Transfers/Rumours

[10]

is there an echo in here?

[Zurawski]

Breaking News: Raul signs for Schalke

[predator]

Mark hughes to manage Fulham

And Redknapp signs another donkey

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... onkey.html

[Loppermann]

Genoa have signalled their interest in Gamba Osaka and Japan NT midfielder Yasuhito Endo.

would be a good fit for Serie A, classy player... thought he'd be able to do better than Genoa though

[SpursOnTheRise]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

[Steelinho]

Genoa have signalled their interest in Gamba Osaka and Japan NT midfielder Yasuhito Endo.

would be a good fit for Serie A, classy player... thought he'd be able to do better than Genoa though

Not if he wants to play a regular starting role, which would be a key criteria for him to move. His fitness is a huge issue, which would make it hard for bigger clubs to guarantee that spot.

Hell, his fitness is one reason he might not even pass a medical in Europe for a transfer. He has Hepatitis.



EDIT: Just found out that Raul has signed for Schalke.

[Nice One Cyril]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

[Steelinho]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

Probably because Lippi is an idiot and hardly took any fresh legs into the tournament.

Probably also because Raul has signed for Schalke.

[Nice One Cyril]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

Probably because Lippi is an idiot and hardly took any fresh legs into the tournament.

Probably also because Raul has signed for Schalke.

Shit no! When did that happen?

[Litmanen]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

He plays for Italy in his age group, he actually wears the number 10 too. Personally i think after the way they treated him in Italy he should play for Ghana just to stick it to them.

Raul should sign for Schalke too, but i'm not sure if that's been done yet? can anyone confirm this 3 or 4 times?

[10]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

Probably because Lippi is an idiot and hardly took any fresh legs into the tournament.

Probably also because Raul has signed for Schalke.

[Loppermann]

Genoa have signalled their interest in Gamba Osaka and Japan NT midfielder Yasuhito Endo.

would be a good fit for Serie A, classy player... thought he'd be able to do better than Genoa though

Not if he wants to play a regular starting role, which would be a key criteria for him to move. His fitness is a huge issue, which would make it hard for bigger clubs to guarantee that spot.

Hell, his fitness is one reason he might not even pass a medical in Europe for a transfer. He has Hepatitis.



EDIT: Just found out that Raul has signed for Schalke.

which one?

[Steelinho]

The bad one.

B or C. I think C.

[SpursOnTheRise]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

Lippi didn't pick him because he doesnt like flair players and because he had an attitude, much like why he didnt pick Cassano or Miccoli. I think under Prandelli, Balotelli will have a chance to represent Italy at the senior level.

[DOC]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

Lippi didn't pick him because he doesnt like flair players and because he had an attitude, much like why he didnt pick Cassano or Miccoli. I think under Prandelli, Balotelli will have a chance to represent Italy at the senior level.

no he wont as italian coaches rarely pick players who venture outside italy, look at zola

[SpursOnTheRise]

That is true, but i don't think Prandelli is in the same mould as some of the narrow minded Italian coaches of the past...

[Zurawski]

Balotelli to City within hours. If he doesn't do big things i'll be dissapointed, im expecting alot but i'm hoping he'll do little because he's playing Spurs opening day and will be competing with us for 4th again.

Looks like a done deal.

Just wondering, why wasn't he playing for Italy in the World Cup? Or has he played for Ghana already? I assume he's got dual nationality?

Probably because Lippi is an idiot and hardly took any fresh legs into the tournament.

Probably also because Raul has signed for Schalke.

Definitely the case!

[predator]

David james joins Bristol city

[PhilDunphy]

David james joins Bristol city

I thought Tottenham were interested

[PhilDunphy]

KHEDIRA SEALS REAL MADRID MOVE

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of midfielder Sami Khedira from Stuttgart.

Khedira has a agreed a five-year deal and joins for an undisclosed fee.

"Real Madrid C. F. and VfB Stuttgart have agreed to the transfer of Sami Khedira, who will sign a 5-year contract with Real Madrid," the club said in a statement.

The 23-year-old Germany international had spent his entire career with the Swabians, coming through the youth ranks from the age of eight to make his first-team debut in October 2006, the season in which Stuttgart last won the Bundesliga.

