Hull, Arsenal, Blackburn & Everton On Alert As Ajax Bid For Elia Is Rejected

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Premier League clubs Arsenal, Hull City, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, will be on alert today after Eredivisie club FC Twente revealed that they have rejected a bid from Dutch rivals Ajax for winger Eljero Elia.

21-year-old Elia has attracted strong interest from the Premiership, but Ajax, are the first club to make a firm offer for the Dutch International. However, with so many clubs interested in the talented Dutchman, Twente chairman Joop Munsterman has revealed the bid by Ajax to lure Elia to the Amsterdam Arena, which he has confirmed was rejected out of hand and even went as far as to call the offer an “insult”.

“Ajax have made an offer for Eljero [Elia], but we're not even considering it,” Munsterman told TC/Tubantia.

“Ajax's offer was an insult for a player of Elia's level.”



The Tigers along with the Toffees and Blackburn are believed to have watched Elia in former England manager Steve McClaren’s Twente side that played Manchester City in the UEFA Cup recently at the Eastlands Stadium. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is understood to have been at the European clash to run the rule over Elia personally.

Elia, who joined Twente from ADO Den Haag in 2007 had attracted attention from La Liga side Valencia in the summer, but opted against a move to the Mestalla and revealed a desire to ply his trade in England one day.

McClaren has used Elia on the wing this season, but the player can play as a secondary striker and has scored 7 goals in 45 appearances for the Reds. Elia still has more than two-years to run on his present deal at the Grolsh Veste, but it is understood that Twente will not stand in the players way should a decent offer and the Premier League beckon in January.

Juventus To Make Liverpool Double Swoop?

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Serie A giants Juventus are planning a double swoop for unsettled Liverpool pair Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger, with La Vecchia Signora hoping to take advantage of the financial problems at the Premier League club to lure the duo away from Anfield, according to The Mirror.

21-year-old Babel’s agent revealed recently that the Dutch International had wanted a loan move back to former club Ajax, with the winger growing frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities at the Merseyside club this season. Reds manager Rafa Benitez blocked this move, but Babel still remains unhappy at Anfield due to having to settle for a place on the bench this season under the Spaniard.

Agger (left) has also become unsettled at Liverpool for much the same reasons as Babel, with the Danish International falling behind Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel in the pecking order for a place in the heart of the Reds defence. Agger has been handed an opportunity recently due to an injury to Skrtel, but it remains to be seen whether the Dane can hold on to his place when Skrtel returns for the Premiership side.

In addition to this 24-year-old Agger is locked in talks over a new deal at Anfield and is also believed to be a target for AC Milan, who are keen to bring Agger to the San Siro to replace ageing stars Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri has also been heavily linked with William Gallas at Arsenal, with the Gunners interested in his own central defender Giorgio Chiellini. Should Gallas arrive in Turin and Chiellini go in the opposite direction then Ranieri sees Agger as the ideal replacement for the Italian. While, Babel is wanted by Ranieri to replace Czech star Pavel Nedved, who is coming to the end of a distinguished career at Juventus.

With it understood that Liverpool have to sell before they can buy in January, Juventus hope to take advantage by making an offer for the unsettled pair, which could see the duo leave Liverpool, with Benitez needing to raise funds for his own transfer targets next month.

Tottenham To Swoop For £8million Babel?

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is considering a January swoop for Liverpool’s unsettled Dutch International Ryan Babel, with the former Portsmouth manager set to offer £8million to lure the winger away from Anfield, according to the Daily Mirror.

21-year-old Babel is unhappy at the Merseyside club after finding limited opportunities in the Reds starting-eleven since the arrival of Albert Riera at the Premier League club in the summer. This led the Dutchman to ask Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez for a loan-move back to his former club Ajax, but this move was blocked by Benitez, who has insisted that Babel’s future is on Merseyside.

Although Babel has featured in most of Liverpool’s matches this season. Most of them have been from the bench and now Spurs are set to test the resolve of Benitez, who has been told by the American co-owner’s that he will have to sell players before any fresh faces arrive at Anfield in January.

Redknapp has identified the left side of the squad at White Hart Lane as an area that needs strengthening, with the Spurs boss deploying Aaron Lennon on the left wing in recent matches, who is naturally right footed and is understood to see Babel as the solution to that problem.

Whether Benitez is ready to cash in on Babel in January remains to be seen, but with the winger unsettled and not a regular starter, Benitez might decide that selling Babel to Tottenham would raise the necessary funds to bring in transfer targets of his own next month.

