Summer Transfers

[SuPaStA]

Chelsea play down ***a bid claims​

Chelsea have not made an offer for ***a, despite claims from AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani that they have made an "astronomical" bid.

The Blues have long been linked with a move for the 26-year-old world player of the year and their boss is now ex-Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Galliani told Italian newspaper La Stampa: "We received an astronomical offer from Chelsea for ***a."

But BBC Sport understands Chelsea have not made any bid for the Brazilian.

The AC Milan vice-president also revealed there has been interest in their 29-year-old Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

Pirlo's agent has been reported as saying in the Italian press he wants his client to be given the same wage as ***a.

But Galliani added: "For Pirlo, there have been many requests but neither Pirlo nor his agent have come into my office and asked me for an improvement in salary."

Galliani says selling ***a and Pirlo would immediately stabilise Milan's finances, with the club having missed out on a place in next season's Champions League.

"All we would need to do in order to wipe out our debts is sell ***a and Pirlo," he said.

AC Milan technical director Leonardo told BBC Sport last month it was "impossible" for Chelsea to sign ***a.

***a himself revealed to BBC Sport in April he would not rule out the possibility of one day playing for one of the big clubs in the Premier League.

New Chelsea boss Scolari will meet up with the current squad on Monday when the players return for pre-season training.

On Sunday he toured the Cobham training ground and met key members of staff.

 

[SuPaStA]

Crouch poised for Pompey switch​

Peter Crouch is poised to complete his switch from Liverpool to Portsmouth in a deal that could be worth up to £11m.

BBC Sport understands the two clubs moved towards an agreement over the weekend and the 27-year-old will complete the formalities within days.

England striker Crouch has set his heart on linking up with Pompey boss Harry Redknapp again after leaving the club six years ago.

He will team up with Jermain Defoe in a new-look Portsmouth attack next season.

Liverpool are expected to initially receive in the region of £9m for Crouch, who joined the club from Southampton in July 2005 but only started nine Premier League games last term.

Anfield boss Rafael Benitez initially said he would consider offers for Crouch in the region of £15m, but has been forced to scale back his demands for a player with only a year left on his current contract.

The England international has scored 40 goals in 135 appearances for the Anfield side but has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place in recent times.

Crouch was relegated behind Fernando Torres, who scored 33 goals for the Reds after signing from Atletico Madrid last summer.

But he was a popular figure with Liverpool fans and still managed to net 11 goals as he was mainly used as a substitute by Benitez.

Crouch started his career as a trainee at Tottenham before moves to QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich- where he had a spell on loan - Southampton and Liverpool.

 

[SuPaStA]

Real boss expects Ronaldo to stay​

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United.

Madrid have been linked with Ronaldo, who has often spoken of his "dream" to play for the Spanish La Liga champions.

"The most probable outcome as of today is that Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to play for Manchester United next year," said Calderon.

"Theoretically we still have time, there are still two months left until the end of August."

Calderon also said that Real's attempts to sign Ronaldo had hit an impasse due to United's reluctance to sell.

"We have not had any discussions with Ronaldo because United said they don't want to sell and we don't want to be disrespectful to them," Calderon told BBC World Service Sport.

"I wouldn't like to interfere in a relationship between player and club."

Real are yet to make an official bid for the forward, who scored 42 goals for his United last season as they won a Premier League and Champions League double.

The Spanish giants are rumoured to be preparing a package to bring Ronaldo to the Bernabeu, but Calderon has said that Real will not go against United's wishes.

"I have heard that he has said many times that he would like to go to Madrid and it is his dream," he said.

"But we can't say any more as it could be misinterpreted and we wouldn't like to upset Manchester.

"I don't know if he will play for Real Madrid next season. We will only do what Manchester United want to do with the player.

"We are very good friends with Manchester United and they have said many times that they don't want to sell the player so we can't do anything.

"If they say sometime that they would like to sell we will be there and will ask."

Calderon and Manchester United chief-executive David Gill will come face-to-face on Monday at the European Club Association general assembly in Switzerland for the first time since rumours of Ronaldo's departure surfaced.

