Premier
League
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| One of the Bender boys |
As
the transfer window officially opens for business today, many clubs are
completing deals they hope will help them maintain their Premier league status,
Norwich for example have finally signed Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky Van
Wolfswinkel supposedly to replace the ageing Grant Holt. In contrast Tottenham
are looking past the immediate future, with the apparent signing of two of
Croatia’s brightest youngsters; Tin Jedvaj and Alen Halilovic. The deal could
be worth up to €20 million according to Dinamo Zagreb Club President Mirko
Barisic and this could turn out to be something of a coup for Spurs, beating
amongst others, Manchester City to the duos signatures. Rumours have also
surfaced today that Andre Villas Boas has telephoned want away Barca striker
David Villa to try and persuade the Spanish international to move to White Hart
Lane. Spurs are in desperate need of another centre forward with Jermaine Defoe
the only reliable front man at the Lane. It is being reported that the other
team in North London have bid £23 million for Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender,
however Arsenal’s bid has been answered with a categorical no, with Leverkusen
stating there is no option of negotiation
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| Yohan Cabaye |
It
is looking increasingly likely that Newcastle’s star midfielder Yohan Cabaye
will leave the North East this summer. PSG are on the verge of confirming their
interest in the Frenchman by bidding £20 million, with Newcastle looking
powerless to stand in Cabaye’s way, the lure of Champions League football to
mighty for the former Lille man to turn down. In my opinion Cabaye’s performances
tailed off poorly towards the end of last season, seemingly frustrated with the
extra physical attention he was getting from opposition players and perhaps his
game may be better suited to Ligue 1.
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| Better than League One #1 |
Manchester
United look in pole position to make a move for Benfica centre half Ezequiel
Garay. The former Real Madrid player was in fine form for Benfica last season,
influential in their run to the Europa League Final. Fulham are edging closer
to wrapping up a deal for Wolves’s powerful forward Bakary Sako, with the
Frenchman pleading with the hierarchy at Molineux to allow him to enter talks
with Martin Jol. Following his release from Aston Villa, centre half Richard
Dunne is attracting interest from Hull City as they look to add Premier League
experience to their squad.
The
Football League
 |
| Better than League One #2 |
Former
England and Liverpool keeper Scott Carson looks set to return to English football
with Wigan. The 27 year old has been plying his trade in Turkey with Bursaspor,
but like many British players who make the move abroad he now wants to return
for family reasons. Middlesbrough have today signed 31 year old central
midfielder Dean Whitehead from Stoke, this is the second time Whitehead has
played in the North East having previously been captain at Sunderland. With
both Wolves and Blackburn interested it now appears that Leeds have signed
Crewe’s captain Luke Murphy on a three year deal with Crewe receiving £1
million. Bristol City have revealed they have already fended off two offers for
wide man Albert Adomah, however it is a case of when rather than if the
Ghanaian leaves Ashton Gate.
Rest
of the World
 |
| Adam Maher |
One
time Arsenal target Younes Belhanda has joined Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev, strangely
the contact length and fee have yet to be revealed. One of the brightest youngsters
in Holland has joined one of the biggest clubs in Holland, with Adam Maher
joining PSV from AZ Alkmaar. Having already gained four caps for Holland he
will certainly be one to watch at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
