Latest Transfer Update at 28-05-2012

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Brendan Rodgers: Reportedly set for Liverpool talks

JENKINS DISMISSES RODGERS 'SPECULATION'

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has dismissed reports manager Brendan Rodgers will meet Liverpool's owners to talk about the vacancy at Anfield as "pure speculation".
Although Rodgers had previously stated his intention to remain with the Swans, having already turned down the chance to speak with Liverpool, it appears the Reds have not given up on the hope of talking to the Northern Irishman.
Reports have suggested the Reds are set to contact him this week but Jenkins told BBC Sport that was just "pure speculation".
Ten days ago Swansea released a statement confirming they had received an official approach from Liverpool to speak with Rodgers.
"The club is pleased to confirm that Brendan has declined the current opportunity to speak to the Anfield club about the vacant position," it said.
"The Swansea manager is currently working hard to strengthen the squad in readiness for the new Barclays Premier League campaign."


Wigan's Roberto Martinez is still seen as the front-runner, having held talks with Liverpool's principal owner John Henry in Miami last week.
The Spaniard is due back from a Caribbean holiday on Tuesday but despite his suggestion over the weekend he would hold a press conference at which he would outline his future plans, no such arrangements have yet been made.
In light of the latest speculation linking Liverpool with a move for Rodgers Swansea issued a short statement insisting there had been no contact.
"We would like to clarify the speculation in the press surrounding our manager Brendan Rodgers," it said.
"We would like to confirm that there has been no contact from Liverpool and nothing has changed since our previous statement on the issue."

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Gylfi Sigurdsson: Due for a medical this week

SIGURDSSON SET FOR SWANSEA SWITCH

Swansea are on the verge of completing the signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson after a £6.8million transfer fee was accepted by Hoffenheim and the player agreed personal terms.
The 22-year-old will undergo a medical this week before the deal can be officially finalised, according to a statement from the club.
Sigurdsson spent the last five months of the season on loan with the Swans and that highly-successful spell has led to the club moving to secure him permanently.


The Icelandic midfielder scored seven goals in 18 league appearances and was also named March's Premier League Player of the Month, becoming the first Swansea player to win the award.
Sigurdsson's move will smash the club's record for a transfer fee, previously held by Danny Graham when he completed a £3.5million switch from Watford last summer.
"Swansea City can today confirm a transfer fee and personal terms have been agreed for Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson," said a statement.


"A club record offer of £6.8million has been accepted by the German club, and the 22-year-old is expected in Swansea later this week to undergo a medical before the move is confirmed.
"The club are delighted to have agreed terms with both player and club following Sigurdsson's hugely successful loan spell last season."

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Florent Cuvelier: New Stoke deal

NEW STOKE DEAL FOR CUVELIER

Belgian youngster Florent Cuvelier has signed a new contract with Stoke, turning down a move to Middlesbrough.
However, the 19-year-old midfielder could yet end up at the Riverside next season in a loan move.
Cuvelier joined Stoke in 2010 from Portsmouth, turning down interest from Manchester City, Tottenham and Fulham.
The Belgium Under-21 international spent the latter part of last season on loan at League One Walsall, where he impressed with four goals in 18 appearances for Dean Smith's side.


Cuvelier's previous deal at Stoke was due to expire this summer, and that alerted a number of clubs, with Boro opening talks with the player to try and persuade him to move to the North East on a permanent deal.
However, Stoke - who would have been due compensation if he had accepted Boro's offer - have now persuaded him to sign a new two-year deal with them.
The news will be a blow to Tony Mowbray who had highlighted Cuvelier as one of this top targets as he looks to rebuild his side ahead of a renewed promotion push next term.
However, Cuvelier could yet still be part of Boro's promotion push as Stoke are ready to loan him out to the Championship next season to continue his footballing education.
"Florent is happy to have everything completed, despite interest from elsewhere," his agent Alex Levack of Sidekick management told Sky Sports.
"He sees his long-term future at Stoke and is now looking to get out on loan in the Championship and work his way back into the Belgium Under-21 team.
"He has proved himself at League One level and now wants to do the same in the Championship."

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Gareth Barry: Ruled out with abdomen injury

GARETH BARRY RULED OUT OF EURO 2012

Phil Jagielka will finally get to go to a major tournament after he was called into England's Euro 2012 squad as replacement for Gareth Barry.
Manager Roy Hodgson had indicated he would "re-configure" his 23-man squad if Barry was ruled out by the stomach problem he suffered during Saturday's friendly win in Norway.
And after scans confirmed Barry could not play any meaningful role in Poland and Ukraine this summer, Hodgson did just that, adding Jagielka as an eighth defender in preference to Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, who had been on standby in midfield.
It brings some kind of closure for Jagielka, who had appeared well set to be part of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad in 2010 until he ruptured his cruciate ligament in April 2009.


