News, views and gossip from the new, first and last voice of football. As it happens, when it unfolds, the glory the heartache, win, lose or draw. Who they got, who they ain't, what they won, what they threw away.
Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts
Russian International Andrei Arshavin has revealed that he hopes his transfer to Premier League club Arsenal goes through after Zenit St Petersburg rejected a £10million bid from the Gunners recently for the playmaker.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to ask the board at the North London club to make an improved bid of around £12million for Arshavin as he looks to replace his injured captain Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium.
Premiership rivals Manchester City are on standby to make a move for 27-year-old Arshavin, should Arsenal not be able to agree a fee with Zenit for the Russian schemer. It is believed that any new offer by the Gunners could include add-ons to top it up to nearer the £20million valuation of Arshavin by the Russian side.
However, Arshavin seems to have set his sights on a move to the Gunners and has revealed that he would like to wear the No10 shirt at the Emirates, which is currently occupied by William Gallas, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal this month.
Arshavin told the Daily Telegraph: “I would prefer my present No.10, but in the team where I hope to move it's not vacant. So I'm ready for any number they are going to offer me."
“In some games last season, we [Zenit] played football which was very similar to that of Arsenal.”
Arsenal are ready to make an improved offer for playmaker Andrei Arshavin at Russian club Zenit St Petersburg after Zenit confirmed that they have already turned down a £10million offer by the Gunners to bring the EURO 2008 star to the Emirates Stadium.
A Zenit spokesman has confirmed the bid by Arsenal and and also revealed that the North London club are the only team to have made an official approach for the Russian International. Despite recent reports that Premiership rivals Manchester City are hoping to hijack the deal.
Zenit spokesman Alexei Petrov said: “I can confirm that Zenit did get an official offer from Arsenal about Andrei Arshavin. It was rejected as insufficient.
“They offered about £10 million. No new offers have arrived from them since. At the moment, Arsenal are the only club to have approached us about the player.”
Gunners, manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to land a playmaker to the Premier League club this month due to the injury to Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and is ready to go cap in hand to the Arsenal board in order to make an improved £12million offer for Arshavin this week.
Wenger reportedly sees the signing of 27-year-old Arshavin as the key to keeping hold of Fabregas at the Premier League club, who is understood to be the main transfer target for La Liga giants Barcelona in the summer.
Arshavin had been on the verge of joining Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur last summer, but a fee couldn’t be agreed, with the Russian side understood to have wanted in excess of £20million to allow the schemer to leave for White Hart Lane.
The present financial climate has taken its toll on transfer fees, with Zenit now willing to compromise on the price for their talisman. However, it remains to be seen if £12million will be enough to lure Arshavin to Arsenal, with Zenit understood to still want in the region of £15million for the versatile player.
Premier League Champions Manchester United are considering a move for goalkeeper Diego Lopez at La Liga side Villarreal, who is also understood to have been the subject of an approach from Chelsea this month, according to reports in Spain.
Tottenham Hotspur along with the Red Devils local rivals Manchester City have also been linked with 27-year-old Lopez recently, with the Spanish keeper impressing in La Liga since his £5million switch from Real Madrid in 2007.
Lopez first caught the eye of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with his displays against the Premiership side in two goalless draws in the Champions League for El Submarino Amarillo this season. With the Scot praising the Spaniard after the clash at the Estadio El Madrigal.
Ferguson is now understood to be considering a bid to bring Lopez to Old Trafford as he searches for the long-term successor to Man United No1 Edwin van der Sar, but is sure to face stiff competition from Chelsea, who are also eager to recruit the former Los Merengues keeper.
However, Villarreal are unlikely to let Lopez, who was a pivotal figure in last seasons campaign in La Liga in which Villarreal finished second leave the Spanish side, with Lopez under a long-term contract in Spain until 2014.
Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has once again declared that Republic of Ireland International goalkeeper Shay Given is not for sale, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City all reportedly interested in securing the services of the shot-stopper this month.
Despite reports earlier on Friday that 32-year-old has become disillusioned with life at the Magpies after 11-years at St James’ Park, with Given’s lawyer hinting that the keeper was ready to quit the Toon. Kinnear has insisted that Given, who is under contract at the Premiership club until 2011, will not be leaving Newcastle.
