Latest Football Transfer News 28-06-2012

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Barcelona agree Alba fee
Last Updated: June 28 2012, 12:53 BST



Barcelona have agreed a fee of 14million euros with Valencia to sign Spain full-back Jordi Alba.


Jordi Alba: Set for Barca talks


The 23-year-old Alba, who is currently on international duty at Euro 2012, will pen a five-year contract once he has passed his medical, Barca have confirmed.


17. Jordi Alba

Appearances	4 (0)
Goals	0
Assists	1
Yellows	1
Reds	0

A Barcelona statement on the club's website read: "Barcelona announce that today they reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Jordi Alba, who will undergo his medical next week.
"The cost of the operation will be 14million euros and the player will sign a contract for the next five seasons."
Attacking left-back Alba, whose contract with Valencia was due to expire in June 2013, is no stranger to Barcelona.


Born in the Catalan city of L'Hospitalet, Alba spent seven years at Barca's famous La Masia youth academy from 1998 to 2005.
Afterwards he played for local lower-league side Cornella for two years before joining Valencia in 2007.
At the Mestalla, Alba was part of the Valencia reserve side that was promoted to Segunda B before spending the 2008/09 season on loan at Gimnastic Tarragona.
On returning to Valencia he soon became a regular in coach Unai Emery's first team, making 74 league appearances in three seasons, scoring five goals.


That earned him international recognition, with his debut coming against Scotland last October. He has won 10 caps to date and has been an ever-present in Spain's five Euro 2012 matches so far, helping them through to Sunday's final.
Alba is Barcelona's first signing of the summer as they build towards next season under new coach Tito Vilanova, who has replaced Pep Guardiola.

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Saints 'fail in Butland bid'
Last Updated: June 28 2012, 12:56 BST



Birmingham have refused to comment on reports they have turned down a £6million bid from Southampton for teenage goalkeeper Jack Butland.


Jack Butland: Subject of a 'big-money' bid from Southampton


Butland, called into Roy Hodgson's England squad at Euro 2012 as a replacement for Norwich's John Ruddy, is understood to be a top target for newly-promoted Southampton, who had an improved offer for the 19-year-old rejected earlier this week, according to newspaper reports.


26. Jack Butland

Appearances	0 (0)
Goals	0
Assists	0
Yellows	0
Reds	0

The Bristol-born 6ft 4in goalkeeper, yet to make a first-team appearance for Birmingham, has been widely touted to be number one for Team GB at this summer's Olympics and the midlands club are determined to keep hold of their prized asset.
Birmingham installed Lee Clark as Chris Hughton's replacement this week and the former Huddersfield boss has already insisted Butland will remain at St Andrews unless the club received a "crazy offer".
Butland spent the final three months of last season on loan at npower League Two side Cheltenham, where he made 24 appearances.

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Skrtel has had no contact

Reds defender plays down latest round of transfer rumours
Last Updated: June 28, 2012 1:47pm



Martin Skrtel: Continues to be linked with a summer switch to Manchester City

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is aware of the speculation surrounding his future, but insists he has received no approach for his services.
Transfer gossip continues to suggest that the Slovakia international is a summer target for Premier League champions Manchester City.
Roberto Mancini is said to have set his sights on the Slovakia international as he looks to reinforce his back four.
Skrtel, who joined Liverpool in 2008, has previously stated that it is his intention to remain at Anfield.
He says he is not about to waver in that stance, with no contact having been made by any of the supposedly interested parties.

Rumours
"In the press there have been rumours about my future," Skrtel said on his personal website.

"I would like to say that so far I have not received any specific offers and I have not been in talks with any club."
Skrtel is currently back in his homeland preparing for the new season, and he is convinced that the 2012/13 campaign will be a productive one for Liverpool - as they begin life under new boss Brendan Rodgers.
He said: "I'm looking forward to the new season very much and believe we will be well prepared for it and it will be better than the last one."

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Blanc future up in the air
Last Updated: June 28 2012, 17:15 BST

France coach Laurent Blanc says a decision on his future will be made within 48 hours after he held talks with the French Football Federation on Thursday.


Laurent Blanc: Future to be decided within 48 hours


The 46-year-old will be out of contract on June 30, with reports suggesting he may leave the post following Les Bleus' quarter-final exit at Euro 2012.
Blanc spent much of the day in a meeting with FFF president Noel le Graet.
The governing body announced both parties will now take time to consider their respective positions with Blanc later confirming a decision would be made on his France future within the next two days.
"Our meeting did not last all day because I had other commitments," he told L'Equipe. "But everyone said what they had to say, including about the Euros.
"We have many things in common but it is also a personal decision concerning me. We gave ourselves a deadline of 48 hours."
The statement on www.fff.fr said: "Noel le Graet and Laurent Blanc held a lengthy meeting during the day on June 28.


"Following their discussion, the president of the FFF and the coach agreed to give time for reflection."
The FFF had earlier announced they will hold their own meeting on July 3 to discuss the team's results in Poland and Ukraine.
That will be followed by a press conference, at 1215 local time, in which Le Graet will face the cameras.
France's Euro 2012 was overshadowed by reports of dressing-room unrest and infighting.
News surfaced of players being at loggerheads following the Group D loss to Sweden, with Blanc later admitting things "had kicked off a bit" in the immediate aftermath of the 2-0 reverse, which left Les Bleus as runners-up behind England.
The quarter-final exit at the hands of defending champions Spain sparked further reports of bust-ups, while midfielder Samir Nasri also came under the spotlight for an expletive-laden rant at reporters.

