Summer 08 Transfer and Rumours Thread

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Deffo, but i don't think they are worrying about transfer fees... I think its more about getting shite off the wages.

Christ yeah, they have an insanely large first team squad who are on some crazy wages considering the size of the club and the recent finishes (Carling Cup aside, which was a good achievement after the start to their season).

I can see the following leaving Spurs this summer: Paul Robinson, Pascal Chimbonda, Lee Young-Pyo, Didier Zokora, Younes Kaboul, Teemu Tainio, Robbie Keane, Gilberto, Steed Malbranque, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Adel Taarabt, Michael Dawson, Darren Bent, Benoît Assou-Ekotto, Ricardo Rocha.

But I doubt there will be much more than £30m brought in for all of them combined.

[Rosco]

They'll probably get £30m+ for Berbatov though who will probably be offski.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Rosco

They'll probably get £30m+ for Berbatov though who will probably be offski.

I was in the camp that thought he would leave at the end of the season, but the more I think about it the more I think he'll stay at Spurs for another season.

My first reason is that he's been pretty below-par for the last few months, they've also got a new coach in Ramos who is proven at the top level and will likely mould the team into a more competitive one next season and maybe Berbatov would like to hang about and help the team progress to a higher level.

A likely scenario is still for Mourinho to be managing in Italy, and taking Drogba with him, allowing Chelsea to move for Berbatov since Anelka has been piss-poor since his move and Shevchenko isn't anywhere near as good in the EPL as he was in Serie A.

[bevros]

Alan Smiths agent has rejected Claims that the Newcastle striker will sign for Rangers this summer, after being seen at the Old Firm game last weekend, and is a known Rangers fan.

according to sky sports

Alan Smith's agent has rejected reports linking the Newcastle man with a move to Rangers.



Recent reports have suggested Rangers are lining up a swoop for England international Smith in the summer.


Rumours over a possible switch to Ibrox for Smith intensified over the weekend after the former Leeds and Manchester United star was spotted at at the Old Firm derby.


Smith's representative Alex Black has played down the rumours and says the player is happy at St James' Park.


Happy
"Alan has no intention of leaving Newcastle, he is happy at the club," Black told skysports.com


"All this Rangers talk has come about because he was at a couple of their games.


"It was just a coincidence as Alan got tickets for the Old Firm game and he went with a few friends to experience a Rangers v Celtic game as he is a football fan.


"Alan is not thinking about anything else but coming back fresh for next season and helping Newcastle to success."

[Rosco]

Alan Smith to Rangers, that's a BRAND NEW rumour.

[Stew]

I got a text yesterday from a mate who mentioned that story; that Smith was going to Rangers and Cuellar was going the other way. You'd think Newcastle would learn their lesson with taking defenders who've had one good year in the SPL.

Bad news for Manchester City fans following on from the thread about Sven being a goner:

Newcastle are already sniffing round Richard Dunne, so Eriksson's sacking will provide him with the perfect excuse for buggering off without it being a blatant wallet-filling exercise.

On top of that, Martin Petrov and Elano apparently only joined the club because of Sven's smooth words, and Micah Richards was talked into signing his new contract by the Swede. Of course, Chelsea are interested.

And to put the tin hat on things, whipper-snapper Michael Johnson is also toying with the idea of slipping out of the back door, and a big car with blacked out windows will be waiting to spirit him away in the direction of Liverpool.

Flamini has been offered £60,000 a week by AC Milan, so I fear Arsenal have lost him. Not too bothered though since Denilson is breaking through at the moment, and apparently Wenger has been spotted checking out Niko Krancjar with his chief scout Grimandi.

Add on to that Sunderland boss Keane is supposedly making Aiden McGeady his top target this summer. £10-12m and he's yours, Keano.

[EvilElvis]

Originally Posted by bevros

Alan Smiths agent has rejected Claims that the Newcastle striker will sign for Rangers this summer, after being seen at the Old Firm game last weekend, and is a known Rangers fan.

according to sky sports

Smith, Stephen Carr, Shay Given and Damien Duff were in town on Sat night apparently and went to the game

Why no rumours on the other three?!

[Stew]

Sounds like Cristiano Ronaldo is keeping his options open this summer, eh?

Ronaldo: I Don't Know If I'll Stay.

The Portuguese forward has been in outstanding form this season, having netted 38 goals so far and fired United into the Champions League final and the top of the Premier League table.

And while it is generally believed he will stay at Old Trafford for at least another season before considering a move abroad, the former Sporting star has been coy about his long-term prospects in England, refusing to rule out an immediate move.

“What I want to do is play in the final and win the next game against West Ham to win the league,” the 23-year-old told Marca.

