All New Summer 2008 Transfer Merry Go Round/Rumour Mill

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Jo's move to Man City has been blocked by the Premier League because he is co-owned by MSI (those guys just dont seem to go away).

Podolski would be a good signing for Spurs, however, he wouldn't want to play a bit part role like Defoe and Bent have done (hes been doing it at Bayern too long). So that I would guess would mean Berbatov definitely leaving, although all has been quiet on that front again.

 

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I thought Podolski could play on the left as well? As that's where I'd want him for. It'd make a nice change to have a Spurs team with a proper Left winger.

We have dos Santos to play on the left should we choose not to use Steed. Personally, if we sign Lukas, I wouldn't want him waste on the left wing.

 

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Why are Spurs fans going on about a new left-winger. I thought Steed did well there last season, got plenty of assists for the FF.

Steed did a good job I am not going to dispute that, however, he is right footed and there lies the problem. We want a balanced side and playing a right sided player on the left doesn't solve the problem. Also, with Lennon being out of form, Steed might be used on the right hand side, or through the middle where he is happiest. That is of course, if we dont get Bentley.

However, for me, I will never forget him for not stepping up to take that penalty against PSV in the UEFA Cup last season.

 

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Podolski is a funny player.. looks like a world-beater in these big International tournaments but for club he is as average as you like.

The complete opposite to every England International then.

 

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I still haven't bene answered about who chelsea should buy striker wise, we need one or two, maybe even 3.

Darren Bent is available

Anyone think that Arshavin could be on his way? Maybe to a Premiership club? I hope so, would loved to watch him week in and week out.

Spurs maybe

We don't need more midfielders, we need a CB and a GK apparently. Although, on Radio Five Live last night it mentioned us having a bid for Bentley accepted. Don't actually want him myself.

 

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A lot of talk about Spurs signing Mario Santana from Fiorentina... meant to be fairly good, but it begs the questions... why are we interested in another AMF? why are fiorentina selling him?

As I understand this deal has already been concluded in the fee of £4m. Not sure that we actually need him, but I feel that Ramos is looking to have a similar set up to the one he had at Seville, which could see us looking at a 4-3-3 formation. I cannot see a 4-5-1 formation with two class strikers, as it is, the 4-3-3 would see Keane and dos Santos playing wide with Berbatov (unless United sign him after selling Ronaldo) playing through the middle.

what do we REALISTICALLY think Ronaldo's fee will be if he goes ( not this £100m ******** ) ?

The £100m is likely to be unrealistic, and I would consider an offer of £40-£50m being more likely, with the possibility of Robinho being thrown in. However, if United are to sell, then I would expect them to be holding out for a World Record transfer fee plus player.

 

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As for Ronaldo, I really do want him to go and I show him no respect at all. Everyone knows he want's to go and I am sure most fans would wish him well given he has achieved as much as he can with us. How he has conducted himself is arrogant beyond belief. He actually thinks that he shouldn't show any respect to the club fans or SAF for that matter. There has been a lot better players than him leave the club thats for sure and they are welcomed back with open arms. He has come across as a complete mercenary over the past few weeks. I would say a lot more in respect of how much he has annoyed me but it really isn't worth the effort

Good riddance

Agreed.

Given Sir Alex' past history with players that cause trouble I can see him leaving, time after time SAF has said that no player is bigger than the club, and trouble makers have nearly always left.

However, United haven't had a player of Ronaldo's ability before under SAF and this could be one of the reasons he doesnt want to sell, the other could be because its Real Madrid and he doesnt want to sell to them because of the way they have handled the scenario.

 

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Allan McGregor could double his wages moving to the Prem, didn't know Scottish teams were on such "poor" wages compared to other leagues.

Theres no money in the game up there, so £20,000 a week is probably too much for them. He was rumoured to move to Spurs for around £10m but Rangers dont want to sell, hence the new deal.

Read this morning that Arshavin wants to play in Spain, but pretty sure that Abramovich will dictate where he plays next season.

As for us signing Villa, love to see it, but its not going to happen.

 

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15mill plus lennon for bentley? i hope not, hes good but not that good

No, its a player plus cash offer worth £15m so given Lennon seems to be valued around £6m by the media, it would be Lennon and £9m cash.

Not a bad deal for Blackburn that.

 

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As I said, he's crazy so you'll see him do crazy things from time to time.. i.e rushing off his line or dropping simple balls, but make no mistake about it he's a match winner for sure. Some of the saves I've seen him pull off I am convinced no other keeper could.

Would have liked him at Arsenal.

The save he pulled off from Malbranque in extra time of the UEFA Cup time was amazing.

 

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I feel fitness will be the key to our season. If we can keep our first team fit then we'll do well... very well, I'm just not so sure about our backups.

...........................Gomes

Hutton......Woodgate.......King.........Bale

Lennon........Modric......(??????)......(???????)

..............Berbatov..........Keane

With 2 more quality players in those spots, that's an exciting team

Nice side that, still waiting on Gomes to obtain a WP though (hasn't played for Brazil which could prove a stumbling block).

The back four picks itself, providing King stays fit it should do well, but there is always going to be that question mark over him, and his ability to last 2 games a week.

The Bentley deal is as good as done according to some news reports, which could spell the end of Lennon, either as a first teamer or as part of the deal for Bentley. Then you will have Modric, Zokora and dos Santos in the remaining midfield spots. Although we are looking at bringing a new DM to replace Zokora.

