Latest Football Transfer News 14-07-2012

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Hughton keen on Davies

Blues defender on Canaries manager's radar
Last Updated: July 14, 2012 12:49pm


Curtis Davies: Admired by Hughton after working together at Birmingham


Norwich manager Chris Hughton has confirmed he is a fan of Birmingham defender Curtis Davies amid speculation linking him with a move to Carrow Road this summer.
Sky Sports revealed earlier this week the Canaries are among three Premier League sides monitoring the centre-back, with West Ham and Reading also believed to be keen.
Ex-Blues boss Hughton, who guided the club into the Championship play-offs last season, worked with Davies at St Andrews'.
The former England under-21 international is under contract with Birmingham until 2014 after joining from city rivals Aston Villa in January last year.
Assessing

Hughton is expected to bring in a couple more fresh faces ahead of the Premier League kick-off at Fulham on August 18th and says the 27-year-old stopper is a player he holds in high esteem.
"I do like Curtis very much and he is a player whom I admire," said the manager.
"At the moment, I am assessing what we need and possibly what might be available.
"We will always do it in the right ways and so anything which is reported has never come from us, but yes, I do like Curtis and had the opportunity to work with him."


Hughton maintains it is imperative for everyone at Norwich to keep a sense of perspective as they embark upon a new era next season.
Carrow Road has enjoyed three campaigns of success following back-to-back promotions under Paul Lambert and then a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League.
With Lambert having now moved on to try to rebuild Aston Villa's fortunes, Hughton has been charged with safe-guarding the future of the Norfolk club.


The manager, 53, accepts it is not all likely to be plain sailing, but is ready to meet the challenges head on.
"It is about dampening expectations at times, because we will start this season no different than how we started last season because we are playing in such a tough division," he said.
"What the likes of Wigan, West Brom and Stoke have been able to do over a few years is sustain things, but I am quite sure at the beginning of every season they will have realised how tough it is going to be.
Sustain

"You have to be on top of your game, playing well enough, and that is why managers and staff work as hard as they do - you have to be on top of everything.
"We have to try to do everything we can to sustain where we are.
"We will keep people's feet on the ground, try not to get too carried away with good results and not get too down with difficult and poor results."

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PSG complete Silva purchase

Samba star makes move to France, as Ibrahimovic talks continue
Last Updated: July 14, 2012 6:35pm

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Thiago Silva: Will be turning out for Paris St Germain in 2012/13





Paris St Germain have confirmed their capture of Brazilian defender Thiago Silva on a five-year contract from AC Milan.
Reports suggest that the deal is worth around £33million.
AC Milan announced earlier in the week that fees had been agreed with PSG for Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Silva's agent indicated on Saturday that a deal for his client was 'far from' complete, but PSG have announced that a transfer has been finalised.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Thiago Silva, 27 years old, Brazilian international, from AC Milan, has this Saturday signed with Paris Saint-Germain for five seasons."
Talks

A deal for Ibrahimovic is yet to be completed.
Talks are understood to still be ongoing, as personal terms are thrashed out, and the Sweden international striker is yet to travel to France for a medical.
"He is not in Paris to pass his medical," said Ibrahimovic's representative Mino Raiola.
"We will continue to work and give a press conference when everything is settled."

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Mariappa deal almost done

Royals set to land Hornets defender
Last Updated: July 14, 2012 7:15pm


Adrian Mariappa: Close to completing a switch to Premier League new boys Reading


Brian McDermott is confident Adrian Mariappa will be a Reading player on Monday and claims to be closing on another of his top transfer targets.
Sky Sports revealed on Friday that the Royals were looking to lure Mariappa away from Championship outfit Watford.
An agreement has now been put in place between the two clubs, with the 25-year-old set to complete a switch to the Madejski Stadium once he has passed a medical.


"We have got a formality to take care of on Monday and I think once that's done and dusted we are hopeful of getting him signed on Monday," Royals boss McDermott told Sky Sports News HD.
"He's a character, a fantastic character. He has done really well for Watford over a period of time.
"For a young man he has played a lot of games, he's got good pace and as a character he will fit in with what we are trying to do here - as has been the case with all of the players I have signed."


McDermott has been busy bringing fresh faces into his Reading squad this summer, as they ready themselves for a return to the Premier League, and he hopes another piece of business will be completed in the not too distant future.
He said: "We have made an offer for a player which has been ongoing for a number of weeks. We will wait and see.
"No names, not at the moment. He's in England, it's a player that we have targeted for a number of weeks now. We are hopeful that we can get it done."


Reading have been linked with an audacious approach for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, but McDermott has been quick to rubbish the rumours.
He added: "Jermain Defoe is a terrific player, he's a Tottenham player, and I don't think he'll be coming to Reading somehow."

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Podolski hopes to play with RVP

Gunners new boy wants unsettled skipper to stay
Last Updated: July 14, 2012 8:42pm


Lukas Podolski: Hoping to partner Robin van Persie in Arsenal's attack


Lukas Podolski is hoping he will get the chance to play alongside Robin van Persie at Arsenal next season, with the striker's future at the club unclear.
Van Persie has informed the Gunners that he has no intention of penning a contract extension.


With just 12 months left to run on his current deal, Arsenal find themselves in a tricky situation.
They are understandably reluctant to part with their talismanic skipper and leading marksman, but risk losing him for nothing if they force him to see out his contract.
Manchester City and Juventus are said to be waiting in the wings if a deal can be done, with both keen to add the Dutchman's firepower to their attacking ranks.
Amazing

Podolski is well aware of the ongoing speculation, with added pressure set to be placed on his shoulders if Van Persie does leave Emirates Stadium.
The Germany international only signed for Arsenal this summer and did so with the intention of partnering Van Persie in attack.
"All I can say is Van Persie had an amazing record last season and hopefully there is a way he can stay with Arsenal," said Podolski.
"It would be great to play with him, but obviously this is not in my control."