It would be going a bit far to say that Manchester City are interested in every well-known player in Europe, but it certainly does feel like it these days, doesn’t it?
Subhankar and Victor both mentioned City in their transfer coverage today, and my roundup is dominated by City. And if you’re getting tired of it already, well, this appears to be just the beginning.
On to the good stuff!
Villa Up for Grabs Between City and Chelsea
David Villa’s in the form of his life, and it could net him a move to Manchester City or Chelsea, for the right price.
Santa Cruz Transfer Request?
The holiday season is a time for giving, but are Blackburn going to give Roque Santa Cruz his desired move to Manchester City? Looks like he’s hoping they do.
City in for World Cup Hero Grosso?
City could go into the bargain basket to add to their defense, as they’re being linked with a 7m bid for Lyon left back Fabio Grosso, best known for his World Cup heroics for Italy in 2006.
Liverpool and Manchester United Like ‘New Mascherano’
Liverpool are interested in Argentine midfielder and ‘new Mascherano’ Franco Zuculini, but they look to face heavy competition from Manchester United and Juventus.
“Transfer Rumors (3 Dec 08): Villa, Santa Cruz, and Grosso to City, Liverpool and Manchester United in for Zuculini” was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.
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Transfer Rumors (3 Dec 08): Villa, Santa Cruz, and Grosso to City, Liverpool and Manchester United in for Zuculini
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A few weeks ago, I reported on a tidbit from The Guardian about Roque Santa Cruz being unhappy about Blackburn’s struggles and wanting to move to Manchester City to reunite with Mark Hughes.
Now it appears that Santa Cruz is going to do what he must to get what he wants, as the Paraguayan striker is reportedly going to hand in a transfer request.
I’m not really sure how viable this report is right now, given that Santa Cruz has some other more important matters to deal with, but if it is, it’ll be news to Hughes’ ears, as City are in need of more firepower up front. It’ll be the opposite for Paul Ince, who already has a lot on his plate, what with the club in the relegation zone and having to bat away the resulting criticism and sack talk.
As much as Ince would no doubt like to hold on to a player who‘s contractually committed to the club until 2012, it does no good to have an unhappy player or an extra distraction on a side that’s already bogged down in the mire. Unless Blackburn start winning, Santa Cruz won’t be happy, and even if they do, he may not be.
With the fee that Blackburn could net from the sale of Santa Cruz, they could get a new striker (or two), a playmaker to help provide him with chances and at least partly fill the hole left by David Bentley, and perhaps a defensive reinforcement as well.
The January window will be a pivotal time for Blackburn in regards to their hopes of staying up, and Ince, if he’s still around then, will have a big decision to make on whether Santa Cruz stays to fight or he’s sold for the sake of survival.
“Sulky Santa Cruz to demand City move” was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.
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Sulky Santa Cruz to demand City move
According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester City and Chelsea are set to battle it out for Valencia star David Villa in January.
Villa was one of the summer’s hottest names, and a four-goal haul at Euro 2008 only served to fuel the speculation about him leaving the Mestalla. It looked like Valencia would eventually break and sell their star striker, but they chose not to cash in. Villa has repaid them with a blistering start to the season, with his 12 goals helping fire Valencia to third in La Liga, five points back of Barcelona after 13 matches.
Holding onto Villa could be a big benefit to Valencia’s hopes of remaining in the Champions League places and seriously challenging for the La Liga title, but their financial struggles could mean potential benefit gets sacrificed for immediate benefit.
City’s offer would likely be superior, and their immediate need for another striker is a little more pressing than Chelsea’s. However, I’m not sure if he’d leave a great situation in Spain unless he was going to a better one, and if Didier Drogba does indeed leave for Inter or somewhere else, I’d have to give the edge to Chelsea.
Whatever the price, there’s no doubt about whether City and Chelsea can pay it, and with that in mind, a bidding war could be just what Valencia might want in order to get the biggest fee for Villa. It may not match the exorbitant fees that were being bandied about in the summer, but he certainly won’t come on the cheap.
“Manchester City and Chelsea in Villa tussle” was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.
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Manchester City and Chelsea in Villa tussle
Today was quite a busy day for the transfer rumour mill. While Real Madrid’s first winter signing was confirmed, the Cristiano Ronaldo circus seems to be bracing itself for another ride.
