Latest Football Transfer News 15-07-2012

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Anita 'tempted by Prem'

Toon target wants clarity over Ajax future
Last Updated: July 15, 2012 10:14am


Vurnon Anita: Has been linked with a move to Newcastle this summer


The agent of reported Newcastle target Vurnon Anita says the player is tempted over a move to the Premier League as he seeks talks with Ajax chiefs over his future.
The Holland international, who can play as a defensive midfielder or at left-back, helped Ajax to the Eredivisie title last season to catch the attention of the Magpies, while Aston Villa, Norwich and Sunderland are also thought to be interested.
Reports suggest Newcastle have already seen a £5million offer rejected by the Dutch club but could snare their man if they up the bid to £8m.


The 23-year-old has two years remaining on his deal in Amsterdam but will seek talks with the club's new sporting director Marc Overmars to gain clarity over his future.
He told the Sunday Mirror: "I've two years left on my contract. But I want some clarity from Ajax about my future.
"We have a meeting with Marc Overmars, the club's new sporting director, to get a clear view of what the club wants."
Serious interest

Anita's agent, Harry Lulofs, claims the player could be lured to the Premier League, adding: "There is serious interest from Newcastle.
"A move to the Premier League is so tempting for him. We have to resolve the situation quickly."
Ajax boss Frank De Boer insists he will fight to keep the Dutchman, who came through the youth ranks in Amsterdam.
He said: "We'll do all we can to try and keep Vurnon here. He's a very valuable player."

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Guly signs new Saints deal

Forward extends stay at St Mary's
Last Updated: July 15, 2012 12:44pm


Guly: Has committed to Southampton until 2014 after penning new one-year deal


Brazilian forward Guly has signed a one-year contract extension with Premier League new-boys Southampton to keep him at St Mary's until 2014.
The 30-year-old was entering the final year of his deal at the club after joining from Cesena in January 2011 after a loan spell but has now prolonged his stay.


Guly, who has scored 22 goals in 85 appearances for the Saints so far, is looking forward to his first taste of the English top-flight.
He told Southampton's official website: "I'm very happy to have signed a new contract.
"To be able to stay here for another year to help the team was very important to me, and I think I have a big opportunity this season.
Happy

"I'm happy and my family are happy to stay here, so it was good to sign a new contract.
"Everything has gone well in the last two years - the team has come back into the Premier League and we have a good chance to do well this season.
"We are going to play in big stadiums against big players and the fans are going to be happy to see these teams in Southampton again.
"It's going to be fantastic because I have a big chance to show people what I can do."

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FIFA requests SFA answers

Lawyer wants to know why registrations have been blocked
Last Updated: July 15, 2012 4:39pm


Steven Davis: Has yet to receive international clearance for move to Southampton


The Scottish Football Association has been asked to provide information by FIFA about why former Rangers players have been blocked from continuing their careers elsewhere.
The SFA has been unable to process international clearance for the likes of Steven Naismith and Steven Davis, who exercised their right to leave the club under employment law when Sevco Scotland bought the assets of Rangers, following an objection from those in charge at Ibrox.


The matter is now in the hands of FIFA, who have written to Scotland's governing body seeking information.
One of the players, Kyle Lafferty, had been expected to make his competitive debut for Sion on Sunday but the Swiss club did not include him in their squad for their victory over Grasshoppers.
Lawyer Margaret Gribbon, who represents seven of the players, has asked the SFA to move quickly to ensure they are able to relaunch their careers.


Gribbon said: "Following the refusal of the SFA to issue players registrations, the new clubs have all referred the matter to FIFA.
"FIFA have now written to the SFA in each case requesting reasons why the players' registrations were blocked.
"It remains entirely unclear the facts and matters upon which Rangers oldco and Rangers newco rely in order to support their position that the players acted in breach of contract.
Confident

"Presumably they have made their reasons known to the SFA and if so, these have not been shared with my law firm, Bridge Litigation, who represent the majority of the players.
"FIFA have given the SFA seven days to respond but it is hoped that given the straightforward nature of the request the SFA will be in a position to reply sooner.
"We remain confident that FIFA will grant ITC (International Transfer Clearance) enabling the players to continue playing football with their new clubs."


Sevco chief executive Charles Green has argued that the players were in breach of contract when they joined other clubs but PFA Scotland believe their members were free agents.
Among the players to leave Rangers this summer, Naismith has linked up with Everton, Davis has gone to Southampton, Steven Whittaker has signed for Norwich and Jamie Ness has joined Stoke.
As well as Davis, Ness and Lafferty, Gribbon represents Allan McGregor, Rhys McCabe, Sone Aluko, and John Fleck.