Kinnear said: “I'm not sure of the facts that he (Kennedy) has said or how it's been interpreted, but what I will say is Shay is contracted until 2011.
“He is our player and he is going to stay our player, it's as simple as that.
“We are not interested at all (in selling him). I want to clear that - that is probably the last time I will be talking about it.
“He is here, he is our player and he is going to stay our player.
“He is an integral part of the team, he is the best goalkeeper by miles in the league, so why should we jeopardise our chances in the position we are in?
"It wouldn't make sense, so as far as I am concerned, he is going to stay our player.”
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is weighing up the option of selling Brazilian International Alex to AC Milan in order to fund the purchase of Kleber from Brazilian side Santos, according to The Sun.
Milan have been heavily linked with a move for William Gallas at Arsenal as the Rossoneri look to shore up a defence at the San Siro that age has caught up with. Alessandro Nesta along with Milan legend Paolo Maldini are both coming to the end of distinguished careers with the Serie A giants, which means coach Carlo Ancelotti must bring in reinforcements this month.
However, at 26-years-old Alex is a more attractive proposition to Gallas, who is 5-years older than the Brazilian, with the Blues understood to be prepared to let Alex leave Stamford Bridge for around £10million as long as they can secure the services of left-back Kleber.
28-year-old Kleber has been at Santos since joining from FC Basel in 2005 and was handed his first cap for Brazil by Scolari in 2002. It is thought that a fee in the region of £2million could be enough to bring Kleber to the Premier League club, but Chelsea could face competition from Manchester City, who Kleber has been suggested to the board at the Eastlands Stadium as a possible target by British record signing Robinho.
“I had a year in Europe with Hannover and the experience was great,” said Kleber.
“Robinho told me he was going to suggest me to the Man City board. If he gets me to play in Manchester, I will be thankful for the rest of my life.
“It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’d say ‘yes’ straight away.”
Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are on course to clash in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup if they can overcome Shakhtar Donetsk and CSKA Moscow respectively, who, the two Premier League clubs drew in the last 32 of the competition.
Manchester City, who also made it through to the last 32, were drawn against Danish club FC Copenhagen at the draw that took place on Friday at UEFA’s HQ in Nyon, Switzwerland, with Mark Hughes’ side due to meet either Aalborg or La Liga club Deportivo La Coruna in the last 16.
The Villans face a tough tie against CSKA, who were the only team in the group phase to win all 4 of their matches and won the competition in 2005. However, Villa manager Martin O’Neill said he didn’t mind who the Midlands club got in the knockout stages, but must have secretly hoped for an easier draw than the one with the Russians.
Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham side also have a tough task against Shakhtar, who finished third in their Champions League group. However, Spurs will be glad just to be in the draw, having just scraped through on Thursday against Spartak Moscow, coming from 2-0 behind to draw 2-2 and book their place in the last 32.
First legs are to played on February 18/19th for the last 32, with the second legs to be played on February 26th. The first and second legs for the last 16, will be played on March12th and March 18/19th.
Full UEFA Cup Draw: Last 32
Paris St Germain v Wolfsburg FC Copenhagen v Manchester City NEC Nijmegen v Hamburg Sampdoria v Metalist Kharkiv Braga v Standard Liege Aston Villa v CSKA Moscow Lech Poznan v Udinese Olympiakos v St Etienne Fiorentina v Ajax Aalborg v Deportivo La Coruna Werder Bremen v AC Milan Bordeaux v FC Galatasaray Dynamo Kiev v Valencia Zenit St Petersburg v VfB Stuttgart Marseille v FC Twente Shakhtar Donetsk v Tottenham Hotspur
Full UEFA Cup Draw: Last 16
Werder Bremen/AC Milan v Olympiakos/St Etienne Aston Villa/CSKA Moscow v Shakhtar Donetsk/Tottenham Lech Poznan/Udinese v Zenit St Petersburg/VfB Stuttgart Paris St Germain/Wolfsburg v Braga/Standard Liege Dynamo Kiev/Valencia v Sampdoria/Metalist Kharkiv FC Copenhagen/Manchester City v Aalborg/Deportivo La Coruna Marseille v FC Twente v Fiorentina/Ajax NEC Nijmegen/Hamburg v Bordeaux v FC Galatasaray
Manchester City broke the British transfer record on transfer deadline-day to sign Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5million after the takeover at the Eastlands Stadium by the ADUG on the same day. Since then the media have come to the conclusion that the wealthy Arab owner’s will be prepared to chuck as much money around as is needed to land any player they fancy.
