Showing posts with label Portsmouth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portsmouth. Show all posts

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

Redknapp In Italy To Watch Adriano?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is in Italy to run the rule over Inter Milan striker Adriano, who is due to start for Inter in their Coppa Italia clash with Genoa at the San Siro on Tuesday, according to Corriere della Serra.

Despite securing the return of Jermain Defoe to White Hart Lane from former club Portsmouth last week, Redknapp is still keen to add another striker to the squad at Spurs, with Brazilian International Adriano reportedly on the Redknapp radar.

26-year-old Adriano has fallen down the pecking order at the Nerazzurri since the arrival of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at the Serie A Champions and has been widely tipped to leave Inter this month.

Redknapp is in Italy to check the form of Adriano out for himself, according to the Italian paper, with a view to bringing the striker to the Premier League. In what will be a rare start for the Brazilian, who has 31 goals in 51 caps for his country.

However, despite being one of the most feared strikers in Europe not so long ago, Adriano is deemed surplus to requirements at Inter for Mourinho, who has preferred Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz upfront in the Scudetto for Inter this season.

Adriano has scored 67 goals in 155 appearances for the Italians since joining from Flamengo in 2001 and spent time on loan at Fiorentina in 2002, before scoring 26 goals in 43 appearances for Parma in two seasons at the side, who, had co-ownership of Adriano’s registration at the time.

Saturday, 10 January 2009

Spurs Agree Terms With Midfield Enforcer?

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Ghanaian International Stephen Appiah is on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur after passing a medical at the Premier League club and agreeing personal terms at White Hart Lane, according to reports.

28-year-old Appiah had been training with the Premiership club, with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp keen to land the free agent if the former Juventus player impressed, while training with the Spurs first team.

Appiah became a free agent in the summer when his contract, was terminated by Turkish side, Fenerbahce. Redknapp had been linked with a move for the combative midfielder while in charge at Portsmouth, with Celtic, Schalke, West Ham United, Arsenal and former team Juve all reportedly interested in the Ghanaian.



One consideration for the North London club had been that Appiah is still coming back from a serious knee injury, but with it believed that the former Juve enforcer has passed a medical and agreed terms it remains to be seen if Redknapp is ready to throw Appiah straight into the team that faces Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

Although the acquisition of Appiah might be seen as a gamble by some, there can be no doubt that when fully fit the Ghanaian is a dominant midfielder, with the lack of a transfer fee reducing the risk for Tottenham. The length of the deal on offer is not known, but could be a short-term deal until the season.

Friday, 9 January 2009

Defoe Completes Spurs Switch

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Jermain Defoe, is set to be pitched straight into the first-team for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium on Sunday. After the finer details of his move back to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth were completed.

26-year-old Defoe left Spurs for Pompey last January after four-years at the Premiership club, where he scored 64 goals in 177 appearances for Tottenham before deciding to leave for Fratton Park to work under Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp, who left Portsmouth to take charge of Spurs in October had already worked with Defoe at West Ham United and is now set to work with the England International again, with Redknapp likely to start Defoe against the Latics this weekend.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy expressed his delight at having Defoe back at White Hart Lane, with Levy revealing that Defoe is also excited at being back and the prospect of working with Redknapp at Spurs.

“We are delighted to welcome Jermain back to the club,” said Levy.

“We had previously been keen for Jermain to sign a new contract to extend his initial stay but at that point in time he felt it was in his interests to move on in order to guarantee himself more starts.

“I know the club is close to his heart and that he is thrilled to be back and to once again link up with Harry.”

Redknapp echoed the sentiments of Levy and reiterated how highly he thinks of Defoe, who he has just signed for the third time in his career.

“I am pleased to have him here and I am sure the supporters are looking forward to seeing him back in a Spurs shirt,” he said.

“Because I know what a top class player he is as well as a proven goalscorer.”

Thursday, 8 January 2009

8 Premier League Clubs In Hunt For Belgian Star?

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Belgian International Steven Defour put a host of Premier League clubs on alert after the midfielder claimed he is ready to leave Standard Liege, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Portsmouth all interested in the young starlet.

