Archive » 2008 » November

Newcastle interim boss Joe Kinnear has admitted he has enquired about Roma’s John Arne Riise. Kinnear is plotting new signings when the transfer window reopens and a new left-back is thought to be top of his wanted list. Riise is among Kinnear’s targets with the former Liverpool star struggling to hold down a regular place in the Roma starting XI. However, Kinnear is not optimistic over his side’s chances of landing the Norwegian with the full-back now back in favour at the Stadio Olimpico. “John’s name came up specifically because he’s not been in their team and he’s a good player,” Kinnear told The Journal. “We made contact with their club and asked ‘Is there any chance of a loan?’ and that’s as far as it’s got at the moment.

Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano heads Manchester City’s January shopping list. The highly-rated Sevilla striker is in line to become the next samba star to grace Mark Hughes’s team. Fabiano has had a personal recommendation from City favourite and record signing Robinho. City tried to sign Fabiano in the summer without any joy, but Sevilla are now facing up to the inevitable and are ready to sell the 28-year-old in January to the highest bidder. Money is no object for the Abu Dhabi-owned club, with the Citizens being linked with the likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Gianluigi Buffon, Lassana Diarra, Kaka and Sergio Aguero.

Manchester United and Real Madrid are the latest top European giants to show interest in Bayern Munich midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Germany international’s current contract expires at the end of the season and according to German press reports, the Spanish giants are looking to begin exploratory talks this week whilst Sir Alex Ferguson is monitoring the situation. Schweinsteiger is free to open talks with any interested clubs from January.

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Barcelona are very much in the frame to land Hamilton starlet James McCarthy, his agent has revealed. The teenager has long been heralded as a future star after making his Hamilton debut at just 15. He trained with Liverpool in 2007, while Arsenal, Manchester United and a host of clubs from the continent are all regularly monitoring him. And McCarthy’s agent George Gray confirmed the Catalan giants remain actively interested. “Barcelona have asked me to keep them informed about James,” Gray told The Scottish Sun. “They are just one of a few Spanish sides who have been in touch. In fact, the number of teams who have contacted me about him is unbelievable. There are a number of English clubs keeping tabs on his progress too.”

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is eyeing up a move for West Ham’s Robert Green in the January transfer window as a replacement for Heurelho Gomes after another horror show last weekend. The error-prone Brazilian goalkeeper fumbled a Simon Davies shot against Fulham to cap a miserable start to his career at White Hart Lane since moving from PSV for £8m last summer. However Green had been outstanding at the weekend as West Ham held Portsmouth to a goalless draw. The club have undergone a series of cost-cutting measures over the summer and Green could be the next player to leave Upton Park, reports The Daily Mirror.

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has stated that he is prepared to leave Anfield in order to find regular first team football. Benayoun has had a frustrating time this season and has had to make do with a place on the bench, starting just two of the last ten games. The Israeli signed from West Ham in the summer of 2007 and recorded an impressive 11 goals and ten assists in his first season at the club. He told The Sun: “The fact that I’m not involved and always come on as a sub tells you something. Even if it’s Liverpool, if I don’t get to play in the next few months I will not want to be here. I enjoy my time in England but maybe it is time to learn a new language, maybe Italian, French or Russian. When I came here it wasn’t so I could tell everyone, ‘Hey I play for Liverpool’. My purpose was to prove myself, and in the first year I think I did. Everyone wants to play and it is no fun sitting on the bench or playing just a few minutes. I’m part of the rotation but I hope in the next few months it will change.”

Ambitious QPR are trying to sign Manchester City’s out-of-favour Brazilian star Elano in a shock loan deal, according to the Daily Mirror. The Championship side have started talks to take midfield playmaker Elano and pick up a chunk of his wages for the rest of the season. The player angered City boss Mark Hughes by complaining about being dropped recently – remarks that cost him a hefty fine. Rangers supremo Flavio Briatore is in favour of the prestigious capture of a current Brazil squad member – the kind of eye-catching swoop that appeals to his vision of the London club.

Reports suggest that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may try to sign Richard Dunne in the January transfer window. The Manchester City defender looked set to join Spurs in the summer when Juande Ramos was in charge, but the Spaniard found fierce competition from Redknapp, who was with Portsmouth at the time. Now it appears that Redknapp will try again for Dunne, who has had a torrid time for City this season, having scored an own goal against Bolton two weeks ago and been sent-off against Spurs last weekend. If he does make the move, Dunne would join fellow former Citizen Vedran Corluka in making the switch from Eastlands to White Hart Lane.

Barcelona star Xavi is a £20million target of Manchester United, according to reports. The Spain international was voted the best player at Euro 2008 in the summer, and Sir Alex Ferguson believes he will be the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes when the veteran midfielder decides to call it a day. Xavi will be out of contract at Barca in 2010, and that fact could play right into United’s hands.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear expects a host of clubs to show an interest in signing Michael Owen in the new year. The 28-year-old striker has been linked with the St James’ Park exit door after losing his place in the England squad this season, and Kinnear believes this will attract dozens of clubs to the player. “Of course, it’s understandable that other clubs are interested,” he said. “He’s a 28-year-old who has bags of ability and can score goals so there must be dozens who want him. He will be spoilt for choice. I think Michael is probably in the best position, better than the position the club are in. Michael can’t lose.”