Transfer gossips....

[Davius]

Arsenal To Gain From Vieira Sale

No player is more important than the whole team and this is quite true for the Vieira saga which is characterizing the transfer market in recent weeks. If we take heed of the latest transfer news rumours, it seems that Arsenal and Real Madrid have finally agreed on the transfer of the French player to the Spanish side, for a fee of around 35 million Euros.

Real want to increase the number of superstar players in their squad and probably would get back the money from the sponsors and shirt sales at the end of the year. They also desperately needed a central defensive midfielder as was witnessed by last year’s domestic and European performances, so it seems like this would be the perfect solution for Madrid.

But what about Arsenal? They will be probably losing the best player in the world in his role and who can be dubbed as irreplaceable by most critics. So is it such a bad move? Not really as with 35 million for a player nearing 30 years, Arsenal can buy about 3 quality players to strengthen an already strong team.

A perfect example of this situation would be that of Zinedine Zidane’s move from Juventus to Real, where the Turin giants netted around 75 million Euros, with which they brought home Pavel Nedved, Gianluigi Buffon and Lilian Thuram, a move which in the end paid off as they went on to win back to back Scudetti and reach a Champions League which was only lost on penalties.

It’s true that there aren’t too many world class available players at the moment to choose from, but with that amount of money, Arsenal can convince any team to let go their star players in these current days.

So if the deal goes through, Arsenal should have nothing to worry about, but to look forward to some new transfers to come their way.

[Davius]

Arsenal fans are bracing themselves for the news they’ve been dreading: that Patrick Vieira has joined Real Madrid. The long-running saga has gathered serious momentum in the last few days, though no deal has yet been completed.

Leaving aside such questions as the size of any fee or whether it would be a smart move for the midfielder, the key issue for Arsene Wenger – and the one exercising all Gooners – is how to replace someone of Vieira’s stature.

In this case, the adage that no one player is bigger than the club is likely to be severely tested. Claude Makelele, who left Real for Chelsea and plays in the same position as his compatriot and friend, reckons Arsenal will lose 40% of their side if Vieira goes. And Wenger would have little time left before the transfer window closes.

Before he committed himself to Liverpool, Steven Gerrard seemed an ideal replacement. But if that move is now a non-starter, Arsenal fans have great faith in Arsene Wenger’s proven alchemy. He’s made stars of many –Vieira included – and often by changing their positions (think Emmanuel Petit and Thierry Henry, not to mention Kolo Toure).

Some see Ashley Cole, Gilberto or Lauren as a holding midfielder. But if Wenger goes shopping, Maniche of Porto is expected to be high on his list. Others in the frame – at least among the fans - include Bayern’s Owen Hargreaves or Michael Ballack, Real Sociedad’s Xabi Alonso, Wesley Sneijder of Ajax, Mark van Bommel of PSV and Michael Carrick of West Ham.

Then there are Mascherano, Galasek, Rosicky, Alex, Helguera, Appiah, Baraja, Zagorakis….

The feeling seems to be that while Vieira’s departure – IF it happens – will be a major blow, Wenger will pull another rabbit out of his magic hat…

[Davius]

Stam Chose Milan Over Inter
8/5/2004 9:52:00 PM

Jaap Stam revealed today during his first press conference as an AC Milan player that Roberto Mancini tried to convince him last season to join Inter.
"Mancini spoke about Inter all the time last year but as soon as I heard that the rossoneri wanted me I knew where I wanted to go," the Dutch defender said. "I have won the league in every country that I have played in so the scudetto is a priority for me even though I have me head set on all competitions".

"I chose AC Milan because they are the best team in Italy and probably the world," he added. "I want to win a lot, everything possibly, so I think that I am in the right place to do so".

"At first when I was discussing the deal I intended to sign a one year contract but I changed my mind because I wanted to show Milan my gratitude," Stam went on. "I will be a rossonero for the next two years and then we’ll meet again and see what is best for everybody".

[Davius]

"I chose AC Milan because they are the best team in Italy and probably the world," he added. "I want to win a lot, everything possibly, so I think that I am in the right place to do so".

Milanista si ju duket kjo qe ka thene Stami...cool a???

However in this season FC Real Madrid is the best...

[Davius]

Patrick Vieira has decided to quit Arsenal because of the lack of top drawer signings manager Arsene Wenger makes, it has been claimed.

The Sun says the pair had a blazing row three weeks ago as Wenger tried to convince his captain to resist Real Madrid and stay on at Highbury.

Vieira stunned Wenger by saying: "You never sign world-class players" and argued Arsenal will NEVER conquer Europe's elite unless that changes.

The furious manager's acid reply was: "You weren't world-class when Arsenal signed you."Vieira's mind is made up, Arsenal can never win the Champions League while they continue to compete in a transfer market a step below the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea deal in.

[Davius]

Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu is set to join Juventus on a year-long loan, according to his agent.

The Italian club have been pursuing the Romanian international for several weeks and could complete the transfer imminently.

"It's now 99% likely that Mutu will sign a contract with Juventus Torino today," Mutu's agent, Ioan Becali, told Romanian channel TV Sport.

Mutu is to fly to Turin for a medical, and it is expected that he will sign a 12-month contract.

His departure from Stamford Bridge, albeit on a temporary basis, comes just a year after he signed from Parma.

The 25-year-old cost Chelsea £15.8million, but after a bright start to his career in the Premiership there came a lull in his performances and he finished last season with just six league goals.

The arrival of Didier Drogba apparently pushed Mutu to the back of the queue for places in Jose Mourinho's attack.