Khedira became a regular in Armin Veh's team that season and penned his first professional contract just after the winter break, a deal he extended in 2008 until 2011.

"Obviously you don't gladly let such a leading player and figure like Sami Khedira leave, but on the other hand, we could understand Sami's desire to continue his career with Real," explained Stuttgart's director of sport Fredi Bobic.

"We wish him lots of success with his new challenge in Madrid."

Khedira captained the Germany under-21 side to glory at the European Championships in 2009 and made his senior international debut last September.

Less than a year later, he was an ever-present for Germany at the World Cup, scoring his first international goal in the third-place play-off against Uruguay earlier this month.

That goal and his performances in South Africa convinced Real coach Jose Mourinho to make him one of his top summer targets and Khedira will take the next step in his career in the Primera Division next season.

Good luck to him, had a great world cup with Germany

[predator]

David james joins Bristol city

I thought Tottenham were interested

couple of clubs intrested, but he thinks his move to bristol will help him keep his england place

and he desperately needs to find a barber

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... pello.html

[PhilDunphy]

Shock news Glasgow Rangers sign Smshurheedin from Russia!

[R. King]

Brede Hangeland transfer chase hots up as Chelsea join Arsenal and Spurs
The transfer race for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland has been stepped up a notch after Chelsea waded into a marketplace that already features Arsenal, Spurs, and Liverpool.

Fulham's Brede Hangeland could make a controversial switch to near neighbours Chelsea
Much sought-after Hangeland has been on the radars of both north London clubs since last season, while Liverpool are also thought to have expressed an interest since former Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson took over.

Now, however, a new player appears to have entered the chase in the shape of Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is looking for more defensive cover following the departure of Ricardo Carvalho.
The Portuguese defender opted for a reunion with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid this summer, with the two clubs agreeing a fee believed to be around £6.7million.
But now Ancelotti is short at centre-back, with captain John Terry, Alex, and Branislav Ivanovic the only experienced options ahead of the start of the new season this weekend.

Hangeland has become one of the Premier League's hottest defensive properties in recent years since Hodgson brought him to England from Viking.
His height, strength, and sheer physical presence at the heart of the Cottagers' back four has turned their previously porous defence into one of the most intimidating to play against.
Ancelotti is keen to sign a player capable of fitting into English football straight away, despite reports suggesting he is also in the process of bidding for Benfica defender David Luiz.
The £27million-rated centre-back could still come to Stamford Bridge this summer - even though the two clubs are poles apart in their valuations.
But Hangeland, 29, would be a more immediate solution to plug the gap that will be left by Carvalho - even though his switch between the two rivals may raise several eyebrows among both sets of supporters.

Related items
Roy Hodgson rules out Liverpool move for Brede Hangeland
Brede Hangeland transfer battle begins as Arsenal take on Liverpool
Roy Hodgson must stay at Fulham, says Hangeland
Ricardo Carvalho to make Real Madrid transfer as Chelsea agree fee
Ricardo Carvalho dreaming of leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid

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[PhilDunphy]

STOKE SEAL KENWYNE JONES SIGNING

Stoke have tonight completed the signing of striker Kenwyne Jones in a club record £8million deal from Sunderland.

Both clubs confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the 25-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international was in talks over a move to the Potteries.

And Stoke boss Tony Pulis has managed to quickly seal the deal, with Jones - who had a short spell on loan at the Britannia Stadium in 2005 - signing a four-year deal.

The fee surpasses the previous record of £6million that Stoke paid to Middlesbrough for defender Robert Huth last summer.

Pulis said: "Kenwyne is unplayable on his day, which is why this is a fantastic signing for this football club.

"We need goals in our team and we also need strong competition among our strikers if we are to continue improving at this level.

"Kenwyne will give us that. It's no secret that I am one of his biggest admirers. He did a smashing job for us when he was here on loan. He was very young back then but I believe that he has the best years ahead of him as a top striker."

Jones cited his previous spell with the Potters, where he scored three goals in 13 appearances, as a key factor behind his decision to join the club on a permanent basis.

"The fact that I know the manager, some of the players and the place so well has obviously been an influence upon me coming here," he said.

"This is an exciting new chapter in my career and I want to do my best for a club that has clearly had great success since I was last here.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of helping Stoke build upon the progress they have made over the past two years in the Premier League."

