Transfer news...

[h=1]Stoke sign Jonathan Woodgate after Tottenham contract expires[/h] • Centre-back agrees one-year deal after leaving Spurs
• Tony Pulis says club will 'manage' Woodgate's fitness





  • Press Association
  • guardian.co.uk, Monday 11 July 2011 15.25 BST Article history
    Jonathan Woodgate has signed a one-year deal with Stoke after leaving Tottenham. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

    Stoke City have completed the free transfer signing of the central defender Jonathan Woodgate. The 31-year-old joins after his contract at Tottenham Hotspur expired and has signed a one-year deal with his salary dependent on appearances.
    Woodgate, a former England international, started out at Leeds United before having spells with Newcastle United, Real Madrid and Middlesbrough in a career blighted by injury. He made just four first-team appearances over the last two seasons at Tottenham due to a groin problem.
    Speaking from the club's pre-season training camp in Austria, the Stoke manager, Tony Pulis, said: "The lad is a top-class player and it's been well documented that he has had his injury troubles, but we believe that if his fitness is managed properly, he will play games for us.
    "We know that other Premier League clubs were keen on signing Jonathan, so we are delighted he has chosen us. It's a chance we are taking, but one we were keen to take because of the stature and quality of the player."

    "We've effectively taken him on a pay-as-you-play deal which just shows how desperate the lad is to get his career back on the right track."
    The Stoke chief executive, Tony Scholes, added: "There is no doubt that we have acquired a player with outstanding quality and experience but he is one who has clearly struggled with injuries over the past two years.

    "However, sometimes a fresh start can trigger a change of fortunes. Jonathan has been working very hard throughout the summer on his fitness so he is desperate to make the most of this opportunity and to play in the Premier League."

 

​

Maofisa wa juu wa Manchester United jana usiku walikuwa karibu katika ku-finalise uhamisho wa £35million wa Wesley Sneijder kutoka Inter Milan.

United Chief Executive David Gill alikuwa akiongea na wawakilishi wa mchezaji na Inter Milan na mazungumzo yalikuwa yakienda vizuri kuelekea hatua za mwisho za kumsajili mdachi huyo.

Gill ambaye hakuwemo katika msafara wa United kuelekea US, akibaki England kukamilisha mazungumzo ya kukamilisha uhamisho huo utakaokuwa ni rekodi ya klabu.


Ikiwa United watafanikiwa kumpata Sneijder, usajili wa Manchester utakuwa umetumia zaidi £85million kwa wachezaji wanne ambao ni Phil Jones, Ashley Young na golikipa David De Gea.
 
[h=1]Man United confident of snatching Sneijder [/h] Published 23:01 12/07/11 By David McDonnell in Boston

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...-despite-his-wage-demands-article765123.html#


Manchester United are confident they can land Wesley Sneijder despite his £250,000- a-week wage demands.
United met Inter Milan to discuss a possible deal yesterday but fear the midfielder's massive wages would destabilise the United dressing room. They have yet to table a bid but both sides feel a deal can be thrashed out.
Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to sign Sneijder after conceding defeat in his pursuit of Arsenal's Samir Nasri, who is likely to sign for Manchester City.
United's current top earner is Wayne Rooney, on £220,000-a-week, and it's understood there's an agreement he remains so.


United are willing to meet Sneijder's £35million release clause and will offer him £200,000-a-week, making him the club's second-highest earner.
Inter director Marco Branca said: "Our intention is not to sell any of our champions. However, if mega-galactic offers were to arrive, we would discuss them."


http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...-despite-his-wage-demands-article765123.html#
 
[h=1]Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers[/h] Published 09:21 13/07/11 By Football Spy

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The summer transfer market is getting hotter than a dragon's nostril. Keep on top of all the latest news, rumours and gossip from the printed press and the web here.
Transfer stories from today's Daily Mirror
Chelsea join Arsenal in race for Bolton defender
Wilshere tells Fabregas: Be a man and stay

Guardiola 'optimistic' as Barcelona prepare £35m third bid for Fabregas
Hamburg confirm interest in Arsenal star
Modric to join Spurs in South Africa despite Chelsea bid
Modric saga is over claims Redknapp
Kranjcar: My future depends on Modric
Real Madrid plot to hijack Corinthians move for Tevez
Real still need another striker - Mourinho
City reject Corinthians bid for Carlos Tevez
Agent: Tevez deal will not be simple
City keeper to join Aston Villa this week
Man United confident of snatching Sneijder
G-Nev: United can play Young AND Nani
Liverpool lose out to Villarreal over defender
Magpies keen on Palace defender
Newcastle transfer row goes to arbitration
Wages hitch holds up Cole's Stoke move
Sunderland keeper nearly quit to become a policeman
West Brom to consider trial for ex-Man United star
Roy Hodgson plots to finally spend some money
Wolves set to unveil Brum defender tomorrow
Argentinian striker to sign for Blackburn
QPR to sign ex-Cardiff striker
Today's transfer stories from other papers and websites
Tottenham have bid £13.2m for Real Madrid midfielder Esetban Granero, indicating that they may be willing to sell Luka Modric (Mail)
Michael Dawson is considering his Spurs future after being offered a "derisory" pay rise (Sun)
Chelsea are confident their loan move for West Ham's Scott Parker will go through this week (Times)
Aston Villa are joining the race for Wigan's £15m-rated Hugo Rodallega (Mail)
Everton are moving for Birmingham centre back Scott Dann amid fears that Arsenal will sign Phil Jagielka (Times)
Wolves want West Ham's Matthew Upson to partner new signing Roger Johnson (Sun)
The Hammers have opened talks with Blackpool's DJ Campbell over a £1.25m deal (Daily Mail)
West Ham also hope to sell Rob Green to West Brom and tie up a deal for Eidur Gudjonsen (Times)
QPR will today announce the signing of Cardiff's Jay Bothroyd and may gamble by picking up former West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer (Star)
Nile Ranger has failed to agree personal terms with Blackpool after Newcastle agree a fee with Ian Holloway (Times)
Dale Jennings, Bayern Munich's surprise signing from Tranmere, could be out for six months (Daily Mail)

