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Deco ‘surprised’ by Robinho’s City move

September 8th, 2008

Chelsea playmaker Deco has today stated that he was indeed taken in for a big surprise, as Real Madrid star Robinho made a move to Mark Hughes managed Manchester City that has recently got new owners, Abu Dhabi headed by Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim.

Deco has expressed his doubts regarding the amount of European football the 24-year old could get to play representing a side which, just 6 years ago, was playing in the English second division.

The Brazil born Portuguese midfielder, who scored two goals in Chelsea’s first three matches this season has reportedly said that leaving Real Madrid to join Chelsea was one thing and joining City is something that is not expected from a player in his right senses!

Robinho’s move has, just like Manchester City’s high profile take over by the Gulf Company, raised many eyebrows.

He has even attracted criticism from the former Brazil legend and one of all time football greats, Pele, who reportedly said that all Robinho needs is some sound advice.

It is presently being told that the present City owners had tried buying Arsenal before coming over to Manchester.

However, negotiations came off to nothing as they were being made to pay for the shares in premium for the expected 24% share.

On being asked, Dr. Al Fahim has told that including his meeting with one of Arsenal’s biggest shareholders, he also tried talking with the owners of Liverpool and Newcastle, but to no avail.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Manchester City

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Gill: We are not ready to sell our best players

September 8th, 2008

David Gill insisted that he was treating the suggestion of $ 270 million offer for United Star Cristiano Ronaldo ‘with pinch of salt’.

Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who is the billionaire at centre of City takeover through Abu Dhabi United Group, confirmed that in the later part of the coming week, they can make world record offer for the Portuguese player.

Gill, Chief executive of Manchester United, said ‘If offer of such proportions will be given, any side is bound to give a consideration’.

However in the statement given to BBC Radio Five Live, Gill said “I feel that it is more of a comment coming from a fan.’

He felt that with two other players, Fabregas and Torres, also mentioned in the same release, the officials at Old Trafford will treat it with pinch of salt.

Gill showed his desires in meeting the man behind the scene of the deal, Al-Fahim, when he said, ‘I’ve never come across the gentleman. He is giving an offer hard to reject. However at the same time, I know that this deal might change the face of industry. So, it’s tough to believe that his offer might be serious at any level.’

When asked that if they will consider this offer once given, he clearly stated ‘The ultimate decision will be made by the owners and Sir Alex Ferguson, as the involved is huge. Simultaneously, everyone should know that we cannot think of selling our best player at any given cost.’

It seems that Red Devils are showing the same enthusiasm, which was on display during the Real’s offer for Ronaldo. However, only time and City’s offer will tell about the future of the Red Devils Star.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Man U

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Fabregas: I’m in no mood of committing suicide

September 6th, 2008

Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal midfield star, became the third player in this week to reject the offer from Manchester City with an ultimate snub.

Manchester City stirred the football world this week by netting in one of the most popular figures, Robinho, from Real Madrid.

Following the transfer of the Brazilian Star, Abu Dhabi United Group, which took over the Eastlands Club earlier in the week, has reportedly set up a list that includes the name of the players, who are their future targets.

The list includes the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, Kaka, Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Gianluigi Buffon.

Van Nistlerooy and Buffon already rejected the offer before Fabregas and showed no interest of joining Manchester City.

Experts feel that it is the current state of the side, which has led to these stars rejecting their offer. City has mostly been unable to end up in the top four teams of the League necessary to qualify for the Champions League.

Fabregas has even commented, ‘It is going to be suicidal for me, if I decide to join City at the age of 21. I do not count it as a sensible decision.’

Although most of the players have given up their comments on the desires of the Abu Dhabi Group, still it’s too early to predict anything.

Who knows, the arrival of Abu Dhabi Group along with Robinho can write a revival story for the club. If Manchester City does end up with a spot in the Champions League at the end of this season, these very players might think otherwise.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Manchester City

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Kevin Keegan leaves Newcastle United

September 5th, 2008

After Alan Curbishley’s departure from West Ham United, Kevin Keegan has become the second manager to leave his club in this season.

King Kev left Newcastle United in disarray. With all the rescue plans for preventing his departure failed, Magpies is sure to be facing a revolt from their fans in the coming times.

