Football News: Owens a goner as Newcastle freefall

Football News: Newcastle in freefall as Liverpool & Everton wait for Owen

Football news circulating on the internet has it that Michael Owen is wanted by Liverpool and Everton. Meanwhile Newcastles season is going into freefall, as they lost 3-1 to West Ham, with what can only be described as a hapless performance.

Reports are that Everont and Liverpool will approach Owen during the winter with a view to convincing the England hitman to complete a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old was in and out of contract negotiations all summer long. The Toon at one point attempted to ease their cash-flow crisis by slashing 20 per cent off his wages, while later reports suggested a bumper £140,000-per-week deal was on the horizon.

The Tynesiders have been mired in turmoil ever since Kevin Keegan's dramatic resignation as manager two weeks ago: a replacement has still to be found and owner Mike Ashley, shocked by the levels of vitriol from supporters, has put the club up for sale, albeit at a prohibitive asking price of 450 million pounds (823 million dollars).

Such strife occasionally triggers a doughty defiance, but not with Newcastle. They slumped to an embarrassing home defeat to newly-promoted Hull last weekend and this performance, which leaves them second from bottom of the table, bordered on the shambolic, despite a late flurry prompted by Michael Owen's well-taken goal.

West Ham, sensing Newcastle's nerves, were in no mood for sympathy. It took them just seven minutes to break through, although even this was overdue. Etherington and Di Michele had already seen shots blocked before the latter finally cracked the Newcastle rearguard. After that the inevitable defeat followed.

Football news of this kind is only more torture for the poor Geordie fans. Their club is being dragged into the gutter by a woeful management team. Ashley, Wise and co have simply not got a clue about what it takes to run such a big and well supported club. The sooner they leave and Newcastle get some stability the better!

Manchester City News: Robinho impresses

Manchester City News: Micah Richards impressed with Robinho

The latest Manchester City news lis that defender Micah Richards has heaped praise on new signing Robinho, saying he has impressed his teammates with the amount of work he gets through.

Richards said: "It is not just about his tricks. He has got a good work rate, he works for the team. He could have been a star who came here and cared about himself but he really cares about the team and wants us to do well."

Manchester City meet Portsmouth on Sunday in their latest Premier League game and Micah Richards sees a bright future at Man City. The completion of the £210million takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group is imminent and is expected to give the club Chelsea like power in the transfer market.

Richards, who graduated to the first team from the academy, said: "This is a great place to be at the moment. I've always said we are going to do something. Hopefully with the financial backing we are getting we can go out and win a trophy."

Well given the dross served up by various management teams at Manchester City in the last decade you can only wish for the supporters sake he is right! Manchester City are certainly in the news lately, and it can't be bad if they Premier League ends up with five teams battling for four places!

Football Transfer News

Football Transfer News - Saha to Everton, and the fight for Milner begins
First up in football transfer news is that Louis Saha is on his way to Everton. The striker will join Everton for an undisclosed fee, subject to passing a medical. The 30-year-old France international will become Everton's third signing of the summer after Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo. Saha, who joined United from Fulham for £12.8m in January 2004, will sign a two-year deal with an option to extend his contract by a further 12 months.

Other football transfer news also concerns Everton, whose manager David Moyes is attempting to hijack Aston Villa's bid to land James Milner after making a £10m offer to Newcastle United for the England under-21 winger last night. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan wants to keep Milner and has demanded the midfielder be given a pay rise. The winger handed in a transfer request but he wants to stay at Newcastle if they offer him a improved contract.

Aston Villa have reportedly met Newcastle's £10m asking price and it could, therefore, be left to the player to decide which team he wants to join, subject to agreeing personal terms.

Liverpool are making football transfer news of their own and are poised to complete the £8million signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol. Terms of the deal have been agreed between the clubs and 26-year-old Riera must only prove his fitness to seal his move to Anfield. The fee involved is thought to be around £8million, with Riera set to return to the Premier League having previously had a loan spell with Manchester City in the 2005-06 season.

There is more football transfer news here and here . Two days to go until the window closes!!

David Beckham - all over for England?

David Beckham will do well to hold onto his England place

David Beckham and his glorious England career should surely now be coming to an end. Beckham's latest display surely shows why Fabio Capello must call time on Beckham.

Paul McGrath has now joined ex England manager, Bobby Robson in insisting it's time Beckham was put out to grass.

Seeing parallels with his own situation when with the Republic of Ireland, McGrath says its time Beckham gave it up. Robson sees England as needing fast, vibrant wingers, and its hard to disagree.