 
[h=1]Guardiola 'optimistic' as Barcelona prepare £35m third bid for Fabregas[/h] Published 23:01 12/07/11 By John Cross

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...ls-that-deal-not-yet-done-article764849.html#


Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola says he is "optimistic" about landing Cesc Fabregas, as the Spanish giants prepare to make a third bid to land the Arsenal captain today in a £35m deal.
Arsenal captain Fabregas remains on Guardiola's transfer hit-list, even as Barca close in on Udinese's £40million-rated winger Alexis Sanchez.
However, Guardiola is getting frustrated at the Fabregas deal becoming such a drawn-out saga and is believed to be annoyed at club president Sandro Rosell for not yet landing the player.
Guardiola, talking to Catalunya Radio, said: "Now the situation about moves for reinforcements is very complicated, but I'm hopeful in the next few days it will become clear. I am always optimistic."

Rosell has had two bids for Fabregas turned down and his valuation is believed to be well short of Arsenal's £40m minimum price.
Arsenal have not given up hope of keeping Fabregas, but it is believed Guardiola promised the midfielder last summer they would get the deal done this year.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's want-away striker Nicklas Bendtner, who has missed the Far East tour to try to negotiate a move, has emerged as a target for Hamburg after Borussia Dortmund failed to meet the £12m asking price.
Bendtner is believed to be keen on staying in England - with Fulham and Aston Villa watching developments - but no-one has yet met Arsenal's demands and his own wishes for European football.
Two Italian sides, Parma and Fiorentina, are also interested.
 
[h=1]Real Madrid plot to hijack Corinthians move for Tevez[/h] Published 23:02 12/07/11 By Darren Lewis and David Anderson




Jose Mourinho is poised to hijack Corinthians' bid for Carlos Tevez.
The Real Madrid manager wants to sign Manchester City's unhappy strike star after the Brazilian club made a £37million offer on Monday.
A source close to City said that bid will be rejected over concerns that Corinthians do not have the cash.
City still insist they will not take anything less than £50m for Tevez.

They also suspect Tevez's camp are using Corinthians' interest to flush out Real.
Mourinho revealed a top-class forward is all he needs to complete his summer spending.
He said last night: "I, like everyone else, believe we need another striker."
The player's agent Kia Joorabchian last night talked up a switch to Real, claiming a move to Spain would solve most of his client's problems.
Joorabchian said: "For Carlos, the main motivation for leaving City is not to go to another club in the Premier League, but to move to a city where his family can adapt.
"A move to Spain might solve that problem. It's about the language and the culture. In Spain, they speak the same language. You see a lot of Argentinian and Brazilian players live in Spain and they have adapted very easily."
Corinthians' bid to re-sign Tevez looks doomed after director of football Duilio Alves admitted: "It would have to be a loan.
"We cannot buy him. That (£50m) is an absurd figure, unviable for the Brazilian football market."
 
[h=1]Chelsea join Arsenal in race for Bolton defender[/h] Published 23:00 12/07/11 By Darren Lewis

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...ice-of-captain-John-Terry-article765082.html#


Andre Villas-Boas is set to gazump Arsenal in the race for Bolton's Gary Cahill – on the advice of John Terry.
The England captain is understood to have urged the club to move for 25-year-old Cahill with Brazilian Alex bound for Bayern Munich.
Chelsea are known to be seeking a British centre-half but the west Londoners are unlikely to meet Bolton's £18million asking price given that Cahill has just a year left on his contract.
If the Blues do succeed in beating Arsenal it will be another blow for Gunners fans who believe the club have been too slow in securing transfer targets this summer.

Also being tracked by Chelsea is Manchester City's Micah Richards, who has two years left on his current deal.
 
kama manutd watamsajili schneider watakuwa wamewasogelea barca kwenye uwezo wa viungo kumiliki mpira..........lakini wangekuwa na Modric pia ingelikuwa super..akina michael Carrick it is time over..............................
 
[h=1]Magpies keen on Palace defender[/h] Published 23:00 12/07/11 By Alan Nixon

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...ace-defender-Nathan-Clyne-article765037.html#


Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants to splash out £2million on Crystal Palace's highly-rated right back Nathan Clyne.
Pardew has opened talks to land the England under-20 prospect who could be sold by the Eagles in this window - with rivals Birmingham City struggling to raise the funds.
Clyne has caught Pardew's eye and would give him competition at the back and also please his money men who want some young players with a re-sale value.
Pardew hopes to get the nod to spend some of his budget on Clyne this week, with Palace braced for an official offer after fielding opening inquiries.
 