The Romanian was a major success in Italian football, and scored 17 goals in 30 matches during the 2002/03 season before signing for Chelsea, forging a lethal partnership with Adriano, who has since joined Inter Milan, another of Mutu's former clubs.

[Davius]

Monaco boss Didier Deschamps has admitted that he has spoken to Nicolas Anelka about a return to France.

Manchester City striker Anelka is rumoured to be unsettled once again, and talk has pinpointed Stade Louis II as a possible destination.

Monaco coach Deschamps has now admitted that he has spoken to Anelka about the prospect of a return to France in The Principality.

Barcelona playmaker Javier Saviola is also an option for Deschamps and he admitted that it may come down to a choice between the two.

"Anelka is a great player so obviously he is interesting, moreover he is a Frenchman," Deschamps told L'Equipe.

"Yes I had a phone call with him, but I had a lot of phone calls with a lot of people.

"I know Nico very well. I know how it works, Saviola or Anelka? They are two different sized players, but two forwards.

"The officials know my preference, and the economical factors are important. But we will also look at other players."

[Davius]

Liverpool ace Michael Owen could sign his new contract before the Premiership season kicks off on Saturday week.

The striker has gone on record saying that he is happy at Liverpool because "the club is in my blood" but the all-important day when he finally puts pen to paper on a new three-year contract is still to come.

But he has returned from Liverpool's US tour insisting that an agreement is a step nearer after meetings were held between the club and his agent Tony Stephens in New York last week.

And crucially, Owen sees the next week as vital in the process which will finally see him put an end to months of speculation.

Owen said: "There is no rush, but there has been a meeting in New York last week and there will be another one next week."

That will take place probably without Owen's involvement while he is away with Liverpool in Austria for their Champions League third qualifying round first leg with Graz AK next Tuesday.

But by the time the Premiership starts at Tottenham the following Saturday, Owen could well have given the go-ahead to the deal.

He said: "People were talking about the talks months ago, before they had even started. And in fact we have only had about four or five meetings.

"And at the moment there is no agreement because I haven't signed anything.

"But it is getting closer. As I say, there is no rush but it is not a problem. Next week's meeting will iron a few more things out."

Liverpool will then hope that they can put an end to what is over a year of complicated negotiations.

Owen is now in the final year of his contract and will almost certainly sign a new three-year deal on over £80,000 a week.

That would be a second major coup for new boss Rafael Benitez and the Liverpool hierarchy, having seen Steven Gerrard turn down a move to Chelsea this summer and commit himself to Anfield.

[Davius]

ATLETICO PAIR TO MOVE ON

Atletico Madrid duo Javi Moreno and Jose Maria Movilla are expected to sign for Real Zaragoza, according to reports in Spain.

While some details need to be still ironed out in the contract for Moreno, Movilla would move independently of this with agreement already reached, according to Spanish sports daily Marca.

The midfielder will sign for Zaragoza for four seasons while the contract which is on the table for Moreno is a year deal with the option of two more.

A fee of 1.5m euros is expected to be paid for the two players.

[Davius]

THE SUN
* Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg wants to quit Arsenal amid interest in the Sweden midfielder from Inter Milan, Roma and Juventus.

* Fulham have extended striker Steve Marlet's loan at Marseille into a second season.

* Axed Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is close to a return to football as coach of the Australian national side.

* Leeds have emerged as rivals to Cardiff for the signature of West Brom defender Sean Gregan.

* Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer fears a serious knee injury could end his career.

*Defender Emerson Thome has joined Championship outfit Wigan after snubbing a new deal at Bolton.

* Everton will fight it out with Portsmouth for West Ham's Michael Carrick.

DAILY MIRROR

* Charlton have made an offer of £4million plus defender Paul Konchesky for Portsmouth striker Yakubu.

* Portsmouth are confident of completing a £3million deal to sign West Ham's England midfielder Michael Carrick.

* Arsenal will only sell skipper Patrick Vieira to Real Madrid if the Spanish giants cough up £30million.

DAILY STAR

* Arsenal are holding out for £25million for skipper Patrick Vieira after Real Madrid made an opening bid of £23million for the midfielder.

* Croatian striker Ivica Mornar is set to leave Portsmouth for a loan spell at French side Rennes. Bolton want to sign Liverpool flop El Hadji Diouf on a season-long loan deal.

DAILY MAIL

* Patrick Vieira's move to Real Madrid could be delayed by a troublesome thigh strain which would prevent the Arsenal skipper passing a medical at the moment.

* Sven Goran Eriksson is today set to be cleared of deceiving his bosses at the FA and looks certain to keep his job as England coach.

* Sunderland are hoping to price Manchester City out of a move for their highly-rated Argentina midfielder Julio Arca.

* Leeds are ready to hijack Cardiff's move for highly-rated West Brom midfielder Sean Gregan.

DAILY EXPRESS

* Patrick Vieira's move to Real Madrid was thrown into doubt last night as Arsenal dramatically upped the asking price for their French captain.

* Lazio have offered Paolo Di Canio the chance to make an emotional homecoming and sources in Italy suggest he is ready to accept the invitation.

* West Ham have given a midday deadline today to decide whether they are prepared to sell Michael Carrick to Portsmouth.

DAILY RECORD

* Celtic have placed Brazilian playmaker Juninho at the top of their Champions League wish list.

* Hibernian have offered skint City rivals Hearts a way out of their crisis by offering them the chance to play at Easter Road.

* Former Middlesbrough striker Noel Whelan is ready to take a massive wage cut to join Aberdeen.