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!

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: Robbie Keane to Liverpool the Priority

Football News: Benitez now making Robbie Keane to Liverpool his main game

Rafa Benitez is, almost unbelievably, after the yet to be resolved Gareth Barry saga, making Robbie Keane's move to Liverpool his top transfer priority.

Given Liverpool's limited funds, the wealth of midfield options he has, he is now concentrating on bringing Irish striker Keane to Liverpool. All this begs the question on the Barry saga, what was all that about? If Keane has always been the priority, why wait until now to make him as such. Poor old Gareth Barry must be getting a bit worried if he will be playing any football this season, or will he be left to rot in the stands by Aston Villa, with Liverpool unwilling to meet the asking price.

We reckon Robbie Keane to Liverpool is a done deal and we can see why. Keane just behind Torres is a quality partnership, and a great improvement on Crouch, Kuyt and Voronin et al. Liverpool will look a whole lot better if Keane does move from Tottenham. As for the Barry to Liverpool saga - well we reckon Rafa Benitez is playing a game of brinkmanship, and trying to slowly, slowly grind Aston Villa down to a price he can afford to pay. The brinkmanship is if Barry gets nervous, and tells his agent he would go to Highbury as well as Anfield. Villa know the longer it goes on, the lower his value becomes as he has clearly played his last game for the club.

Overall we reckon they are two done deals, eventually! A suitor for Alonso will emerge from Spain, Villa will cave in, and Robbie Keane will be hightailing it north in a move to Liverpool. Boy do these transfers drag on!!

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!

Riise ready to quit Liverpool

Riise frustrated at time on the bench, warns he may move on

John Arne Riise has warned Liverpool he is growing increasingly frustrated at warming the Anfield bench.

In a statement that will add to the growing speculation that he will move on in the summer, he stated "I am not happy with the situation. I am used to playing in 80 per cent of all the games, but if I don't get to play as much as I want to I have to make a choice this summer as to whether I should stay or not. Maybe he [Benitez] will offer me a new contract, maybe not. It's frustrating not knowing if you are going to play the next game or not."

Riise has long been the subject of speculation that he will be moved on, but this time it appears to be for real. With no contract offer on the table, and an increasing amount of time on the bench, it appears his Liverpool career maybe drawing to a close.

Footy Focus thinks he should bide his time - Aurelio is never more than a game away from another injury, and Steve Finnan is becoming injury prone with age! He should stick around a bit longer!!

Madrid to try for Ronaldo?

Silly season starts early as speculation links Real Madrid with a 50 million bid

Reports are surfacing of Real Madrid's board discussing how to make a major bid for Manchester United's jewell Cristiano Ronaldo.

AS says Ronaldo remains on Real president Ramon Calderon's shopping list, despite the recent public denials made by sports director Pedja Mijatovic.

To raise the cash for a £50 million-plus deal to buy Ronaldo they are considering selling the likes of Mahamadou Diarra and Julio Baptista. Liverpool have been linked with Diarra as a replacement for the much speculated about Xabi Alonso, while Baptista was also linked with Anfield.

Diarra is a quality player, however Baptista struggled at Arsenal so would likely command a much lower fee.

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.

Sammy Lee to return as Leeds Assistant Manager

Lee in from the cold to help McAllister in the Leeds hot-seat

Sammy Lee looks set to make a welcome return to English football as assistant manager to Gary McAllister at Leeds United. The Sun is reporting that following McAllisters appointment, Lee is set to become once again the assistant, rather than leader and be part of McAllisters back-room team.

Lee was the the first Premiership manager to be sacked this season, after leading Bolton to a dreadful start amid rumours of dressing room discontent. Despite this, McAllister and Lee could very well make a great team at Leeds. They have a lot of experience from their Liverpool days where they were part of a relatively successful period in the clubs history.

Lee is highly regarded within the game, and has also been part of the England setup in recent years.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

Newcastle Allardyce moves out the dead wood

Allardyce begins to swing the axe on Newcastles dead wood

Sam Allardyce is reportedly ready to listen to offers for the fringe players in his squad. Most notable likely departees include Emre and Shola Ameobi. Emre has been linked with moves to Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen, while Ameobi is wanted by Norwich City and former Magpies boss Glenn Roeder.

Newcastle themselves are chasing Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra and made an offer for Manchester Uniteds Wes Brown

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!

Manchester City in for Lyon Striker Fred

Right says Sven, as City move for Fred.

Manchester City are leading a host of Premier League clubs who are interested in signing the Lyon striker 'Fred'. The 24 year old is a Brazilian international, strong, powerful and a good finisher by all accounts.

He's scored 25 times in 55 games for Lyon but the emergence of Karim Benzema combined with injury and some moments of indiscipline have cost him his place. Tottenham are also apparently interested but consider Benzema the more talented player, though Lyon will resist all approaches for Benzema. Other clubs mentioned are Blackburn, Portsmouth and Bolton.

He seems a potentially good buy to me and would be suited to the more physical English game. Having said that I'm not praying Liverpool buy him!