[h=1]Tottenham's Luka Modric puts in transfer request to force Chelsea move[/h] • Croatian stuns Spurs while on tour in South Africa
• Midfielder's request follows Spurs' rejection of £27m bid




  • Dominic Fifield
  • The Guardian, Thursday 14 July 2011 Article history
    Luka Modric wants to move to Chelsea and looks to have forced Tottenham's hand with a transfer request. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

    The breakdown in relations between Luka Modric and the Tottenham Hotspur chairman, Daniel Levy, was complete on Wednesday when the midfielder handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Chelsea.
    Modric took the step after Tottenham, who have said he is not for sale at any price, rejected a second offer from Chelsea which valued the Croatia international at £27m and followed a previous £22m bid.
    The playmaker flew to South Africa with his team-mates for a pre-season tour out of respect for his manager, Harry Redknapp, who has repeatedly praised Modric's attitude and said he understood why the player was keen to join Chelsea. Redknapp has, though, joined Levy in stating that Modric is not for sale.
    At the weekend Modric openly criticised Levy in an interview with a Croatian newspaper and accused the chairman of breaking a gentleman's agreement to sell him to a bigger club this summer.
    Tottenham have denied making any such agreement and have been considering whether to fine Modric for his remarks.
    The 25-year-old has described Chelsea as his "dream" destination, saying he would like to move to play again in the Champions League next season and challenge regularly for trophies.
    Redknapp, speaking before news of Modric's transfer request became public, said he hoped the trip to South Africa would benefit Modric. During the 10-day tour Spurs are due to play in a tournament that also involves Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
    "Hopefully he will go away and get a bit of football now and just get on with it," Redknapp said. "We hope that he will come back and get ready for the new season."
    Steven Pienaar would be one of the squad members who would benefit most from Modric's departure but he said he hoped the former Dinamo Zagreb player will stay. "You are always looking to strengthen and for us it's important that we all stick together as a team and make the most of it," Pienaar told Sky Sports News.
    William Gallas has not travelled with the squad due to a calf problem and the defender Ledley King and the midfielder Sandro are out with knee injuries.
    Sandro will report to the club's training ground on Thursday to be assessed after the Brazilian Football Federation sent him home from the Copa América amid fears that he had torn the meniscus in his knee.
    The captain Michael Dawson has reacted angrily to claims that he has fallen out with the hierarchy at Tottenham over a new contract. "I think I have always demonstrated that I am a proud player and captain of this club and nothing has changed in that respect," the central defender said.

 

[h=1]Liverpool agree £20m fee to sign Stewart Downing from Aston Villa[/h] • Villa cave in after Stewart Downing hands in transfer request
• Charles N'Zogbia set to arrive from Wigan as replacement




  • Stuart James and Andy Hunter
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 13 July 2011 22.51 BST Article history
    Stewart Downing is set to complete his move to Liverpool. Photograph: David Davies/PA

    Aston Villa have accepted a £20m bid from Liverpool for Stewart Downing after the England international submitted a written transfer request, effectively forcing through a move to Anfield. Villa had insisted that Downing was not for sale but felt they had little option but to sanction his departure when the 26-year-old made it clear that he was desperate to join Liverpool.
    Downing becomes Liverpool's third major recruit this summer, following Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, and takes Kenny Dalglish's spending to close to £50m. Villa, in contrast, have lost their two most creative players, Downing and Ashley Young, in the space of a month. The £36m that has been raised in the process will be small consolation for their supporters.
    Villa have started the process of replacing Downing, with Charles N'Zogbia set to joinfrom Wigan Athletic for £9m. N'Zogbia could become a Villa player by the end of the week and the club also hope to conclude a deal with Manchester City for Shay Given within the next 24 hours. They have also bid £7m for the West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, a target for Chelsea.
    Downing's exit is a major blow and one that will be viewed with disappointment by the club's more ambitious players, in particular Darren Bent.
    The England striker had cited the presence of Young and Downing as a key reason for his decision to move to Villa from Sunderland in January. With both players having since moved on it would be understandable if Bent had doubts about the direction in which Villa are heading.
    There was a sense of inevitability that Downing would leave once he made it clear at the end of the season that he had no intention extending his Villa contract, which had two years remaining.
    Liverpool tabled a £15m bid this month that Villa rejected, and although Alex McLeish responded by saying that Downing was "not for sale", the manager had little option once the player submitted a transfer request.
    The improved £20m bid met Villa's valuation, which is £8m more than they paid when they signed him from Middlesbrough two years ago.
    Paul Faulkner, Villa's chief executive, said: "I can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Liverpool following an improved offer and the submission of a formal transfer request by Stewart Downing, and have subsequently given them permission to speak with the player.
    "We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad ahead of the coming season, and we are in discussions as such. We are also working hard to conclude a deal for a goalkeeper who we believe can also strengthen the side."