I for one do not think this will be the case. Wealthy? Yes. Stupid? No. While, City are in the position to outbid anyone for a player they want, they simply won’t pay massively over the odds just in order to get their man.
Take the case of Robinho (left), Chelsea wanted him and offered £30million, so City steal in and do a deal at £2.5million more, Real take that deal and so Robinho ends up in Manchester, despite the Brazilian revealing recently that Stamford Bridge was where he wanted to play.
So now look at the list of potential targets for the Premier League side in January, which include David Villa, Kaka, Gianluigi Buffon, Esteban Cambiasso, Fernando Torres and Roque Santa Cruz.
Now the name on that list that has cropped up most recently, with a World Record price tag attached is Valencia striker Villa, but how did anyone arrive at the figure of £60million? Valencia, are in dire straits financially and surely if City are to pay £60million. Then another club has to be willing to pay £55million, but I have not heard anything to that affect. So why would the City owner’s launch in at £60million?
Take what will probably be a much cheaper option in Mark Hughes former player Roque Santa Cruz at Blackburn Rovers, if offers are coming in for him at around £15million. Would it not make sense to just gazump them by a little in the same way City did with Robinho and Chelsea?
The only possible exception on that list is AC Milan playmaker Kaka, who if the Rossoneri decide to sell then a bidding war will ensue, starting at a pretty big fee and ending up anywhere. However, City will again only have to go that extra yard if they really want to recruit the soon to be former FIFA World Player of the Year to the Eastlands.
Yes, Man City will certainly be making a few big-money signings in January, but I can’t see them offering £10-20million more for a player just to get their man. You see my experience of rich people is they didn’t become rich by throwing it away when they simply didn’t have to.
As a football writer and lifelong Spurs supporter I often get asked, who is my favourite player of all time for Tottenham Hotspur. The trouble is there have been so many good players at White Hart Lane over the years that it is not an easy choice to make. Some I have had the pleasure of seeing and some unfortunately I have not.
So if I keep to the obvious ones Danny Blanchflower, Jimmy Greaves, Gary Mabutt, Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles, Ricky Villa, Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle, David Ginola, Gary Lineker, Teddy Sheringham, Jurgen Klinsman, Ray Clemence, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, with most of these names being players I have seen play over the years for Tottenham.
Sorry if I have missed anyone out or included anyone you think not worthy, but as I say Spurs have had the privilege of some fantastic players putting on the white shirt at the North London club over the years. However, my all-time favourite Tottenham player is not on the list above either. Nor do I think that he would make the list of any fly-by-night Spurs fan, for the player that has stuck in my mind since I had the complete and utter privilege of watching him play for Tottenham, as I was a young teenager in the 80’s is one Graham Roberts.
Now Roberts might not have been blessed with the skill of most of the players on the list above, for this was a defender, who did not know how to give 100% because he always gave more, much more. Roberts, was the type of player that if you were picking teams in the school playground, you would pick him first and simply for the reason that you would rather have him on your side than have to play against him. For Roberts was the type of player that if he were to die trying to score a goal or prevent one then he would have felt that his life was worthwhile.
Roberts arrived at White Hart Lane in 1980 from Weymouth aged 21 and a relative unknown, which raised questions of the then Tottenham manager Keith Burkinshaw. Now during this period at Spurs, Burkinshaw already had flair players like Hoddle along with 1978 World Cup winners Villa and Ardiles at The Lane, with most of the plaudits for the two FA Cups wins in 1981 & 1982 along with the UEFA Cup win in 1984 going to this trio, although Villa had left before the UEFA Cup triumph to earn a final payday in the United States, with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
You see I don’t think Spurs would have won anything without Roberts in this period. His never say die attitude and his willingness to give his all until the 90 minutes was up inspired those around him and most definitely inspired me. For Roberts would have carried on if a match, was 900 minutes long giving more than 100%. He simply did not know any other way.