Real Madrid Confirm Huntelaar Signing
Spanish champions Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Dutch international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Ajax for a reported fee of €20 million. Fortunately for Real, the 25-year old shall be able to feature in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Milan After Daniel Agger
Italian giants AC Milan are reportedly keen to sign the Liverpool defender Daniel Agger in January as their defence has been susceptible so far this season.
Casillas Rejected Manchester Twice
Real Madrid and Spain international goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed that he rejected megarich Premier League side Manchester City not once but twice!
Manchester City Eyeing Sevilla Duo
Premier League club Manchester City have been linked with the Sevilla duo Luis Fabiano and Diego Capel. But it would be very hard for them to convince the Sevilla president to part with the pair.
Inter Milan Interested in Cristiano Ronaldo
Now this is the biggest transfer rumour of the day. Reigning Italian champions Inter Milan have been reportedly told by Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent that the Portuguese international winger is available at the end of the current season. Well, now you should know what will happen next!
So these were the major transfer stories making the headlines today. There should be more of such transfer fodder for you tomorrow to enjoy.
“Transfer Round Up (Dec 3,2008) - Real Sign Huntelaar, Inter Milan Eyeing Ronaldo, Milan Chasing Agger And More” was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.
Today’s Transfer Rumor Roundup focuses on two Premiership clubs that promise to spend big, as well as a third that could join them. We’ll also take a look at one player who went from franchise cornerstone to someone who could leave in January, as well as Tottenham’s continued quest for a new goalkeeper. Finally, we’ll reveal why one player turned down a move to Juventus, and it has nothing to do with money!
AC Milan Back in for Gallas?
After ruling out a transfer for the former Arsenal skipper, AC Milan have done a 180 and are interested in acquiring William Gallas to shore up their defense. His price is thought to be £6 million or so.
Analysis: Gallas needs a change of scenery, and Tottenham might not be far enough for him. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Inzaghi, Sheva, Beckham, Pirlo, Gattuso, and now Gallas. Those are a lot of big egos for one club.
More Names on Spurs’ Keeper List
Spurs are interested in Chelsea’s Carlo Cudicini and Reading’s Marcus Hahnemann as possible solutions to their goalkeeping woes.
Analysis: Cudicini was once one of the top goalkeepers in the Premiership, and I’m surprised he’s stayed at Chelsea for as long as he has. We’ll see if he jumps at the chance to be a starter again. As for Hahnemann, he played well last year despite seeing his team go down to the Championship. Still, at 36, he probably isn’t the long-term answer.
Aston Villa Get £18 Million To Spend
Aston Villa owner, Randy Lerner, has pledged £18 million so that the club can sign a striker. Wigan’s Emile Heskey and Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz have been identified as the club’s top targets, although Henrik Larsson is a possibility.
Analysis: This could be Villa’s year to break into the top 4, so they have to go for it. John Carew’s been hurt, so they definitely need another proven striker to play alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor. Heskey has always been more of a facilitator rather than a scorer, so he could make Agbonlahor, Barry, Sidwell, and Milner better, but he won’t contribute goals himself. Santa Cruz seems to want to go to Manchester City, but he’d probably have a better situation at Villa, where there’s less competition and there’s the possibility of Champions League football next season.
Capel to Spurs or City?
Tottenham and Manchester City have been linked with Sevilla left-winger Diego Capel, who has indicated that he would consider a move away from his club. His price-tag looks to be about £12.6 million.
Analysis: Once again, it’s Spurs and City as the two clubs have seemingly decided to start printing their own money. He’d be a good addition to both clubs, particularly City, who have been unsettled on the left.
Schweinsteiger’s Girlfriend to Determine Destination?
Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has blamed Bastian Schweinsteiger’s girlfriend, Sarah Brandner, for vetoing a move to Turin.
Analysis: Talk about being whipped. Then again, if you had a girlfriend that looked like this, then you’d listen to her, wouldn’t you?
“Gallas to AC Milan, Villa Want Heskey or Santa Cruz, Why Bastian Schweinsteiger Turned Down Juventus, and more!” was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.
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Gallas to AC Milan, Villa Want Heskey or Santa Cruz, Why Bastian Schweinsteiger Turned Down Juventus, and more!