Alves set for Middlesbrough despite dispute

Southgate confident deal for Alves will remain despite AZ Alkmaar dispute

Gareth Southgate is confident there is no case to answer despite AZ Alkmaar's claims of a pre-contract agreement with Alfonso Alves, the Heerenveen player, who signed a four and a half year deal with Middlesbrough on Thursday. Alkmaar say they will take their case to Fifa, despite the Dutch FA already ruling that the agreement is invalid.

Alves, reportedly signed for a £12m fee, completely refutes the claim, and Southgate said: "The only thing that can happen is there could be compensation between Heerenveen and Alkmaar."

Of more concern to Southgate is the fact that the player is unlikely to be available for Sunday's Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle at St James' Park. The player spent most of Friday queuing for a UK visa at the British Embassy in Amsterdam and it is doubtful his visa will clear in time.

Everton sign Gardner on loan from Tottenham

Gardner joins the Toffee's chase for fourth place

Everton have signed Anthony Gardner on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season. Gardner joined Tottenham from Port Vale for 1 million pounds in 2000, but a series of injuries wrecked his time at White Hart Lane. Gardner has one England cap, coming against Sweden in March 2004.

Gardner has only played six times this season for Spurs, the last appearance coming in October against Getafe.

Benjani deal to Manchester City in limbo

Benjani deal stalls as Manchester City pull out at the last minute

There were bizarre events in Manchester last night, as the Manchester City board tried to abort the transfer of Benjani from Portsmouth at the last minute. Benjani himself not only arrived late, after missing two planes, but also failed to properly sign the required paperwork. It is understood however, that the Premier League is prepared to overlook this, with Portsmouth and City manager Eriksson, keen for the transfer to still go through. The mystery is why the Manchester City board does not want to proceed, and they are not telling why.

Sources close to the club are indicating the board are unhappy with the way particular issues have been handled by Benjani's agents, however the whole transfer is now in a state of limbo.

Premier League News - Benjani move falters and Defoe signs in

Portsmouth - Benjani too late for City, while Defoe signs in

Things didn't go quite to plan for Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth yesterday. A deal was agreed for Benjani to go to Manchester City for a fee of 9 million. However the player bizarrely arrived too late in Manchester to complete the deal.

Meanwhile, a prompt Jermain Defoe arrived at Pompey to sign a four year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Footy Focus thinks Harry Redknapp will be delighted at being able to keep Benjani, and acquire a striker of Defoe's quality. However the Portsmouth money men may well be a tad upset at missing out on the Benjani fee.

We don't know what the fee was for Defoe, but we are sure he will prove to be an excellent buy for Harry Redknapp.

Mascherano signs for Liverpool reports

Sky Sports News reports Mascherano has signed for Liverpool

Sky Sports News is reporting that with three minutes of the January transfer window remaining, Argentina International Javier Mascherano, has signed for a permanent move to Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £17million.

If true this will delight Rafa Benitez and give the club a bit of a lift after all the recent turmoil.

Liverpool - Mascherano deal not yet done

Mascherano deal close but not yet done

Liverpool are understood to have agreed a deal with Kia Joorabchian, who heads the companies who own Mascherano’s “economic rights”, for the club to assume sole ownership of the until June 2012. The fee is believed to be 17.1 million pounds. Liverpool were hoping to negotiate the fee down, but realised the strong interest of other clubs meant they had to pay the asking price. As Mascherano is already registered with Liverpool, both parties are in no rush to complete the deal, and it is believed it is likely to be announced next week.

Rafa Benitez will be delighted to have secured Mascherano, as it was the refusal of the board to sanction this deal in November that sparked the furore that has so badly derailed Liverpool's season. However the fact remains that Benitez's own position is far from secure, and is weakening by the day while Liverpool's results continue in their recent manner

Premier League News - Spurs to swoop for Rangers Hutton

Spurs to swoop again and go for Rangers Hutton

Juande Ramos is set to further add to his defence, by paying 9 million pounds to Rangers for defender Alan Hutton. Hutton has long been the subject of speculation of a move to the Premier League and Tottenham have been prominent in those reports.