 
[h=1]Cesc Fábregas row overshadows Arsenal's winning start in Malaysia[/h] • Malaysia 0-4 Arsenal
• Ramsey 6pen, Walcott 37, Vela 58, Rosicky 90




  • David Hytner at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 13 July 2011 16.59 BST Article history
    Arsenal's Theo Walcott, left, celebrates with his team-mate Aaron Ramsey after scoring against Malaysia. Photograph: Reuters

    Arsenal's stars thrilled with their very presence in the draining heat here, let alone their 4-0 dismissal of a desperately poor Malaysia team, yet not for the first time it was a player not present and correct who cast long shadows.
    The Cesc Fábregas saga was always going to vie for prominence after the Barcelona midfielder Xavi spoke out in inflammatory fashion on the eve of this friendly. Xavi said that Fábregas, the Arsenal captain, who is not on the club's Asian tour because of a muscle injury, had told him he was "suffering" as his desire to rejoin Barcelona had not been realised. What raised Arsenal's hackles even more was that Xavi's comments were carried by the Barcelona website and Arsène Wenger, the manager, was in no mood to turn a blind eye.
    "If I found Barcelona in exactly the same position, I believe a mutual respect between the clubs should stop this kind of comment. It is very disrespectful and it is not the first time that Xavi has been disrespectful to Arsenal Football Club," Wenger said, referring to past comments that the player has made about Fábregas wanting the transfer back to his hometown club.
    "What is important is that Cesc Fábregas is contracted to Arsenal Football Club," Wenger said. "That is a fact. Arsenal want to keep him and all the rest is comment."
    Wenger said on Monday that "the only way he [Fábregas] could get out" would be if he declared himself unhappy, and there seems little doubt that the Spain midfielder would be frustrated if he were held for another summer to the terms of his Arsenal contract, which expires in 2015. Yet Barcelona have failed to act decisively, even after indicating they are prepared to pay £35m, and so the excruciating dance continues. Wenger remains determined to convince Fábregas to stay.
    The 65,000 crowd at the cavernous National Stadium were merely delighted to see Arsenal's other A-listers and Wenger picked up on the wholesome mood a little wistfully. "We discovered how much we are loved in south-east Asia," he said. "What the players have learned as well is that the love here is genuine, enthusiastic and full of admiration. Sometimes in Europe you do not get the same generosity in the love. Our media environment is a bit more restrictive, a bit more critical and that as well has an impact on people."
    It was Wenger's triple substitution on 67 minutes that drew the lustiest outpouring. The crowd had revelled in an exciting first-half showing from Theo Walcott, which was decorated by the precision lob that put Arsenal 2-0 up, yet it was the entrance of Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin that raised the temperature.
    Nasri took up a central position behind Van Persie in Wenger's 4-1-4-1 formation, a sign, perhaps, of things to come if and when Fábregas leaves. Nasri's popularity in this region has been undimmed by his refusal to sign a new contract and the prospect of his departure as a free agent next summer. It will be interesting to see how the Emirates crowd responds to him but here, there was the comfort of seeing him and his flashy yellow boots in the club strip once more.
    Wenger has stated that Nasri will not leave this summer – both Manchester clubs are interested – and the manager said that he was even prepared to write off upwards of £20m in lost transfer fees, a decision that his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested could bring him into conflict with his directors.
    Wenger was asked whether his stance had the full support of the board. "I think so, I believe that's no problem," he said. "It is a technical decision. What is important is that we have a good team, that the club is in a strong financial situation and that the decisions are dictated by financial restrictions but not only by financial restrictions. When Nasri came on, you could see he was not disturbed by anything."
    In 37C temperatures, Arsenal scored early through Aaron Ramsey's penalty and, despite suffering physically, Wenger felt that, "technically, we were all right for our first game". Denílson suffered a slight muscle strain and Wenger praised the teenagers Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi. The game's outstanding moment was provided by Carlos Vela's gloriously cheeky clipped finish for the third goal while Tomas Rosicky headed the fourth from Arshavin's cross.
    Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Szczesny (Mannone, h-t); Jenkinson (Sagna, 70), Koscielny (Squillaci, h-t), Vermaelen (Djourou, h-t), Gibbs (Traoré, h-t); Song (Denílson, h-t, Van Persie, 67); Walcott (Rosicky, h-t), Ramsey (Nasri, 67), Wilshere (Frimpong, h-t), Miyaichi (Arshavin, 67); Chamakh (Vela, h-t)

 
[h=1]Cesc Fábregas row overshadows Arsenal's winning start in Malaysia[/h] • Malaysia 0-4 Arsenal
• Ramsey 6pen, Walcott 37, Vela 58, Rosicky 90




  • David Hytner at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 13 July 2011 16.59 BST Article history
    Arsenal's Theo Walcott, left, celebrates with his team-mate Aaron Ramsey after scoring against Malaysia. Photograph: Reuters

