Latest Football Transfer News 01-09-2012

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Gerrard - United wanted me

Reds skipper had the chance to join Chelsea, Utd and Real
Last Updated: September 1, 2012 10:18am

Steven Gerrard: Has remained loyal to Liverpool throughout his glittering career




Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool will always be the club for him, but admits to having snubbed approaches from Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho in the past.
Another transfer window has closed with Gerrard still on the books at Anfield, with the Reds skipper as committed to the cause now as he has ever been.


Former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson recently suggested that the talismanic midfielder will have to move on if he wants to lift the Premier League title, the one glaring omission from his trophy cabinet.
Gerrard, though, refuses to buy into that belief and has remained loyal to his home-town club throughout a glittering career which has offered various opportunities to take on new challenges away from Merseyside.


Jose Mourinho came as close as anyone to luring the England international away from Anfield during his time as Chelsea boss, and Gerrard has revealed that the Portuguese tactician also expressed an interest in his services after taking the reins at Real Madrid.
He also claims that Manchester United were keen on taking him to Old Trafford at one stage, but the 32-year-old admits he could never have represented one of Liverpool's fiercest rivals.
Flattering

"It was flattering that, after everything he has done in the game, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted me to play in his team. But that was an impossible situation."
Steven Gerrard Quotes of the week
On the speculation that has followed him around for the best part of a decade, Gerrard told the Daily Mail: "That sort of thing has been going on for the last 10 years. People only really heard about it with Mourinho and Chelsea in 2004 and 2005. But it has happened a few times.
"It was flattering back then because the two best managers around wanted me to play in their teams.


"Gary Neville said he (Ferguson) wanted me. But you understand that playing for Manchester United would have been impossible. I never would have wanted to play for Manchester United. They are a fantastic club but that rivalry is there, and it's why Gary could not have played for us either.
"Don't get me wrong. It was flattering that, after everything he has done in the game, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted me to play in his team. But that was an impossible situation.


"The Mourinho thing was different, of course. This club weren't really challenging at the time, so there was something to think about. But I ended up saying no and a year later I said no again.
"But he came back when he arrived at Real Madrid two years ago. I look at some players who get interest from clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona and they cause absolute wars to get out and get there. But that has never been me and, again, it just wasn't going to happen. I was happy here. I was settled. I thought all that had gone really."
Responsibility

"I have no regrets. I'd love to win the Premier League. I still have that hunger. But I also know I have to be realistic and it could be I'm no longer playing when this club win the league again."
Steven Gerrard Quotes of the week
Gerrard says he has never looked to rock the boat at Anfield, with it up to him and those around him to ensure that Liverpool are capable of challenging for top honours in the future.


He said: "I see no point in pointing fingers. I see no point complaining that I haven't won the league because the owners left, because Rafa Benitez sold Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano wanted to go to Barcelona.
"I could point to the setbacks the club have suffered and blame them for why I haven't won the league. But the season that we finished second we could have won the league. We drew two or three stupid games at home and I was in the team, I was playing; I have to take some of the responsibility for that. I may need to look at myself before I start pointing fingers. It's too easy to blame other people in football.


"Of course, it's the one big hole in my career and maybe I'll never win the league now.
"But I've done a lot. I have no regrets. I'd love to win the Premier League. I still have that hunger. But I also know I have to be realistic and it could be I'm no longer playing when this club win the league again.
"But what do I do? It would be easy to say I want to leave. That I've had enough of this club. But I haven't had enough. I want more. I've also won the best cup you can win. People talk about me never winning the Premier League but there are players who've won the Premier League who have never lifted the European Cup."

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Diarra set for Anzhi move

Real Madrid midfielder to play on loan for Russian club
Last Updated: September 1, 2012 12:36pm

Lassana Diarra: French midfielder to join Anzhi after passing a medical




Anzhi Makhachkala are poised to sign midfielder Lassana Diarra from Real Madrid on loan for the 2012/13 season.
Madrid announced on Saturday morning that they have struck a deal with the Russian outfit, adding that Diarra will join his new club after undergoing a medical.


"Real Madrid C. F. and FC Anzhi have reached an agreement, pending medical examination, to loan the player Lassana Diarra to the Russian club," reads a statement on the Spanish club's official website.
Diarra joined Madrid from Portsmouth in January 2009 and was a first-team player under Juande Ramos for the rest of the 2008/09 campaign.
However, the France international is considered surplus to requirements by current Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.

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Drogba exit reports denied

Management company insist Ivorian has not departed Chinese club
Last Updated: September 1, 2012 7:23pm

Didier Drogba: Joined Shenhua earlier this summer




Didier Drogba's management company have dismissed claims that the Ivorian striker has been released by Shanghai Shenhua.
A spokeswoman for the Sports PR Company, which represents Drogba in the UK, insisted reports the former Chelsea striker's career in China were over after two and a half months were "nonsense".


She added that UEFA Champions League hero Drogba, who paid a visit to his old club's training ground this week, would return to Shanghai after the international break, which sees his Ivory Coast side take on Senegal.
Doubt has been cast over the future of Drogba and fellow former Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka following reports of a power struggle at their new club.


Drogba has since been linked with a return to the Premier League and even Real Madrid.
The Chinese Super League is currently on a short break and resumes in two weeks.

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Diouf signs Leeds contract

Senegalese will remain at Elland Road until January
Last Updated: September 1, 2012 6:45pm

El-Hadji Diouf: Senegalese striker set for Leeds stay after impressive manager Neil Warnock




Leeds United have signed striker El-Hadji Diouf on a short-term contract until January.
The 31-year-old joined the Whites on a non-contract basis just before the start of the 2012-13 season and has impressed manager Neil Warnock.
Diouf officially signed the papers after Leeds' 3-3 draw with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Saturday in which he found the target once.


Diouf, formerly with Liverpool, has played in every Leeds game thus far and Warnock is pleased with his performance.
"I'm delighted we've been able to get it done," said Warnock on Leeds' official website.
"I think everyone has seen why we wanted Dioufy here, and what he brings to the squad.
"He is a quality player, he has plenty of experience, and he's good in and around the dressing room."