20-year-old Defour joined Standard from Genk in 2006 and has already made nearly 100 appearances for the Belgian Champions, who he led to their first title in 25-years last season, with the midfielder now claiming he has achieved all he can with the Belgian club and is ready to take the next upward step in his career.

Defour admitted, “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve with Standard.

“Maybe it is best for my career to make an upward step. I feel the time is right for me to move on.”



Although Defour has been a rising star of Belgian football for the past two seasons and already has 18 caps for the national side. It was the midfielder’s performances in Europe against Liverpool and Everton that have attracted the clutch of Premiership clubs to the youngster.

However, Standard are understood to be not willing to let Defour leave the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on the cheap, with the midfielder valued in the region of £8million. This price could easily escalate though, should a bidding war break out from the interested English clubs.

Standard can hold out for a high price for Defour, who won the Golden Shoe award in 2007 for most outstanding player in the Jupiler League as the midfielder is contracted to Les Rouches until 2013.

Villa along with the Gunners, Spurs, Magpies, Boro, Pompey and Blackburn are all understood to have had Defour watched recently, with a move to the Premier League almost certain the only uncertainty is which club the young star will join.

Monday, 5 January 2009

Appiah To Train With Spurs In Bid To Earn Contract

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Ghanaian International Stephen Appiah is training with Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp keen to land the free agent if the former Juventus player impresses at the Premiership club.



28-year-old Appiah became a free agent in the summer when his contract, was terminated by Turkish side, Fenerbahce. Redknapp had been linked with a move for the combative midfielder while in charge at Portsmouth, with Celtic, Schalke, West Ham United, Arsenal and former team Juve all reportedly interested in the Ghana captain.

However, Appiah remained a free agent and is now understood to be training with the rest of the Tottenham squad at White Hart Lane.

Although Redknapp has made Stewart Downing of Middlesbrough and Jermain Defoe Spurs’ main targets this month. Tottenham are thin on the ground for defensive midfielders and the lack of any transfer fee could see the former Pompey boss take a chance on Appiah.

One other consideration is the fact that Appiah is still coming back from a serious knee injury, with it understood that if the Ghanaian proves his fitness and comes through the training with no ill effects to his knee. Then Appiah is in line to earn a contract at the Premiership club until the end of the season at least.

Spurs Agree Defoe Fee? - Improved £9million Offer For Hammers Striker?

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Tottenham Hotspur are close to completing the signing of England International Jermain Defoe, with Spurs understood to have agreed a fee in the region of £15million for the striker Tottenham sold to Portsmouth less than a year ago. Spurs are also reportedly ready to make an improved bid for Craig Bellamy (below) at West Ham United.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp signed Defoe for Pompey last year in a £9million deal to bring the player he first worked with at West Ham United to Fratton Park. 26-year-old Defoe revealed on Sunday that Redknapp was the main reason he left White Hart Lane in the first place, with the forward now looking destined to be reunited with Redknapp at the North London club.

Although Tottenham’s offer for Defoe is a little short of the South Coast clubs valuation of the England player. It is understood that there are add-ons included in the deal should Spurs qualify for Europe, according to The Mail.

Defoe has made 31 Premiership appearances for Pompey, scoring 15 goals and had forced himself back into the England squad under Fabio Capello.

Now Redknapp looks set to turn his attention again to West Ham forward Bellamy, with an improved bid of around £9million being mooted for the 29-year-old Welsh International. The Hammers have already turned down one offer from their Premier League rivals, but may not be able to resist an improved offer in light of financial problems at Upton Park.

Bellamy joined West Ham in 2007 for £7.5million from Liverpool and has scored 9 times in 31 Premier League appearances during his time in East London. The Welshman’s first season with the Hammers was blighted by injury, with Bellamy only making 9 appearances, but his performances this season have put the striker firmly on the Redknapp radar.

Premier League Offers For Dindane

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Lens chairman Gervais Martel has revealed that here have been offers from the Premier League for striker Aruna Dindane, with Portsmouth, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and more recently Tottenham Hotspur all linked with the Ivory Coast International.



Reports in France suggest that the offers have been to take the 28-year-old striker on loan, with a view to a permanent deal, but Martel is adamant that the Ligue 2 club will only sell Dindane outright and that he will not leave the Stade Felix Bollaert for the Premiership on loan.

“We have some offers,” Martel told Le 10 Sport.