The 29-year-old was missing for 10 months, leaving him with no time to convince Capello he could recapture his old form on the international stage.
Prior to the Wembley defeat by Holland in February though, Jagielka had been named in every squad but one since the World Cup, making three appearances during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Together with Joleon Lescott, Jagielka kept world champions Spain out at Wembley last November and might have considered himself unfortunate not to be included in Hodgson's original 23-man squad instead of being named on standby.
However, with Chelsea trio John Terry, Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill missing the Oslo trip and Glen Johnson ruled out through injury, Hodgson selected Jagielka in central defence at the weekend and must have been impressed by the response.
So, once Barry was ruled out, the Everton man was added to the official squad that will now be confirmed to UEFA by 11am on Tuesday.
It is harsh luck on Barry of course.
However, Hodgson had no need to play the same kind of waiting game Capello had to in South Africa, when Barry made the trip even though he was struggling to shake off an ankle injury and ultimately performed poorly after missing the opening game with the United States.
He was quick to assure Barry he does still have a future with the Three Lions though.
"I am very disappointed to lose Gareth, not only was he a member of my original 23-man squad but he has featured prominently in the England team over the last few years," said Hodgson.
"I know how much he wanted to be part of the tournament but I'm sure he will still have a part to play with England after the Euros.
"I wish him a speedy recovery."
Previous doubts Danny Welbeck, Glen Johnson and Scott Parker have all been given the green light, so Hodgson can count himself reasonably satisfied as his only other casualty was third-choice keeper John Ruddy, who has been replaced by Birmingham rookie Jack Butland.
England still have one friendly to go though, against Belgium at Wembley on Saturday.


Not that World Cup winner Gordon Banks is holding out too much hope for what happens afterwards.
Speaking at the Every Player Counts Awards at the Grass Roots Football Show, Banks expressed fears for the summer campaign: "England didn't play very well at all on Saturday.
"If they are going to do anything in the tournament they will have to play better.
"They were a little bit too defensive and I thought Roy was looking for a result which would maybe give the lads a bit of confidence.
"There were one or two new players but you could see it is going to take a while."
It is bedding-in time Hodgson simply does not have.
"It was terrible to leave it so late," said Banks.
"I couldn't understand that at all. Why wasn't he appointed earlier?


"There are so many things to do when someone takes over. There is more to it than just picking a side and expecting them to play.
"I didn't think it was right to leave it so long."
Gareth Barry Factfile:
1981: Born, Hastings, February 23.
1997: Joins Aston Villa as a trainee from Brighton for £50,000.
1998: February 23 - Signs first professional contract at Villa.
May 2 - Makes debut as substitute in 3-1 Premier League win at Sheffield Wednesday.
May 10 - Makes first start for Villa in 1-0 home win over Arsenal.
November 17 - Makes England Under-21 debut in friendly against Czech Republic. Goes on to earn 27 caps.
1999: April 24 - Scores first Villa goal in 2-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest.
2000: May 31 - Makes senior England debut as substitute in 2-0 friendly win over Ukraine at Wembley.


June: Called up to England's Euro 2000 squad but does not feature during the tournament.
September 2 - Starts first senior England game in 1-1 draw with France in Paris.
2006: August 19 - Awarded Villa captaincy for opening Premier League game of the season at Arsenal and retains the job.
August 27 - Ends speculation about his future by signing a four-year contract at Villa.
2007: February 2 - Named in England squad for first time since 2003 for friendly against Spain.
October 28 - Becomes youngest player to make 300 Premier League appearances (aged 26 years 247 days), beating Frank Lampard's record.
2008: May 1 - Liverpool launch bid to buy Barry.
May 2 - Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirms Liverpool's bid but decries it as "a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges". O'Neill also criticises Liverpool for making their interest public.


June 1 - Scores first international goal in England's 3-0 friendly win in Trinidad and Tobago. Also captains England for the first time in second half of the game.
Describes Liverpool's interest as "flattering".
June 29 - Reveals he wants to join Liverpool and criticises O'Neill for not making enough effort to keep him at Villa Park.
July 2 - Fined two weeks' wages and ordered not to return for pre-season training for his criticism of O'Neill. Villa reveal they have rejected another improved offer from Liverpool.
July 16 - Permitted to return to training.
July 22 - Plays for Villa in a friendly at Walsall and is booed by the travelling supporters.
August 22 - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reveals his own interest in Barry.
August 27 - Barry's agent confirms the player will stay with Villa.
2009: May - Villa offer to make Barry their highest-paid player if he signs a new contract.
June 2 - Joins Manchester City for £12million.
September 20 - Scores his first Premier League goal for City in 4-3 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
2010: March 3 - Handed captain's armband during England's 3-1 friendly win over Egypt at Wembley.


June - Plays in three of England's games during World Cup in South Africa, including 4-1 last-16 loss to Germany in Bloemfontein.
2011: May 14 - Helps City win FA Cup - ending the club's 35-year wait for a major trophy.
November 12 - Wins 50th England cap in 1-0 home friendly win over Spain.
2012: May 13 - Helps City clinch Premier League title - their first in 44 years - with dramatic final-day 3-2 win over QPR.
May 28 - Ruled out of England's Euro 2012 squad with a lower abdomen injury.

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Petr Cech: Signs until 2016 at Stamford Bridge

PETR CECH EXTENDS CHELSEA STAY

Chelsea's Champions League hero Petr Cech has signed a new four-year contract.
The Czech keeper, who joined the club in 2004, has already played more games for Chelsea than any overseas player - 369 appearances which has seen him win three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two Carling Cups plus the Champions League after a penalty shoot-out.
Cech said: "I am really happy to be part of this great club for another four years.

"I hope the next four years will be as successful as the last eight years I have been at the club."
Cech, 30, made a series of crucial saves in Chelsea's victorious FA Cup and Champions League campaigns last season.


He saved Arjen Robben's penalty in extra time in the European competition final against Bayern Munich and two more in the shoot-out.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: "Chelsea fully appreciates the highly significant contribution Petr has made to the most successful period in the club's history, and it is very important to our aim of continuing this level of achievement that he has committed himself to the club until 2016.
"It is clear to anyone who watched the climax to the season just completed that Petr continues to perform as well as any goalkeeper in the world."
Over the course of his Chelsea career Cech has kept 178 clean sheets, an astonishing 48% games he has played in.