But Roberts was more than a defender who gave his all. He scored goals to and vital ones and had he chosen to play upfront at an early age would have scored even more. For to get between Roberts and the ball, was taking your life in your own hands, because Roberts simply wanted to get to the ball more than any opponent he ever faced.
So why is he my favourite player? Simple Roberts gave me my three best moments as a Spurs fan, better than Gazza’s free kick against Arsenal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final at the old Wembley, better than Villa’s wonder goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final replay in 1981 and better than Hoddle’s 35-yard volley past Peter Shilton in his prime against Nottingham Forest. Even better than the 40-yard goal that the Argos Beckham scored against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium recently.
The first incident was in the same game as the Villa wonder-goal, Roberts was involved in a collision and as a result had three of his teeth knocked out. Against doctor’s advice he remained on the pitch completed the full 90 minutes and Spurs won the FA Cup. Would that happen nowadays? Of course not, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba knocked out Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidić's teeth out in a match recently and the Serbian defender was duly stretchered off the pitch not to return. Medical fact that you can't walk if your teeth fall out and Vidić is considered tough by modern standards, but wouldn't have lasted five minutes against Roberts.
The second incident was in the second leg of the UEFA Cup final in 1984 against Belgian side Anderlecht, with Tottenham 1-0 down from the first leg in Belgium and only 5 minutes left on the clock at White Hart Lane, Roberts popped up to score the equaliser and take the game into extra-time, which Spurs eventually won on penalties.
The third incident like the first was all what Roberts was about. Arsenal had signed Charlie Nicholas from Celtic, whose playboy image off the pitch had earned him the nickname ‘Champagne Charlie’. Nicholas was the complete opposite of Roberts in fact they were worlds apart in how they played the game. Roberts was never one for fancy dans or reputations as Nicholas found out in a North London derby, when a crunching tackle from Roberts put the Scot into the stands and became a true hero in my eyes. The White Hart Lane faithful even started a chant about this incident, such was the glee of seeing ‘Champagne Charlie’ climb back over the advertising hoardings looking a little shaken to say the least.
So that is why Roberts is my favourite Tottenham player of all time, because he gave his all, was a true hardman in every sense of the word and inspired others around him, while being perfectly happy to not be in the limelight and just be playing the game he loved.
Graham Roberts I salute you.
For some reason Roberts was only capped for England 6 times and when he left Spurs enjoyed success, with both Glasgow Rangers and Chelsea before finishing his professional career at West Bromwich Albion.
EURO 2008 winner David Villa is on the verge of a world record £52million transfer from Valencia to the Premier League with Manchester City, with the Spanish International’s agent due to fly into England on Tuesday to thrash out a deal for the striker, according to The News of the World.
City owner’s the ADUG, who broke the British transfer record, when they brought Brazilian Robinho to the Eastlands Stadium on transfer deadline day in the summer for £32.5million from Real Madrid are understood to have already rubber stamped Citizens manager Mark Hughes’ move for Villa. As the Manchester club look to flex their financial muscle when the transfer window reopens in January.
Los Che are understood to be in serious financial turmoil and City, are ready to take advantage by making Villa the most expensive signing in football history. With the fee for 27-year-old Villa set to eclipse the £50million Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
A source close to the deal said: “It is clear City need a world-class striker and Villa fits the bill.
“The Arabs have been impressed with him and Mark Hughes is convinced he will do well in English football.
“His agent will be flying in on Tuesday and there is every chance talks and a deal will be concluded by the end of the week.”
Villa has been at Valencia since joining from Real Zaragoza in 2004, with the prolific striker boasting an incredible 70 goals in 114 La Liga appearances during his time at the Mestalla and is considered one of the hottest properties in European football.
Everton manager David Moyes has been linked with a move for Paris St Germain striker Fabrice Pancrate in the January transfer window, with the Toffees boss desperately in need of some more firepower upfront at Goodison Park due to injuries.