“One thing is for sure - Aruna won't be loaned out, he will be transferred permanently.

“We have started to receive transfer offers. We have a few offers from England, but they are not alone.”

Martel also revealed that Lens will hold on to Dindane until the end of the season unless they receive a suitable offer, with the Les Sang et Or chief insisting figures in the press are short of his own valuation of the striker.

“I can just say the fee stated in the press is clearly not enough. If we don't receive offers that will satisfy us, we will keep him until the end of the season,” he added.

Dindane has been at Lens since joining from Belgian side Anderlecht in 2005 and has scored 25 goals in 90 league appearances for the French club, but is keen on a move to England after Len’s relegation from the top-flight of French football last season.

Spurs To Swoop For £3.5million Misfit Shorey?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is reportedly ready to make another move for Nicky Shorey at Aston Villa, having previously missed out on the England International to the Villans, while in charge at Portsmouth in the summer, according to The People.

27-year-old Shorey chose Villa Park over Fratton Park, when the left-back left Reading for £3.5million in August, but has failed to establish himself as a regular starter for Villa boss Martin O’Neill in the Premier League. O’Neill is understood to be ready to let Shorey leave Villa if the Midlands club can recoup the transfer fee paid to the Royals just five-months ago.

Redknapp is known to be keen to bring a left-back to White Hart Lane this month, with the former Pompey chief unsure about Welsh International Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the position.

Given that Redknapp reportedly made an offer for Shorey in the summer for a similar sum. It would appear that the defender is destined to work under Redknapp, albeit five-months later and at Tottenham not Portsmouth.

Sunday, 4 January 2009

Defoe Wants Redknapp Reunion

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Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that he wishes to leave Fratton Park in order to join Tottenham Hotspur so that the England International can work with Harry Redknapp again, who left Pompey for Spurs in October.

New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams admitted that he didn’t know if Defoe would play for Portsmouth again on Friday, with Aston Villa and Juventus said to be interested in the striker along with Tottenham.

While Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to lure Defoe back to the club he left 12 months ago. Defoe has now hinted that White Hart Lane is the only destination of interest and only left the North London club to work under Redknapp, who he has also worked under at West Ham United.

Pompey value Defoe in excess of £20million, despite paying Tottenham only £9million for the forward a year ago. Spurs are understood to have made an offer of £16million, with Defoe eager for the two Premier League sides to reach an agreement. So that he can rejoin the club he spent four-years at between 2004-2008 before his move to Portsmouth.

“If Portsmouth can agree an acceptable deal with Tottenham I would like the opportunity to talk to them,” Defoe told the Sunday Mirror.

“I've enjoyed my time immensely here, but I can't deny that Harry Redknapp's departure as manager hit me hard particularly because he was the reason why I joined Portsmouth in the first place.

“I have a great deal of respect for Tony Adams and what he's trying to achieve. We have a very good working relationship.

“But I left Tottenham to join Portsmouth with the intention of working with Harry for a considerable time to come. I could have gone to other clubs when I left Tottenham, but I wanted to work with Harry.”

Juve To Rival Spurs For Defoe?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp’s bid to be reunited with Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe at White Hart Lane is under threat of being scuppered by Serie A giants Juventus, according to reports.

26-year-old England International Defoe has already expressed his desire to leave Fratton Park after just 12 months, with a return to former club Spurs looking like the most likely destination. Redknapp is understood to have offered £16million for the striker that he paid £9million to Tottenham for, while in charge at Pompey.

Premier League rivals Aston Villa are also keen on the former West Ham United player, with it believed that it would be a straight fight between the Villans and Spurs for the signature of Defoe.

However, now it is said that Juve have made an offer of £20million to lure Defoe from the Premiership to Italy. If La Vecchia Signora are serious about their interest in the striker it could wreck Redknapp’s plans of working with Defoe at a third club after claiming recently that he will not pay over the odds in the transfer window.

One thing that is almost certain is that Defoe will leave the South Coast club especially after revealing that he has been the subject of death threats from fans for wanting to quit Portsmouth.

Defoe told the Sunday Mirror: “I have absolutely no idea how they got hold of my number but some of the calls have made me feel sick to my stomach.”

Spurs Make 'Take It Or Leave It' Offer For Downing?