Sky Sports is now reporting that Ramos is to add to his recent capture of Jonathan Woodgate, by completing the long pursuit of Alan Hutton, after Tottenham upped their offer to 9 million pounds.

Ramos is doing the obvious - sorting out that Spurs defence, as there's not too much wrong with an attack that has Berbatov, Jenas, Lennon, and Keane to call on.

Second club enters chase for McFadden

McFadden Birmingham deal not done, as second club enters race

James McFadden left St Andrews last night, after being unable to agree terms wih Birmingham City. Reports also surfaced of an unnamed second club entering the chase for the Scottish international. The event will disappoint Alex McLeish who has been a long admirer of McFadden's talents from his days as Scotland boss.

Celitc have previously tried for McFadden on loan, but it is not known as yet whether they are the mystery second club.

Newcastle chase Espanyol's Jarque

Keegan to hit the ground running with a bid for Daniel Jarque

Kevin Keegan is hoping to make a swift move in the transfer market, on his return to Newcastle with a bid for Daniel Jarque of Espanyol. The Espanyol defender has been the subject of speculation that Tottenham Hotspur boss Juande Ramos would make a move. However Keegan, is set to mark his return to Newcastle United with an 8 milllion pound bid for the Espanyol defender.

Premier League Transfer Window News

Tiago to Juve', Fred to Tottenham, Liverpool watching Bridge

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster is interested in Juventus midfielder Tiago. Despite his mixed season at the old lady of Turin, Tiago is highly rated by Schuster from his successful Olympique Lyon days.

Tottenham are reportedly in talks with Lyon's brazilian striker Fred, regarding a cool 9 million pound deal. It's reported he's asking for 4 million a year in wages. Ouch, we can see this all ending in tears!

Wayne Bridge is considering his future at Chelsea, after they signed Lokomotiv Moscow utility player Ivanovic. Bridge is already unhappy at Avaram Grants rotation policy, and will not hang round to play third fiddle behind Cole and Ivanovic. Informal approaches from Anfield have been rejected by Chelsea, who don't want to sell a first-team squad member to a Premier League title rival. A move is more likely at the end of the season, than in the January transfer window.

Premier League Transfer News Part 2

Latest Premier League transfer news & speculation

Stories around Klass-Jan Huntelaar are beginning to gain momentum. Speculation has it that Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool all watched him score twice for Ajax against AZ Alkmaar on Sunday. Other Premier League clubs representated at the game were Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.

Portsmouth are denying they are to sign Lassana Diarra from Arsenal for £5.5 million.

When will Middlesbrough learn? Fred the Lyon striker has been unable to agree personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain, or Tottenham, so guess what his next mooted destination is? Yes thats right, the home of the overpaid, non-scoring, foreign big-time charlie, Middlesbrough! Footy Focus reckons 80 grand a week and eight goals a season (3 of which will be against Halifax in the Carling Cup) is coming right up.

Talking of eight goal a season strikers, Tottenham Hotspur are willing to offers of around £12.5 million for Darren Bent. Bent has scored three goals in 14 appearances, half made from the substitutes' bench, since he moved for an initial £15.5 million from Charlton Athletic in the summer. To be fair to Bent, he hasn't really been given a chance at Tottenham and would certainly represent better value than Fred.

Elsewhere, Atlético Madrid have entered the race to sign Momo Sissoko, the Liverpool midfield player, who is also wanted by Juventus

Premier League Transfer News

Latest Premier League Transfer window news & speculation

Tottenham Hotspur are after beefing up their attack, given they are listening to offers for Bent and Defoe. Latest speculation has them tracking Alvaro Negredo, the Almeria striker, while Fred, the Lyons striker, claims Tottenham are after him. "For the moment, I have only received two offers, from Paris and Tottenham," the Brazilian told L'Equipe. (PA)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane, will finally get Stephen Hunt with an improved bid of £5m bid. So says the Mirror.