 

[SuPaStA]

Arshavin blow for Premier clubs​

Russia forward Andrei Arshavin has dealt a blow to any Premier League suitors after it was revealed he only wants to play for Barcelona.

Barca are the sole club to have bid for the £20m-rated Zenit St Petersburg star, despite reports suggesting he was set for talks with Arsenal and Chelsea.

"Arshavin wants to move to Barcelona - he doesn't want to play anywhere else," a Zenit spokesman told BBC Sport.

The 27-year-old shone at Euro 2008, helping Russia reach the semi-finals.

However, Zenit's asking price for Arshavin may prove to be a major stumbling block in any potential deal.

"Barcelona have made an offer but we are still negotiating with them. I don't know when a decision will be made but I think Arshavin will leave the club," added the Zenit spokesman.

The negotiating could be over the "£20m to £25m" fee Zenit coach Dick Advocaat expects for his striker.

Barcelona told BBC Sport they would not be making any comment on the current situation.

Arshavin, who scored twice during Euro 2008 after missing the first two games because of suspension, has been given leave of absence while he decides on his future.

"Andrei won't play until things are all cleared up," confirmed Advocaat.

"It's a joint decision. Better put, I told him he shouldn't play and he agreed."

 

[11masoodt]

well Arshavin is missing out on barclays.

 

[Alan]

If Crouch moves Liverpool will have to buy a new striker. Or is Rafa stupid enough to go with Torres, Kuyt and Veronin as our only strikers

 

[SuPaStA]

he wants to go to a league thats not competitive and fairly "easier" to play in.

He wants to go to a more successful league and far more competitive from top to bottom, which even Torres has commented on.

Its been the guys dream to play for Barcelona, it looks like its not going to happen though as Barca are not willing to offer what his club wants in regard to cash.

I think his club is Overvaluing him.

 

[SuPaStA]

Queiroz poised for Portugal job​

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz is close to being appointed the new Portugal manager, BBC Sport understands.

He met Portugal's Football Federation at the weekend over its offer of a £1.5m four-year deal to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Queiroz, 55, said: "Things are being dealt with by officials from the two institutions involved.

"The important thing is for the two institutions to reach agreement."

But he added: "From my part, there is not much to say, it needs to be resolved between the federation and United.

"I can say little more than you know at this time. It's out of my hands."

Queiroz has previously managed Real Madrid, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates as well as Portugal's Under-20 side.

He has had two spells with United, first coming to Old Trafford in the summer of 2002.

He then spent one year in charge of Madrid before rejoining United on a one-year rolling contract in 2004.

United are thought to be desperate to keep Queiroz, who has often spoken of his desire to succeed current manager Ferguson, but the club refused to comment on his possible departure when contacted

 

[killadoob]

torres never commented on the competitive teams, he said that top 4 teams in england are stronger than the top 4 in spain and that the rest of the spanish teams are stronger than the rest of english teams

not sure why your misquoting him supa, then again u do miss quote ppl an awful lot

 

[SuPaStA]

torres never commented on the competitive teams, he said that top 4 teams in england are stronger than the top 4 in spain and that the rest of the spanish teams are stronger than the rest of english teams

not sure why your misquoting him supa, then again u do miss quote ppl an awful lot

Why must I correct you with your statements regarding football.

He said that the top 4 are more consistent (meaning they will always end up in the top 4) nothing about them being stronger than spain.He also said overall la liga is stronger, as a team that is number 10 this season stands a good chance of finishing in the top 4 next year or even winning the euefa cup.
Here is the quote:

"In England the top four are better than the ones in Spain, above all when it comes to consistency," the Spain international told Radio Marca. "Apart from that, the rest of the teams in the Primera Liga are stronger as they have more quality."

Also on top of that he said the EPL keepers are a lot weaker as they go to ground 2 quickly.

 

[SuPaStA]

ROFL, more successful and more competitive ? are you born yesterday ?
Spains league has been dominated by Real Madrid, is it 35 titles ? and then second (far behind RM) comes Barcelona with 18 titles ?
who else can compete with those two ? and then again, for Barcelona to win it is very hard. So now how the F is that more competitive ? If you take the Champions league, Spain has won it 11 times with RM winning it 9 times and Barcelona 2. At least we know more English teams make the 11 with 5 teams i think it is. not just 2 ! So again, HOw the F is that more competitive ?