The Merseyside club face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison, but Moyes only has one fit striker in Victor Anichebe available, with Yakubu and James Vaughan both out with long-term injuries and summer signing Louis Saha suffering from persistent hamstring problems.
28-year-old Pancrate had been a summer target for Premiership debutantes Hull City and could leave PSG on loan in January or for a modest fee of around £1million due to his present deal at the Parc des Princes running out at the end of the season.
Pancrate has been at PSG since joining from Ligue 1 rivals Le Mans in 2004 and has made 68 league appearances for the French side. However, Pancrate is not what you would call a natural goalscorer and has only scored 9 goals in the French top-flight for PSG since he left Le Mans, with the striker spending a short loan spell at La Liga side Real Betis in 2007.
Moyes is also reportedly interested in Manchester City summer signing Jo, who has struggled to make an impact at the Eastlands Stadium since his move from CSKA Moscow. However, it is understood that while City manager Mark Hughes may let the Brazilian International go out on loan. Hughes would be reluctant to loan Jo to another Premier League club.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari could make a January move for compatriot Vagner Love after the Brazilian striker, who currently plays for Russian side CSKA Moscow revealed that it was time to move on from CSKA, with the Premier League his favoured destination.
24-year-old Love had reportedly been on the verge of a season-long loan move to Chelsea’s Premiership rivals Everton in the summer. However, this did not materialise, with Love staying in Moscow, where the diminutive forward was the top-scorer in the Russian Premier League in 2008.
Now Love (left) has declared his intention to leave the Russian capital, with the former Palmeiras player dropping a huge hint that Stamford Bridge was his favoured destination. Saying he was his own player and not a replacement for Robinho, who the Blues lost out on to Manchester City in the summer.
“It is my aim to go to England,” Love told the Daily Express.
“I have given my best years to CSKA and it's time to move. But I'm not a replacement for Robinho - I am my own player.”
Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon announced recently that there would be no new signings at Chelsea in January, but with a growing list of injuries, Scolari has told the board at the West London club that he needs one more player. Felipão confirmed he was an admirer of Love, but was coy as to whether he would be trying to sign the Brazilian in January.
“Now, because I have many injuries, I say to the board that I maybe need one player,” Scolari said.
“I know that it's a different time now for Chelsea. But, if I have any more injuries, they understand that I'll need one or two players to replace some players.
“I think it's maximum one player they'll replace because we need one player more.
“He is a very good player - now he's in Russia playing very well, but I'm not thinking about A, B or C.”
Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin has revealed that he was the subject of an approach by Premier League rivals Arsenal, but has insisted the enquiry by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was “nothing serious” and that the North London club were just checking on his situation at Fratton Park.
30-year-old Distin has also revealed that he is happy in the Premiership after arriving at Newcastle United on loan in 2001, with the central defender admitting that he didn’t think he would stay in England for more than a season.
However, Distin is now in his eighth year in the Premier League, with the Frenchman joining Manchester City in 2002 before arriving at Pompey in 2007. While Distin is happy at Portsmouth he did reveal that former club Paris St Germain has a special place in his heart and if he were to return to play in France it could only be for PSG.
When asked if a move from Portsmouth to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal had been a possibility, Distin told Foot Mercato: “There was nothing serious, just an approach in order to know what my situation was, but no serious offer.
“PSG remain in my heart, they are the club that made me grow and that educated me. If tomorrow I am to return to France, my priority will be Paris.
“The club have strengthened and are capable of beating anybody this season. I wish we played against them in the UEFA Cup!
“I really feel French but I am good in England. I arrived here by chance, for a loan with Newcastle.
“I never thought I would stay more than a season but it went well and I did stay. From now on, my career is here and I cannot see myself moving elsewhere.
“A year and a half ago, I was a free agent and two French clubs that I will not name contacted me. They just wanted information and there was nothing concrete.
“Anyway England was always my priority. I am not missing France, apart from the food and the weather (laughs). And here I am esteemed, so why leaving?
“And I will not lie, money plays an important part. So returning to France would be tough. I never said I want to leave, I am just not sure of the club’s economic situation.”
Distin also revealed that he was “disappointed” that Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth for Tottenham Hotspur in October and that Redknapp had not told him he was leaving to take charge at White Hart Lane, but insisted that you have to move on.
