January 2009 – Transfer Window
New Years Eve Predictions
IN:
Goalkeeper: Shay Given?
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (completed), Kolo Toure, Lucas Neill?
Midfielders: Scott Parker.
Strikers: Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy.
Bonus: At least one world-class footballer.
OUT:
Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel? (If a keeper is signed)
Defender: Tal Ben-Haim.
Midfielder: Elano.
Striker: Nery Castillo.
Monday January 5th
Speculation & Reports:
Scott Parker IN – Sky Sports News understands Scott Parker will join Manchester City within the next 48 hours. Sky Sports has learnt that Parker has already engaged with City officials over personal terms that will substantially improve his current deal of £70,000 per week should the move be pushed through.
Elano OUT – Manchester City are desperate for Lazio to take Elano off their hands. The Guardian says their FA Cup humiliation by Nottingham Forest has strengthened City’s desire to sell Elano and they will encourage Lazio to follow up their interest in a player who is regarded as a troublemaker by the club’s management. Elano has already been fined by manager Mark Hughes for criticising him in a television interview and had a row on the pitch with a team-mate, Daniel Sturridge, on Saturday.
Ben-Haim OUT – Ben Haim has again been frustrated with a lack of first team opportunities, and Joe Kinnear is willing to take him to St James Park for a fee of £3million.
Santa Cruz IN – Manchester City are confident of landing Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz. The Daily Mail says City boss Mark Hughes is frustrated they have not moved quickly enough and have become too embroiled in lengthy haggling. City hope £18m will secure Santa Cruz, with defender Tal Ben Haim thrown in as a makeweight. Santa Cruz will have to write-off £5 MILLION if he is to join City. The People says the Paraguayan is due a massive chunk of the sale – if the price hits the ‘trigger figure’ of £20m. Hughes is desperate to get the player he originally signed for Blackburn in 2007. However, City’s money men are reluctant to spend that much and would rather do business at closer to £15m. Santa Cruz only collects his pay-off in full if £20m is reached in the transfer fee. If it falls short Rovers can keep all of the money to themselves. The only way the deal will go ahead, according to leading insiders, is if all three parties compromise in the coming weeks. Rovers chairman John Williams allowed Santa Cruz to have the price clause inserted when he signed his new deal, but the original idea was to review his future at the end of the season. A source close to Santa Cruz said: “It was all agreed with Rovers and the plan was he would stay for the season, but City want a deal now.”
Nedum Onuoha OUT – Manchester City’s £3.5m-rated defender Nedum Onuoha has emerged as a target for Newcastle United and Sunderland. The North East rivals, desperate for defensive cover, are aware that City are willing to trade the England Under-21 international, says the Daily Star Sunday. Onuoha, 22, is also being eyed by Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce, who would ask for him in part-exchange if, as expected, City manager Mark Hughes presses his bid for Roque Santa Cruz.
Bafetimbi Gomis IN – Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City are battling it out to sign St Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis for £9.5m. Gomis, 23, has been told he can leave in January and is desperate to show he can compete against the best defenders in England. Arsene Wenger knows a great deal about the prolific forward and is keen to add more firepower to his squad. David Moyes and Mark Hughes are also tracking the progress of the prolific forward who was chosen ahead of David Trezeguet in the France squad for Euro 2008 last summer.
Craig Bellamy IN – Tottenham have increased their offer to around £9m for the Wales international but Manchester City’s spending power could still turn the deal their way. Bellamy is keen on Spurs despite the prospect of linking up with Mark Hughes again but will wait to see who matches West Ham’s valuation and then the wages on offer may play a part.
Kolo Toure IN – Injury to Mikael Silvestre may delay the deal and Arsenal are still reluctant to sell at all, but Toure has made his mind up and wants the love to go through after a frustrating season in and out of Arsenal’s team and rumours of a rift between him and William Gallas. He is determined to get his wish and a £10m offer from City should persuade Arsenal to deal.
Joe Hart OUT – Joe Hart is seeking showdown talks with Manchester City boss Mark Hughes. The Sunday Mirror says Hart, 21, only signed a new five-year deal three months ago, but is not happy at the prospect of losing his No 1 status if a big-name keeper arrives. Arsenal and Tottenham are sure to be interested in Hart, who is rated the best young goalkeeper in England.
Adriano IN Jo OUT swap loan deal -Inter Milan hope to rescue Jo from his miserable time at Manchester City by offering fellow Brazilian Adriano in exchange for the striker. Inter tried to sign Jo last summer before City paid £19 million to capture the 21-year-old from CSKA Moscow. The Italians are ready to revive their interest as Jose Mourinho looks to add another striker in January with one eye on facing Manchester United in the Champions League last 16 in February. Inter are keen to offload Adriano, who has just been fined £150,000 for returning back to Italy late from a Christmas break. Mourinho has lost patience with his Brazilian and Inter hope City will renew interest in a striker that the English side coveted in the last January transfer window. Adriano’s girlfriend last month claimed Chelsea were in talks to sign the 26-year-old, while Brazilian side Flamengo would also be interested in taking him on loan. Jo came to City with a reputation as being a prolific goalscorer after hitting 44 goals in 77 games for CSKA. But he has managed just three goals in 16 games for City and has found it difficult to hold down a regular starting place.
David Trezeguet IN – Reports on the Continent suggest that Manchester City have launched an audacious €22m bid for Juventus striker David Trezeguet. German based website 4-4-2.com claims that Mark Hughes has pinpointed the 31-year-old as the man to lead the line at Eastlands after bids for Lucas Podolski and Roque Santa Cruz stalled. The deal, if agreed by Trezeguet, could net him nearly €6.75m per year making him one of the world’s most highly paid players.