Beckham was never the fastest of players, but now he simply doesn't get forward any near as much as he used to. He can still do it at dead ball situations, but he was never the fastest, and now he's clearly slowing with age.

Football Focus Online has joined the chorus - David Beckham, it's time to call it a day!! More football gossip here

Football Liverpool: Alonso asks to leave

Football Liverpool: Alonso asks to leave as Anfield's dirty washing goes public

In the latest development in the ongoing transfer sagas at Anfield, Xabi Alonso has asked to leave Liverpool, reportedly requesting to be sold to AC Milan or Arsenal, fearing his football will be limited if he stays at Liverpool.

The continual wrangling amongst the Liverpool management team is set to plunge their football season into turmoil before it has even begun. The Parry Benitez relationship is clearly becoming untenable, with something going to have to give sooner or later, and from the demeanour of Benitez, he clearly doesn't believe it will be him.

Xabi Alonso asking to leave Liverpool is only the latest twist to a sorry football saga that has gone on since April, and one that has left two top quality footballers at clubs they'd rather leave. Throughout it all Benitez appears a remarkably calm football manager, and ever confident he will get his man in Gareth Barry.

It has to be said though, 18 & 16 million for either footballer is too expensive. A good 3 million of the price for each would be a much more reasonable deal, and you can see how Benitez is getting exasperated with Rick Parry - refusing to pay 18 million for the player above Carrick and Hargreaves in the England midfield, and demanding a similar fee for the player the club wants Barry to replace!

Liverpool's fans will be concerned that all the boardroom wrangling that seemed to have settled, has again burst to the surface threatening to derail not just the football season, but Liverpool Football club itself.

Berbatov to Man United

Berbatov to Man United in 48 hours reports

Latest reports doing the rounds, is that Dimitar Berbatov is to move to Manchester United for 28m within 48 hours. If so its' a scary thought - Ronaldo staying and Berbatov added into the mix. Makes John Terry's recent words about Manchester United not finding another level, look more like a hope than a shrewd prediction.

Also it won't have gone unnoticed by Rafa Benitez, that Manchester United's board where willing to sanction 28m for a 28 year old Berbatov, and he's been refused 18m for 27 year old Gareth Barry.

If Ronaldo have gone, we'd have seen Berbatov as a poor mans replacement, but adding him to a squad with Ronaldo staying only make Manchester United look ever the stronger. Berbatov to Man United may be one of the most expensive transfers of the summer, but it will more than likely also prove one of the shrewdest!

Football News: Benayoun going nowhere

Football News: The Yossi's not for turning

Latest FOOTBALL NEWS has it that Yossi Benayoun has been told he will not be sold - despite constant speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield.

In todays football news from the tabloids the Israeli midfielder was again linked with a move to Roma, the Italian club seeing him as one of their main transfer targets for this summer. However Benayoun has been assured by Rafa Benitez he will not be sold and the player himself is not looking to leave anyway so any such move would be highly unlikely.

The 28-year-old has impressed during pre-season, scoring three goals in seven games and playing a key role in Liverpool’s unbeaten run. Benayoun’s ability to play in a number of positions makes him a key member of Benitez’s first team squad and the Reds boss has made it clear to him that his future lies with Liverpool.

Furthermore, other news has it that contrary to previous news stories, there is no need whatsoever for Benayoun to be sold to finance the proposed signing of Gareth Barry as the funding for that possible deal is entirely separate. So the football news rumbles on, but this particular piece of news is likely not to happen!

Gareth Barry to Liverpool

Reports coming in of a deal done for Gareth Barry to move to Liverpool

At long, long, last it appears the Gareth Barry move to Liverpool has happened. Reports are surfacing of Villa recieving 17.5 million plus Steve Finnan for Barry.

Rafael Benitez and all Liverpool fans will be pleased the longest running transfer saga of the summer will now be over. It certainly looks like a combination of Alonso, Pennant, and Voronin have played their last game in the red shirt of Liverpool. Personally I am disappointed in Pennant and that he must go. The guy has simply never fulfilled his promise, though he is still only 24.

Benitez I think is looking at Barry for his versatility and intelligence, plus he is better as a holding midfielder than Alonso, given the absence of Mascherano for a month. Given the price of Barry, Keane and Doessena, Liverpool's indispensables each week are starting to look like: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Doessena, Barry, Mascherano, Gerrard, Keane, and Torres. That leaves the likes of Skrtel, Babel, Benayoun, and Kuyt all fighting over one spot. Liverpool are certainly going to be very strong this year, but maybe just not quite!

