Latest Transfer Update at 24-04-2012

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Latest Transfer Update at 24-04-2012

Vorm: Is very happy in South Wales

VORM HAPPY AT SWANSEA

Goalkeeper Michel Vorm has said he has no intention of turning his back on Swansea City this summer.
The Dutch international has been universally acknowleged as the Swans star turn this season having joined from FC Utrecht for around £1.4m last summer, prompting speculation that he may be lured away by one of the country's bigger clubs.


But the 28-year-old insists that he is happy to stay in south Wales and build on his debut seasom in the Premier League.
"You never know but I don't really think that I'm going to leave the club in the summer," Vorm told BBC radio.
"My family loves it here. I cannot imagine that I'll leave the club after one season especially after the way we've performed. You never know what happens of course but I'm very happy here.


"For me it was a dream come true signing for Swansea to play in the Premier League.
"For me it was very easy to fit in. The style suits me. Brendan Rodgers for me is easy to work with. He's very clear the way he sees things.
"We've played some great matches, especially at home. The whole season through has been fantastic."

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Tim Wiese: Aware of Hoffenheim interest

WIESE: NO HOFFENHEIM DEAL YET

Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese has confirmed he would be interested in a move to Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim in the summer, although Germany's number two goalkeeper says nothing has yet been agreed.
The 30-year-old has already announced that he will not be signing a new contract with the northern Germany club in July, making him a free agent.
And the Rhein-Neckar Zeitung newspaper claims "from a reliable source" that he has given his word to Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel that he will be joining them for next season.


Wiese has denied any such agreement, but confirmed Hoffenheim is a potential destination.
"I know that Markus Babbel is interested, but nothing has yet been signed," he told Sky Sport News.
"There is still plenty of time and I will listen to everything."
Wiese joined Bremen from Kaiserslautern in 2005 and has played 192 times for them, breaking into the national team set-up, where he was understudy for Manuel Neuer at the 2010 World Cup.

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Eden Hazard: Lille star admired by Sir Alex Ferguson

FERGUSON INTERESTED IN EDEN HAZARD

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted his liking for Lille star Eden Hazard, adding to speculation that Manchester United could make a bid this summer.
The Belgian forward looks set to leave the French club this summer, and most of Europe's elite are hot on the trail of the 21-year-old.
Ferguson has now confirmed that he was impressed with Hazard when he personally saw him in action against Lyon last month.
"When I went to watch Lyon versus Lille, last time, of course I saw Hazard playing but also other players which is part of my job," he told French radio station RMC.


"I can confirm Hazard is a very good player, he has so many qualities, he is very fast over the first ten metres."
Hazard confirmed to Sky Sports that he was flattered to learn that he was being watched by Ferguson.
"I am flattered by the compliment coming from the top manager in world football," he said.
"I did not know he was at the game to be honest but no one knew he came to watch me because I was not aware.
"Manchester United are a very top team and anyone would listen to them."

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Rangers: Transfer embargo and fine

RANGERS ADMINISTRATORS BLAST SFA

Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps warned attempts to rebuild the crisis club had been seriously undermined by a 12-month signing embargo handed out by the Scottish Football Association.
The punishment, which prohibits them registering any player aged over 17, came with fines totalling £160,000 following a three-day hearing by an SFA judicial panel last week.
Rangers vowed to appeal but the decision creates another obstacle to completing the sale of the club with the party apparently closest to a bid, American Bill Miller, having stated his offer was dependent on his new club receiving no penalties.
Duff and Phelps reacted with "utter shock and dismay" to what they labelled "Draconian" sanctions arising from the SFA's independent inquiry into the club's finances and appointment of owner Craig Whyte as chairman.