This news ended a 3 days of strong speculation in St James Park. According to sources, Keegan’s relationship with club’s hierarchy was broken to an irreparable situation over the latter’s transfer policy.
Keegan, who made a comeback to Newcastle for his second spell in January, didn’t take training after transfer season closed.

In a statement to LMA, Keegan was reported saying that he has been working hard for finding a way forward with club owners, but his voice could barely reach their ears.

Keegan said ‘It is my personal opinion that managers should have the right for managing club. No one, even owners, should impose their decisions on player contracts. Eventually, it the managers, who face all the criticism for the decision in regards to a player.’

‘Though I want to see the side do well in the current season, I am in no state of working with them. Although I might have let down players, staff and supporters, I am sure that they will respect my decision.’

Now, Hammers and Magpies are without managers at a crucial juncture of the season. They will be hoping to gather the same spirit that Chelsea showed after Jose Mourinho vacated them in the previous season.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Newcastle United

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Curbishley aftermath: Redknapp denies chance of West Ham return

September 5th, 2008

Things at most of the clubs in the Premiership, since the transfer season ended, seem to be headed towards an irrational, blame-game centered approach with managers being at the receiving ends in more cases than one.

The recent resignation of West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has aroused comments from one and all, including many high profile managers and members of the managers’ forum in the Premiership.

According to former West Ham player and Manager, Harry Redknapp, who is currently the manager of Portsmouth, this is a perfect case of a manager being let down by the club’s owners in crucial decisions regarding transfers.

Redknapp has further added that this is the emerging trend in English football with owners turning deaf to their managers and not caring how the manager will manage with a squad just ‘provided‘ to him.

Curbishley resigned yesterday following rumors that he was dissatisfied with the transfer policies of the club.

Curbushley’s resignation now leaves the manager’s post open at West Ham, and when asked about his prospects of accepting the job, Redknapp plainly denied any interest saying that though he was attached to his current club. He said that he was quite happy at Pompey and had no intentions of leaving.

In addition to Curbushley, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has also left his club after being disappointed with club owners on transfer grounds.

With no manager, Hammers will require getting out of the same hole that clouded Chelsea in the previous season with Mourinho’s departure.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Premier League

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Newcastle United: Another case of post-transfer season frustration

September 4th, 2008

Newcastle United, a club known recently for its relegation battles in the previous season, is again in a tight spot after transfer season ended this week.

After a great start to this season with a 1-1 away draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United and a win against Blackburn Rovers, the spirits started to go down with a 3-0 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and the end of the transfer window proved this.

While an attempt to sell owner Mike Ashley’s not-so-recent dislike Joey Barton was of course more than expected, it was also unsuccessful.

To everyone’s surprise, it is being said that the club also tried to sell Michael Owen in wake of his contract expiring. They were also eliminating the possibility of any January window negotiations, when some clubs would like to take him for a free transfer next year.

This transfer season revealed to one and all, including manager Kevin Keegan, that he does not have the full control over transfers, in and out. The selling of James Milner for 12 million pounds to Aston Villa proved this.

To add to his vows, Keegan’s biggest problem this season is a small and injury ridden squad, which desperately needed new players, something that probably will have to wait till January.

In case Keegan is sacked, he is expected to get around 8 million pounds as a compensation for a premature contract termination.

Let’s wait for Newcastle’s coming matches to see what a mood change they can bring. For example, the draw against Man U lifted their spirits and ended the pre season gloom at the Magpies’ camp.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Newcastle United

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Berbatov: It was my dream to be a Red Devil

September 3rd, 2008

Dimitar Berbatov was overjoyed after his transfer to Manchester United was successfully completed.

It was a US$ 60 million deal that saw the Bulgarian International finally moved to the Theater of Dreams. Red Devils have also given the services of Frazier Campbell, who will be playing on a season-long loan, to Tottenham Hotspurs along with the financial compensation.

Berbatov transfer saga was one of the most talked about issues throughout the transfer season, as former Spurs forward was desperate for leaving his current club and play for the current European and English Champions.

27-year-old Bulgarian Star was relieved to finally receive the signal for playing at Old Trafford, where he is hoping for an excellent career.

While speaking to reports, Berbatov said ‘It was a dream for me to join Manchester United. Now with the dream taking the shape of reality, I am looking forward for being more than a helping hand in the club’s future successes’.

Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, was also thrilled that he finally got his man.

‘I felt that the transfer might not take place, as the negotiations between the two clubs were very slow. However, now that it is all set and done, I am happy that I got what I wanted’, said Ferguson.

On being asked in regards to the presence of three quality attackers in the same team, he replied ‘I am sure that Dimi will fit in well with Rooney and Tevez. His ability and style is going to offer another dimension to the club, which will be visible in the coming games.’

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Man U

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Liverpool signs Riera for 4 years

September 2nd, 2008

Liverpool has signed Spanish winger Albert Riera on the final day of the transfer season.

Reds bought the Espanyol winger Riera for an undisclosed transfer fees. He has signed a 4-year contract at the Anfield Club and will be looking forward to make full use of this opportunity presented to him by Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez.

Riera, who will be wearing Number 11 jersey for his new club, has previous English Club experience. He played for Manchester City on loan during 2005-06 season.

Liverpool won the race ahead for the winger ahead of Everton, another English club looking out of sorts at the moment.

Another player booked by the Reds on the last day is Brazilian striker Vito Flora. The 18-year old player from Botafogo has been bought on a free transfer and will be moved straight into the reserve bench of the club.

Meanwhile, there is some bad news for Liverpool fans. Officials at the club have accepted that star forward, Fernando Torres, has sustained a hamstring injury during the goalless draw at Villa Park. However, the seriousness of the injury is yet to be known.

In this way, the problems of the club, mainly Benitez, has increased. With an average performance so far in the season, Liverpool manager will be hoping that his new signings may fill the shoes for Torres, if he is declared unfit for the coming games. He will be hoping that Irish Captain Robbie Keane puts his hand out and makes up for a disastrous start to this season.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Liverpool

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Chelsea to make one last offer for Robinho

September 2nd, 2008

Chelsea’s hope of netting Robinho might receive a dent, as Real Madrid’s president Ramon Calderon told the press that his side is neither looking to buy a player nor sell one at the current stage.

However, Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will be giving his final bid for the Brazilian star before the transfer season closes.

Robinho, on the other hand, has already shown his desire to play for the London club. In a press conference, the Brazilian openly criticized the Bernd Schuster, Real Manager, of denying him with an opportunity of becoming a member of the Stanford Bridge side.

Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov is a prime target of two leading English clubs.

After Manchester United made constant efforts to acquire the four times Bulgarian Player of the Year in their squad, archrivals Manchester City has also joined the race for the star.

After the club was taken over by Abu Dhabi for $365 million, Mark Hughes has announced Berbatov to be one of his targets that include the likes of Newcastle’s Michael Owen and Valencia’s David Villa.

According to reports, the club has offered Spurs $67.6 million for their Bulgarian forward, whose career at White Hart Lane is sure to be over.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, however, feels that they might still run away with the deal. Presence of Berbatov during training sessions of the Red Devils at Old Trafford might be an indication to the fact that City might be fighting for a lost cause.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Football Transfer Market

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Saha might join Everton for the current season

August 30th, 2008

Louis Saha, who is a member of the current Premier League and Champions League champions Manchester United, has been offered a contract by the Everton club.

Manchester United, who has already been strengthening their attacking line up, might not have any objection for the deal.

The past few seasons have been really unlucky for Saha, as he has remained veiled by injuries. Saha will have to pass medical tests before being handed the contract by Everton officials.

David Moyes has agreed to provide the French striker a fee, which has not been disclosed as of yet. However, he has made it open that Saha might be considered for another year extension, if he will be ready to play for Everton.

Saha, at 30 years of age, has already played for Newcastle United and Fulham other than United.

He would be the third recruit to the Everton side in this season. Saha has 18 international appearances. With United, he has 42 goals under his belt.

Everton, who have not performed up to the mark, would definitely have a strong forward line up, if Saha was to join their side. It would be really a busy schedule for Moyes himself, as he is trying to catch up on resources that are running low compared to a proper Premier League try-out.

The Nigerian striker Victor Obinna has also been targeted by the Scot.

Moyes has already signed in Jacobsen and Castillo. Hope this renewed change of getting fresh faces in the side would heighten the team spirit in their weekend’s encounter against Portsmouth.

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Posted in Everton, Football Transfer Market

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