Latest Football Transfer News 10-08-2012

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Latest Football Transfer News 10-08-2012

Rooney keen on RVP arrival

I'd like to think we could play well together, says United forward
Last Updated: August 10, 2012 8:29am


Wayne Rooney: Would welcome the chance to partner Robin van Persie in attack


Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal forward Robin van Persie would be a great addition to the squad if he joins him at Manchester United.
United are the favourites to sign the Holland international after the 29-year-old stated his intention not to sign a new contract with the Gunners.
The prospect of last season's Premier League top scorer arriving at Old Trafford is already exciting supporters and Rooney echoes those sentiments.


"Of course he's a player that I admire," said Rooney.
"He's a fantastic player. He's been amazing for Arsenal over many years. Last season was probably his best season of all. He scored a lot of goals.
"If he does come here he would be a great addition to the squad."
Partnership

Sir Alex Ferguson also has Danny Welbeck, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov as attacking options but it is the prospect of Rooney and Van Persie linking up that will concern their rivals.
Asked if he and the Dutchman could form a deadly partnership, Rooney added: "I'd like to think so - but you'd have to ask the manager about that.


"There's a lot of forwards here already with myself, Welbeck, Chicharito and Berbatov, who's still here.
"So there's a lot of forwards fighting for a place."

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Damiao will not come cheap

We are rich and do not need to sell, says Internacional president
Last Updated: August 10, 2012 8:59am


Leandro Damiao: Internacional claim it would require a huge transfer fee for them to sell the striker


Internacional have made it clear it would take a vast sum to part with Brazil forward Leandro Damiao amid reported interest from Tottenham.
Damiao has attracted headlines in the UK after scoring six goals in just four starts for Brazil to help the South American side to the final of the Olympic tournament at Wembley on Saturday.


The 23-year-old forward is believed to be a target for Andre Villas-Boas as he looks to strengthen the Spurs forward line ahead of the forthcoming Premier League campaign.
But Internacional president Giovanni Luigi has moved to dampen speculation by highlighting the Porto Alegre club's financial strength and the length of the player's contract.
"I think it's very hard for the transfer to happen unless Tottenham pay the €60million (£47m) buyout fee that is included in his contract," Luigi told O Jogo.
Rich club

"Leandro Damiao has four more years on his contract. He is a very well paid player and has nothing to complain about.
"And we don't need to sell. We are a rich club with an enviable structure."
Vice-president Luciano Davi was a little more cautious but also reiterated that no offer had been received for the player.
Davi told Lancenet: "Right now Leandro Damiao is the only player that worries us but we have received no official offers for him."

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Doncaster close on two more

Saunders keen to finalise deals for a defender and striker


Dean Saunders: Doncaster manager feels he is close to signing a defender and a striker


Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders aims to follow up the capture of Paul Quinn by signing another defender and a striker.
Former Cardiff City defender Quinn agreed a one-year contract with Rovers on Thursday and he is set to be joined by a couple more fresh faces in the coming days.


Saunders has spoken to the Doncaster board and is optimistic that further arrivals at the Keepmoat Stadium are imminent.
"I'm working really hard to try and finalise the deals for a striker and a defender," Saunders told the club's official website.
"Hopefully we can get the deals completed in the next few days."
Leeds United striker Billy Paynter has been given permission to speak to Doncaster and reports suggest he will agree to join the League One club.

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Hill won't rush over duo

Sonko and Hogan perform well in friendly against Crewe


Ibrahima Sonko: Former Ipswich defender has been given a chance to impress at Barnsley


Barnsley manager Keith Hill plans to take another look at Ibrahima Sonko and Scott Hogan before making a decision on whether to offer the duo contracts.


Sonko and Hogan both played in the Tykes' friendly defeat by Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday as Hill continues to assess ways to improve his squad.
Experienced defender Sonko is available on a free transfer after spending last season with Ipswich Town, while Hogan was on the books at Rochdale during Hill's time in charge at Spotland.


