Latest Transfer Update at 14-05-2012

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Eden Hazard: Heading to Manchester

EDEN HAZARD CONFIRMS MANCHESTER MOVE

Lille star Eden Hazard has confirmed he will be playing in Manchester next season, but refused to reveal whether it will be at City or United.
The Belgium international's future has been the subject of intense speculation for some time with a host of clubs across Europe chasing his signature.
Hazard revealed over the weekend he would be quitting Lille at the end of the season after six years at the club and has been strongly linked with both City and United, though the former are reported to be in pole position to sign him.


The 21-year-old has now confirmed he will be moving to the Premier League and will be plying his trade in Manchester next season after being named Ligue 1's Player of the year for the second consecutive season.
Speaking at the awards gala and when asked about his likely destination at the end of the current season, Hazard said: "To Manchester, I've already said. The decision will be taken soon."

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Steven Pienaar: Second farewell to Everton

PIENAAR UNSURE ON FUTURE

Steven Pienaar bade an emotional farewell to Everton's fans before admitting he has no idea whether he will be back at Goodison Park next season.
Pienaar struggled to hold back the tears on Sunday after his loan spell from parent club Tottenham ended with a 3-1 win for the Toffees over Newcastle.
The South African hardly saw any first-team action at White Hart Lane this term but has been hugely impressive upon his return to Merseyside, scoring four times during his 14-match spell at Goodison Park.


After the game Pienaar saluted the home fans and then gave an emotional interview to Everton TV in which he said: "It's hard. The first time I left I didn't say goodbye, this time around it's a bit sad. I just want to say thanks for the support from day one. I really appreciate it.
"It means a lot to me, this club. Let's just see what will happen in the summer."
Although never a regular under Harry Redknapp, Spurs missed the versatile midfielder's presence as injuries and fatigue took their toll in the second half of the Londoners' campaign.


Pienaar, who originally joined Everton from Borussia Dortmund in 2007, returned to Goodison Park when the club looked destined for a bottom-half finish, but the midfielder has played a key part in the club's turnaround, which eventually saw them finish above rivals Liverpool for the first time in seven years.
"Finishing above Liverpool is unbelievable feeling and in the second half of the season the guys were fantastic. I was glad to be a part of that," added Pienaar, who scored yesterday's opener with a deflected 20-yard strike.


"For me it was important to finish the way I started - with a goal.
"I think my loan spell went well. I am pleased with myself.
"Don't forget, I didn't play much in the first half of the season and the only way I could pay the manager and the supporters back was by performing and I think I did quite well."

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Kevin Davies: Expects to stay at Bolton

DAVIES WILLING TO COMMIT TO BOLTON

Bolton captain Kevin Davies revealed relegation from the Barclays Premier League felt like a "bad dream" but believes he will still be at the club next season.
Davies is out of contract in the summer and despite being a transfer target for Sunderland in January, the 35-year-old suggested he will remain at the Reebok despite his side's fall to the npower Championship.
The Wanderers' 11-year stay in the top flight came to an end on Sunday at the Britannia Stadium after they could only manage a 2-2 draw with Stoke.
Only a win, coupled with defeat for QPR at Manchester City, would have been good enough to keep them up.


Bolton looked to be on their way to avoiding the drop at half-time with bizarre goals from Mark Davies and Kevin Davies cancelling out a controversial opener from Jon Walters, while City were also ahead.
However QPR came back to take the lead and when Walters equalised from the penalty spot, Bolton's relegation was sealed despite City's dramatic late win at the Etihad Stadium.
"It's like a bad dream at the moment," Kevin Davies said.
"We had to win the game and we put ourselves in a position to do that.
"We were looking comfortable, as we have done in recent games, but we just haven't done enough as a team, from the front to the back, to win the game. We came here with a chance and we've let that chance go.


"It's been a hard season, for me personally. Being out of the side for three or four months was hard to take at first but I fought to get back in the side.
"I was hopeful that the goal, the cross or whatever you want to call it, would have been enough, but we've not done enough.
"After 38 games we find ourselves in the bottom three so we have to take responsibility for that. It's difficult to take, you just want to go and bury your head somewhere."
But despite the disappointment, Davies alluded he will more than likely stay at Bolton next season.
"We find ourselves in the Championship and that's a new challenge for the club," Davies said.
"Obviously the club have got a number of decisions to make on a number of players but we'll rebuild and get a good squad together, and hopefully that will be a good enough squad to get us back up.


"It's in the hands of the manager, the chairman and the owner. I thought this day wouldn't come so it's over to them now. Certain targets may change now. There's no doubt the Championship is a difficult league to get out of.
"The club will back those announcements and decisions, some players may have made their decisions already.
"I don't want to talk about it too much really but I'm pretty sure I'll be here next year."
Davies, who joined the club from Southampton in 2003, also believes it will take him time to move on from the way Bolton's relegation played out on an emotional final day of the season.
"It could have been so different," he said.


"We could be talking about the great escape. It's going to take a while to get over.
"I just feel like I've let everyone down at the moment, my family and the fans and everyone."
Stoke midfielder Rory Delap believes Bolton's relegation shows how competition in the Premier League is getting tougher every season.
"Bolton have been in it for a long time, and this just shows that every year you have to keep working harder and harder," Delap said.
"A team like Bolton have some great quality in the side and a good manager.
"It was a tremendous effort for us to get back in the game. Their first goal was a rebounded clearance and their second was an obvious cross, but that happens and you have to deal with it."