“Personally, Redknapp disappointed me because he did not tell us about his departure,” Distin added.
“Some players realised he had gone by watching TV in the evening or the morning after, just before the game. Then you have to move on.”
Everton are reportedly favourites ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to sign want-away striker Lukas Podolski from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, according to The News of the World.
23-year-old Podolski, despite being a regular for the German national team has found limited opportunities this season under coach Jurgen Klinsman, who has preferred to play Miroslav Klose and Italian Luca Toni upfront for the Bundesliga giants.
Spurs and City along with La Liga Champions Real Madrid have all been heavily linked with a move for 23-year-old Podolski. Bayern chief, German legend Franz Beckenbauer declared last week that Podolski would be allowed to leave the Allianz Arena if the German clubs valuation of €15million was met.
Beckenbauer told Bild: “Everything in life has its price.
“Two and a half years ago, we paid €10 million. Now, the fee is €15 million.
“You cannot keep a professional if he is unhappy, on the bench, and not playing.
“Poldi does not quite fit into our way of playing. He is a top-class striker when he has space in front of him as he has the pace to run clear.
“But the teams we play against are usually very defensive, so we need players who can get into the penalty area – Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni in particular.”
Now the Sunday tabloid claims that the Toffees have entered into the frame to sign Podolski, with Everton manager David Moyes desperate to add some firepower at the Merseyside club in January after injuries to strikers Louis Saha and James Vaughan.
€15million would not be prohibitive for all three of the Premier League clubs, with it looking certain that Podolski will leave the Bundesliga club in January. However, whether Podolski chooses Goodison Park over the Eastlands, White Hart Lane or the Bernabeu remains to be seen.
Another option for Podolski could be a return to his former club Cologne, who have first option on the striker and have expressed an interest in bringing Podolski back to the Rhein Energie Stadion.
Serie A giants AC Milan have moved quickly to quell reports that they are preparing to launch a January bid for Arsenal defender William Gallas.
31-year-old Gallas’ future at the Emirates Stadium has become shrouded in doubt after being stripped of the captaincy at the Gunners by manager Arsene Wenger after comments the French International made to the media last week.
Gallas was subsequently dropped from the Arsenal team that lost 3-0 to Manchester City at the Eastlands Stadium in the Premier League last Saturday. However, Gallas was restored to the starting line-up for Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League win against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday and was praised by his performance by Wenger.
The Frenchman’s agent has already declared that Gallas does not wish to leave the North London club, with reports recently linking the defender with a move back to France.
Reports earlier on Wednesday have linked the Rossoneri with a January bid to take Gallas to the San Siro, but Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has rejected the reports and insisted that there will be no new arrivals at Milan in January. Instead Galliani declared that Milan’s focus is on their UEFA Cup clash with Premiership club Portsmouth on Thursday and continuing their recent form in Europe is what mattered most.
“Gallas? We won't be making any signings in January and we are only thinking about tomorrow's Uefa Cup clash,” Galliani claimed on Datasport.it.
“What matters now is that we continue our form in Europe after picking up six points in the last two games,” he added.
“There will be changes in the team tomorrow night, but every player in our squad is important and so I don't think we will struggle on the pitch.”
Arsenal are being linked with a swoop for Hull City, Blackburn Rovers and Everton target Eljero Elia at Eredivisie side FC Twente, who are managed by former England boss Steve McClaren.
The Tigers along with the Toffees and Blackburn are believed to have watched 21-year-old Elia in former England manager Steve McClaren’s Twente side that played Man City in the UEFA Cup recently at the Eastlands Stadium. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is believed to have been at the European clash to run the rule over Elia personally.
It seems that the North London club are preparing to make a move for 21-year-old Elia in January, with De Telegraaf claiming that Gunners chief scout Steve Rowley was in Holland at the weekend to see Elia turn in an electric performance in the 6-0 rout of SC Heerenveen. (see video)
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 the Premiership one day.
McClaren has used Elia on the wing this season, but the player can play as a secondary striker and has scored 6 goals in 43 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 the Premier League beckon in January.
Arsenal captain William Gallas has been told he can leave the Gunners by manager Arsene Wenger and has been left out of the Arsenal squad that play Manchester City in the Premier league on Saturday, according to reports.