Gareth Barry to Liverpool has proved to be the long yawn of the summer, and it's instructive how Liverpool have struggled to raise the fee. A sign of the credit crunch and Liverpool's parlous finances perhaps? Martin O'Neill will be glad Barry has finally moved to Liverpool, and he can get on with Villa's season!

Pennant to Blackburn

Jermaine Pennant is wanted by Blackburn & Paul Ince

Paul Ince is set to target the Anfield winger Jermaine Pennant as a replacement for the about to depart David Bentley, who is on the verge of joining Tottenham.

Blackburn officials have sounded out their Premier League rivals with a view to making a £6million offer for Pennant, although reports are saying Liverpool want a similar fee to the £6.7million they paid Birmingham for Pennant two years ago.

Pennant has struggled for first-team football on Merseyside, so may find the prospect of regular action at Ewood more appealing and his sale would free up more cash for Rafa Benitez to spend on his own targets.

Paul Ince will fancy his chances of getting the best out of Pennant at Blackburn and who can blame him. Pennant is reaching the age where it's make or break, as at 24 he has to start delivering on his potential.

Pennant to Blackburn would be a good move for the player given his lack of action at Anfield, though personally I think he's an excellent player who could thrive given one more chance by Liverpool. Also the present Liverpool system suits him down to the ground, as he's a lot more than just an out and out winger.

Football News: Keane to Liverpool delay

Football News: Robbie Keane's move to Liverpool maybe delayed as Levy postures

Latest football news has it that Robbie Keanes move to Liverpool maybe delayed as an 'outraged' Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, has complained to the FA about Liverpool and Manchester United's conduct in their pursuit of Robbie Keane and Berbatov.

Liverpool suspect Robbie Keanes club are trying to soften up Spurs fans to the impending departure of both players. Also they further suspect Levy is more angry with Sir Alex Ferguson for his public comment that 'its only a matter of time' before Berbatov moves.

As for Liverpool tapping up Keane - well Mr Levy thats part and parcel of football I'm afraid. It's why Owen and McManaman left Liverpool and why Ronaldo is on his way too. Also Mr Levy seems to have forgotten his part in the tapping up of their present coach Ramos, while Martin Jol was still the manager!

Its well known Robbie Keane is a boyhood Liverpool fan - one of the few who can genuinely say it, even as Jamie Carragher famously said 'they all say that don't they'! Football Focus thinks there was zero tapping up required for Robbie Keane to want to move to Liverpool, and they wouldn't have needed to make the interest known via the media. It's not like they couldn't let him know via a discreet third party is it? Football Focus thinks Levy's words over Keanes move to Liverpool is pure posturing.

Robbie Keane to Liverpool should be a great move for all parties. Spurs get a fat amount of cash to balance the books, Liverpool get a great partner for Torres and Keane gets that move to Livepool he never thought was coming!

Football News: Ronaldo to Real Madrid

Ronaldo to Real Madrid: Unstoppable momentum grows

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid is gathering inevitable momentum with increasing reports in the media fuelling the circus around his move.

Latest reports have Scolari and Calderon urging him to 'be strong' and that Manchester United 'can't hurt him'! All silly season stuff really, and what's all been seen before as countless others have done what Ronaldo is now doing ie dig his heels in and force Manchester United to sell him to Real Madrid.

It's the sad but inevitable route many transfers take in modern football, and the Ronaldo to Real Madrid saga is no different. Just the money involved is bigger than ever before! Eighty million really is nuts!

Bernd Schuster has come out and said Real Madrid will do 'whatever it takes' to get Ronaldo from United. That appears to be an eight million transfer fee, and 182 grand a week! The interesting part will be if the Glasers become as relentless as Real Madrid and leave him in the stands. There was an interesting article in the Times the other day, where an employment lawyer basically said that a deal will get done as Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Manchester United will all realise that lawyers will be the only winners if it goes to court.

We at Footy Focus reckon it's a done deal. Ronaldo will move to Real Madrid, and Manchester United will get a stash of cash to replace the forty goals a season! It's a well worn path and Manchester United have time and again been in Real Madrids place. Thats life Fergie!

Football News: Ronaldo to force his way to Madrid?

Ronaldo to do 'all in his power' to move to Madrid

In a depressingly familiar tale of player power, reports are emerging that Cristiano Ronaldo is to do 'all in his power' to get his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

'Sources' also briefed in the media that Ronaldo considers Real Madrid a bigger club than Manchester United, and that he has never been enthused with life in Manchester.