“For my future, I neither know nor want to talk about it. After the Champions League final, we can talk about it.”

Anxious

Real Madrid remain Ronaldo’s most ardent suitors, as it was he they looked to bring to Spain before settling on ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

And this latest development will no doubt leave United fans anxious, coupled with rumours that Ronaldo is gunning for a ₤30,000 pay rise after signing a new deal only twelve months ago, and the fact Sir Alex Ferguson has a history of offloading superstars at their peak.

But in the meantime Ronaldo is focused solely on the Red Devils’ crucial upcoming fixtures, as they hope to secure a domestic and European double over Chelsea.

“It will be my first Champions League final and I feel very good,” the PFA Player of the Year said. “But for now the most important thing is the league.”

[Draven]

Nobody can afford him tbh. United can ask for silly money for him due to the length of his contract, don't see it happening. He'll look at Henry and realise wherever he moves too, he'll not be as highly thought of as he is at Utd.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Draven

Nobody can afford him tbh. United can ask for silly money for him due to the length of his contract, don't see it happening. He'll look at Henry and realise wherever he moves too, he'll not be as highly thought of as he is at Utd.

Real Madrid can easily afford him, the same really applies with AC Milan and Barcelona who can afford to go millions in debt because of the value of their squad, stadium, and their fanbase. I can see Madrid sticking in bids of £50-60m all summer, especially if there is a manager change and a president change.

[Draven]

But United don't have to a accept that. There is nobody, nobody better in the world than Ronaldo in that position and that style, so he's irreplacible to United. Man U don't need the money either.

I would disagree with Milan too - their being stingy of paying over £20million for Ronaldinho, nevermind affording £60million for CRonaldo. Barca is going to be overhauled in the summer, so I can see them making a move, similarly with Real.

But like Henry, no other team will play to Ronaldo's strengths the way Man U do. Arsenal played for Henry, now Henry plays for Barca, if you know what I mean?

I don't doubt for a second the rumours will be there, but I do not see it happening. Not with United potentially winning the league and the Champions League. Every Man U player that has ever left the club has in effect been making a "step down" to whatever their new club is, United just simply are that good. Excellent players like Beckham, van Nistelrooy and Smith have all proved to be wrong leaving, and I think Ronaldo would too.

Fuck CRonaldo just needs to LOOK at Beckham and see that he only won ONE trophy at Real to realise it's a mistake.

Just my thoughts however.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Draven

But United don't have to a accept that. There is nobody, nobody better in the world than Ronaldo in that position and that style, so he's irreplacible to United. Man U don't need the money either.

Lionel Messi?

Originally Posted by Draven

I would disagree with Milan too - their being stingy of paying over £20million for Ronaldinho, nevermind affording £60million for CRonaldo. Barca is going to be overhauled in the summer, so I can see them making a move, similarly with Real.

That's because AC Milan aren't stupid. If you think about things you'll realise that Ronaldinho has been poor this season and it's a slight gamble as to whether or not he'll be worth what Barcelona are asking for. On the other hand, and more importantly is that Ronaldinho wants to go to Milan and not Manchester City - as long as he wants to go to Milan he isn't going to be bothered how long Milan drag out the negotiations for the price. The haggling will continue all summer and I wouldn't be surprised if Milan don't pay that much for him, and maybe see a player or two moving to Barca in exchange.

Originally Posted by Draven

But like Henry, no other team will play to Ronaldo's strengths the way Man U do. Arsenal played for Henry, now Henry plays for Barca, if you know what I mean?

Real Madrid used to have a galactico police and fit in Zidane, Figo, Raul, Ronaldo, and as far back as Anelka etc. They had the team structure fit around everything playing through Zinedine Zidane for years - much like the French international team. Also see Kaka at Milan. If you get a player like Cristiano Ronaldo and pay big money you're going to make him the centre of your plans and ensure that he's happy in the role he's playing.

Originally Posted by Draven

Fuck CRonaldo just needs to LOOK at Beckham and see that he only won ONE trophy at Real to realise it's a mistake.

It's not just about trophies when you're at Madrid. It's being at arguably the best team in the world (tm), with the most history, the best coaches, the reputation and prestige that comes with it, and more than anything else the lifestyle. He was hounded in England for a while after getting Rooney sent off and is followed by the press everywhere - it wouldn't be as bad in Madrid. Also, see the weather!

[Draven]

Originally Posted by Stew

Lionel Messi?

Only player that can compare to Ronaldo, your right, but I seriously doubt that United could ever sign him from Barca and they know it.