Hill was pleased with the pair's performances against Crewe, but feels there is no rush to offer either player a permanent deal at Oakwell.
"It was great they both played 90 minutes on Tuesday, especially for Ibrahima because he's not played 90 minutes for a long time," Hill told the Sheffield Star.


"He looked a bit rusty in the first half but was better in the second half. Scott impressed me as well, but there's no rush to offer them a deal at this stage.
"I'd like to look at them for longer and see how they progress. It's a good opportunity for them both to impress, so there's no massive rush at this stage."

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Allen set for Liverpool move
Last Updated: August 10 2012, 7:04 BST

Joe Allen is expected to wrap up his move to Liverpool later today.



Joe Allen at Anfield on Thursday night.
The Swansea midfielder was at Anfield last night to watch the Reds' 3-0 Europa League win over FC Gomel - 4-0 on aggregate - and he is set for a medical that will seal his switch to the Merseyside giants.
"It is imminent,'' said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.


"The fact he was here shows there has been some communication with Swansea and we expect to conclude it in the next 24 hours.''
Reports earlier this week suggested a £15million bid from Liverpool had triggered a release clause in Allen's contract at the Liberty Stadium where he played under Rodgers last season.

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No Fulham move for Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku's agent says the Chelsea striker will not be joining Fulham on loan, but is close to finalising a season-long switch to a rival Premier League club.



Romelu Lukaku: Not joining Fulham on loan
The teenage forward was unable to make an impact at Stamford Bridge last season following his arrival from Anderlecht and he failed to score in 12 appearances.
The Belgium international started only once in the Premier League and he has admitted he is keen to be playing regular first-team football this season.


He has already ruled out a move to Werder Bremen on loan as the 19-year-old wants to gain experience of English football and he had been strongly linked with Fulham.
However, Lukaku's representative Christophe Henrotay says the striker is likely to join another top-flight club rather than make the short move to Craven Cottage.


"I can assure you that Romelu is not going to Fulham," Henrotay told Sport/Foot. "I am currently finalising the details with another Premier League club.
"Romelu will go on loan. I cannot say which team he will join, or when it will happen, but things are progressing."
Stoke were rumoured to be interested in Lukaku last season, while the likes of Sunderland have been reported to be keen this summer.

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Pique would welcome Song

Barcelona centre-back hails Arsenal midfielder
Last Updated: August 10, 2012 10:29am


Alex Song: Arsenal midfielder has been linked with a move to Barcelona


Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has said that Arsenal midfielder Alex Song would be welcome at the Catalan giants.
The Blaugrana have been strongly linked with the Cameroon midfielder as they look to boost their options in the centre of the pitch, according to reports in the Spanish press.


Despite no official bid having been made, Pique believes that should the move happen, then Song would fit in well to the Barca plan that new coach Tito Vilanova is developing.
"I have followed his career and he has become a very good player," the centre-back is quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.
Strong

"He is physically very strong and is good with the ball at his feet."
Song would rival Sergio Busquets for the holding role in front of the Barcelona defence, and Pique is confident that he would be a welcome addition to the ranks.


"We are open to his arrival," he added. "If he comes, and from what I have read he could do, we would love to have him."
Barca continue their pre-season preparations on Saturday when they travel to play Dinamo Bucharest before they kick off the new Spanish campaign at home to Real Sociedad seven days later.

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AVB: Modric must sort his head out
Last Updated: August 10 2012, 10:35 BST

Andre Villas-Boas has told Luka Modric to get his head around the fact that he will not be sold unless another club meets Tottenham's asking price.



Luka Modric: May yet be staying at Tottenham
Spurs rebel Modric has been training alone since being fined last month for going AWOL in an apparent attempt to force through a move to Real Madrid.
But new Tottenham boss Villas-Boas has warned the 26-year-old playmaker to be ready to accept he may end up staying and urged him to respond accordingly.


"He is training alone because we decided to do that until his mental state is ready to return to the team," Villas-Boas said.
"It is important that, in the coming days, he understands he must return to the first team.
"We respect the player's ambition, but he must also respect the club."
Tottenham had been demanding £40million for Modric, with Real having fallen well short of that valuation.