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is understood to have made a £12million ‘take it or leave it’ offer to Premier League rivals Middlesbrough for winger Stewart Downing on Friday night. Despite Boro boss Gareth Southgate declaring earlier on Friday that the England International would not be sold in January, according to The Mirror.

Redknapp has been tracking 24-year-old Downing for weeks and decided to make his offer after learning that Southgate had blocked the wingers exit from the Riverside Stadium to White Hart Lane earlier in the week, while Spurs were discussing a fee with the North East club.

Tottenham have made the England winger one of their main targets during the transfer window. With various swap deals being touted to make the deal go through, which included the possibility of left-back Gareth Bale being part of the deal to land Downing.

However, in light of the comments made by Southgate, Redknapp has decided to test the resolve of the board at Boro and make a straight cash offer of £12million to lure Downing to North London. It is believed that the comments from Southgate went against the signals the former Portsmouth boss was getting from officials at Middlesbrough, who Redknapp feels are open to selling Downing.

Boro are thought to value Downing in excess of £15million, with it remaining to be seen if the left-winger will become Redknapp’s first signing at Spurs this month in what is expected to be a busy month for the former Pompey chief.

Downing has been at Middlesbrough since 2001 and has scored 17 goals in his 164 Premiership appearances for Boro during his 7-years at the Riverside.

Friday, 2 January 2009

Defoe To Join Spurs Again In Next 24 Hours?

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England International Jermain Defoe is set for a return to Tottenham Hotspur in the next 24 hours, less than a year after leaving White Hart Lane for Portsmouth, according to The Mirror.

26-year-old Defoe had spent four-years at Spurs before his switch to Fratton Park last January and now looks set to be reunited with Harry Redknapp, who brought the striker to the South Coast club, but then left Pompey to take charge of Tottenham in October following the sacking of Juande Ramos.

The Mirror claims that Spurs are to offer Portsmouth £5million for Defoe and will write off any outstanding payments from the sale of the striker last year as well as anything owed for the summer sale of Younes Kaboul to the Premier League club. This is understood to put the total value of the deal at around £12million.

Manchester City had also been heavily linked with a move for Defoe, but reports on Friday have suggested that City are ready to launch a £50million bid for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o. Should City move for the Cameroon International then a return to Spurs for Defoe looks even more likely, with Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie already resigned to losing the former West Ham United player.

However, despite paying £9million for Defoe from Tottenham last year, £12million is still short of Pompey’s valuation of the striker, who reportedly want in excess of £20million for the player that has scored 14 goals in 30 Premiership matches during his time at Portsmouth.

Wenger: Eduardo Not Ready For FA Cup Return

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Croatian International striker Eduardo is not ready to return to action for the Gunners in their FA Cup third round clash with Championship side Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

25-year-old Eduardo made his comeback after breaking his leg in February for the Premier League club in a reserve match against Portsmouth last month. The Brazilian-born forward played 45 minutes of the clash before being taken off at halftime as a precaution with a slight hamstring problem.

However, Wenger has insisted that Eduardo will be back playing for Arsenal by the end of January and that the former Dinamo Zagreb player is keen for a return to action at the Emirates Stadium as soon as the striker regains full fitness.

Wenger said: “Eduardo will not come back yet. It is still a bit early because he has to get his fitness back.

“He is fantastically keen and a dream to work with but when you have been out for nine months it takes some time to come back to your best form.”

It is thought that Wenger will utilise his squad against Plymouth on Saturday, with the Frenchman likely to play his fringe players against a side that is 15th in the Championship.

Thursday, 1 January 2009

Redknapp: Ramos Outcast Is A Genius

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is set to give midfielder Adel Taarabt his chance to shine in a Spurs shirt, with the former Portsmouth boss claiming that the former Lens player is a “genius”.

19-year-old Taarabt was one of five players along with Hossam Ghaly, Paul Stalteri, Ricardo Rocha and Kevin-Prince Boateng that had been frozen out at White Hart Lane under previous manager Juande Ramos. Ramos even went as far as to not allocate any of the five a squad number at the start of the season and banned the players from using the first-team training facilities.