The inquiry last month ruled Whyte "not fit and proper" and the Rangers chairman was expelled from Scottish football for life and given £200,000 in fines.
Joint-administrator Paul Clark argued the club were being unfairly punished for the actions of their owner, whose withholding of tax payments sparked their descent into administration in February, with the bill now more than £14million.
Clark said: "The thrust of the charges against the club focused on non-payment of payroll taxes and evidence was produced that all such decisions in this area were taken by Craig Whyte during his tenure.
"Given this evidence, it is difficult to comprehend that the disciplinary panel has seen fit to effectively punish the club even more heavily than Mr Whyte.
"As everyone knows, it has already been decided he is not a fit and proper person to run a football club and any further punishment on him will have little or no impact.
"However, for Rangers, a ban on signing players will seriously undermine the club's efforts to rebuild after being rendered insolvent.
"Furthermore, we do not know how bidders for the club will react to these sanctions and what affect they will have on their proposals.
"The club has asked for full written reasons for these decisions and intend to appeal against the findings."The outcome of the disciplinary charges came towards the end of a day initially earmarked as the time Duff and Phelps would announce a preferred bidder.


They still did not have an acceptable bid though with both Miller and the Blue Knights seeking clarity on football sanctions.
More clarity on those could come next Monday when Scottish Premier League clubs vote on new financial fair play proposals. These would leave the newco club favoured by Miller receiving financial and points deductions - if accepted into the SPL.
Hours before the SFA announcement, Miller said he was delaying moves to enter into exclusivity with Duff and Phelps in order to allow the Blue Knights and potential partners Ticketus, currently the club's major creditor, more time to finalise their bid.
However, his previous statement demanding "written assurances" that a new Rangers would not face penalties suggests the impasse will continue for some time.
The club have three days to appeal following receipt of the SFA panel's reasons with the fines payable within 12 months.
Rangers received their transfer embargo and a £100,000 fine for bringing the game intro disrepute, were fined £50,000 for being subject to an insolvency event, and £10,000 for failing to ensure Whyte abided by the fit and proper rules.
They were also censured over gate receipts owed to Scottish Cup opponents Dundee United.

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Whyte: 'Could not care less' about life ban

CRAIG'S ALL WHYTE ABOUT FINE AND BAN

Rangers owner Craig Whyte "could not care less" about his life ban from Scottish football and told the SFA they had no chance of collecting his £200,000 fine.
Whyte was hit with the most severe punishment ever dealt to an individual in the Scottish game following last week's three-day SFA judicial panel hearing, which he refused to attend.
The charges followed an SFA-appointed independent inquiry, chaired by former judge Lord Nimmo Smith, into the finances of Rangers and the appointment of Whyte as chairman.


That inquiry ruled Whyte unfit to hold a position in the game over his seven-year disqualification as a director in 2000, which he failed to declare until November, six months after assuming control at Ibrox and six weeks after the existence of the ban emerged in a BBC documentary.
Moments after the SFA announced the panel's findings late last night, Whyte said: "Tell me how it is going to affect me? I couldn't care less.
"It makes no difference to my life whatsoever - and good luck collecting the money. It's a joke."
Whyte was fined £50,000 for bringing the game into disrepute and was handed three more identical fines on separate counts of failing to follow directions from an SFA tribunal.


Whyte, who has been told to pay his fines within 30 days, was also expelled for life from "any participation in Association Football in Scotland".
A charge of acting in an improper manner and against the interests of football was not proven.
Rangers were fined a total of £160,000 and banned from signing players aged over 17 for 12 months after being found guilty of five out of six offences, with the disrepute charge prompting the most severe sanctions.
Rangers administrator Paul Clark accused the SFA of punishing the club for Whyte's actions, specifically over the failure to pay more than £14million in VAT and PAYE since he took over in May last year.
And Whyte said: "It is very harsh on Rangers. I am surprised at how harsh the SFA have been on a club which is going through tough times at the moment.


"Stewart Regan (chief executive) and Campbell Ogilvie (president) should resign and get out of Scottish football.
"The SFA want to kick Rangers when they are down and I hope people remember that. They are playing to the media."
Although Whyte announced he was stepping down as chairman when Rangers went into administration in February, he still owns 85% of the club's shares, which he bought for £1.

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Stuart Pearce: Euro planning is totally done

EURO PLANS IN PLACE - PEARCE

England caretaker manager Stuart Pearce insists "everything is in place" for whoever leads the team to the Euro 2012 finals this summer.
The Football Association are yet to confirm who will take charge for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine with less than two months to go until it gets under way.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp remains the overwhelming favourite to be the permanent successor to Fabio Capello, who resigned in February, but it is possible that Pearce will be asked to stay on at least until the tournament is over.
Pearce, who will also coach the Great Britain men's football team at the 2012 Olympics, thinks if a new man comes in all the preparatory work has been done.
He told BBC Sport: "Whether it is me taking the squad or someone else the planning is totally done.