Paris St Germain have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign the Croatia star, who is at the centre of one of the transfer sagas of the summer for a second straight year after being denied a move to Chelsea 12 months ago.
Villas-Boas told reporters: "Until we receive a suitable offer for the player, he will not go.
"The contacts we have had with other clubs have not met with what Tottenham wants for the player.


"We respect the size of Madrid and the other interested clubs, but they must respect what we are doing too."
Selling Modric would have a huge impact on Villas-Boas' ability to bring in new signings, especially a top striker.
Tottenham have been heavily linked with Brazil's Leandro Damiao but the player's club, Internacional, are demanding a huge transfer fee of their own.


President Giovanni Luigi told O Jogo: "I think it's very hard for the transfer to happen unless Tottenham pay the 60million euros (£47million) buyout fee that is included in his contract.
"Leandro Damiao has four more years on his contract. He is a very well-paid player and has nothing to complain about.
"And we don't need to sell. We are a rich club with an enviable structure."


Spurs have also been linked with Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar as a cut-price alternative to Lyon's Hugo Lloris.
It has been suggested Inter are keen to get the Brazilian off their wage bill following the arrival of Slovenian number one Samir Handanovic.
There were also reports on Friday claiming Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe was on Sunderland's radar, although the Londoners are unlikely to sell before bringing in at least one new goalscorer.

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Pizarro joins Fiorentina

Midfielder links up with ex-Roma team-mate Montella
Last Updated: August 10, 2012 12:42pm


David Pizzaro: Joins Alberto Aquilani at Fiorentina


David Pizarro has become Fiorentina's fifth signing of the summer after he joined from Serie A rivals Roma.
The 32-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Manchester City, playing a part in their title winning season.
Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella played with Pizarro at Roma and will be hoping that the Chile international can link up well with fellow new signing Alberto Aquilani.
Montella has been quick to add players to his squad after losing club captain Riccardo Montolivo to AC Milan in May.

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City policy frustrates Mancini

Blues boss admits defeat in Van Persie pursuit
Last Updated: August 10, 2012 1:34pm


Roberto Mancini: Still waiting for a summer signing


Manager Roberto Mancini admitted Manchester City have given up on signing Robin van Persie after expressing his frustration with the club's transfer policy.
Both City and derby rivals United have lodged bids for the Arsenal striker, who is in the last year of his contract and has refused to sign a new deal.


But with the transfer window closing in just three weeks' time, Mancini feels negotiations have hit a dead end.
"We only have 20 days to the end of the market and I don't think that we have any chance for him," he said.
Mancini said two weeks ago that City would need to improve their squad if they are to retain the Premier League title this season.
Marwood role

Football administrator Brian Marwood is responsible for player recruitment and Mancini put pressure on the former Arsenal player by saying he hopes "he can do a good job" in securing his transfer targets.
City have been linked with the likes of Daniel Agger, Scott Sinclair and Daniele De Rossi yet with the Blues set to face Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday, they remain the only Premier League side yet to sign anyone this summer.


Asked whether he was happy with the management structure at City, Mancini replied: "I am not happy - but I don't know what to say.
"We only have 20 days to the end of the market and I don't think that we have any chance for him"
Mancini on RVP Quotes of the week
"You need to ask Brian Marwood," he added. "I am not the sporting director. I can't say anything about players."
Balotelli interest

City haven't sold any of last season's first-team regulars either, though, and Mancini revealed he brushed off interest in Mario Balotelli after impressing during Italy's run to the Euro 2012 final.
Balotelli has been a controversial figure since arriving from Inter Milan and City could well have got back the £24million they paid for him in 2010, but Mancini wants Balotelli to fulfil his potential with the Blues.


"We had a lot of requests for him," Mancini said of his compatriot, who turns 21 on Sunday.
"Many important teams wanted him. I said no because he is young and we are sure he can improve."