Given Ronaldo signed a new, improved deal a little over 12 months ago, it all has the familiar depressing ring of contracts not being worth a carrot, as player power rules.

Manchester United will be further enraged that FIFA have cleared Real Madrid of any wrongdoing in their conduct and relentless pursuit of Ronaldo.

It seems the saga is beginning to play out to its inevitable end, and that Ronaldo will move to Madrid after the European Championships, much to the dismay of Manchester United and it's supporters. There is a slim chance the Glazers might do what they say, and stop Ronaldo's Madrid move, and let him 'rot in the stands'. Now that would be fascinating to see!!

Football News: Fernando Torres to Chelsea a dream

Fernando Torres to Chelsea officially a dream as he commits to Liverpool

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres moved again to quash any speculation of a move to Chelsea. Speaking after Spain's game against Sweden he said;

“I want to say very clearly that I’m not on the market and that it’s my desire to continue at Liverpool, I’m very happy there and I want to carry on. I came to the club to win trophies. I have many years left on my contract and I expect to win some silverware there. I have gone through things I have never experienced before, like playing in a Champions League semi-final.And now that I have come within touching distance of glory I want it all.”

Well speaking as a Liverpool fan, you really can't get much clearer than that. I get the feeling with Fernando Torres that he is going to be at Liverpool for a while. Call it gut instinct, whatever, but you just can't see Torres moving on. It's destiny!

Speculation had increased after the appointment of Scolari, with fantastic rumours of a 65 million pound double bid for Fernando Torres and David Villa. Such talk has quickly proved to be newspaper drivel, with Torres quickly moving to ridicule the speculation and Villa stating he's rather move anywhere but Chelsea, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid his preferred destinations.

I'm just glad these Fernando Torres to Chelsea rumours are now likely to go away and I can watch Liverpool's dealings to bring players in not out!

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Football News: Real want Ronaldo to strike

End-game becomes a farce as Real Madrid urge Ronaldo to go on strike

The Sun and Tribal Football are reporting that Real Madrid are urging Ronaldo to go on strike, to force Manchester United's hand over Ronaldo's proposed transfer.

Real Madrid president, Calderon is being quoted via second hand 'sources' that they want Ronaldo to go on strike at Manchester United until the transfer window closes on 31st August.

It's all becoming very nasty, sad and disappointing really. A lot is just newspapers filling the column inches, but there can be little doubt Real Madrid have turned Ronaldo's head, and both are now trying to engineer a move.

As we've said before, wouldn't it be great if just for once a club stood up to a player and let him either stick to his contract or as Ferguson put it, 'rot in the stands'. It would be fascinating if the Glazers and Manchester United really did refuse to buckle to Real Madrid and Ronaldo.

Whether Ronaldo moves to Real Madrid or not, its once again showing the money driven, dark side of football. We can only hope Manchester United back up their words with action. More power to their elbow we say!!

Football News: Liverpool turn to Bentley

Liverpool turning to Bentley as Dosenna signs in
Rafa Benitez is reportedly turning to David Bentley as the solution to Liverpool's right wing problems. His chances of securing Bentley have increased due to Mark Hughes leaving, and Blackburns inability to secure European football next season.

Bentley reportedly sees Champions League football or UEFA Cup football at least, as vital to his ambition to cement his place on the right wing for England, as David Beckhams long term replacement.

Liverpool are involved in a major reshuffle, with Riise, Alonso, Kewell, Crouch, Finnan, Pennant, Carson, and Itandje all going or gone. Benitez is reportedly keen to up his quota of English players given the possibility of the 6+5 foreigners rule.

Bentley to Liverpool would be a great signing for Benitez, and give Liverpool some real balance to the side. He'll be expensive but worth it. Kuyt or Bentley on the right - duh!

Ronaldo: Ferguson not welcome here

Ronaldo's position becoming untenable as he tells Ferguson to stay away

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid seemingly took a step closer yesterday, as he made it known he did not wish to see Alex Ferguson at the Portuguese training camp, to discuss the matter.

Given Ronaldo has now also come out and said he would like to move to Madrid, via a Brazilian website, it all stacks up to the player slowly building pressure on Manchester United, in a bid to engineer his move.

What would be really interesting is if the Glazers and Manchester United stick to their guns and let Ronaldo 'rot in the stands' as Ferguson said this week. Personally I would be ecstatic if they did. How good would it be if just for once, a player was made to stick to their contract. Given Ronaldo only signed his latest four year deal last year, United have every right to feel aggrieved.

