Latest Football Transfer News 26-07-2012

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Latest Football Transfer News 26-07-2012

Lampard keen to continue

Midfielder wants new Chelsea deal and still has England ambitions
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 8:55am


Frank Lampard: Wants to sign a new deal at Chelsea


Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard wants to keep playing for club and country as long as he can contribute.
After 11 years with the Blues, the 34-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge with his contract due to expire next summer.
But the midfielder is hoping to secure a new deal at Chelsea - even though he accepts his situation at the club has changed now he is coming towards the end of his career.


"I've had a great time playing for Chelsea and I hope I can prolong it," said Lampard.
"In an ideal world I'd finish here and keep giving what I have given over the past 10 years.
"I'm ready to sit down and talk to Chelsea whenever they want to but it's not the same as when you are 25.
"Then they come to you or you knock the door down with a couple of years to go to extend it. When you get into your thirties you accept it's not that way any more.
Experience

"Chelsea will always be my club regardless of what happens now in terms of my playing days. I'd love to be able to offer the hand of experience and just be a presence there.
"I'm ready to sit down and talk to Chelsea whenever they want to but it's not the same as when you are 25. Then they come to you or you knock the door down with a couple of years to go to extend it. When you get into your thirties you accept it's not that way any more."
Frank Lampard Quotes of the week
"But, in playing terms, I do need to feel I can do it. I wouldn't be fulfilled if I wasn't."
Lampard missed England's Euro 2012 campaign through injury and will turn 36 during the next major tournament, but he has no plans to retire from international football just yet.


"I'm very keen to continue playing for England," he added. "I'm not a person who wants to retire at an early age.
"If I don't play for my country any more, it will only be because they don't pick me or I can no longer give what I want to give in an England shirt. And I don't feel that yet.
"The minute I feel I can't contribute I will go. There will be no ego thing of trying to hang around for more caps.
Milestone

"At the moment I have 90 and I would love to go on and make it to 100. But I wouldn't want to be there as a charity case and they're rolling me out just to get to some milestone.
"I only want 100 if I deserve it. That's an amazing achievement for anyone, as it means you've played at the highest level for a very long time.
"I'd be very proud if I got there and my dad and my family would be even prouder. That would be the nicest thing for me.
"But I'm already very proud of what I've done for England. I've played 90 games and if I didn't play another I'd still be happy with that.
"Missing the Euros was a huge disappointment at the time. I came into the squad off the back of our Champions League final win and was really bouncing with excitement.


"But I suffered a thigh injury on the second day of training and was devastated when I knew I was going to miss the Championships.
"It was frustrating to watch the tournament and see us get knocked out by Italy.
"Yet maybe it has put something in the bank for me in terms of resting my legs through the summer, something I don't normally get."

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Arteta praises Cazorla quality

Arsenal boss agrees and Wenger vows to keep on spending
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 8:30am



Mikel Arteta: A big fan of Arsenal target Santi Cazorla


Mike Arteta has hailed the 'unbelievable quality' of Santi Cazorla amid speculation linking the Malaga midfielder with an Arsenal move.
The Gunners are believed to be close to securing a £16million deal for the Spain international,who has been part of La Furia Roja's European Championship successes of 2008 and 2012.
"I know him as a player really well and he's a top, top player. He has got unbelievable quality and talent."
Mikel Arteta on Santi Cazorla Quotes of the week

And his compatriot Arteta cannot hide his excitement at the prospect of linking up with the 27-year-old star.
The former Everton midfielder said: "I cannot talk about the actual situation but I can say that I know him as a player really well.
"And he's a top, top player. He has got unbelievable quality and talent and that is all I can say."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger agreed with that assessment and confirmed his intention to continue spending this summer.
"I share the opinion of Mikel Arteta. Cazorla is a great player," said Wenger.
"We bought Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski but we are not at the end of the transfers. We will still bring players in."

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Kompany signs long-term deal

Six-year deal for City skipper and he is looking for more titles
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 8:21am


Vincent Kompany: Believes he thrives on the responsibility of leading City and has committed his long-term future to the club


Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has signed a new six-year contract with the Premier League champions.
The Belgium international defender helped guide the club to their first title in 44 years and has been rewarded with the longest deal in the club's recent history.
The 26-year-old was signed by Mark Hughes from Hamburg in August 2008 and has seen the transformation of City into one of the most high-profile clubs in European football.


And Kompany sees no reason to end the adventure now.
"For me if you are good somewhere then there is no reason to look elsewhere," he told the club's official website.