However, when Redknapp took charge at the Premier League club one of his first actions was to reinstate all five. Now Redknapp has revealed that Taarabt is set to get his chance at the North London club, with Tottenham playing Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Friday and then the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Burnley next week. As Redknapp looks to utilise his full squad and rest key players for the more crucial tie with the Clarets, where victory over the two legs would guarantee Spurs UEFA Cup football again next year, should they meet Manchester United in the final at Wembley.

“If we can get him playing he is a genius,” Redknapp said.

“He's an amazing talent, I've not seen too many with that type of skill in my life. It's frightening.

“It's a case of trying to find a position for him and getting him fit enough to play. Getting him to do a bit when he hasn't got the ball - but he's only a kid.

“This is a real talent. A match-winner. So I'm sure we're going to see a bit of him in the next couple of weeks.”

This support from Redknapp will come as a boost to Taarabt, who despite being at Tottenham since 2007 has only featured in 8 Premiership games for Spurs and had been widely expected to be amongst the players leaving White Hart Lane this month.

Arsenal Weigh Up £10million Offer For Diakhate?

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is understood to be weighing up a £10million offer for Dynamo Kiev defender Pape Diakhate, should Gunners defenders William Gallas and Kolo Toure leave the Emirates Stadium in January, according to The Sun.

24-year-old Senegal International Diakhate is also believed to be a target for Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Manchester City and Portsmouth, with the central-defender having attracted the interest of Juventus, Lyon, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the past, while at Ligue 1 side Nancy.



Gallas’ future is unclear at the Premiership club after criticising his team-mates at the North London recently and being stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal by Wenger. With Toure also keen to leave the Gunners after reportedly also having a bust-up with former Chelsea defender Gallas.

This has led Wenger to sound out Diakhate as a possible replacement at the Emirates after the defender impressed the Frenchman with his displays in the Champions League for Kiev this season. However, Wenger is sure to face competition from Man City boss Mark Hughes, who is desperate to shore up a shaky defence at the Eastlands, while Pompey could also have a say in where Diakhate may end up, should the defender decide to leave the Ukrainian club.

Friday, 19 December 2008

Redknapp: "We Haven't Made An Offer For Defoe"

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has admitted to admiring former Spurs player, Portsmouth striker Jermaine Defoe, with the former Pompey boss also revealing he admired a lot of his former charges at Fratton Park.

Redknapp has been linked with several of his former players since he quit the South Coast side to join Tottenham in October, with Defoe along with Sylvain Distin and Glen Johnson all said to be on the Redknapp radar.

However, despite Pompey defender Lauren claiming that Defoe was to leave Fratton Park for a sensational return to White Hart Lane in January. Redknapp insists that no deal is in place for the England International, with no offer being made by the North London club to their Premier League rivals.

“We haven't made an offer for Jermain,” Redknapp said on Friday.

“I do like Jermain but there are a lot of players at Portsmouth I like. They have a great squad of players there.

In regards to Johnson, Redknapp wouldn’t be drawn, but did concede that the Spurs squad was short in areas. Redknapp is, a known admirer of Johnson, having seen him emerge from the West Ham Academy, while he was in charge of the Hammers and then signing the right-back from Chelsea for Portsmouth in 2007 after taking Johnson on a season-long loan .

“We are short in certain positions without a doubt,” Redknapp conceded.

“We've got a good squad here, it just needs thickening up. If we find the right players, we will bring them in.”

Bolton v Portsmouth Premier League Preview: Can The Trotters get Back To Winning Ways Against Pompey?

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Bolton Wanderers play Tony Adams’ Portsmouth in the Premier League at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

The Trotters might go into this clash on the back of two straight defeats to Chelsea at the Reebok and then Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park last weekend, but won four of their previous five Premiership games, which earned Bolton boss Gary Megson the Barclays Manager of the Month award for November. However, Bolton have only won twice in the league at home this season and have only managed to score 6 times in front of their own fans, which is a cause of concern for Megson. Bolton, are 11th in table and will hope to collect all 3 points against Portsmouth.

Pompey were soundly beaten last time out 3-0 by Newcastle United at Fratton Park, but were unbeaten in their five league games before that. With, wins against Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers and draws with West Ham United, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion. While Bolton have found goals hard to come by at home, Portsmouth have struggled to find the net away from home and go into this clash 3 points above Bolton in 8th place in the Premier League.

