Latest Football Transfer News 13-07-2012

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Santos claim Malouda talks
Last Updated: July 13 2012, 11:35 BST

Santos have claimed that "informal talks" have been held regarding a possible deal for Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda.



Florent Malouda: Santos transfer target
The France international has scored 45 goals in 229 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Lyon in 2007 and has a further season to run on his contract.


However, the signings of Eden Hazard and Marko Marin have increased competition for places and reports have claimed the Blues are willing to let the 32-year-old go this summer.
Malouda has been strongly linked with a move to Brazil and Vasco da Gama were recently mooted as admirers of the player.
Domestic rivals Santos have also been tipped to launch a bid for Malouda and the club's vice-president Odilio Rodrigues says there have been discussions.


"We have only had informal talks," Rodrigues told Lancenet.
Speculation in Brazil has also claimed that Malouda met Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro for dinner on Tuesday evening amid reports he could follow Clarence Seedorf in making a high-profile switch to South America.

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VDV keeps focus on Tottenham
Last Updated: July 13 2012, 13:26 BST

Rafael van der Vaart insists he is focused on the coming season at Tottenham and says talk of a return to Hamburg is "just gossip".



Rafael van der Vaart: Rejects talk of Hamburg switch
The Dutch playmaker joined Spurs from Real Madrid in 2010, but there have been reports he could be sold during the summer transfer window.
He previously enjoyed three years at Hamburg between 2005 and 2008, scoring 29 goals in 74 appearances for the Bundesliga club.
Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink has admitted he would be happy to welcome Van der Vaart back to the club, but the 29-year-old is planning to stay at Spurs.


"It's kind of incredible how my name has been mentioned across Europe in the last few days," Van der Vaart told BILD. "But I just want to say that this is just gossip talking.
"I am about to play for Tottenham Hotspur in the new season. I have had two good campaigns in England and I am enjoying it.
"It's amazing the people of Hamburg and Hamburger SV still hold me in such kind regard. I enjoy this, it gives me a big boost."


Hamburg's general manager Frank Arnesen also conceded that agreeing a deal to bring Van der Vaart back to the club is just a pipedream.
Arnesen said: "Rafael van der Vaart would be an ideal signing. Every manager would be glad to be able to rely on him.
"But a transfer of Rafael van der Vaart to Hamburg is impossible. We would require massive subsidies for that."

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Allardyce airs Carroll concern

Hammers boss not sure striker would want to join him at Upton Park
Last Updated: July 13, 2012 5:08pm


Andy Carroll: Could be sent out on loan by Liverpool this summer


Sam Allardyce admits he would welcome the opportunity to bring Andy Carroll to West Ham United, but concedes any move will depend on the player.
With Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers having hinted that he may be prepared to send Carroll out on loan, speculation regarding where he will be playing in 2012/13 has kicked into overdrive.
Italian giants AC Milan are said to be keen, while West Ham have admitted to holding an interest in the England international.
Allardyce believes Carroll could be a useful addition to his ranks, having already shown that he has what it takes to score goals in the Premier League.
Stature

The Hammers boss is, however, not convinced that the burly frontman would want to swap life at Anfield for that at Upton Park.
"You can't say you wouldn't be interested in Andy Carroll, he's a player who has got great stature in the Premier League," Allardyce told Sky Sports News HD.
"Whether Andy Carroll wants to come to West Ham is another matter."
Asked if he would favour a loan move or a permanent deal for the 23-year-old striker, Allardyce added: "It depends on whether Andy Carroll wants to come to West Ham."

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Sivok staying in Turkey

Czech defender pens new deal with Besiktas
Last Updated: July 13, 2012 10:30pm


Tomas Sivok: Considered plenty of offers but has opted to remain with Besiktas


Tomas Sivok has brought an end to the mounting speculation surrounding his future by signing a new contract at Turkish side Besiktas.
The Czech Republic international saw his previous deal expire in June, making him available as a free agent.
Reports suggested he was destined to try his luck elsewhere, with clubs across Europe putting terms to him.
Sivok has, however, opted to prolong a four-year stay at Besiktas.


"We have agreed on an extension of his contract and on Wednesday Tomas is to join Besiktas at their training camp base in Seefeld, Austria," Sivok's agent Jiri Mueller told CTK.
"The best offer has won. Before Euro 2012, Besiktas offered Tomas an extension on reduced terms, but the new offer was double the amount.
"It has paid off to wait."
Lucrative

Sivok is understood to have received offers from Sevilla, Everton, Fulham, Valencia, Spartak Moscow, Juventus and clubs in the Middle East.
"We received one very lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, but there was also one from Juventus," added Mueller.
"Pavel Nedved is a member of their management and he was interested in Tomas.
"However, he would have been a third choice defender there and we did not want him to warm the bench.
"His family did not want to move to Moscow so, in the end, it has turned out best for all concerned."