Blackburn Rovers are trying to sign Amdy Faye, the Senegalese midfielder currently on loan to Rangers from Charlton Athletic as a replacement for Robbie Savage. They are also tracking Wigan's Jason Koumas. This again from the Daily Mirror.

The Sun is saying Portsmouth are set to spend for them what is big money, and sign Tiago, the Portuguese midfielder, from Juventus for £8m. Also The Mirror is reporting Harry Redknapp is interested in Jermain Defoe and is trying to offload Matt Taylor to fund the deal.

Stoke City have spent some Premiership small change, and broken their transfer record to sign Leon Cort's on a permanent deal from Crystal Palace for a £1.2m fee.

Middlesbrough, continuing their penchant for ridiculously expensive foreign big-time charlies, have hit a snag in their attempt to sign Afonso Alves. The £12 move from Heerenveen, of Holland is being held up as he is struggling to get a work permit due to his lack of international caps. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham City have stunned the football world by bidding £3 million for James McFadden, the rejecting of which by Everton, has further nonplussed us at Footy Focus. We would have bit their hand off. Alex McLeish is also after Gary Cahill, the Aston Villa defender, submitting a 4m bid.

Momo Sissoko move still on

Sissoko's next club not clear as three clubs jostle to seal a deal

Reports are circulating that Juventus have cooled their interest in Liverpool's Momo Sissoko, leading to speculation that Liverpool will not be able to afford to tie up the Javier Mascherano deal in this transfer window.

Of note however, is the fact that the Liverpool Echo is reporting three clubs are interested in Sissoko, which all points to a deal being done soon. This should enable Liverpool to tie up Mascherano, as regardless of who is in charge next season, any manager would want him in the squad.

Footy Focus thinks it's all part of the normal speculation and that Sissoko will move, with Mascherano secured to Liverpool.

Premier League News

Anelka straight in, Redknapp straight out, and Fred right man for Spurs

Nicolas Anelka is straight into the Chelsea squad for the game against Spurs after his 15 million pound move, and guess what? He's vowed to stay at Chelsea for the rest of his career. Yeah right Nic, we've heard it all before....

Tottenham have topped all offers for Lyon striker Fred with a cool 11 million pound bid. Clearly preparing for one of their four strikers to move on, they have substantially outbid Portsmouth and Paris Saint-Germain. However it appears Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, has told Fred to pick his club, even though the Paris Saint-Germain bid is as low as 7 million.

Harry Redknapp is in talks with Newcastle about his imminent move. He went to an office in London's Bond Street, and met with Paul Kemsley, along with the agent Dennis Roach and Chris Mort, the Newcastle chairman. However Mike Ashley was absent, being in the Far East on business, which complicates things as Redknapp is thought to be keen to speak to Ashley before concluding the deal. Things should be tied up by the middle of next week.

Anelka completes Chelsea move

Last chance saloon for the incredible sulk

Nicolas Anelka has completed his move to Chelsea for a reported 15 million pounds. In what must be the last chance for 28 year old Anelka to really fulfill his potential, Chelsea have signed a top class forward who will provide cover for the injured Shevchenko and the absent Kalou and Drogba. Also given Drogba's stated desire to move on in the summer, its a smart piece of business by Chelsea.

Anelka has long been linked with a move away from Bolton, despite only signing a new contract last summer.

Premier League News

Saachi underwhelmed by Sissoko, Klinsmann to Bayern and Ronaldo staying

Saachi criticises Sissoko signing. Arrigo Sacchi the ex-AC Milan boss and general all-round coaching legend has took a dim view of the imminent deal. Harshly describing the player as a 'plughole' and having no quality, he clearly doesnt rate Sissoko. Footy Focus thinks he's being a tad mean - Sissoko is no slinky passer but he has the potential to develop into a really top class central midfielder.