    Arsenal's stars thrilled with their very presence in the draining heat here, let alone their 4-0 dismissal of a desperately poor Malaysia team, yet not for the first time it was a player not present and correct who cast long shadows.
    The Cesc Fábregas saga was always going to vie for prominence after the Barcelona midfielder Xavi spoke out in inflammatory fashion on the eve of this friendly. Xavi said that Fábregas, the Arsenal captain, who is not on the club's Asian tour because of a muscle injury, had told him he was "suffering" as his desire to rejoin Barcelona had not been realised. What raised Arsenal's hackles even more was that Xavi's comments were carried by the Barcelona website and Arsène Wenger, the manager, was in no mood to turn a blind eye.
    "If I found Barcelona in exactly the same position, I believe a mutual respect between the clubs should stop this kind of comment. It is very disrespectful and it is not the first time that Xavi has been disrespectful to Arsenal Football Club," Wenger said, referring to past comments that the player has made about Fábregas wanting the transfer back to his hometown club.
    "What is important is that Cesc Fábregas is contracted to Arsenal Football Club," Wenger said. "That is a fact. Arsenal want to keep him and all the rest is comment."
    Wenger said on Monday that "the only way he [Fábregas] could get out" would be if he declared himself unhappy, and there seems little doubt that the Spain midfielder would be frustrated if he were held for another summer to the terms of his Arsenal contract, which expires in 2015. Yet Barcelona have failed to act decisively, even after indicating they are prepared to pay £35m, and so the excruciating dance continues. Wenger remains determined to convince Fábregas to stay.
    The 65,000 crowd at the cavernous National Stadium were merely delighted to see Arsenal's other A-listers and Wenger picked up on the wholesome mood a little wistfully. "We discovered how much we are loved in south-east Asia," he said. "What the players have learned as well is that the love here is genuine, enthusiastic and full of admiration. Sometimes in Europe you do not get the same generosity in the love. Our media environment is a bit more restrictive, a bit more critical and that as well has an impact on people."
    It was Wenger's triple substitution on 67 minutes that drew the lustiest outpouring. The crowd had revelled in an exciting first-half showing from Theo Walcott, which was decorated by the precision lob that put Arsenal 2-0 up, yet it was the entrance of Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin that raised the temperature.
    Nasri took up a central position behind Van Persie in Wenger's 4-1-4-1 formation, a sign, perhaps, of things to come if and when Fábregas leaves. Nasri's popularity in this region has been undimmed by his refusal to sign a new contract and the prospect of his departure as a free agent next summer. It will be interesting to see how the Emirates crowd responds to him but here, there was the comfort of seeing him and his flashy yellow boots in the club strip once more.
    Wenger has stated that Nasri will not leave this summer – both Manchester clubs are interested – and the manager said that he was even prepared to write off upwards of £20m in lost transfer fees, a decision that his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested could bring him into conflict with his directors.
    Wenger was asked whether his stance had the full support of the board. "I think so, I believe that's no problem," he said. "It is a technical decision. What is important is that we have a good team, that the club is in a strong financial situation and that the decisions are dictated by financial restrictions but not only by financial restrictions. When Nasri came on, you could see he was not disturbed by anything."
    In 37C temperatures, Arsenal scored early through Aaron Ramsey's penalty and, despite suffering physically, Wenger felt that, "technically, we were all right for our first game". Denílson suffered a slight muscle strain and Wenger praised the teenagers Carl Jenkinson and Ryo Miyaichi. The game's outstanding moment was provided by Carlos Vela's gloriously cheeky clipped finish for the third goal while Tomas Rosicky headed the fourth from Arshavin's cross.
    Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Szczesny (Mannone, h-t); Jenkinson (Sagna, 70), Koscielny (Squillaci, h-t), Vermaelen (Djourou, h-t), Gibbs (Traoré, h-t); Song (Denílson, h-t, Van Persie, 67); Walcott (Rosicky, h-t), Ramsey (Nasri, 67), Wilshere (Frimpong, h-t), Miyaichi (Arshavin, 67); Chamakh (Vela, h-t)
 
[h=1]Arsenal are 'perfectly good enough' to win title, says Arsène Wenger[/h] • Late meltdown was 'toughest part' of manager's career
• New signing Gervinho said to have qualities of Thierry Henry




  • David Hytner in Hangzhou
  • The Guardian, Friday 15 July 2011 Article history
    Arsène Wenger tells a press conference in Hangzhou during Arsenal's pre-season Asian tour that 'we are a young team and we can only be better'. Photograph: Stuart Macfarlane - Arsenal FC/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

    Pre-season is normally the time for optimism and Arsène Wenger has more reason than most to embrace the feeling. One of the features of Arsenal's tour of east Asia has been the levity of the manager's mood and he once again turned on the charm when the club arrived in China.
    Presented to the local media alongside Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen, after a frenzied crowd had welcomed the squad to their hotel, Wenger was at his smooth-talking best. He joked that Walcott's goal against Malaysia on Wednesday had been "lucky" and that Vermaelen ought to field the inquiry about the team's perceived defensive weaknesses. And that was before he addressed the questions on Chinese medicine and the possibility of signing a player one day from the country.
    Despite the ongoing Cesc Fábregas saga and the frustrations of the club's supporters at the relative lack of signings, Wenger looks to have a weight off his shoulders. He admitted that the closing stages of last season represented his lowest ebb, when he felt powerless as a promising campaign unravelled so spectacularly. Yet the sparkle is back and the Frenchman hopes his confidence can inspire.
    "I believe we are perfectly good enough," he said, even though he intends to add to the signing of the striker Gervinho in the coming weeks. "What we did last year, considering the age of the squad and the problems we had with injuries, was a credit to the team and we have a good opportunity now to show that we have the quality. If you are a winner, you say: 'We were very close last year, let's do it this year.' You come back.
    "I believe that the real destiny of this team is now there. They know as well as I know that we were very, very close last season. We intend to show everybody that we can do it. We are a young team and we can only be better. It demands the strength of character that the champions have. That's what we want to show."
    Wenger has left his dark place and the toll that last season's collapse took on him, which was as much physical as mental. "It was because I took full responsibility for what happened," he said. "I knew at some stage that it was lost and I had so much hope for the team, because through November and December, you could feel that the team had really taken off and could win everything. And it was so close.
    "The last part of it was certainly the toughest [of his career] because emotionally it was very difficult because we were on a low. You could see that the last three or four weeks were very difficult."
    Wenger's bullishness extended to an acknowledgement that Gervinho ticked many of the boxes that Thierry Henry once did. "Exactly," he said. "He has qualities that are interesting because he has good movement off the ball, he is very quick and he can play up front, left and right. He can score goals, he can provide ... so he can contribute greatly to the offensive efficiency of the team. He is a signing to excite the Arsenal supporters."
    Competition for places promises to be fierce and the goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is determined to withstand the threat from his good friend and compatriot Lukasz Fabianski to retain not only the No1 shirt at Arsenal but to establish himself as Poland's first choice in the season when his country will co-host the European Championship.
    "It doesn't matter who challenges me," Szczesny said. "Me and Lukasz have been mates for a long time but when it comes to football I don't feel sorry for him."
    Szczesny, though, caught the overall mood of bouncing back from last season's despair. "It took a very long time to get over," he said. "I'm still very frustrated and it makes me even more determined to make sure we finish on top this season."