Torres would be only half the player he is if it werent for Liverpool, no spanish team would be able to mould him into what he is today. go figure.

Since '99 La liga has been won by 5 different teams...can you say that about the EPL?
no
First and only league to win the Euefa and champs league in the same year?
La Liga
8 different teams have won the Copa del Rey since '99, the fa cup has not even been close.

know your facts before you make accusations on here.

Also what you on about liverpool moulded Torres, he has only been there 1 season and started scoring from the get go.

 

[SuPaStA]

since '99 ? since it started whats the stats like ? please answer ...

Since '99 eight different teams won the domestic cup, since it started ? please answer ...

How many different English teams won the Champions league ? and compare that to Spain.

One more question ... besides RM and Barcelona, which other Spanish teams have challenged for the Champions League? and compare that to English teams

Know ALL your facts before you blurt out half the history.

lol overall more teams have won la liga than the EPL.

England has 2 more winners in champs league...nottingham forrest (who have been out of the EPL for donkey's years)

Spain has also had more teams in champs league finals, more finals than england and more winners.

You bring in UEFA you got about 8 differnt spanish teams who have appeard in that final alone.

 

[SuPaStA]

I think he saw my post above
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3792421,00.html

lol ya his dream had to be broken as barca were not prepared to pay what his club wanted.

Arshavin, who has also been on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s radar, said:
“Barcelona are my dream. I never thought I would have a genuine chance to play for the club"

 

[SuPaStA]

Im off home, just if you wondering why im not replying.

 

[SuPaStA]

c'mon i want stats, link me to your sources.



shame for Barcelona, all the money trying to buy a new team is taking a toll on them.

If you want stats..you know how to use the internet go find them.Iv told you what they are prove me wrong.

Its not about not having the money, its about him being over-valued.Who would pay 39 million euro for him.

On another note, its obvious you are catch21..posting in the same 2 threads (Motoring and transportation and soccer) and doing the same type of argumentative posts you normaly do in here.

 

[iDOL]

Crouch agrees personal terms with Portsmouth

Striker will undergo medical at Fratton Park within 48 hours

Peter Crouch has agreed personal terms with Portsmouth and is due to undergo a medical at Fratton Park inside the next 48 hours, according to the club's website.

Portsmouth agreed an undisclosed fee for Crouch, believed to be close to £11m, with Liverpool on Monday. The striker will be joining Portsmouth for the second time, having played for the club in the 2001/02 season before joining Aston Villa, Southampton in 2004 and then Liverpool in 2005.

 

[killadoob]

awesome

i really like crouch, great talents and will no doubt help portsmith next season

 

[.geek]

Crouch + Defoe should form a formidable partnership.

 

[SuPaStA]

Barcelona Agree Hleb Deal​

The Belorussian has been waiting for the two clubs to agree a deal after he agreed personal terms and he will now fly to the Catalan capital to undergo a medical and sign for the Blaugrana.

Joan Laporta scraped through a vote of no confidence at the weekend and that has allowed his board to continue with business as usual and Hleb represents the first piece of business to be done since that fans' vote.

Arsenal recognised that they were not going to be able to hold on to the former VfB Stuttgart playmaker and it was just a matter of time before he left the club this summer.

The 27-year-old is Barça's fifth new signing of the summer and their second midfield acquisition after the arrival of Seydou Keita from Sevilla last month.

Hleb will be the first Belorussian to play for the Catalan giants and will make his debut for the club on their trip to Scotland against Hibernian on July 24.

With Ronaldinho set to leave Camp Nou, Barcelona were intent on bolstering the left side of their squad and the latest signing now rules out any chance Andrei Arshavin could have of joining the club this year.

After just one season, Hleb will team up again with former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry and it remains to be seen if they can strike up a better understanding than they did for the Gunners.

 

[Alan]

Crouch leaving is terrible news

and then Rafa makse out he wanted to keep him. BS IMO