"I think they will be quite happy with the decisions that have been made over the last few months, both started off by Fabio and continued by myself, but everything is in place, someone could just walk through the door and take the squad tomorrow.
"It will be a benefit to me whichever way it falls. I'm more than happy to take both tournaments this summer, it would be a great experience for me and I'm more than happy doing both jobs."

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David Moyes: Hoping summer plans will happen early

MOYES HOPING FOR EARLY SIGNINGS

David Moyes is already looking to the summer and wants Everton to make an early splash in the transfer market.
The Toffees boss signed Nikica Jelavic, Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar in January and they have made a huge contribution since arriving.
Moyes wants to build on their current excellent run of form by making moves in the transfer market as soon as possible.
Everton owner Bill Kenwright has been looking for fresh investment in the Goodison Park outfit for a long time, admitting they are struggling to keep up their rivals when it comes to finances.


Despite their worries over money, Moyes hopes he will have cash to splash.
"If you can do your recruitment early it makes a big difference to your group and gives them a chance to bed-in and you get better results sooner," he said.
"We were able to get some in January which made a massive difference."

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Ben Haim: 'Will not be playing in League One'

BEN HAIM 'CERTAIN' TO LEAVE POMPEY

Tal Ben Haim's agent says there is no chance the defender will drop to League One with relegated Portsmouth.
The Israel international has 12 months remaining on his current contract, one understood to be worth close to £2m in wages.


Pompey are keen to get the 30-year-old off their wage bill so termination of his deal by mutual consent appears likely.
Ben Haim's representative, Pini Zahavi, told The News: "Tal will not play in League One next season.
"There is interest in him from other clubs. We are looking and when there is something to announce I will announce it.
"But he definitely will not be playing in League One for Portsmouth."

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Ally McCoist: 'Shocked and absolutely appalled'

SANCTIONS COULD 'KILL' CLUB - McCOIST

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has claimed that sanctions imposed by the Scottish Football Association's judicial panel could "kill" the club.
The Glasgow giants were hit with a £160,000 fine and 12-month embargo on signing players aged over 17 after being found guilty of five charges in relation to their finances and the appointment of Craig Whyte as chairman.
Administrators Duff and Phelps have requested an immediate expedited appeals process, saying the punishment could further hamper their hopes of naming a preferred bidder.
McCoist fears the SFA sanctions could prove to be the fatal blow to the stricken club's hopes of survival.
He told www.RangersTV.tv: "Plain and simply, I think it is an absolutely shocking decision. Like everyone else involved - our team, our supporters, our staff and a lot of neutrals - I am staggered at the severity of the punishment.
"This decision could kill our football club, simple as that. Make no mistake about it.
"This panel is not totally to blame for the death of our football club, if it happens, but this particular decision could kill our football club.
"You would hope there would be sympathetic ears within the SFA over an appeals process, but you just don't know what is coming next. It is complete and utter guesswork."
McCoist also called for the three members of the judicial panel tribunal to be named, while claiming the SFA must share responsibility for the verdict with the independent body.


He said: "I was shocked and absolutely appalled by the way this supposedly independent judicial panel was coming down on us in this form. Who are these people? I want to know who these people are.
"I'm a Rangers supporter and the Rangers supporters and the Scottish public deserve to know who these people are, people who are working for the SFA.
"Make no mistake about it, this is an SFA decision. They have appointed the panel so therefore they are working for the SFA, but who are they?
"I think we have a right to know who is handing out this punishment to us, I really do."
The Ibrox boss added: "In terms of our supporters, again they have received another kicking and we just feel it's time to start fighting back.
"You can guarantee we will be fighting back."