"Man City as a project is not just a project of the owners or the people employed by the club; it is also my project.
"I have been here since the beginning and I have seen everything at the club change inside and out.
"I have the feeling that I have contributed to it too. It is good to know that I can be at City for another six years. It is a compliment that the club feels so highly of me.


"Hopefully in the future I will have a bigger impact than I already have. I am good here. The fans have given me an incredible reception which is one of the main reasons that I signed this new deal.
"My family is happy and there are so many more trophies to win at this club that is why it makes it so special.
"I take it with great pride that I have been chosen to be captain and lead this team. Especially in England, more than other competitions, being the captain has got a lot more responsibility involved with it.
Responsibility

"I thrive on responsibility the more I get the more I perform. I am at the right club because I have built something here already.
"I have never denied that this can sometimes be the hardest team in the league of which to be captain, but like I said I am all about responsibility and challenge.
"This Man City project was probably one of the most difficult projects in Europe to be part of and so far we have all done a good job even though a lot of people said it wasn't going to happen so quickly.


"I like the kind of characters that we have in our team. I like the challenges we have ahead of us. Now is the time to build the culture of winning we are in the right time; we are in the right moment.
"We have laid the foundations and now we want to win more. If we do that then we can be one of the most successful clubs for a long time to come and that is the aim.
"I can't wait to get started again. I am really excited about the season ahead."

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Lille sign full-back Sidibe

New arrival could push through Toon deal for Debuchy


Djibril Sidibe: Has penned a five-year deal with Lille


Lille have completed the signing of Troyes full-back Djibril Sidibe, which could pave the way for Mathieu Debuchy to join Newcastle.
The 19-year-old has been at Troyes his entire career, having joined as an eight-year old in 2000.
Since making his first-team debut in 2010, the full-back has earned France Under-20 recognition and played his part in the club's promotion from Ligue 2 last season.
Lille have acted quickly to snap up the highly-rated full-back on a five-year contract, which places the future of fellow full-back Debuchy in doubt.


Newcastle have been tracking the 26-year-old all summer but Lille have been reluctant to do a deal until a replacement had been found.
Despite the arrival of Sidibe, it remains to be seen whether Les Dogues view him as a sufficient replacement for Debuchy or one for the future.
"I'm very happy to join Lille, who are one of the biggest teams in France," Sidibe told the club's official website.
"The ambition and the project of the club but also the style of play developed by Rudi Garcia, convinced me.
"It is obviously a big step in my career. Up to now, I have only played in Ligue 2 with Troyes.


"I have had unforgettable moments with the club but with Lille, I will get to play in Ligue 1 and in Europe.
"It really is a great opportunity for me to be part of this adventure. The bar is set high but it is terribly exciting."

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El Shaarawy signs new deal

Striker also talks up possible Kaka return


Stephan El Shaarawy: Has pledged his future to AC Milan by signing a new extended contract


Teenage AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy has signed a new five-year contract with the San Siro giants.
The 19-year-old only moved to the Serie A club from Genoa last summer but has been rewarded for his early displays with a new extended deal.
A statement on the club's official website said: "AC Milan can announce that Stephan El Shaarawy's contract has been extended until June 30 2017."


The young striker has expressed his delight at signing the new deal and has already set his sights on the upcoming campaign.
He also reacted to reports linking Milan with a bid to bring Kaka back from Real Madrid, revealing it would be a dream to play with Brazil star.
"I'm happy to have re-signed," he told gazzetta.it.
"Next year I hope to do well, to do better. I hope to have the chance to play in more space.
"Becoming a team-mate of Kaka would be a dream, he's always been my idol."

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Ramirez set for Prem move

Premier League club in talks regarding Uruguay international
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 11:01am


Gaston Ramirez: Agent is in England for talks with a Premier League club


Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez looks set to leave Italy, with his agent in talks with an unnamed Premier League club.
The 21-year-old Uruguay international is believed to be a target for Liverpool and Tottenham and is currently in England as part of his country's Olympic squad.


"I think it's always been more likely that Gaston says goodbye to Italy. So much so that now I'm in London to talk with a Premier League club."
Gaston Ramirez Quotes of the week

There is also interest from Inter Milan as well as Bundesliga club Wolfsburg but agent Pablo Betancur does not believe either will be willing to pay the asking price for his client.
Betancur told calciomercato.com: "Inter like the player but we are very far off from what Bologna are asking for him - nearly €25million (£19.5m).