Gary Megson has almost a full squad of players to choose from for this clash with Pompey, with only Joey O’Brien (thigh) and long-term injury Ricardo Vaz Te (knee) unavailable for the game at the Reebok on Saturday.

Portsmouth will be without Lassana Diarra, who is on his way to Real Madrid in January, while Glenn Johnson (knee), Younes Kaboul (ankle) and John Utaka (thigh) are all in a race to be fit in time to face Wanderers.

Bolton Wanderers: (from) Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Nolan, Cahill, Muamba, Taylor, Elmander, Smolarek, Gardner, Davies, Steinsson, Riga, McCann, Al Habsi, Shittu, Cohen, Sinclair, Fojut, Harsanyi, Basham, A O’Brien, Sissons, Obadeyi

Portsmouth: (from) James, Kaboul, Lauren, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Diop, Crouch, Nugent, Thomas, Defoe, Distin, Pamarot, Utaka, Mvuemba, Kranjcar, Ashdown, Hughes, Campbell, Duffy, Little, Sahar, Kanu, Davis, Christophe, A Traore, Begovic, D Traore, Wilson, Belhadj

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Arsenal Striker Suffers Injury Setback

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Croatian International Eduardo, who made his comeback for Arsenal in a reserve game against Portsmouth on Tuesday, will have to wait a little longer on the sidelines at the Emirates Stadium. After being taken off at half-time in the clash against Pompey with a hamstring strain.

25-year-old Eduardo finally made his return in a Gunners shirt after nearly 300 days out following the horror tackle by Birmingham City player Martin Taylor, which left the Brazilian-born striker with a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula.

Now after a lengthy spell out Eduardo is set for more treatment after being taken off in his comeback as a precaution. However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be pleased that the hamstring strain is not too serious, with Eduardo revealing that he only expects the injury to delay his comeback by a further two weeks.

Eduardo said: “At the moment I am better and I feel very happy. I came off at half-time because I felt something in my hamstring but I think I will be all right in two weeks.

“The situation with my injury was very hard for me but I have to forget everything bad in my life.”

£15million Alonso To Join The Ramos Real Revolution?

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La Liga Champions Real Madrid have reportedly made a £15million offer for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, with former Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos keen to bolster a depleted midfield at the Bernabeu, according to reports.

Ramos is already reportedly on the verge of signing Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and now reports in Spain claim that Spanish International Alonso has also been the subject of a bid from Los Merengues. Ramos revealed on Monday that he needed two new players at the Bernabeu in January, with the former Spurs boss identifying the Madrid midfield as an area that needed strengthening.

Ramos told As: “We want a right winger and a midfielder. The club are working on it and I’m hopeful two talented players with a fighting spirit will join us pretty soon.”

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was eager to offload 27-year-old Alonso in the summer to raise the funds to buy Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. However, Serie A giants Juventus, who were keen on the midfielder baulked at the Merseyside clubs asking price and opted for Christian Poulsen at Sevilla instead.

Now with defensive-midfielder Mahamadou Diarra out through long-term injury, Ramos has found himself short in the centre of midfield and is believed to have made a firm offer for Alonso, who has been at Anfield since 2004 and has made 183 appearances for the Premier League club.

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Tottenham To Swoop For Arango? - See Him In Action

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has been linked with a move for Venezuelan International Juan Arango, who currently plays for La Liga side Real Mallorca. As the Spurs boss looks to put his ‘wheeler dealer’ reputation into practice at White Hart Lane by searching for some January transfer bargains.

With Redknapp revealing earlier in the week that after a meeting with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that the Premier League club will not be making any big-money signings in January. Redknapp has had to use his knowledge of the transfer market to search out some deals for the North London club.



This has led the former Portsmouth boss to 28-year-old Arango, who is an attacking-midfielder, with the ability to score goals. Arango has been at Mallorca since joining from Mexican side Puebla in 2004 and has scored 37 goals in 146 La Liga appearances for the Barralets during his four-years at the ONO Estadi.

Arango has less than 18-months remaining on his current contract at the Balearic island club and despite being a pivotal figure for Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano in helping the club finish 7th in La Liga last season. Is understood to want to test himself in the Premiership.