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Toon move for Carroll

Newcastle look to re-sign striker from Liverpool
Last Updated: July 15, 2012 6:46pm


Andy Carroll: Newcastle bid to bring him home


Sky Sports understands that Newcastle United have made a sensational bid to re-sign Andy Carroll from Liverpool.
The Magpies have offered to take Carroll on a season-long loan with a view to that deal becoming permanent.
New Reds boss Brendan Rodgers hinted earlier this week that he could be ready to listen to offers for the England striker.
Sky Sports revealed on Sunday that the Reds would only consider selling him, while the player would only reluctantly consider a loan switch away from Anfield.
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Italian giants AC Milan and newly-promoted West Ham United have been linked with his services in the past few days, but now Newcastle have shown their hand and made a loan offer for their former striker.
Expensive

Newcastle sold Carroll to Liverpool on January deadline day in 2011 for £35million, at the time the eighth most expensive deal in football history.
However, since moving to Merseyside, Carroll has struggled to show any real form with 11 goals in 56 appearances and just six in the league.
Carroll did put in some excellent performances towards the end of the season, including in the FA Cup final loss to Chelsea, and that spell earned him a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012.
The powerful forward again did well with England, scoring against Sweden, but despite his performances in Poland and Ukraine new Reds chief Rodgers is seemingly unconvinced.


Now Newcastle have made a move for the Gateshead-born hit-man who was widely criticised by the Geordie faithful following his decision to move to Anfield.
However, should Newcastle persuade Liverpool to do a deal then there is little doubt the 23-year-old would not be warmly welcomed back to his native Tyneside.

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PSG closing on Ibrahimovic

Sweden international's agent hopeful deal will be done soon
Last Updated: July 15, 2012 6:31pm


Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Sweden international set to join PSG from AC Milan


Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent is hopeful the AC Milan striker will complete his move to Paris St-Germain soon.
The ambitious French club completed the signing of Brazil defender Thiago Silva on Saturday, and Ibrahimovic could soon by joining him.
Agent Mino Raiola told L'Equipe: "Everyone asks me if it is 90 or 99 per cent done. But these percentage stories don't interest me.


"In my mind, you have a deal, or you don't. There is nothing in between.
"Today, nothing is finalized yet. We will keep working on this deal. I insist on one point: in a contract, every detail is important. But I really hope to reach an agreement with PSG. This weekend is a time for reflection."
Exceptional event

Ibrahimovic's salary demands are a potential stumbling block because of a 75 per cent tax on wages above a million euros per year in France.
"Zlatan will make Ligue 1 more interesting and his departure will make Serie A poorer," Raiola said. "When he goes, there will not be any more big names left in Italy.
"For me Zlatan is the best player in the world, he has a winning spirit. He is a player who, on his own, can light up a stadium. I hope the French fans will appreciate him.


"His arrival at PSG would be an exceptional event. Usually, we only see this kind of deal in England. Now, it is possible in Paris, this fascinating and magnificent capital."

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Berbatov reveals frustration

United striker expected to leave Old Trafford this summer
Last Updated: July 15, 2012 9:20pm


Dimitar Berbatov: Striker has slipped down the pecking order at Manchester United


Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has admitted his frustration and feels it may be time to 'say goodbye' to the Red Devils.
The Bulgarian forward expects to leave Old Trafford this summer despite the club taking up an additional one-year option on his contract back in March.
Berbatov, who joined from Tottenham in a £30.75million deal back in September 2008, has become an increasingly peripheral figure in the past season.
With Wayne Rooney the undisputed main striker for Sir Alex Ferguson, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez have been preferred to Berbatov in the pecking order.


"I want to play, I want to help. But for unknown reasons it's not going to happen, or my chances will be limited, so it's better for everyone if we say goodbye."
Dimitar Berbatov Quotes of the week
And the 31-year-old has admitted he has held further discussions with Ferguson over his future, with the Red Devils looking to recoup £5million from his sale.
Berbatov, who scored nine goals in his 21 appearances last term, is unhappy to have read press reports that he is valued at double that amount.
Tired

Berbatov wrote on his Facebook page: "Because I am tired of speculation, I am telling you this. I read the papers and I see they say £10million is my price.
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"I go and talk with Sir Alex, and he says to me £5million. So who is telling the truth, what do you think?
"And the truth is, I love this club, but I am not going to be useful to anyone, if I am not playing.
"And I want to play, I want to help. But for unknown reasons it's not going to happen, or my chances will be limited, so it's better for everyone if we say goodbye.
"If not, I am professional and I will keep doing everything I can, to help my team and my team-mates, whenever I have opportunity to do so."