"I think it's always been more likely that Gaston says goodbye to Italy. So much so that now I'm in London to talk with a Premier League club.
"The Wolfsburg interest? They were the first to move on Ramirez, but some of the figures are impossible for them too.
"I think Ramirez will leave. He is one of the best players and so there are many offers and, again, I think it's unlikely he will remain in Italy."
Ramirez scored eight league goals for Bologna last season as the club finished ninth in Serie A.

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Hulk and Moutinho key to Porto

Portuguese club counting on Premier League targets
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 11:32am


In Porto's plans: Coach Pereira is counting on Moutinho and Hulk


Porto coach Vitor Pereira is adamant both Hulk and Joao Moutinho feature in his plans for the impending season despite persistent reports of Premier League interest in the duo.
Brazilian ace Hulk has been consistently linked with Chelsea over recent transfer windows, with the sticking point thought to be a reported €100million (£85m) release clause in his contract.


The 26-year-old, currently preparing for the Olympics with Brazil in London, is also believed to be on the radars of Tottenham and big-spending French club Paris St Germain.
Meanwhile, Portugal international Moutinho is also thought to be a target of Spurs, who are lining up a potential replacement for wantaway playmaker Luka Modric, while Manchester United and PSG are other clubs being linked with the 25-year-old.
Plans

However, Porto president Pinto da Costa has repeatedly stated he wants the duo to stay and coach Pereira is counting on both players for the new season.
He said: "Hulk and Joao Moutinho are both in my plans for next season."
"They are our players and are very important to the structure of this team.
"I am not preoccupied by the possibility of big offers from England because I know the clear position of Porto's president on this subject."

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Mancini tight-lipped on RVP

City boss coy over potential signing of Arsenal skipper
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 11:04am


Robin van Persie: Has been linked with a big-money move to City


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is keeping quiet over the potential signing of Arsenal captain Robin van Persie ahead of Friday's pre-season friendly with the Gunners in China.
City have been linked with the Dutch striker for much of the summer, although there have been reports that Mancini was told he must sell before making additions to his squad.


Van Persie has made it clear he will not be extending his Arsenal contract past the end of this season, and City's rivals Manchester United, as well as Juventus, have been credited with interest in signing him.
Mancini refused to be drawn when asked about Van Persie at a press conference in Beijing, saying: "It is difficult to say this at this moment because he is an Arsenal player and he is not our player.


"We know that Van Persie is a fantastic striker, but we have four strikers and with these strikers we won the Championship last year.
"But still, Van Persie is a top player. We can say different things about this - but he is an Arsenal player."
Not in charge

Reports have suggested City officials are blocking Mancini's attempts to sign the Arsenal skipper but the manager insists he is not in charge of transfers.
Asked whether he was disappointed with his lack of progress in the transfer market, the Italian said: "For this question, you need to talk to the man in charge. I am not in charge of these things."


"We have a man that works for this and... I think that we are hoping that they can do a good job."
Premier League champions City will take on Arsenal in a friendly at the Beijing National Stadium on Friday.

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Auxerre expect Oliech bids

Chairman anticipating English interest in Kenyan forward
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 12:43pm


Dennis Oliech: Expected to leave Auxerre this summer with England a possible destination


Auxerre chairman Gerard Bourguoin has indicated that he expects interest from England in striker Dennis Oliech.
Auxerre were relegated from Ligue 1 last season and need to raise cash by selling their most valuable assets.
Oliech falls into that category having scored 31 international goals for Kenya over a 10 year career.


The 27-year-old former Nantes man nearly joined Turkish club Kasimpasa earlier this summer but the deal fell through.
And Bourguoin expects the player to move on soon as he is attracting interest from numerous clubs.
"Some Ligue 1 teams are following him and English sides should show an interest again," Bourguoin told L'Equipe.

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Capello confirmed as Russia boss
Last Updated: July 26 2012, 12:51 BST

Former England boss Fabio Capello has been officially unveiled as the new manager of Russia.



Fabio Capello: New Russia coach
The 66-year-old will take charge of the Russians' 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign having signed what is believed to be a two-year deal with the option of an extension until 2018.
The financial details of the agreement between the Russian federation and the experienced Italian remain undisclosed.
Capello is expected to quickly address the situation of captain Andrei Arshavin, who said he saw no reason for the players to apologise for their showing at Euro 2012 and that they were happy to go home.


Capello said: "I will talk to him and enquire where this lack of love for the fans, this lack of love for the Russian shirt, comes from."
And hinting at a new approach to recruitment, he added: "One should not forget that teams like Germany and Italy have players with dual nationalities. Spain has those players as well and they are champions."
Capello impressed in the early stages of his tenure with England but resigned in the wake of a disastrous World Cup 2010 exit and the row over John Terry losing the captaincy.