A family member is claiming that not only has Wenger been left out of the Arsenal team for the clash with City, but he has also been suspended and stripped of the captaincy by Emirates boss Wenger.
The family member told The Sun: “Arsene told him 'If you don't want to be in my team then just go. You are free to leave'.”
"He's had the captaincy taken away and has also been suspended from the team.
"Of course, he's totally devastated about what's happened and is now wondering what to do next.
"He simply doesn't know what will happen to him. He's very down."
This has yet to be confirmed by the North London club, who are yet to comment after Gallas’ outburst on Friday on differences and unrest within the team at the Premiership side.
Should these reports be true then it is likely that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will skipper the side at the Eastlands Stadium on Saturday, with fans favourite to replace Gallas, Cesc Fabregas suspended for the game with City.
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.
Israeli International Yossi Benayoun has declared that he is ready to quit Liverpool if Reds manager Rafa Benitez continues to overlook him and only use the midfielder as a bit-part player at the Merseyside club.
28-year-old Benayoun has grown frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities under Benitez this season, with the former West Ham United player only featuring twice in the starting eleven in the past month for the Anfield side.
This has led to Benayoun making the sensational declaration that if Benitez continues to not use him then the former Valencia coach will lose Benayoun, with the Israeli hinting that he could leave Anfield as early as January if the situation does not improve.
Benayoun told Israeli TV: “If the situation remains the same over the next few months and I'm not getting more time in the middle, I will not want to continue as a Liverpool player.
“The fact that I have spent so much time on the bench, while there has been a winning formula on the pitch, tells you everything.
“I hope it changes for me, because I want to stay and prove myself, but it won't be easy. I know I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world and that there are many good players who sometimes aren't even in the squad.
“I always wanted to prove myself good enough for Liverpool and I thought I did well last season to contribute so many goals and assists.
“But there seems to be more competition for places this time and if I continue to be on the sidelines, I would not want to stay, even though it is Liverpool.”
Should the situation at Liverpool not improve then a January exit from Anfield to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Portsmouth or former club West Ham, who were all linked with Benayoun in the summer could materialise. However, David Bentley’s arrival at Spurs and Brazilian International Robinho’s summer move to City would seem to rule out both clubs from launching a January bid for Benayoun. So a move to Fratton Park or back to the Hammers could be an option, with Serie A side AS Roma also said to be interested in the Israeli.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been rocked by the news that Bulgarian International Martin Petrov could be on the sidelines at the Eastlands Stadium for up to four months after undergoing knee surgery.
29-year-old Petrov has been missing for the Blues since damaging his meniscus in October on International duty with Bulgaria and had been undergoing strengthening work at the Manchester club in the hope of avoiding going under the surgeons knife.
However, City have confirmed that the former Atletico Madrid player has had to have surgery and could be out until March.
A club statement read: “Martin Petrov has had surgery on his left knee and will be out for the next three to four months, it has been confirmed.
“Martin is recovering well but it looks as though he will now be out of the reckoning for the next three to four months.”
Petrov has been a huge hit at City since his transfer from the Rojiblancos in 2007, with boss Hughes sure to rue not having the Bulgarian available, having won only one of six Premier League matches since the midfielder’s injury.
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has been ruled out of England’s friendly International with Germany on Wednesday, City manager Mark Hughes confirmed on Monday.
21-year-old Hart injured his ankle in the Premier League clash with Hull City on Sunday after colliding with Daniel Cousin and could be on the sidelines at the Eastlands Stadium for up to a month.
“He'll have to be seen by our medical people when he gets back but he's likely to be out for a minimum of three to four weeks,” said Hughes.
“He's obviously out of the England squad, which is a blow to him, but most importantly it's a blow to us because we have some key games coming up. It will definitely be three or four weeks I think.”
Hart had been hoping to add to his one cap for England against the Germans, having made his debut for the senior squad against Trinidad and Tobago in May and will be replaced by Blackburn Rovers keeper Paul Robinson.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to ask the board at the North London club to make an improved bid of around £12million for Arshavin as he looks to replace his injured captain Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium.
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