Benayoun Joins Babel In Wanting Anfield Exit

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Israeli International Yossi Benayoun has joined Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel in voicing his discontent about limited opportunities at the Premier League club, with the former West Ham United player revealing that he will assess his situation at the Merseyside club in January or at the end of the season.

Benayoun was unveiled at Anfield on the same day as Babel last summer, but like the Dutchman, who declared that he wished to return to former club Ajax on loan is unhappy at having to settle for a place on the bench under Reds boss Rafa Benitez in the Premiership this season.

While 28-year-old Benayoun understands that it is hard for Benitez to drop anyone from a Liverpool side that is currently top of the Premier League and is prepared to be patient. Benayoun is also, having to consider if his long-term future is at Anfield or whether it lies elsewhere.

Benayoun told the Sun: “The boss had a chat with me a couple of weeks ago after stuff appeared in the newspapers about my future.

“I didn't ask for any talks - he said he wanted to speak to me about it and he just told me to stay calm, because I would get my chances in the team.

“We agreed it was important now for me to put any of my personal feelings to one side and concentrate on trying to keep us at the top of the table.

“There will be time for me to think about my situation in January or at the end of the season.

“So for now I'm happy to put that behind me and focus on doing my bit for the team. The problem for me is the manager is not rotating as much as he used to.

“It is the same 11 players every week, and they are doing so well, so no one can really complain.

“I have to be patient, but I'm still not sure whether, in the long term, my future will be here.”

Arsenal & Man City Set To Lose Out On Huntelaar To Real Madrid

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Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City look set to miss out on Dutch International Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after his present club Ajax confirmed that talks are already underway with La Liga Champions Real Madrid about a proposed switch to the Bernabeu in January.

25-year-old Huntelaar opted to stay at the Amsterdam Arena over the summer, despite being heavily linked with a host of top European sides. However, Huntelaar has not signed a new deal with Ajax and recent reports have claimed that the Dutch club are actively looking for a replacement after resigning themselves to losing Huntelaar in the January transfer window.

Despite being heavily linked with City and the Gunners, Ajax have now revealed that talks with Los Merengues have started although no deal has been agreed yet with the Spanish side for the Dutchman.

A statement read: “Ajax are in talks with Real Madrid over the possible sale of Klaas Jan Huntelaar to the Spanish club.

“However no deal has been agreed at the moment.”

Huntelaar has been at Ajax since his move from SC Heerenveen in 2005 and has scored an incredible 75 goals in 90 league appearances during his time at the Amsterdam Arena, making the striker one of the most sought after players in Europe.

Newcastle To Go Double Dutch In January

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is ready to go double Dutch in the January transfer window, with the Magpies boss revealing that his main targets to bring to St James’ Park next month all ply their trade in the Eredivisie.

61-year-old Kinnear, who has just signed a six-month extension at the Premier League club after replacing Kevin Keegan in September has insisted that any players arriving at the Toon in January must be proven and better than the players he already has at his disposal.

Kinnear told The Sun: “The players we are looking at now have got to be proven. We don’t want to chance our arm with 'maybes'.

“They are all playing in Holland and I believe that whoever I have identified will be better than we have got.”

Recent reports suggest that Ajax left-back Urby Emanuelson (see video) is on Kinnear’s list along with Tim de Cler, who plays for Feyenoord and is also a left-sided player. With Kinnear identifying the Magpies left side as a weakness and is keen to add a naturally left-sided defender to the Squad at Newcastle.

22-year-old Emanuelson is a product of the famous youth academy at the Amsterdam Arena and has made 91 appearances for Ajax in the Eredivisie since making his senior debut in 2005. Emanuelson has been capped by Holland 11 times, but despite playing a major part in the EURO 2008 qualifier’s for the Dutch did not make the final squad that participated in last summers tournament that was co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

30-year-old De Cler is also a Dutch International and has been at Feyenoord since joining from AZ Alkmaar in 2007 and has made 32 league appearances for De club van het volk.

Huntelaar To Snub Arsenal, Man City & Real Madrid For Bundesliga?

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Prolific Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has revealed that he would be open to a move to the German Bundesliga, which will come as a shock to Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester City along with La Liga Champions Real Madrid, who have all been strongly linked with the Dutch International.

25-year-old Huntelaar opted to stay at the Amsterdam Arena over the summer, despite being heavily linked with a host of top European sides. However, Huntelaar has not signed a new deal with Ajax and recent reports have claimed that the Dutch club are actively looking for a replacement after resigning themselves to losing Huntelaar in the January transfer window.

Despite being heavily linked with City, Real and the Gunners, Huntelaar has revealed that he would be open to a move to Germany should the right offer come along.