Jones, who could make his debut against Wolves on Saturday, left the Caribbean in 2004 to try his luck in England and joined Southampton after a successful trial.

Loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke followed and his performances for Saints in the 2006/07 season persuaded Sunderland to part with £6million for his services.

The tall striker swiftly became a favourite at the Stadium of Light, scoring 20 goals over his first two seasons, but last term, although he contributed nine goals, Jones found himself in and out of the side.

Darren Bent stole the show up front, netting 25 times, and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce revealed today that frustration with Jones' inconsistency persuaded him to accept Stoke's offer.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "There has always been a frustration with me, and I think with supporters who have watched Kenwyne, that you see an abundance of talent but it has not come out often enough for us for whatever reason.

"In management you get paid to make some important decisions sometimes. Stoke have been badgering me for a year. Everyone knows they love a big, traditional centre-forward and he might go and suit them.

"Towards the end with Kenwyne, things were not working out so I have accepted Stoke's offer."

Pulis has been biding his time in the transfer marker this summer, with youngster Florent Cuvelier and keeper Carlo Nash the only players to arrive at the Britannia Stadium before today.

A forward has been a priority and the Potters boss reached a verbal agreement with French club Nice over a fee for Loic Remy but, with other clubs interested, that deal appeared to have stalled.

Three of Stoke's current forwards - Dave Kitson, James Beattie and Tuncay Sanli - have all been linked with moves away in the last few weeks and speculation about their futures will now increase.

Chief executive Tony Scholes hailed Jones' capture as a statement of intent from Stoke, who have finished 12th and 11th in their two seasons in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: "Breaking our transfer record once again - the fourth instance in two and a half years - is a measure of the club's ambitions as we look to continue moving forward and build upon our success under Tony Pulis.

"Kenwyne has been on Tony's wish list for some time and we are delighted to sign a striker who many of the country's top defenders consider to be a real handful on his day. This is an exciting acquisition for the club."

Jones, who scored 28 goals in 101 appearances for Sunderland in total, is the latest player to leave the Black Cats for Stoke, following in the footsteps of Dean Whitehead, Danny Collins, Danny Higginbotham, Rory Delap, Thomas Sorensen and Liam Lawrence.

[PhilDunphy]

BLACKPOOL ANNOUNCE HAREWOOD CAPTURE

Blackpool have announced striker Marlon Harewood as their fifth new signing of the day.

Former West Ham and Aston Villa frontman Harewood, 30, has put pen to paper on a two-year-deal with the Seasiders following a successful trial.

The club earlier confirmed the quadruple capture of Craig Cathcart from Manchester United, Ludovic Sylvestre from Czech side Mlada Boleslav, Elliot Grandin from Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia and Malaury Martin from Monaco.

[PhilDunphy]

UNITED SNAP UP BEBE

Manchester United have signed Vitoria Guimaraes striker Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, better known as Bebe, subject to a medical, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.

Personal terms have been agreed with the 20-year-old and he will move to Old Trafford for an undisclosed fee.

The Portuguese forward had also been closely linked with Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid but he will join fellow new signing Javier Hernandez as Sir Alex Ferguson bolsters the Red Devils' forward line.

Bebe made a name for himself at Vitoria after joining from Estrela da Amadora and, despite his tender years, has a strong physical presence as well as technical aptitude, vision and good passing skills.

[PhilDunphy]

ONUOHA JOINS BLACK CATS FOR SEASON

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has snapped up Manchester City centre-back Nedum Onuoha on a season-long loan.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Eastlands and made his first-team debut for City at the age of 17 but he has found his first-team opportunities increasingly limited over the last couple of seasons.

"Nedum is a modern-day defender," said the Black Cats boss, who completed a busy day of business after also selling striker Kenwyne Jones to Stoke for £8million.

"He's big, quick and powerful - a really good defender, who, despite his age, has already played over 100 games. He has all the attributes a modern defender needs.

"Nedum is someone I've tracked for a long time so it's great to get the deal done to bring him here. He can play anywhere across the back line, too, so it's great to have added that flexibility and some strong competition for places."

Onuoha, who was born in Nigeria but raised in Manchester, is considered one of England's brightest young defensive talents and, despite a number of injury problems and competition for places, he has already made more than 100 appearances for City.