The Scottish Premier League are set to meet on Monday to vote on financial fair play proposals relating to clubs in administration and clubs who face the prospect of liquidation.
And McCoist admits, as a result of tougher sanctions which could be imposed by both the SFA and the SPL, he is now more open to the idea of a 'newco' Rangers playing in the Irn-Bru Third Division, rather than re-applying to the top-flight.
He said: "Some fans have been suggesting this and I am leaning towards it myself.
"Make no mistake about it, it would be an unbelievably drastic measure and it will have an incredible impact on Scottish football - and not for the good.
"But if they are going to continue to impose sanctions on us and make things extremely difficult for us to defend ourselves then maybe, just maybe, it might be the right thing.


"We are hanging by our fingertips. We're really at the do-or-die stage and I can't reinforce that opinion enough.
"This is unbelievably serious. We do not have any time and we now have a problem where we must appeal this but that again is going to take time which we don't have."
McCoist also wants answers over outstanding issues relating to Whyte's takeover of the club last May, which was completed with the help of money from investment firm Ticketus, which was used to clear bank debt.
He added: "The people within the club - the supporters and the staff - deserve answers and I believe there is a police inquiry going on into the purchase of our football club.
"As a supporter, I want to know about that. I want to know the results of the inquiry and about the dealings with Ticketus, Craig Whyte and Lloyds Bank.
"I certainly want to know about the dealings with one or two members of the previous board and what their involvement was.
"We need answers, we deserve answers and it's time we got them."
Rangers received their registration embargo and a £100,000 fine for bringing the game into disrepute, a charge which appears to relate to unpaid taxes accrued since Whyte took control of the club.


His withholding of tax payments sparked Rangers' descent into administration in February, with the bill now more than £14million.
McCoist is furious Rangers are being punished for what he claims are the actions of one individual, with Whyte indicating last night he has no intention of paying his own fine.
McCoist said: "I think Mr Whyte had been fined £200,000.
"Call me an old cynic but I would like a phone call from Mr Regan (SFA chief executive) when he receives it.
"He has also been banned for life from being involved in any Scottish football club.
"Again, call me an old cynic but I don't think he will be taking any sleeping pills to get to sleep tonight.
"We are suffering from the actions of an individual - the playing staff, the workforce within this great football club.
"That's the reason we are being punished - there is no other reason.
"It seems as though the non-payment of PAYE is the main bone of contention.
"None of us were aware that this was not being paid, everyone was stunned when we learned this.
"Deductions were made from the salaries of everyone at the club and no-one at the club did anything wrong, to my knowledge.
"But we have been made to suffer for it - it's an incredible situation.


"There are already one or two nails in our coffin - through no fault of this judicial panel and indeed the SFA - but this might be the final one."
Rangers' administrators warned the SFA that the sanctions could have a detrimental effect on Scottish football as a whole.
Duff and Phelps claim news of the punishment could delay further their attempts to named a preferred bidder to take over the administration-hit club, with American businessman Bill Miller and the Blue Knights both still in the running.
David Whitehouse, joint administrator, said: "We have today written to the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association requesting an immediate expedited appeals process over the sanctions imposed on Rangers by the Association's judicial panel last night.
"The decision of last night's judicial panel is in our opinion quite extraordinary.
"Not only in our opinion do the panel fail to have properly apportioned culpability between the club and Craig Whyte, they appear to have rendered a penalty which could have a very detrimental effect on the ability of the administrators to achieve a sale of the business or a Company Voluntary Arrangement.
"This, in turn, cannot be in the interests of Rangers Football Club or Scottish football in general."
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "The sanctions imposed by the judicial panel tribunal last night are subject to appeal.
"As the Scottish FA is the appellate body, it is inappropriate to discuss the findings of this particular tribunal at this stage.
"I can fully understand the fear and frustration felt by all Rangers fans throughout the most difficult period in the club's history.
"The Scottish FA has a responsibility to all its members and must implement its rules without fear or favour."

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Christian Panucci: Resigned

PANUCCI QUITS PALERMO ROLE
Christian Panucci has resigned as technical director of Serie A side Palermo.
The 39-year-old former Italy defender only took up the role last month, but has stepped down following what the club described as a "misunderstanding" over comments made by president Maurizio Zamparini.


A statement on palermocalcio.it read: "Our technical director Christian Panucci has resigned due to a misunderstanding of statements made by president Maurizio Zamparini, which were incorrectly reported by some newspapers.
"The club accept Panucci's decision with deep regret and thank him for the work he did in a short period."