“I can imagine that I will play in the Bundesliga one day. But at the moment I am fully focused on Ajax. When a club comes by with a big bag of money though, Ajax will have to consider,” said Huntelaar.

“If it is better for me and for the club, it can be possible that Ajax will decide to sell me.

Ajax, travel to Germany to face Hamburg in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, with Huntelaar revealing that another Bundesliga side, Schalke 04, have already made enquiries about his availability.

“That's correct. Schalke 04 wanted to sign me," he said.

“It happens more often that interested club contact us. As a striker I am always interesting for other clubs.”

Huntelaar has been at Ajax since his move from SC Heerenveen in 2005 and has scored an incredible 75 goals in 90 league appearances during his time at the Amsterdam Arena, making the striker one of the hottest properties in Europe.

Real Lining Up £15million January Bid For Liverpool Star?

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La Liga giants Real Madrid are lining up a £15million bid for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel as the Spanish Champions look to bolster their attacking options at the Bernabeu, with striker Ruud van Nistelrooy ruled out for the rest of the season, according to reports in Spain.

21-year-old Dutch International Babel arrived at Anfield in a £11.5million deal from Eredivisie side Ajax in 2007 and can play as a winger or second striker. Despite making 35 league appearances during his time at the Merseyside club, Babel has made only one start in the Premier League this season and could be tempted to leave the Reds in order to play more first team football.

Despite using Babel sparingly Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the Dutchman and insists that the Premiership will see the best of Babel this year, with the Spaniard claiming that Babel is still learning the stresses and rigours of the Premier League.

“He's improving and he's working hard and trying to learn and have a proper understanding of the Premier League, and hopefully we will see the best of Babel this year,” Benitez told the Daily Express.

“But he is still a young player and he needs to change some things and he will be better. He knows that sometimes he can be a very good player for us and he is trying.”

However, with it well publicised that Benitez will have to sell players in January before he can bring fresh faces into Anfield. A £15million offer for a Babel, who is not a regular starter, might prove to tempting to turn down for the board at the Merseyside club.

Ajax Seeking Replacement For Arsenal, Man City & Real Target Huntelaar

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Ajax chief Danny Blind has revealed that the Dutch club are actively seeking a replacement for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who is expected to leave the Amsterdam Arena in January, with La Liga Champions Real Madrid or Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester City the likely destination.

25-year-old Huntelaar has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners or Los Merengues in Spain, with the prolific striker yet to sign a new deal at the Eredivisie club, which has prompted Blind to start the search for Huntelaar’s replacement. Gronigen striker Markus Berg is thought to be one of the potential targets.

"He is one of but a number of foreign attackers we are intensively following,” admitted Blind.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been an admirer of Huntelaar since the striker featured in Dennis Bergkamp’s testimonial for the Gunners, scoring the first goal at their new Emirates Stadium.

While Real coach Bernd Schuster will make every attempt to land Huntelaar after losing striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to injury for the rest of the season and sees Nistelrooy’s countryman as an ideal replacement.

Another destination for Huntelaar could be Manchester City, who reportedly had an offer of €40million turned down by the Dutch side in a deadline day attempt to lure Huntelaar to the Eastlands Stadium.

Huntelaar has been at Ajax since his move from SC heerenveen in 2005 and has scored an incredible 75 goals in 90 league appearances during his time at the Amsterdam Arena, making the striker one of the hottest properties in Europe.

Adams Eyes Bergkamp Reunion At Portsmouth

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Arsenal legend Tony Adams has revealed that he would be interested in bringing another Gunners legend and former team-mate Dennis Bergkamp to Portsmouth in a coaching role.

39-year-old Bergkamp is currently working as a coach for his boyhood club Ajax and recently revealed that he would be interested in coming back to the Premier League in the future, with new Pompey boss Adams ready to offer Bergkamp along with another former Arsenal player, Martin Keown a role at Fratton Park.

Adams said: “I want my staff sorted sooner rather than later, really by the weekend.

“I'm meeting with a few people and having conversations with a couple of old friends. I've had a positive meeting with Martin Keown.

“Then there's Dennis Bergkamp, who is taking the youth team at Ajax and is a good, good man.

“I've not spoken to him, but there are a few people I still need to talk to.

“I've got some good people still at the club, which is great, but I need my people in and the sooner I can do that the better.

“Mind you, you don't have to be an old Arsenal player.”

Bergkamp, who was idolised during his 11 years at Highbury before retiring in 2006, stated recently that he would be open to a return to the Premiership.

Bergkamp said: “People ask me the question if I could come back to England one day to coach and I say yes.

“I always enjoyed it there and it's a fantastic country to be involved in football.

“Maybe in the future I will be back in some way.”