Other news has seen Bayern Munich announce the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann as coach next season. Rafael Benitez and I suspect the majority of Liverpool fans will be mightily relieved at this news. His is the last type of appointment the Kop would have wanted

Premier League title-holders Manchester United, have been linked with Klass Huntelaar, for what seems a reasonably cheap value of 12 million. I've always rated Huntelaar, as he is such a prolific scorer. Kuyt 9 mill or Huntelaar for 12...hmmm. Still at Manchester United, David Gill has been giving the old 'he's not for sale, never' line on Ronaldo. As we all know, not until he asks to go David. There's been recent speculation of Real Madrid making a move. We think he's happy to stay where he is....for now.

Over at neighbours Manchester City, Didi Hamann is to be rewarded for his excellent for with a contract extension for another year. Footy Focus could never understand why he didn't get a game under Stuart Pearce. Our Didi is the master at sitting in front of the defence, breaking up play, and holding the team together. His legs maybe creaking a bit but theirs life in the old dog yet!

Tottenham Hotspur seem set to offload Pascal Chimbonda. There's more speculation linking him with a move to Aston Villa and his agent is in the papers saying he would welcome a move. We think Martin O'Neill is quietly weaving his magic at Villa, and slowly building a team that will soon begin to get some great results.

Premier League News, Transfer Speculation & Rumour

Harry's wheels not turning as the deal to Newcastle stalls, Man U lead the profits league

Newcastles pursuit of Harry Redknapp is beginning to turn awkard and potentially very costly. Portsmouth are determined to hold onto their man, and Redknapp has a contract until 2011, which would reportedly mean Newcastle paying Portsmouth compensation of around 8 million for our 'Arry's services. The local paper the Evening Chronicle, is reporting Mark Hughes of Blackburn is also under consideration. Reports linking Everton's David Moyes have been dismissed, but more interesting is the fact that betting odds on Kevin Keegans return have been slashed. Surely not!

Over at Anfield the news is that the Momo Sissoko supposed Juventus move is becoming a bit of a yawn. The player says its all go and he expects agreement soon, while the club through it's mouthpiece, the local rag, The Liverpool Echo, says its recieved no contact from Juventus. Footy Focus thinks its a done deal and as Reds' fans will be sorry to see him go. You may well regret this Rafa!

Meanwhile Liverpool have recieved a tremendous boost with the news that Daniel Agger is ready to return to first team action. He was due to play in a reserve game but that was called off due to heavy rain. Regardless, he is ready to play some part in the Premier League away trip to Middlesborough. Rafael Benitez will be boosted by this, the return of Xabi Alonso and the purchase of Martin Skrtel as we go into the final leg of the Premier League.

In other news, Premier League title holders Manchester United, have announced financial results to make their rivals green with envy. Despite having to pay 42 million in interest on the debt put upon the club by the Glazers, they have announced a pre-tax profit of 59 million. All this after paying out 70 million for Nani, Anderson, Carrick and Hargreaves! The anti-Glazer faction at Manchester United really have no argument. Liverpool fans can only dream that Hicks and Gillett will get their club in a similar position.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is bemoaning his clubs lack of height, noting they have conceded four goals from set pieces lately. Fulham tried for Jan Koeller but he turned them down. Footy Focus thinks he needs some big centre-backs as well as forwards. Sami Hyppia would be a great short term measure if he could be persuaded.

Premier League News & Transfer Speculation

Redknapp the favourite for Newcastle as Anelka has a strop

Harry Redknapp has emerged as the latest fool to take on the hotseat at St James Park, with his odds slashed and some betting suspended on him taking over at Newcastle. It remains to be seen how he will be received by a Gallowgate End, who would probably like a more glamour name than the wheeler delar that is Harry Redknapp. Also given his alledged role in other types of transfer wheeling and dealing, his appointment will not be without some comment up on Tyneside.

