Latest Football Transfer News 10-07-2012

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It's Chico time for Swansea
Last Updated: July 10 2012, 11:49 BST

Michael Laudrup made his first signing as Swansea manager with the capture of centre-half Jose Manuel Flores from Genoa for an initial fee of £2million.



Jose Manuel Flores: Recruited by Swansea
The 25-year-old, better known as Chico, completed his medical and has put pen to paper on a three-year contract, subject to international clearance.
"I am very happy to be here," Flores told the Swansea website.
"I know I am joining a club that has been growing over the last few years and is still ambitious to go even higher."
Flores added: "Having played in La Liga and Serie A, two great leagues, it's a dream come true to play in the Premier League, one of the best, if not the best, in the world."


Flores had previously worked with Laudrup when the Dane was in charge of Mallorca.
And the defender admitted the former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder's presence at Swansea was a key factor in his decision to move to south Wales.
He said: "He was one of the main reasons I signed. He knows me as a person and a player, so I was honoured when the call came.
"I believe the manager will be good for Swansea and they have done extremely well to get him. Swansea's way of playing is the same style as he wants to play the game. He is the right person to take this club forward."
Former Spain Under-21 international Flores, who also had spells with Cadiz, Racing Portuense and Barcelona B, believes he will have little trouble fitting in to Swansea's attractive passing style.


"Being brought up in Spain, I have the same culture of possession and passing football," he said.
"I like to play from the back, come forward with the ball, and add to the possession game.
"I'm really looking forward to it. I have been studying Swansea on the internet and I know I am joining a club with passionate supporters who are very close to the players."

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De Jong blow for Newcastle

I only want to go to Gladbach, says Dutch striker
Last Updated: July 10, 2012 2:17pm


Luuk de Jong: Appears set to choose Borussia Monchengladbach over Newcastle


Luuk de Jong has indicated he intends to move to Germany next season - apparently ending Newcastle's hopes of signing him.
The Holland international is set to leave Twente, with Newcastle and Borussia Monchengladbach thought to be in a straight fight for the striker's signature.
The Magpies have already seen a reported £12million bid for his services turned down, with the Dutch club valuing the player nearer the £16million mark.


But the 21-year-old has suggested the Bundesliga is his preferred destination after speaking to Gladbach coach Lucien Favre.
"I have spoken to Favre several times," he told German newspaper Bild.
"We talked about how he wanted me to play. I'm sure the way he wants to play fits perfectly with the fast pace that suits me.
"I've told Twente that I only want to go to Gladbach. Borussia are playing in the qualifying round of the Champions League and I want to take the next step in my career.


"The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in Europe. To make the next step with the national team I need to go there."
Gladbach were the surprise package of the Bundesliga last season, in much the same way that Newcastle lit up the Premier League, with the German side claiming fourth spot in the table.

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Hearts still want Skacel

Midfielder had been resigned to leaving Tynecastle
Last Updated: July 10, 2012 2:37pm


Rudi Skacel: Ready for a new challenge but Hearts have not ruled out agreeing a new contract


Scottish Cup winners Hearts still want to keep hold of Rudi Skacel after the midfielder revealed he is looking for a new club.
Skacel has been a firm favourite among the Hearts following and he scored a brace in the cup final success against Hibernian at Hampden Park in May.
The 32-year-old has confirmed he has not been offered a new contract following a discussion with Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas and appears resigned to moving on.
"I didn't speak with Hearts about any offer," said Skacel. "I spoke with Sergey a few weeks ago and we talked about some stuff but nothing about my future.
New challenge

"For me, it's important to find a new challenge because the whole package has to be right. I felt very well the last two years and I need a new challenge, so I want to see what will happen.
"Yes I am sad, but I cannot be at Hearts for the rest of my life. I have to take care of myself and make the best move for my career."
Hearts have responded to the Czech's comments by insisting they want Skacel to stay, but the club are currently reviewing their budget.
"Rudi has been a great ambassador for the club both on and off field and naturally we would be interested in the prospect of retaining his services," said a club spokesperson on Hearts' official website.


"The financial climate however has changed for most clubs in recent seasons and any agreement that could be reached would need to suit both Rudi and the club for it to be truly mutually beneficial.
"We would not rule anything out at this stage but whatever we do will have to give due consideration to the current financial uncertainty in football in Scotland and elsewhere at present."

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Redknapp and Capello on Russia list
Last Updated: July 10 2012, 15:56 BST

Harry Redknapp and Fabio Capello have been included on a wish-list of candidates to become the new Russia manager.



Redknapp and Capello are on Russia's wish-list.
The Russia Football Union (RFU) have released the ambitious 13-man list, that also includes former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, as they seek to to replace Dick Advocaat.
Advocaat announced before Russia's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign, when they failed to reach the knockout stage, that he would move to PSV Eindhoven for the new season.

• Russia

Greece	1 - 0	Russia
Poland	1 - 1	Russia
Russia	4 - 1	Czech Rep

• Russia Results

The RFU have indicated they intend to replace the Dutchman will a star name, after having their apparent interest in Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini rebuffed earlier this week.
Mancini was linked with the vacant post but yesterday signed a five-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions.


The RFU's list includes high-profile out-of-contract names such as Capello, who has been a free agent since leaving his England post earlier this year, as well as Redknapp, who left Tottenham last month despite steering them to fourth place in the Premier League last term.
Capello has previously also been linked with big-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, whose former boss Yuri Krasnozhan was included among seven Russian names.


The RFU statement read: "The Russian Football Union has officially informed that the organisation plans to consult, in full compliance with the rules of FIFA and UEFA, the appointment of the head coach of Russian national team, with the following experts: Rafael Benitez, Anatoliy Byshovets, Marcelo Bielsa, Valery Gazzaev, Josep Guardiola, Fabio Capello, Andrei Kobelev, Yuri Krasnozhan, Marcello Lippi, Valery Nepomnyashchy, Nikolai Pisarev, Harry Redknapp, Yuri Semin."
Guardiola's inclusion comes despite the Spaniard having repeatedly stated he would take a year's sabbatical after opting not to renew his Barca deal.


Other major names of the list include former Champions League winner Rafael Benitez, out of work since leaving Inter Milan in December 2010, as well as Italy's World Cup-winning boss Marcello Lippi.
Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa is one of the few contracted managers in the list - along with Dynamo Kiev's Yuri Semin - after he announced his intention to resign last week following a bust up with the club's board.
Bielsa has since stated his desire to remain at San Mames, after helping them to the Europa League and Copa del Rey finals last year.