 

[h=1]West Ham prepared to part with Scott Parker for £8m transfer fee[/h] • A £7.5m bid has persuaded east London club to sell
• Club still hopeful of signing Blackpool's DJ Campbell




  • Jamie Jackson
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 14 July 2011 18.36 BST Article history
    West Ham say a loan deal for Scott Parker is no longer on the table. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images

    West Ham United will not now countenance a loan deal for Scott Parker, with Chelsea being told they will have to pay the full £8m transfer fee to take him to Stamford Bridge as the replacement for the injured Michael Essien.
    West Ham had initially been willing to allow the England midfielder to go on loan for a season for a fee of £4m plus the 30-year-old's wages, a proposition André Villas-Boas, the manager, was keen on, though Chelsea's own valuation was a price of £1.5m together with Parker's salary.
    But a £7.5m bid to buy him outright received by West Ham yesterday, thought to be from Aston Villa as an improved offer from Wednesday's £7m, has persuaded the east London club they should sell Parker outright.
    West Ham are rebuilding under Sam Allardyce, the new manager, as they attempt to bounce straight back into the Premier League and want the finance from the sale of Parker to continue this drive.
    Allardyce may soon be able to announce the latest recruit to his squad as Eidur Gudjohnsen, the former Chelsea and Fulham forward, took a medical at Upton Park. The 32-year-old came close to signing in January 2010 but the deal fell through and the Icelander joined Tottenham Hotspur.
    If the deal is completed this time Gudjohnsen would become a West Ham player on a free transfer. A decision will be made on Friday as Gudjohnsen will be picking up a sizeable salary and the club want to establish that he is fully committed.
    Allardyce hopes he can perform a similar role to that performed by Teddy Sheringham, who at 38 joined before the 2004-05 season and whose experience helped guide the club to promotion from the Championship that campaign.
    While West Ham are still hopeful of signing Blackpool's DJ Campbell – they bid £1.25m over a month ago so it now depends on convincing the player to sign – Carlton Cole is yet to complete his proposed move to Stoke City, with the striker still potentially staying at the club.
    During their pre-season training camp in Switzerland West Ham lost 2-1 to both Young Boys Berne and FC Basel. Neil McDonald, Allardyce's assistant, said: "We're trying to create an atmosphere that's positive after what happened last season with the relegation, and we're trying to give them information on how the manager wants to play. They haven't done it all the time in the two games but they have done it and that's very, very encouraging considering we've only been back to work for a week. It has been a very, very long week. The lads have been training three times a day and they are tired."

 
[h=1]Sir Alex Ferguson denies Manchester United interest in Wesley Sneijder[/h] • Reports had claimed United were close to a deal for Sneijder
• 'You get conjecture and speculation every week unfortunately'




  • Paolo Bandini
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 14 July 2011 11.09 BST Wesley Sneijder earns close to £190,000 per week at Internazionale. Photograph: Giampiero Sposito/Reuters

    Sir Alex Ferguson has denied pursuing Wesley Sneijder, rejecting widespread reports that Manchester United are close to a deal for the Internazionale playmaker.
    Although no formal offer has been received by the Italian club, the United chief executive David Gill is reported to have been in contact with parties close to Sneijder, and to have received assurances that the player would be open to a move. And while the Inter director Marco Branca has insisted that the Holland international is "not for sale", there is a sense in Italy that the club's owner Massimo Moratti could yet be tempted to cash in on a player who is not ideally suited to the new manager Gian Piero Gasperini's preferred tactical system.
    Ferguson, however, has rejected all suggestions of a move for Sneijder. "I keep reading about this, there's absolutely nothing at all to that [reports of United's interest in the player]," he told ESPN Soccernet Press Pass. "First of all I don't think Inter are prepared to sell him anyway.
    "You get conjecture and you get speculation every week in newspapers unfortunately. And we have to answer these for some reason - why, I don't know, but we have to find a reason without adding insult to any particular club, or embarrassing any particular player. There's nothing we can do about it."
    Sneijder, 27, is under contract at Inter until 2015, and if the Italian club were to sell they would likely demand a fee more than twice as big as the €16m they paid when signing him from Real Madrid in 2009. The player, too, would expect to at least maintain his salary of roughly £190,000 per week.
    Those wages, though, have been cited as another possible reason why Inter might be prepared to do business, as they look to reduce their outgoings to stay in line with Uefa's Financial Fair Play requirements. Palermo's Javier Pastore, and São Paulo's Casemiro have been linked with the club as potential replacements should Sneijder depart.