Wanderlust Nicolas Anelka has done what he is best at.....sulking. Reports have it he has demanded to leave Bolton for Chelsea, while Bolton won't shift from their 15 million pound fee. A final bid of 12.5 million will apparently stop Nicolas's bottom lip from quivering.

All this talk of same old, same old, brings us to Middlesborough. What with Newcastle changing managers and Nicolas Anelka in a strop, they just couldn't help themselves. They've just yet again paid big money (a cool 10 million) for a fancy-dan foreign forward, who has no idea where Middlesborough is. Afonso Alves is the name and he plays for Heerenveen and Brazil. More Brazilians on Teeside - Footy Focus thinks he should Google Teeside and weather before he puts pen to paper. Not many birds in bikini thongs up there - the only ones are dancing around poles and charge a fee to be looked at. Middlesbrough are also rivalling Manchester City for Fred, the Lyon and Brazil forward.

Elsewhere speculation has it that Aston Villa are after Pascal Chimbonda from Tottenham, who has apparently fallen out of favour with Juande Ramos already. Everton are bringing Manuel Fernandes back to Goodison Park on loan. Reports are that he will arrive on Merseyside today to finalise terms and have a medical.

Premier League News, Transfer Speculation and Rumours

Sissoko seduced by the Old Lady, as City chase Niang and Nasri

Momo Sissoko to Juventus is beginning to seem a done deal with the player quoted as saying he expects 'exciting things' in the next few days. Seems to be good business all round, with Liverpool getting around 12 million, and Sissoko getting first team football. I think he will develop into a really top class central midfielder at Juventus, and Liverpool may regret letting him go. Other less credible reports see Sissoko being offered to Tottenham for Jermaine Defoe. Can't see that one flying.

Still at Juventus, apparently Rafael Van Der Vaart has set his heart on a move to the Old Lady of Turin, turning down the offer of a new contract at Hamburg.

The Guardian is reporting Manchester City have enquired about Mamadou Niang and Samir Nasri, but have ruled themselves out of any move for Djibril Cisse

Premier League News, Transfer Speculation and Rumours

Latest news and transfer speculation

Birmingham, Wigan, 'Boro and Bolton are all reportedly interested in bringing Milan Baros back to the Premier League. Baros has not been getting a game under new Lyon coach Alain Perrin and looks all set for a move. He really has lost his way Baros. He was excellent at Liverpool and was only sold as we needed the money for Crouch. He was great at Euro 2004, attracting the interest of Barcelona, but since then he has really fell away. A wasted talent I think!

Elsewhere news has it that, the Premier Leagues newest manager, Fulham's Roy Hodgson is proving a very brave man, as he is eyeing up a move for Juventus's Alain Boumsong. Given the nightmare he had in the Premier League its' a brave manager who believes in him! Footy Focus recommends a price of nil or no deal for Boumsong.

Meanwhile, other transfer speculation has Tottenham boss Juande Ramos putting in a bit of 8 million for Chelsea’s Israeli Tal Ben Haim. Ben Haim isn't bad, but I wouldn't be paying that for a player who cost nothing, and got skinned by Fernando Torres.

Over at the Gallowgate, Big Sam has completed the signing of 17 year old Swindon defender Ben Tozer for an undisclosed fee. May well be a good signing, but hardly what Newcastle fans are looking for as they continue their Premier League free-fall.

Interesting reports from the Mirror, that Premier League leaders Arsenal are considering tabling a 15 million pound bid for Nicolas Anelka, which will exceed the tabled bids from Newcastle, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Footy Focus still reckons its' Chelsea for Anelka.

Other news has Derby's Paul Jewell paying for me what is a lot of money, for a 34 year old Robbie Savage, with him moving to Derby for a reported 2 million. He can certainly do a job for them, as a midfield terrier, but the fee seems excessive to me. Suppose it will be money well if they stay up and keep the Premier League millions!