The strikeforce picks itself. The rumours on Berbatov have gone quiet. Some ITK from other forums suggest Ramos has convinced Berba to stay one more season with a promise he can leave next summer if we fail to deliver either the UEFA Cup or a Champions League spot. That is unless Ronaldo leaves United, which could see them make a bid.

Keane to Liverpool is a possibility if they could afford to buy him. Rumours are that he has asked to speak to Liverpool (again an ITK report) because he is a Liverpool fan. However, not so long ago he was interviewed saying he didn't want to leave Spurs. It is likely his future will rest on what happens to Berbatov.

Possible rumours this week for Spurs include an official approach for Podolski (as Bent is likely to move on) and the hunt for a new DM continues. Capel has been quashed as our latest offer was turned down.

 

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Because he currently plays for a team who won their domestic league and are in the Champions League next season whereas Spurs finished 11th and are only in the UEFA Cup next season.

The same Bayern team that he is getting as much football as Bent is at WHL? He wants to leave to actually play football. Apparently he has made only 42 appearances in the 3 seasons he had spent at Bayern.

 

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Keane hands in transfer demand shocker

More daily mail tripe.

Two problems with that though, Spurs don't have to sell him, and Crouch doesn't want to come to Spurs he wants to go to Portsmouth. So, its either £20m cash (which they wont have after signing Barry) or there is no deal.

Personally, if it goes through then Berbatov will definitely leave. He has struck up a good friendship with Keane, and if rumours of him giving us 1 more season are to be believed it would be down to Keane being there. Let him go and its all over, regardless of who we sign as a replacement (rumoured to be Podolski).

Still, its always nice to see contracts are worth the paper they are written on.

 

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I'll be gutted if Keane goes. He's a fighter and always gives 100% on the pitch. 3 Spurs player of the season awards in 5 years says it all. I can live with Berbatov going but not Keane as well.

We could be out of strikers soon and strikers aren't cheap to replace.

Yep. All have been linked with moves at some point this summer. Everyone expects Berba to go (although no concrete offers just persistent rumours, and they are running thin on the ground now though).

Bent is a surprise, but he clearly isnt favoured by Ramos and if we can recoup anywhere near half what we paid for him it might be worth taking.

As for Keane. Its a difficult one to call. He is a Liverpool fan and rumours are he has handed in a transfer request, but until it is actually an official bid being reported its rubbish. All the talk of Ronaldo going to Madrid, Ronaldinho to Man City, every tom d*ck and harry to Chelski rumours havent exactly materialised so I am not too worried at present.

As I said before, there are stumbling blocks and until Liverpool can prove they can get past these then there is no cause for concern. He is rated higher than Berbatov by many (Berbatov valued at £20-£25m), so would expect a huge fee (that only Chelski in England can afford) to be even worth considering, plus we have no reason to sell, which again puts us in a strong position, regardless if the player himself says he wants to leave.

 

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There's an easy solution to this problem. Sell crouch to Portsmouth for ~£15m, and pay Spurs that money plus extra for Keane. Ether way if he wants to play for another team I can't see much point in Spurs fighting it.

As above, Crouch isnt worth that much money in the last year of his contract. He has publically said he only wants to leave for Portsmouth, so that leaves Portsmouth in a take our £9m or leave it scenrio, and Liverpool in a take £9m or we lose him to the same club at the end of the season.

 

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Well we've got Ramsey although i don't think he'll feature much this season and Vela is going to be in the first team squad for the first time. The Nasri deal has gone very quiet and i've not heard of any others incoming recently. It is slightly worrying as even if we keep all of last seasons team (minus Flamini obviously) we still need more depth and cover especially on the left of midfield, CB and up front.

Hasn't Wenger come out and said that you don't need any more defenders though?

As you mention, so far you have only signed Ramsey, and obviously the arrival in the first team of Vela (so practically classed as a new signing) are not going to be enough to solve your problems. I am all for teams buying quality youngsters and getting them used to the playing style and slowly implementing them into the first XI (ala Fabregas) but when will Wenger learn that buying youngsters for the future wont resolve any problems you currently have.

 

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Newcastle sign Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

January rumours were that he was off to Pompy for £10m, but according to some sources he threatend a 'Webster' so the fee is much lower than that.

Looks like we are developing a professional approach to player recruitment and signing players without a fanfare and leaks to the press.

It won't last.

Will this mean Milner is definitely off to Liverpool?

 

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It's being reported that we made a new £15m bid for Barry today (not the ealier reported £17-18m).

Really hope the Keane stories are true. Excellent player, would be a great partner for Torres and im sure he'd love to join us too (sorry Spurs fans).

The same paper that alleged Keane handed in a transfer request are now reporting that Keane hasn't made a transfer request. Think they have realised the guy is on honeymoon and have quickly back tracked.

I doubt he will leave.

 

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The only thing Barry has done wrong is publically admit he wants to leave and slate Martin O'Neill in the process.

The interview he gave justified his reasons, and he feels let down by the club. He was told after Liverpool made an approach that Martin O'Neill would discuss a new deal with him, but rather than do that, he swanned off to the Euro's to make some cash on the side when his captain was the subject of a big money move.

He felt Martin O'Neill let him down and thus decided he isnt taking it anymore and is leaving. Nowt wrong with that.

 

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Aston Villa are demanding a high price because they'd've quite liked to keep hold of Barry... and Liverpool might be willing to pay such a high price because they feel Barry is the perfect player to work with Gerrard. Sure, he might not be worth that much, or be better than a list of other players, if you look at it in one way... but if you think that he might fit perfectly in the jigsaw then maybe it's worth paying a premium?

Totally agree.