Latest Football Transfer News 17-08-2012

[<<ELVIS>>]

Bayern still keen on Martinez

Hoeness insists club can afford big-money deal for Basque star
Last Updated: August 17, 2012 5:50pm


Javi Martinez: Bayern hopeful of completing deal for Basque midfielder


Bayern Munich chairman Uli Hoeness hopes to complete a deal to sign Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao soon - but admits the fee is 'mad'.
The Spain international looks set to join the Bavarian giants for €40million (£31.5m) after they agreed to meet the release clause in the player's Athletic contract.


Although Hoeness insists the transfer is yet to be agreed, he is hopeful Bayern can get their man.
"I think we may find out in the next few days if this transfer is to happen or not," Hoeness told Deutsche Presseagentur.
"Nothing has been agreed yet. I would be delighted to see the deal go through."
The transfer is a significant one for Bayern but Hoeness is adamant the deal has been well thought out and that the club can afford the signing despite the astronomical fee involved.


He added: "If you look to find a player for a specified role and if you are always ending up at one specified player for this, then you need to come to a decision at some point.
"This demanded transfer fee is mad. You need to describe it that way.
"Economically we are able to do that deal. We have worked hard over decades to be in a position like this. So we would not need to hand it over to the bank loan department."

[<<ELVIS>>]

Di Matteo won't pay over odds

Blues boss will not be held to ransom in pursuit of new additions
Last Updated: August 17, 2012 5:14pm


Roberto Di Matteo: Still looking to bring fresh faces into his Chelsea squad


Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo will not be held to ransom in his pursuit of fresh faces and has refused to be drawn on the futures of Victor Moses and Raul Meireles.
The Blues have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with UEFA Champions League success rekindling Roman Abramovich's passion for the club.


He has been prepared to sanction deals worth some £60million, but Chelsea have been left frustrated in their pursuit of a number of top targets.
No agreements have been reached for the likes of Porto striker Hulk and Marseille full-back Cesar Azpilicueta, with Di Matteo admitting that asking prices are too high.
In an era of Financial Fair Play, the Blues boss concedes that the club cannot afford to be bled dry.
He said: "I think that goes for many teams, not just for us. We're not going to pay over the top.
Value

"What we think is the real value for a player, we have paid.
"There won't be anybody coming in for Sunday."
One player who could be on his way in before the window closes is Wigan forward Moses, but Di Matteo is reluctant to discuss any possible deal for a player his side will be trying to contain on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
"We've played against him before - we know very well what ability he has," he said.


"He's a young, talented guy... that plays for Wigan."
Di Matteo is also keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to Meireles, with the latest reports suggesting the Portuguese midfielder is a target for Tottenham.
He said: "He's with us. He's going to be with us at the weekend."

[<<ELVIS>>]

Laudrup brings in Bartley

Young defender pens three-year deal with Swans
Last Updated: August 17, 2012 6:14pm


Kyle Bartley: The young defender has signed for Swansea


Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has strengthened his squad ahead of the new Premier League season with the signing of young Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley.
The 21-year-old defender has signed a three-year deal at the Liberty Stadium for a fee believed to be in the region of £1million.
Bartley made just one senior appearance for the Gunners during his five years with the club and spent last season on loan in the Scottish Premier League with Rangers.
The centre-back penned a new contract with the Gunners just last summer but, after speaking with Arsene Wenger, the player has decided to move on to pastures new.
Opportunity

"I spoke to Arsene Wenger briefly last week and he said that my game-time would be at a minimum," he told Swansea's official website.
"For that reason, I wanted to at least go out on loan but when Swansea came in for me it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"I do like to play football and play the game from the back, which is exactly how Swansea want to play, and that was a massive factor for me.
"We were strong at home last season and hopefully we can continue that this year because it is important that your home form is good in the Premier League.


"We showed last year that we can compete, we've got another great manager in Michael Laudrup and we're hoping that we can achieve the same things.
"I'm grateful to everyone at both Arsenal and Swansea for getting the deal done so quickly and I'm raring to go."
He becomes Michael Laudrup's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Michu, Chico Flores, Jonathan de Guzman and Itay Schechter.