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Saints believe in Davis deal

Adkins confident midfielder will be given green light
Last Updated: July 13, 2012 10:12pm


Steven Davis: Has linked up with Southampton after leaving troubled Rangers


Southampton manager Nigel Adkins is confident that club and player did nothing wrong when Steven Davis agreed a move to the South Coast.
Former Rangers skipper Davis has agreed to join the Saints after refusing to transfer his contract to the newco at Ibrox.
He, along with a number of former colleagues, believe that snubbing a deal in Glasgow has made them free agents.
Those to have taken matters into their own hands are, however, still waiting for their transfers to be sanctioned by FIFA.
Southampton are confident they will be given the green light, allowing Davis to form part of their Premier League plans in 2012/13.
Organised

"I've seen reports about that but we're 100 per cent certain that Steven Davis is a Southampton player," said Adkins.
"Everything is organised, everything is done and he could play at the weekend.
"He has got a little injury, he is recovering from one that he got last season at Rangers, but he is running around, kicking a football on the training ground.
"We won't risk him at the weekend, we'll make sure he is right, but he is 100 per cent a Southampton player and if he is fit, he could play tomorrow (Saturday)."

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Drogba not motivated by money

Striker says it would have been easier to stay in Europe
Last Updated: July 14, 2012 4:07pm


Didier Drogba: Looking forward to the challenge of playing in China


Didier Drogba has insisted he was lured to China by the opportunity to embark on an exciting new challenge, rather than the financial rewards.
Drogba sealed a move to Shanghai Shenhua earlier in the summer after deciding to bring the curtain down on a successful eight-year stint at Chelsea.


He landed in the country on Saturday and was welcomed by a huge crowd at the airport.
There have been reports that the Ivory Coast striker is being paid around $15m (£11.8m) per year with the deal bankrolled by club owner and online gambling magnate Zhu Jun.
Drogba joins his former Chelsea strike partner Nicolas Anelka at Shenhua amid an influx of big-money talent to the Chinese league.
"It would have been easier for me to stay in Europe, but I chose China," Drogba said. "Money is not the most important. I am here for a whole new experience.
No retirement

"I am here to win matches and be the champion. I am not here to retire.
"What I experienced at the airport this morning was unbelievable. Even when I was at Chelsea I never experienced anything like this.
"China is a big sports country and it is a big challenge. For me it would have been easy to go to another team in Europe but I chose China because of the challenge.
"I've been on holiday for three weeks and put on a little bit of weight so I will need to train a little bit. I'm going to speak with the manager, he has to make the right decision."

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Forest not in talks with Hoddle
Last Updated: July 14 2012, 15:11 BST

Nottingham Forest's new owners hope to have a manager in place within a week - but say they have not spoken to Glenn Hoddle.

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Glenn Hoddle: No talks with Nottingham Forest





The Kuwait-based Al Hasawi family have outlined their plans for the npower Championship club.
Their first task is to find a new manager after they sacked Steve Cotterill barely 48 hours after completing their takeover.
Former Tottenham and England boss Hoddle was among the favourites for the role along with Mick McCarthy, Darren Ferguson and ex-Forest star Roy Keane.


But Abdulaziz Al Hasawi said: "We have not spoken to Glenn Hoddle."
He added: "Steve Cotterill was a good steward for Forest during difficult times, but we felt we needed a fresh start.
"We are in discussions with four or five well-known figures in the football world, who have a perfect understanding of this league,
and hopefully in a week all matters should be finalised and it will be revealed.
"We are looking for the best in the business. We will start meeting people within a day. We have to secure this within the next three or four days because we have to get started."


The Al Hasawis took control of Forest on Tuesday after reaching terms to buy the late Nigel Doughty's controlling stake in the two-time European Cup winners.
Their aim is to take the club back into the Premier League, although Abdulaziz Al Hasawi warned success would not come overnight.
He added: "We have a three to five-year plan to get the club back where it should be. It will require hard work and sacrifice but that is our ambition.


"It is not about money, it is about ambition. Football is in our blood.
"We are in a different league but we have hopes that someday we will be playing Manchester City and Manchester United."