Originally Posted by Stew

That's because AC Milan aren't stupid. If you think about things you'll realise that Ronaldinho has been poor this season and it's a slight gamble as to whether or not he'll be worth what Barcelona are asking for. On the other hand, and more importantly is that Ronaldinho wants to go to Milan and not Manchester City - as long as he wants to go to Milan he isn't going to be bothered how long Milan drag out the negotiations for the price. The haggling will continue all summer and I wouldn't be surprised if Milan don't pay that much for him, and maybe see a player or two moving to Barca in exchange.

That's true, but class is permanent, form is temporary. They know it's not such a gamble as it initially appears. But I do agree and realise that Ronaldinho wants to go to Milan, your absolutely correct with that.

Originally Posted by Stew

Real Madrid used to have a galactico police and fit in Zidane, Figo, Raul, Ronaldo, and as far back as Anelka etc. They had the team structure fit around everything playing through Zinedine Zidane for years - much like the French international team. Also see Kaka at Milan. If you get a player like Cristiano Ronaldo and pay big money you're going to make him the centre of your plans and ensure that he's happy in the role he's playing.

Those days are gone however, Real play a much more structured approach and cannot afford to play to suit one persons style. The Galacticos were a great team, but after that everything went downhill for Madrid. In fact as soon as Del Bosque got the sack I would argue that's when the Galactico era ended.

Originally Posted by Stew

It's not just about trophies when you're at Madrid. It's being at arguably the best team in the world (tm), with the most history, the best coaches, the reputation and prestige that comes with it, and more than anything else the lifestyle. He was hounded in England for a while after getting Rooney sent off and is followed by the press everywhere - it wouldn't be as bad in Madrid. Also, see the weather!

I agree with you here, but point out Man Utd has an equally as distinguished history. Not as many European trophys yes, but you don't sign for a team simply because of what they once were. You don't get big signings for St. Etienne and Nottm Forest etc. Real are good, but their not as good as Man Utd, especially in the coaching staff department. The press in Spain is just as bad as the English press, if not more. See what happened to Becks when he was there for an example of that. You mentioned the Rooney incident, I agree, but in Spain you get booed off the pitch simply for losing a match, not appearing to betray a nation. Hell Shuster is under pressure simply for not playing attractive footie.

Weather, yep, completely agree. But when your as minted as CRonaldo is, it's no bother to hop onto a plane home.

EDIT - just thought I'd add, that I may sound like a Man Utd fanboy here, but I'm not actually that fond of the club. I just simply think there is no better side in the world at the moment than Man Utd. So it's not bias on that part.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Draven

That's true, but class is permanent, form is temporary. They know it's not such a gamble as it initially appears. But I do agree and realise that Ronaldinho wants to go to Milan, your absolutely correct with that.

Aside from the fact that Ronaldinho clearly wants to go to AC Milan, and his brother wants him to go there you've also got the fact that AC Milan's medical staff are utterly amazing at ensuring players have the fullest possible career. Look at 39-year-old Maldini, Cafu, Emerson, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Kalac, Favalli, Serginho, Fiori, Brocci, Ba, Oddo and - yes - Ronaldo suffered a horrific injury, but he's going to come back from it. If anyone has the drive and medical support to do it right now it's Ronaldo, and he has said he wants to finish his career at his hometown club in Brazil so his son can watch him play for them - and I have every faith that he will.

Originally Posted by Draven

Those days are gone however, Real play a much more structured approach and cannot afford to play to suit one persons style. The Galacticos were a great team, but after that everything went downhill for Madrid. In fact as soon as Del Bosque got the sack I would argue that's when the Galactico era ended.

Those days are gone because players like Zidane that you can build your team around don't come along that often. I'd imagine they'd consider it for Kaka if they could get a hold of him (which is being rumoured for £55m to clear the Milan debts and bring in Ronaldinho, actually, but I think it's nonsense), but as you say I can't see them doing it for someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - he can't have a team playing through him; he doesn't have the style of play, yet.

The Galactico era ended for me the minute they brought in Beckham for shirt sales rather than playing ability. Don't get me wrong, he's a fantastic crosser and passer and has great drive and ambition, but he's not in the same league as the likes of Zidane, Figo, Raul, Ronaldo, etc.

[Stew]

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed he has received an offer from Liverpool for skipper Gareth Barry. O'Neill insisted the Reds have made a player exchange offer for 27-year-old, who has two years left of his currrent contract. The Villa chief is thought to be interested in bringing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch back to Villa Park.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...530957&cc=5739

I can only think that MON feels Carew is coming to the end of his time at Villa, since he loves his bag man & small man front partnership and they don't come much bigger than Crouchie.