Archive » 2009 » August

Glenn Hoddle claims there is only one destination for David Beckham if he is serious about the World Cup – and that is Chelsea. Beckham was recently warned by England boss Fabio Capello that he must return to Europe on loan in January if he wants to make the plane for South Africa. And Hoddle – who gave Becks his international debut against Moldova in 1996 – reckons Carlo Ancelotti could do worse than take him to Stamford Bridge.

Source: Daily Star

Gary Megson has launched a sensational bid to bring Kevin Nolan back to Bolton – only seven months after selling him to Newcastle. Bolton boss Megson wants to sign Nolan on a season loan and is battling to rush through a deal before the game with Liverpool this Saturday. Nolan was signed by Toon for £4million at the end of January but was unable to help the club avoid relegation to the Championship. The 27-year-old’s £45,000-a-week wages are a huge drain on United’s finances and owner Mike Ashley is willing to offload him.

Source: The Mirror

Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen is trying to push through a £4m deal for Feyenoord starlet Jonathan de Guzman. Arnesen watched 21-year-old forward de Guzman score twice in Feyenoord’s 4-0 home win over Roda JC. That has prompted Arnesen to recommend Chelsea try to complete a cut-price deal on the Dutch under-21 international. De Guzman, first watched by Chelsea two years ago, only has one year left on his contract and Arnesen believes they can get him on the cheap.

Source: The Mirror

Andriy Shevchenko’s Chelsea career seems finally over – after the Ukrainian was told he will be dumped from the Blues’ Champions League squad. New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti appeared to give the £30million flop a chance of redemption on Friday when he declared the Ukrainian still had a “future” at Stamford Bridge. But Shevchenko blew his top when Ancelotti – with whom he fell out during his nightmare loan return to AC Milan last term – told him he was considered as the fourth choice striker behind Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou. Ancelotti explained to Shevchenko that he would get his chance in January, when Drogba and Kalou, along with Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, will be on African Nations’ Cup duty.

Source: The Mirror

Spartak Moscow have launched a £10million bid to re-sign Tottenham’s unhappy striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. That represents £3.8m less than Tottenham paid for the Russian striker last summer and have also made a cheeky offer to sign him on loan. Pavlyuchenko has admitted he wants to quit Tottenham after falling behind Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch in the pecking order. Spartak General Director Valeri Karpin said: “We want him to return to Spartak but naturally not for the same money we sold him for.”

Source: The Mirror

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is making a shock £1.5 million swoop for Tottenham’s unhappy Pascal Chimbonda – as he opens the door for Steven Warnock to join Aston Villa. Allardyce made his move for wandering star Chimbonda on Tuesday and hopes to tie up the deal for the Frenchman who is no longer in Harry Redknapp’s plans after his second spell at Spurs turned sour. Chimbonda can play anywhere across the back four and gives Allardyce the cover he needs in those areas where he has the Warnock issue to settle and an injury worry over skipper Ryan Nelsen. The fact that Chimbonda is versatile and cheap suits Blackburn’s current needs. Allardyce demanded that a replacement was found before Warnock was allowed to go.

Source: The Mirror

Manchester United will launch a deadline-busting bid to sign Arjen Robben from Real Madrid. United have been quoted £26million but the Red Devils plan to force the price down this weekend. Old Trafford chiefs will begin the process with a bid of around £11m – but an offer of £15m may be enough to bag the winger. Robben, 26, is seen as the creative spark which can help fill the void left by £80m Cristiano Ronaldo.

Source: The Sun

Aston Villa have agreed a £6million fee with Manchester City for their skipper Richard Dunne. Villa manager, Martin O’Neill, has moved swiftly to head off interest from Sunderland and Everton in Dunne whose nine-year City career looks to be drawing to a close following the arrival of Joleon Lescott in a £24m deal. Dunne, 29, has spoken of his desire to stay at City but with Lescott joining Kolo Toure at Eastlands is likely to find his first team opportunities limited this season.

Source: Daily Mail

Everton are set to pip Aston Villa to the £5million capture of Sylvain Distin. Goodison insiders last night insisted they were close to a deal for the Portsmouth centre-back. Distin will be a replacement for Joleon Lescott, who has joined Manchester City for £24m. It had been claimed Villa were winning the race for Distin but they have not made an official bid.

Source: The Sun

Roman Pavlyuchenko has derailed Spurs’ flying start to the season by demanding a transfer. Harry Redknapp’s side are top after three wins but the Russian is angry at being left on the bench. He said: “I’m ready now to listen to offers from other clubs. No footballer likes being on the bench game after game. I could lose my place in the Russia squad ahead of the 2010 World Cup.” Pavlyuchenko, 27, who cost Spurs £13.8million last summer, gets his first start of the season in tonight’s Carling Cup clash with Doncaster.

Source: The Sun