over signing Bolton defender Gary Cahill, and their former midfielder Sebastian Larsson, who is a free agent after leaving Birmingham. Metro

Fine I will admit Gary Cahill would be a decent signing for Arsenal.

Wenger’s side are also poised to complete the signing of Lille forward Gervinho for £10.6m in the next 48 hours. Full story: Daily Mirror

Ok, Gervinho too especially at that price.

Liverpool are leading the chase to sign AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano, with sources close to the player suggesting he is keen on a move to England. talkSPORT

Why would Liverpool take on a head case like Cassano and why would Cassano come to Liverpool and try to take away playing time from Steven Gerrard.

Chelsea will return to Tottenham this weekend with an increased bid of £28m for midfielder Luka Modric. Spurs rejected their London rivals’ initial bid of £22m on Wednesday. Footy Bunker

35 million and Modric throwing a fit saying he wants to go to Chelsea will get it done.

Stoke City have made a club record £12m bid for Birmingham centre back Scott Dann, with Liverpool and Tottenham also considering bids for the 24-year-old. Daily Mail

Despite having to pay extra Dann would be a good move for Stoke City.

Wigan Athletic have told Newcastle United that midfielder Charles N’Zogbia will cost £10m despite the Frenchman having only 12 months left on his current deal. (the Times)

8 million and the deal gets done.

Liverpool supporters have reacted angrily to the colour of the club’s new third kit. The new white with blue trim strip has seen fans vent their anger on the official Liverpool website, with many saying they would not buy the shirt because it included the colour of their fierce local rivals Everton.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Get use to John Herny and company whore out Liverpool for every dollar they can get at. Pretty soon they may be a dating show at Anfield like they’ve done with Fenway Park.

Arsenal are preparing an audacious bid to take striker Jermain Defoe from London rivals Tottenham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

I think the press like to link players to Arsenal that Arsenal fans would be annoyed it.

Tottenham have rejected a £22m bid from Chelsea for Croat midfielder Luka Modric.
Full story: Sky Sports

Tottenham may huff and puff but if Chelsea really want Modric they are going to sign him.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho wants to sign Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
Full story: Daily Star

No he doesn’t

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is lining up a bid for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who spent a loan spell at Real Madrid last season. Daily Mirror

Man what a drop that would be. From Real Madrid to Blackburn.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to make a surprise £12m offer for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam. Daily Star

It’s not a surprise when it’s been talked about here and there for about six months.

Arsenal duo Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have handed the club a double boost by signalling they are both happy to stay at the Emirates. Full story: Metro

And Fabregas has said his future at Arsenal is not certain and that a move to Barcelona “guarantees titles”.
Full story: the Guardian

In other words nothing has changed.

Inter Milan’s Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder will be allowed to leave to join Manchester United for a fee of about £35m. Daily Star

What is going on with Inter. You have Leonardo who may or may not leave Inter for PSG. You always hear rumours of Wesley Sneijder leave. Troubling times.

Inter Milan have started the bidding for Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Kaka, 29, at £26m.
Full story: talkSPORT

and 30 million should end the bidding war if Real Madrid do decent to sell.

Tottenham have been told to pay £18m if they want to secure the services of midfielder Lassana Diarra from Real Madrid. Metro

Real Madrid would be happy to sell Diarra for 15 million. With players coming in somebody’s has to leave.

Real Madrid have claimed that they are in talks with Liverpool about Argentine midfielder Fernando Gago. Full story: Daily Star

Glad someone listens to me. Gago is right for the pickings and is the type of player that could be given transfer of the transfer at year’s end.

Real Madrid are at loggerheads with Chelsea over the battle for Santos’s talented Brazilian forward Neymar, 19. Footy Bunker

No loggerheads, if Real Madrid want Neymar they will sign Neymar.

Liverpool are hoping to cash in on the turmoil at Newcastle by bidding £22m for left-back Jose Enrique and midfielder Jonas Gutierrez. Caught Offside

If I was going to spend 57 million on players from one team I don’t think Newcastle would be the first team that came to mind.

Aston Villa turned down the chance to install former Valencia, Benfica and Atletico Madrid coach Sanchez Flores as their new manager after Gerard Houllier left the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Good cause Sanchez Flores would just piss off his players. Not exactly a players coach.

Salomon Kalou says Chelsea failed to win the Premier League last season because too many players sulked if they did not get into the team. the Sun

Wish Kalou named names.

Manchester United are ready to seal a £27m deal for Udinese’s Chile midfielder Alexis Sanchez – under the noses of Manchester City and Barcelona. Daily Mirror

Manchester United is not going to sign Alexis Sanchez from under the noses of any club cause Udinese is going to shop any offer to other clubs to ensure they get the most out of Sanchez.

Arsenal have made an approach for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian, with a deal for the 23-year-old including a payment of £12m and Gunners midfielder Denilson in part-exchange. talkSPORT

Don’t think this will happen but it would be a great F.U to Denilson who wants to leave so badly. Enjoy the Ukraine.

Manchester City and Chelsea will submit bids for David Villa if Barcelona choose to cash in on the Spanish international forward in order to fund a move for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: Metro

David Villa didn’t exactly have a better year than Zlatan Ibrahimović who Barcelona ran out of town.

Meanwhile, Fabregas is desperate to quit Arsenal – according to Gunners team-mate Bacary Sagna.
Full story: the Sun

I’m sure Wenger loves the fact Sagna came out and said everything we already know.