However I think its a bit rich for them to complain about Real Madrids tactics. I suspect Sir Alex Ferguson is a past master at such tactics and has been using them for years, in order to get his transfer targets from other clubs!

Depressingly for Manchester United fans, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to move to Real Madrid, and it is now turning into the story of the summer. The really fascinating part will be how far the Glazers and Manchester United are prepared to go in standing up to Real Madrid and the modern player power being displayed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Let battle commence!

Ronaldo to Madrid: Looking a shoe-in

The mother of all moves edging closer as Ronaldo admits to wanting move to Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted yesterday (albeit on a Brazilian website), that he would like to move to Real Madrid. There was no word from Sir Alex Ferguson, though Manchester United's Chief Executive David Gill stated that "Our position on Ronaldo remains as set out last week," referring to Ferguson's insistence that the club would rather let the player rot in the reserves than do business with a club who, in their eyes, have brazenly flouted transfer rules and etiquette.

It all seems like its building up to be the mother of all transfer stoushes, probably ending in the mother of all transfers, with a world record fee of 78 million pounds securing Ronaldo's move to Madrid.

Manchester United and it's supporters will be hugely disappointed with Ronaldo, who it appears is determined to engineer the move to Madrid after only two outstanding seasons. However given his recent comments it can come as no surprise.

Overall the Premier League will be very interesting next season, and potentially there will not be a better time for a club to break into the top three or four. Arsenal have lost Flamini and Hleb, Chelsea look likely to lose Drogba and possibly Lampard, while Manchester United certainly look like losing 40 goals a season in Ronaldo.

Football News: Liverpool given Bentley Hope

Bentley to Liverpool hint, transfer may just be on

David Bentley has given his strongest hint yet he may be prepared to leave Blackburn to further his career.

Speaking in the News of the World he stated that while he may have had a good season at Blackburn, he considers himself to have achieved nothing yet. Displaying fierce ambition, he openly stated his desire to replace David Beckham in England's midfield, and to play at the very top in Champions League games.

Given that the Champions League qualifiers are known before the start of each season ie Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea, it all points to one thing. Also given that the club linked most heavily with him is Liverpool, it seems the path towards Anfield has started.

Expect to now see more 'sources' stories linking the player with Anfield. From Blackburns point of view, a wad of cash plus Jermaine Pennant wouldn't be a bad deal at all.

Personally I'd love to see him at Anfield. Pennant has the talent, but not the mental toughness or maybe iron-willed desire to succeed at the top. Bentley to Liverpool would do very nicely!

Football News: Liverpool Malouda link

Football News: Liverpool linked with 10 million move for Malouda
Liverpool have today been linked with a 10 million pound move for Chelsea's out of sorts Florent Malouda. Some sites even report that talks have begun with his agent, which seems to be jumping the gun a bit to us.

Interesting this one. Malouda is quality, but clearly struggled in the Premier League.... a bit like Ryan Babel but without the excuse of youth. If it meant Liverpool could play Babel somewhere he looks a bit more comfortable, then great he'd be worth getting, especially if it doesn't get too expensive.

Whether he's the missing link in Liverpool's title bid I don't know, but one things for sure, Malouda surely can only be more creative than what Liverpool have got now. Pennant, Babel and Benayoun are better than before but still collectively not good enough.

Florent Malouda to Liverpool will be big news in football if it comes off and may well turn out to be a really smart move!

Liverpool: Fernando Torres to get better?

Liverpool's Fernando Torres could be even better in his second season

Been a keen watcher of Fernando Torres this season. He is truly the best centre forward Liverpool have had since Ian Rush. As faster as Owen, as good a finisher as Fowler, and as strong as Collymore he's the nearest thing to a complete centre forward Liverpool have had in decades.

Question is though, will Torres be as good next year? Defenders will have worked him out a bit (though you can't work out sheer pace!), teams will plan tactics on stopping him, and he's yet to get a bad injury.

We at Footy Focus think Fernando Torres will be better than ever. He'll have a year under his belt and will feel a lot more settled and confident. He's proved he can handle the physical aspect of the league, and if Rafa gets it right in the transfer market, Torres will be playing in a more balanced team, with one or two better players.

The key for Liverpool is to buy at least one player of the same class as Fernando Torres and Stephen Gerrard, and hope that Ryan Babel comes through after his debut season. Too often Liverpool's attacking threat consisted of Torres and Gerrard only, with poor support from the likes of Babel, Pennant, Kuyt, Voronin and Kewell.

Footy focus is a huge fan of Fernando Torres and can't wait for his second season, but Liverpool oh so desperately need another of his calibre!