 
[h=1]Football transfer rumours: Denílson to Bolton?[/h] Today's piffle is wishing it was lucky



  • Paul Doyle
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 14 July 2011 09.21 BST Article history
    Denílson: what does he do exactly? Perhaps Owen Coyle thinks he knows. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

    There are lots of people whose whole years are about building up to 20 minutes of inglorious action in south-east Asia but that won't do for Denílson. The Brazilian midfield puzzle (what exactly does he do? Is he a great player in evolution or an average one in way over his head?) was introduced at half-time in the first match of what celebrity Arsenal fan Eric Idle may refer to as the club's Even Greedier Bastards tour of the Far East, and was substituted 20 minutes later.
    Five humdrum seasons in the Premier League hadn't convinced Wenger that Denílson isn't good enough for Arsenal – but it seems a brief sortie in Malaysia could. Riddle thus resolved, Denílson will shortly be on his bike. Bolton are quite interested, Newcastle wouldn't say no, and Spanish wannabes Malaga fancy pairing him in midfield with Marseille's Argentinian schemer Lucho González.
    If only Denílson were British. Then Liverpool would surely slap in an immediate £20m bid. Instead Kenny Dalglish will take a wheelbarrow full of cash to Stamford Bridge, tip the contents onto the marble floor of Roman Abramovich's suite, then bundle Daniel Sturridge into the unorthodox get-away vehicle and scarper.
    With Liverpool having all but secured the services of Stewart Downing, Aston Villa need a replacement, which is why Fiorentina's Juan Manuel Vargas is worth a mention at this point.
    But wait, we stopped talking about Arsenal transfers too early. Sorry, force of habit. Turns out that Wenger has his eye on another centre-back, not the rugged experienced stopper that many fans crave, but 21-year-old Dane Mathias Jorgensen. Even more encouragingly for Arsenal fans, Wenger seems determined to land the Chilean midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal, whose hard-as-nails yet velvety touch is therefore precisely what the club need. Arsenal will have to outbid Bayern Munich for Leverkusen player, however.
    Chelsea, meanwhile, are set to miss out on the services of Porto's Falcao, and all because of that dastardly José Mourinho, who, according to The Sun, is hatching a "plot" to "hijack" Chelsea's bid for the striker. And in a cruel hijacking double-whammy, Manchester City are poised to gazump the Stamford Bridge side for Sergio Agüero, who is determined to move to England rather than Italy, where Juventus are offering him lots of money, because his father-in-law's legal woes in that land would make it hard for him to visit Agüero. And who wouldn't want a visit from Diego Maradona?
    A salary of £200,000 grand a week is likely to be enough to convince Wesley Sneijder to compete with Darron Gibson for a place in Manchester United's midfield.
    Queen's Park Rangers hope to bolster their squad in time for tomorrow night's vital pre-season friendly against Harrow Borough by signing 28-year-old Lazio winger Pasquale Foggia.
    Fellow Premier League newcomers Swansea City are eyeing up Ipswich's Jason Scotland.
    Finally, several websites are reporting that Everton are going to sign someone but that sounds very far-fetched. Still, it is our duty to report that Schalke wideman Lewis Holtby and Real Madrid slinker Sergio Canales are targets for a club that traditionally recruits fewer people than the Saharan branch of Snow Ploughs R Us.

 
[h=1]Sneijder agrees terms with United[/h] Published 23:01 13/07/11 By David McDonnell in Boston

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...ersonal-terms-190k-a-week-article766256.html#


Manchester United are close to completing Wesley Sneijder's £35million transfer.
United chief executive David Gill is believed to have agreed terms with representatives of the Inter Milan and Holland star, who will earn £190,000-a-week at Old Trafford.
New England Revolution 1-4 Man United: Reds reserves shine in the States
Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers

Sneijder was forced to compromise on his initial wage demands of £250,000-a-week, but an agreement has been struck and the move is close to completion.
United owners the Glazers have sanctioned the £35m fee for the 27-year-old World Cup star as a replacement for Paul Scholes, who retired at the end of last season.
Chief executive David Gill met his counterparts at Inter in Zurich yesterday, at a scheduled meeting of the European Club Association.
It is understood Gill made clear United's willingness to pay £35m for Sneijder, with an official bid expected to be lodged within the next 48 hours.
Although Inter appeared reluctant to sell, they have accepted they cannot turn down such a lucrative bid and are ready to accept United's offer.
The capture of Sneijder will take United's summer spending to £85m, following the combined £50m outlay on Ashley Young, David De Gea and Phil Jones.
Gill was hopeful of concluding the Sneijder deal before he flies out to the US tomorrow to join up with the United squad on their pre-season tour.
Sir Alex Ferguson's significant transfer spending is proof of his desire to keep United ahead of the pack next term, and maintain their success on the back of last season's title triumph.
"Absolutely, that's what we are always trying to achive," said Fergie.
"The great thing about United, and what I try to achieve, is to have a foundation. And the foundation is strong in Manchester United, very strong.
"Our youth coaches are very good, and the Academy, excellent coaches we have there and given the regulations they work under they do a great job.
"It's always been a part of the club to bring young players through from the youth team.
"I was going to bring Paul Pogba along, to be honest with you, but it would then mean huge numbers, you know, I think when we all meet up, finally, in New York.
"Javier Hernandez joins us there and then we'll have 29 players or something like that, which is a lot on tour, but in some way we'll have to cope."
 
