Arsenal target Spaniard for Clichy’s replacement
THT Verdict: Jose Enrique has been identified as a possible replacement of the last Invincible in the Arsenal team. The Spaniard is valued at 10 Million by the Toons but Arsene is sure to negotiate if he is serious about getting the man. The 25 year old will be a very decent addition to the squad. He is a very level-headed defender who is good with overlapping runs. The Arsenal manager might have to fight with Liverpool to acquire the services of the Spaniard as Arsenal has already turned down a 5 Million bid for Clichy from the Merseyside.
Fabio Capello linked with Inter job
THT Verdict: Not likely. With Leonardo leaving the post after only few months in charge, rumors are flying thick and fast about the vacant managerial post.While Capello is indeed under the scanner as the England coach, but he has recently gone on record to commit himself to the England job till after the 2012 Euro.
Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/928835/fabio-capello-linked-to-inter-job?cc=4716
Samuel Eto’o to Man City?
City are also being linked with Samuel Eto’o after the Inter striker filed a “come and get me” plea with the relevant authorities. “I have many offers and I now have a month to think about what I have to do,” said Eto’o. “At 30, the next contract will be my last big one and so I have to decide if I want stay at Inter or not. If it is about 200 or 300 thousand that will not make a difference to me,” he said, generously offering to accept a figure somewhere in between. “Playing in England is an idea I have had in my head for some time and now what matters to me is finding a good team.”
THT Verdict: When Manchester City enters a race, anything can happen. Samuel Eto’o is a proven customer and has established his quality as a top marksman in Spain and Italy. England remains the only untested top tier league for the mercurial African. As said by Eto’o himself, at 30 this could very well be his last move, hence a lucrative offer by City can do the trick for Eto’o, who has won it all in club level. Although Eto’o rejected a move to City two years back, the whole scenario depends on Carlos Tevez. If the bullish Argentine leaves the Eastlands, Mancini would need a top striker to compete in Europe. Eto’o fits the bill perfectly.
Villareal Reject Barcelona Offer For Rossi
The Yellow Submarines have reportedly rejected an initial offer from Barcelona for Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi. The Catalan giants however, are expected to return with an improved offer for the player.
THT Verdict: Likely. By the end of the transfer window, Rossi is likely to be a Barcelona player. Not that the current Barcelona squad needs him desperately, but his inclusion will give David Villa some breather as the forward will turn 30 in December. Rossi has it in him to become the second best left-footer behind Lionel Messi.
Liverpool : Update on Cassano, Adam & Mata
Antonia Cassano has been strongly linked with Liverpool since yesterday. The striker is reportedly looking to leave AC Milan due to the lack of first team opportunities. However, from Liverpool’s perspective the development seems a bit strange. Undoubtedly, Cassano could come in handy in the absence of Suarez or Carroll but Liverpool already have Dirk Kuyt to fill in that spot if necessary. The only way this seems plausible is if Liverpool fail to land Connor Wickham from Ipswich Town.
Reports in media suggest that Blackpool are holding out for a sum of 11 m Pounds for their captain Charlie Adam while Liverpool have registered a bid in the region of 9 m Pounds. Blackpool are likely to hold on to the player for a while in order to inflate the prices amidst alleged interests from Tottenham and Man United. But what is increasingly clear is the fact that Liverpool are in the market for a play maker, with Fernando Gago and Javi Martinez as backup options if the Adam deal does not materialize. Does that suggest that Raul Merieles might move out of Anfield in the summer?!
Sid Lowe in his editorial about the Finacial Condition of Valencia indicated a move for Juan Mata to Liverpool as a genuine possibility. We understand that Mata is a primary target for Liverpool and only if the deal does not materialize will the club look towards Downing. Aston Villa are tough negotiators and that could be a detterent for Liverpool to acquire the service of the player.
Vucinic’s Agent Confirms Talks With Juventus
It looks increasingly clear that Mirko Vucinic will be leaving AS Roma this season. A number of English clubs are reportedly interested in him but his agent claims to be holding meetings with Juve officials.
THT Verdict: Vucinic is a classy player but has also been known to be a wild spirit. He will soon be 28 years old and it wont be ideal for Juve to build their squad around a player like this. However, its still not clear if Juve will sign Fabio Quagliarella permanently, Vucinic can well be a replacement for Quagliarella.
Newcastle United Beat Liverpool To Marveux Signature
Media houses in England are confirming that Newcastle United have hijacked the move for Sylvain Marveaux, who was originally heading towards Anfield. The player has been offered a 5 year contract at St.James’ Park and will join the club on July 1st.
THT Verdict: The exact reason for Marveaux not having signed with Liverpool is not clear as yet but Newcastle United seem to have pulled off a transfer coup in beating the Reds overnight to his signature. The player is definitely a good signing for the Magpies and with the recent signing of Demba Ba, they would need a winger to send in the crosses and Marveaux is a perfect fit that way. The only downside is that the player has a poor fitness record has often been plagued with injuries in the past.
Luka Modric Moves Closer To A Chelsea Switch
‘I have an arrangement with the chairman. When I signed my new contract, he said that, if another club came to sign me, they would consider the offer. Chelsea are a big club with an ambitious owner. They have great players and they have ambitions to fight for the title and win the Champions League. I want to stay in London. I am very happy here and so are my family. I like the city. ‘I need to talk with the chairman. I won’t ask for a transfer, no. That would be disrespectful. I hope they can reach an agreement (with another club) that is satisfactory for everyone. I don’t want to have an argument with Tottenham. The supporters have been very good to me and I have enjoyed my time playing for the club, but it is for football that players leave clubs and move. It has happened to Tottenham before. It is normal for a player to dream about playing for a bigger club.’ – Modric, on his move to Chelsea.
THT Verdict: Likely. This interview appears to be genuine, and thus will not go down well with Tottenham. Chelsea are expected to return to the table with a 30m pound offer – and, it will not be easy for Spurs to reject the bid this time, knowing that their player has spoken. Both the Manchester clubs are also in the hunt, but as per the Croatian’s own admission, he wants to stay in London and play for a bigger club. As it stands, all roads lead to Chelsea; however, many a times, the West London club has failed to complete deals in the past as well, for one reason or the other. We would just have to wait and watch how this drama unfolds. The transfer can work for all three parties – Tottenham can get 30-odd million and reinvest in Parker et al, Chelsea will get the creativity in the centre, and Modric will move to a club which is a strong contender for Champions League and Premiership each season. A match made in London, one can say!