Chelsea have been told they will have to fork out at least £44m for Palermo’s attacking midfielder Javier Pastore. The 21-year-old Argentine, who joined the Italian Serie A club two years ago for £5m, is also wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona. the Sun

Palermo should sell when the fire is hot. Pastore first half was much better than his second half last year.

Sunderland and Everton will step up their attempts to sign striker Demba Ba after he activated a clause in his contract allowing him to leave West Ham on a free transfer. Metro

Ba would chip in 10 goals a year in the EPL. Not a bad pick up considering you can now get him for a song.

Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, 23, is set to deliver a snub to Chelsea and Manchester City by signing for Juventus for about £40m from Atletico Madrid. talkSPORT

Juventus needs to make a big move like this is they are going to climb back to elite status in European football.

Alex McLeish will be named the new manager of Aston Villa by the end of Wednesday.
Full story: talkSPORT

Dumb move

In a league which will always be devoid of the type of players who can make magichappen in a blink of an eye this goal by Eric Hassli is top class no matter who league you are playing in.

This goal ought back fond memories of Maniche goal against Holland in the finals of Euro 2004. (Yes I consider that game the final as Euro 2004 ended there as far as I’m concerned.

Blackburn and Manchester United are ready to agree a compromise £20m fee to end their bitter dispute over 19-year-old Rovers defender Phil Jones. Daily Mirror

In other words Blackburn pitched a fit and wanted the same amount Sunderland got from Liverpool for Jordan Henderson.

Chelsea are ready to match the £30m asking price from Santos for 19-year-old Brazilian striker Neymar. Full story: Metro

The Stamford Bridge club have also joined Tottenham in the race to sign Everton’s 20-year-old midfielder Jack Rodwell. Full story: Daily Mail

I like the players Chelsea have been linked with. The other problem is with every new player who comes in someone from the old guard needs to go or else it won’t work.

Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke is ready to open his chequebook in a bid to keep contract rebel Samir Nasri at the club, amid interest from Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wenger is just going to tell Kroenke to close it cause you know once Nasri gets paid there are going to be other players with their hand out looking for theirs.

The Gunners are ready to listen to offers in excess of £25m for the 23-year-old French midfielder, however, Nasri will not be sold to another Premier League club. Footybunker.com

Sadly for Arsenal not many clubs outside of the EPL who have the 25 million handy.

Manchester City are lining up a £35m bid for Napoli’s 23-year-old Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik.
Full story: Footylatest.com

Well he is twice the player Gareth Barry is.

Liverpool and Aston Villa will battle to sign Real Madrid defensive midfielder Fernando Gago, 25.
Full story: Footylatest.com

Gago needs a fresh start. Perfect player who a coach to take a chance on.

Everton are making a second attempt to sign attacking midfielder Sergio Canales, 20, on loan from Real Madrid. Full story: Daily Mirror

I don’t see Sergio Canales adpating well to the British game.

Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro, 24, has joined Paris St Germain on a four-year deal, ending rumours of a possible move to the Premier League. Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal had been linked to the player.
Full story: talkSport

Always like it when a player decides to stay in his home country. That should put to bed these Kevin Gameiro rumours for awhile.

Newcastle hope to fend off late interest from Everton to sign West Ham striker Demba Ba, 26.
Full story: Daily Mail

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is weighing up an immediate £6m move for Celtic midfielder Scott Brown and could use goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who was on loan with the Glasgow club, in a player-plus-cash deal. (Daily Express)

I never pictured myself saying this but I actually like what Newcastle is doing in the transfer market. They saved the Andy Carroll money and used some of it on Yohan Cabaye who is a fine first signing.

Birmingham may take legal action against former manager Alex McLeish if he tries to take over at rivals Aston Villa after quitting Blues. the Sun

I can’t blame Alex McLeish for leaving. Trying to get a club back up again is a tough hill to climb. Then again can’t blame another EPL club for turning their nosies at Alex McLeish after all he did get 40 million to spend on players and despite having the full backing of his board still took the club down.

England strikers Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll have been ‘treating’ holidaymakers in Barbados to a few Beatles tunes. The duo belted out some of the band’s classics as they recharged their batteries on the Caribbean island. Full story: Daily Mail

This pair must make Liverpool fans happy.

Much like when Liverpool signed Andy Carroll I like Jordan Henderson the player, I don’t like the price tag they paid for him but I understand that is the price of doing business in the EPL.

On the flip side for some reason I do like Manchester United signing Phil Jones but the reality is Jordan Henderson will have more of a chance to breakthrough into the first team with Liverpool than Jones will at Manchester United.

Take away the 20 million pound fee and Henderson is the right type of player Liverpool should be going for. He is young, English, perfect for the EPL game, a lot of upside and a great box to box complement to go along with the likes of Lucas and Raul Meireles.

As for Sunderland being fans being mad they sold Jordan Henderson, Sunderland chiarman Niall Quinn should remind fans they are in the business of football. If Ronaldo has a price then surely Jordan Henderson does as well. 20 million quite simply is good business. More English teams should honest with themselves and admit every player has a price instead of fighting a losing battle. Where English clubs like Sunderland have failed is how they revest the money. If Sunderland were smart they would of already scouted replacements for Henderson six months ago and are now perpared to throw around some cash to sign 3-4 players to boost their squad.