[h=1]Wenger hits out at "disrespectful" Barca[/h] Published 23:00 13/07/11 By John Cross in Kuala Lumpur

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...as-he-waits-move-Nou-Camp-article766058.html#


Arsene Wenger last night branded Xavi "disrespectful" after Barcelona's latest blatant attempt to 'tap-up' Cesc Fabregas.
Wenger was left furious by Xavi's comments which, incredibly, Barca posted as a story on their official club website.
The Spain superstar claimed: "I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering because he wanted to come. It's more like, he did everything he could to come and wants to leave Arsenal - although he made it clear that now everything depends on the selling club."
That infuriated Wenger, and he spoke out last night after Arsenal's first friendly of their Far East tour saw them thump Malaysia's national team 4-0 with goals from Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela and Tomas Rosicky.

"It is very disrespectful, and it is not the first time that Xavi has been disrespectful to Arsenal Football Club," he said.
"If I found Barcelona in exactly the same position, I believe a mutual respect between the clubs should stop this kind of comment.
"I believe that I cannot comment on every comment. What is important is that Cesc Fabregas is contracted to Arsenal Football Club. That is a fact. Arsenal wants to keep him and all the rest is comment."
Barcelona have made a nasty habit of their players continually talking about Fabregas with Dani Alves, Victor Valdes and now Xavi speaking openly about the midfielder this summer.
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and Barca's Carles Puyol also put a Barcelona shirt on Fabregas last summer as they celebrated Spain's World Cup win.
It has been a long-running saga, and Xavi's comments that the deal is dependent on the selling club is another bad joke.
Arsenal have knocked back two bids from Barca this summer, as neither have matched their £40m valuation.
Wenger wants his captain to stay but, realistically, will let Fabregas go if he makes it clear he wants to join Barcelona - and if the price is right.
Barcelona have come back with another bid, but it still includes a £1m reduction to compensate for the Gunners' capture of Nou Camp youngsters Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral.
That is a major sticking point as Arsenal insist they have done nothing wrong in signing the pair.
A deal is getting closer though, and Fabregas' absence from this tour tells its own story, but Xavi's comments have only succeeded in inflaming the situation.
Meanwhile, Wenger is standing firm over Samir Nasri - who came on as a second half substitute here.
He is refusing to sell the French playmaker, who will be a free agent in a year's time.
That could cost the Gunners up to £23m, as both Manchester United and Manchester City want to sign Nasri.
Arsenal still believe they can persuade Nasri to stay, but Wenger says the board supports his financial gamble.
Wenger said: "I believe that's no problem. It is a technical decision. On one hand, people say I don't spend enough and when I spend, people say I don't spend enough. It's very difficult to find the right medium.
"What is important is that, like in every big football club, that we have a good team and that the club is in a strong financial situation and that the decisions are dictated by financial restrictions but not only by financial restrictions.
"The most important is that the team is right and that our financial situation is all right as well. I think everyone who loves Arsenal wants our strong players to stay at the club.
"He had, always, a very good attitude. We are a big club with many young players, so we are confronted by many rumours and speculations, but it doesn't affect too much what is happening inside.
"We could see when he played that he was not disturbed by that."
Arsenal's first major international pre-season tour has gone exceptionally well, with the locals enjoying every minute.
Wenger fielded a mix-and-match team in Kuala Lumpur in front of a noisy and enthusiastic crowd.
Big guns - including Nasri, Barcary Sagna, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin - who reported later last week after being given extra time off having played in end-of-season internationals were left on the bench.
That opened the door for new £1m signing Carl Jenkinson to make a solid debut at right-back, while Japanese teenager Ryo Miyaichi did not look out of his depth.
Arsenal's best player on the night was Aaron Ramsey, who scored a cool penalty after Jack Wilshere was tripped just four minutes into the game and also set up the second for a lively Theo Walcott.
Susbstitutes Carlos Vela and Tomas Rosicky added goals late on.
Brazilian midfielder Denilson, who has admitted he wants to leave the club, looked unhappy at being substituted after coming on as a sub himself, but Arsenal insist he was injured.
The Gunners fly to China for the second leg of their tour today, and their next friendly, on Saturday, will see the likes of Nasri start.
Arsenal: Szczesny 7 (Mannone, 46, 6); Jenkinson 7 (Sagna, 66, 6), Koscielny 7 (Squillaci, 46, 6), Vermaelen 7 (Djourou, 46, 6), Gibbs 7 (Traore, 46, 7); Song 7 (Frimpong, 46, 6), Ramsey 8 (Nasri, 66, 7), Wilshere 7 (Rosicky, 46, 6); Walcott 7 (Vela, 46, 7), Miyaichi 7 (van Persie, 66); Chamakh 6 (Denilson, 46, 5 (Arshavin, 66, 6)).
Man of the match: Ramsey. Cool penalty, great runs and full of energy
Villain of the match: Denilson. Not happy after being subbed as a sub
 
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