He signed a five-year deal with Roberto Mancini's side last summer but, with City having boosted their defensive ranks still further in the close season with the additions of Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov, Onuoha has chosen to move on.

[Steelinho]

UNITED SNAP UP BEBE

Okay, so that makes 20 strikers.

Sir Alex, perhaps it's time to start looking at the midfield.

[Outlaw 2.0]

STOKE SEAL KENWYNE JONES SIGNING

Stoke have tonight completed the signing of striker Kenwyne Jones in a club record £8million deal from Sunderland.

Both clubs confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the 25-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international was in talks over a move to the Potteries.

And Stoke boss Tony Pulis has managed to quickly seal the deal, with Jones - who had a short spell on loan at the Britannia Stadium in 2005 - signing a four-year deal.

The fee surpasses the previous record of £6million that Stoke paid to Middlesbrough for defender Robert Huth last summer.

Pulis said: "Kenwyne is unplayable on his day, which is why this is a fantastic signing for this football club.

"We need goals in our team and we also need strong competition among our strikers if we are to continue improving at this level.

"Kenwyne will give us that. It's no secret that I am one of his biggest admirers. He did a smashing job for us when he was here on loan. He was very young back then but I believe that he has the best years ahead of him as a top striker."

Jones cited his previous spell with the Potters, where he scored three goals in 13 appearances, as a key factor behind his decision to join the club on a permanent basis.

"The fact that I know the manager, some of the players and the place so well has obviously been an influence upon me coming here," he said.

"This is an exciting new chapter in my career and I want to do my best for a club that has clearly had great success since I was last here.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of helping Stoke build upon the progress they have made over the past two years in the Premier League."

Jones, who could make his debut against Wolves on Saturday, left the Caribbean in 2004 to try his luck in England and joined Southampton after a successful trial.

Loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke followed and his performances for Saints in the 2006/07 season persuaded Sunderland to part with £6million for his services.

The tall striker swiftly became a favourite at the Stadium of Light, scoring 20 goals over his first two seasons, but last term, although he contributed nine goals, Jones found himself in and out of the side.

Darren Bent stole the show up front, netting 25 times, and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce revealed today that frustration with Jones' inconsistency persuaded him to accept Stoke's offer.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "There has always been a frustration with me, and I think with supporters who have watched Kenwyne, that you see an abundance of talent but it has not come out often enough for us for whatever reason.

"In management you get paid to make some important decisions sometimes. Stoke have been badgering me for a year. Everyone knows they love a big, traditional centre-forward and he might go and suit them.

"Towards the end with Kenwyne, things were not working out so I have accepted Stoke's offer."

Pulis has been biding his time in the transfer marker this summer, with youngster Florent Cuvelier and keeper Carlo Nash the only players to arrive at the Britannia Stadium before today.

A forward has been a priority and the Potters boss reached a verbal agreement with French club Nice over a fee for Loic Remy but, with other clubs interested, that deal appeared to have stalled.

Three of Stoke's current forwards - Dave Kitson, James Beattie and Tuncay Sanli - have all been linked with moves away in the last few weeks and speculation about their futures will now increase.

Chief executive Tony Scholes hailed Jones' capture as a statement of intent from Stoke, who have finished 12th and 11th in their two seasons in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: "Breaking our transfer record once again - the fourth instance in two and a half years - is a measure of the club's ambitions as we look to continue moving forward and build upon our success under Tony Pulis.

"Kenwyne has been on Tony's wish list for some time and we are delighted to sign a striker who many of the country's top defenders consider to be a real handful on his day. This is an exciting acquisition for the club."

Jones, who scored 28 goals in 101 appearances for Sunderland in total, is the latest player to leave the Black Cats for Stoke, following in the footsteps of Dean Whitehead, Danny Collins, Danny Higginbotham, Rory Delap, Thomas Sorensen and Liam Lawrence.

FUCK!
that is all.

[Litmanen]

UNITED SNAP UP BEBE

Okay, so that makes 20 strikers.

Sir Alex, perhaps it's time to start looking at the midfield.

He'll eventually be playing a 4 2 4 with Giggs and Scholes as his only two midfielders.