Spain	2 - 0	France
Sweden	2 - 0	France
Ukraine	0 - 2	France
France	1 - 1	England

Nasri later apologised for the outburst, but the incidents were reminders of France's shambolic 2010 World Cup campaign and player mutiny under former coach Raymond Domenech.
However, Les Bleus captain Hugo Lloris leapt to the defence of his national team-mates, saying they should not be judged on those reports.
"It looks like it only happens in the France team and to this France team," the Lyon goalkeeper said today in an interview with L'Equipe.
"But it happens to all generations at all levels."
Lloris does feel such incidents should not be played out in the media, though.


"Something like that should stay in the dressing room," he said.
"It's about the squad, not individuals. This is where things like this bother me because this is not the first time it has happened.
"I cannot condone what Samir said. But I find it unacceptable that people use that one incident to sum up the behaviour of the team.
"Everything has been mixed up. In sporting terms, it's true the Euros have not been perfect but we must judge things on our journey over the last two years."
Lloris also gave his backing to Blanc and hopes the coach stays on in his current role.
"Everyone listens to the philosophy and words of the coach," said Lloris.
"The decision belongs to the (FFF) president and the coach, but we are in favour of continuity."
Blanc has been linked with the vacancy at Premier League club Tottenham.

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Fulham sign Mladen Petric
Last Updated: June 28 2012, 17:45 BST



Fulham have completed the signing of forward Mladen Petric.


Mladen Petric: Joins Fulham on a free transfer


The 31-year-old Croatia international has joined on a free transfer, signing a one-year deal. He had been a free agent since his contract with Hamburg recently expired.
He told his new club's official website, "I like the Premier League and it has always been one of my wishes to come here."

Petric has also played in Switzerland with FC Baden and Grasshoppers as well as Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund before joining Hamburg, where he worked under current Cottagers boss Martin Jol.
He added: "I played with Hamburg against the club two years ago in the Europa League.


"It was very nice to play at Craven Cottage with a fantastic crowd and I have enjoyed a good relationship with every member of the club I have met since.
"I'm very happy to be part of what is happening at Fulham. The club is doing very well and that was why I decided to come here.
"I know the manager well and I know that he is always looking to strengthen his attacking options - and I hope that we can do even better next season."

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Rijkaard agent cools Holland link
Last Updated: June 28 2012, 18:12 BST

Frank Rijkaard has no interest in managing Holland for the time being, according to the former defender's agent.


Frank Rijkaard: Contracted to Saudi Arabia


Rijkaard is one of several men who have been linked with the vacant post after Bert van Marwijk stepped down from his role following a disappointing Euro 2012 in which Oranje were knocked out at the group stage without earning a single point.
But Perry Overeem has stated Rijkaard remains dedicated to his head coach duties at Saudi Arabia, who were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup qualifying stages in round three.
"Frank's contract runs until the end of 2013," Overeem told AD. "Saudi Arabia can no longer qualify for the World Cup of 2014, but there is more to do."
Rijkaard began his coaching career with Holland in 1998, having worked as an assistant to Guus Hiddink, and guided the side to the semi-finals of Euro 2000, where they were knocked out by Italy on penalties.


The 49-year-old guided Barcelona to two Primera Division titles and the Champions League in 2006 during his five-year tenure from 2003 to 2008, but also had forgettable spells with Sparta Rotterdam and Turkish outfit Galatasaray.
"I understand that many people now think Frank," added Overeem. "But it is now completely irrelevant.
"Perhaps it would be different if Saudi Arabia wanted to end his contract but that's also irrelevant."
Other candidates to succeed the Van Marwijk include Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank de Boer, Hiddink, Louis van Gaal and Co Adriaanse.


The chairman of the Dutch FA (KNVB), Bert van Oostveen, has already indicated that whoever steps into Van Marwijk's shoes must be from Dutch.
When asked whether he would look to appoint a foreign coach, Van Oostveen told AD: "It would be a travesty for the image of our national football."
Hiddink has also taken charge of the national team before, although his stay ended in disappointment after Holland failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Gullit is not renowned for being an outstanding head coach, with disappointing spells at Feyenoord and the Los Angeles Galaxy recently, but the 49-year-old had a glittering playing career, which could make him a popular choice.
Former Twente boss Adriaanse is unemployed but may be a viable option because he prefers to play attacking football, with his methods guiding unheralded Dutch club Willem II into the Champions League in 1999.


Feyenoord coach Koeman and Ajax's De Boer have already ruled themselves out of the running, with the latter paying tribute to Van Marwijk.
The former Ajax and Barcelona defender served as Van Marwijk's assistant at the 2010 World Cup.
"It is unfortunate for the Dutch team that Bert has quit. I had a great time with him and learned a lot from him," De Boer said on his Twitter account.
It has been suggested that De Boer's absence from the coaching set-up is the reason for Oranje flattering to deceive in Poland and Ukraine.
He rejected the notion, however, hinting the success two years ago came because egos did not clash in South Africa.


"I had my share during the successful World Cup, but it is not all about me," he said at an Ajax press conference yesterday.
"In 2010 it was all easier. When (Rafael) Van der Vaart and (Klaas Jan) Huntelaar played in their little clubs.
"Now you have influential players in the Premier League and the Bundesliga. That makes it all a lot harder."