Archive » 2009 » December

Newcastle are plotting a move for Rangers Kris Boyd as they ponder whether to extend Marlon Harewood’s loan deal. Aston Villa striker Harewood, 30, has scored five goals for the Championship leaders since arriving in September. But his loan agreement expires next week and Toon boss Chris Hughton has not disclosed his intentions, despite talks with Harewood. Now Newcastle may move instead for Rangers forward Boyd, 26, who is up for sale as he is a free agent next summer.

Source: The Mirror

Aston Villa are ready to fight off Liverpool in the race to land £12million-rated Kenwyne Jones. Sunderland will listen to offers for the Trinidad ace, who has seen his thunder stolen by Darren Bent this season. Villa, Liverpool and Everton have all been alerted to his availability but SunSport understands that Martin O’Neill is in the box seat to nab the 24-year-old striker next month. He has bagged 23 goals in 70 Premier League games, including six this campaign.

Source: The Sun

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is set to make Younes Kaboul his first signing in a shock £8million January swoop. City are looking to bring in the much-improved Portsmouth star during next month’s transfer window. And it is believed a switch could be completed in the next few days. A source close to the deal said: “There is firm interest from Manchester City so we shall see how it develops in the next few days.” With £24m summer signing Joleon Lescott out until mid-February, Mancini desperately needs cover at the back.

Source: The Sun

Harry Redknapp will move for Craig Bellamy if new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini ditches the striker. The Spurs chief tried to sign Bellamy from West Ham last year, matching the £14million asking price. But the player chose to join his former Wales boss Mark Hughes at City. Yet Sparky’s ruthless sacking has angered the hot-headed forward and Redknapp is ready to end his Eastlands misery.

Source: The Sun

Michael Dawson is on course to join Steve Bruce at Sunderland in January – thanks to an anonymous prankster in the Tottenham dressing room. Dawson is understood to have received a text message from a Spurs team-mate claiming Bruce is a great admirer and that the Black Cats boss is desperate to have him at the Stadium of Light. However, enquiries made on behalf of Dawson revealed Bruce had NOT been involved in sending the message. He was, however, interested in signing Dawson to shore up his defence – and still is. Dawson, who grew up close to Sunderland in Northallerton, has been impressive this season with both Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate out injured.

Source: The Mirror

Chelsea face a fight to keep much improved defender Branislav Ivanovic, with Real Madrid eager to sign the Serbia international next month. Real want Ivanovic as a replacement for Portugal central defender Pepe, who is expected to be out for the rest of the season with knee-ligament damage. Former Lokomotiv Moscow defender Ivanovic tops a list which also includes Manchester United’s Jonny Evans and is the preferred choice because of his ability to operate at right back.

Source: Daily Mail

Sir Alex Ferguson has kicked off the January transfer-window action by bidding for Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. Ferguson has reacted to Manchester United’s stuttering defence of their title by offering £9million plus Nani for the 21-year-old Argentina international. The United manager witnessed Di Maria’s scintillating form at first hand when he was at Goodison Park for the second leg of Benfica’s Europa League rout of Everton recently.

Source: Daily Mail

Rafa Benitez will be allowed to buy two players next month – and he wants Emile Heskey back at Anfield as one of them. The Liverpool boss has come under sustained pressure following a dreadful first half of the season. But Benitez will be offered backing by the board, proof he still has a future at the club. Star striker Fernando Torres last night admitted the situation was bleak, as he said: “I think it is really difficult because I think we don’t have money to bring in the best players – and obviously we need players.”

Source: The Mirror

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has been offered an emergency deal for Chelsea flop Mateja Kezman. Kezman, 30, is now with Paris Saint Germain but the French club are looking to offload the Serbian striker. Ex-Chelsea forward Kezman has been on loan at Zenit St Petersburg but the Russian club do not want to buy him permanently.

Source: The Mirror

Roma have joined the race to sign £5million-rated Crystal Palace starlet Victor Moses. The Selhurst Park club have resigned themselves to losing the 19-year-old in next month’s transfer window to help ease the club’s crippling debts. And the Serie A side are the latest to register an interest in the talented forward – who scored an outstanding overhead kick in Palace’s 1-1 draw against Barnsley on Saturday.

Source: Daily Mail