Fabregas rejects new Arsenal deal; eyes Barca move

February 8, 2010

Cesc Fabregas has rejected a new contract at Arsenal. The Gunners offered their Spanish captain a weekly wage of £127000 but Fabregas wants to join Barcelona next summer.

Spanish newspaper Sport suggest that Fabregas’ return to the Camp Nou is about more than just “purely economic issues.” He has made his desire clear to his representatives and is simply waiting for both clubs to sort out the transfer.

Barcelona are reportedly willing to pay €50 million to Arsenal for the 22-year-old midfielder.

Sport also reports that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is realistic over the move and knows he is unlikely to lure Fabregas to the Spanish capital.

Tags: 50 million, arsenal, barca, camp nou, desire, economic issues, fabregas, Fabregasâ, florentino perez, gunners, MADRID, new arsenal, new contract, newspaper, Perez, president, real madrid, spanish capital, Sport

Benitez commits to Liverpool future

January 30, 2010

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has underlined his commitment to the Merseyside club despite admitting that Serie A giants Juventus are interested in him.

The Seria A giants declared their interest in the Spaniard this week and on Friday sacked boss Ciro Ferrara, with Alberto Zaccheroni taking his place until the end of the season.

But Benitez has preferred to talk about the future of Liverpool despite admitting he is flattered with the link.

“New investors may be coming in, and there is a possibility of a new stadium,” Benitez told the Daily Mail.

“It is important now that we see these things happen. We must see the club progressing.

“We are going in the right direction, but we have to make sure we really move forward now, by lining up players who are good and available and trying to sign them.

He reiterated: “The key is the stadium and investors.”

“There has been a lot of talk (about Juventus), and yes, I know about their interest.

“As a manager, you have to be proud when a big club, a top club in Europe, have an interest in you and are watching you.

“Perhaps there has been too much talking, but you cannot stop speculation.”

Despite a disappointing season, Benitez has emphasised his desire to continue in the Reds’ hot seat by striving to improve the side before the January transfer window closes on Monday.

The Reds are in need of reinforcements up front in particular, with Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones the subject of intense speculation as a loan target.

However, Benitez refused to discuss names but admits he is still keen to add to his sole signing of free transfer Maxi Rodriguez this month, albeit on a shoestring budget.

“We are working very hard under the conditions we have at this moment. But it is best not to ask me about players like Jones,” said Benitez.

“I am the Liverpool manager, not the Sunderland manager.”

Tags: Alberto Zaccheroni, boss, daily mail, desire, Europe, Ferrara, giants, going in the right direction, hot seat, intense speculation, investors, Jones, juventus, kenwyne jones, Liverpool, Merseyside, rafael benitez, reinforcements, shoestring budget, Spaniard, striker, Sunderland, target

Hitzlsperger keen on Stuttgart stay

January 26, 2010

Thomas Hitzlsperger has rubbished rumors, linking him to a move away from Stuttgart within this month, by saying he wants to see out his contract.

There had been reports the Germany international was hoping to move on in the January transfer window to ensure he would get regular first-team football ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

And while, the 27-year-old midfielder has been struggling with a knee injury, he made his first appearance in almost two months in Friday’s 1-0 win at Freiburg.

And although Hitzlsperger admits his determination to get back into the starting line-up, he insists he is happy to stay at the Mercedes-Benz Arena until his contract expires this summer.

“It is my desire to remain at the club until the end of the season – I have not been talking to any other club,” he told Deutsche Presseagentur.

“It was a pleasure for me to help the club as a substitute (against Freiburg) straight after my injury.

“There is, however, no doubt I am hoping to be a first-team regular soon.”

Hitzlsperger is available for free in the summer and Real Zaragoza were one of the sides linked with a cut-price move for the former Aston Villa player this month.

Tags: aston villa player, desire, deutsche presseagentur, first appearance, freiburg, Germany, knee injury, mercedes benz, midfielder, no doubt, pleasure, price move, real zaragoza, starting line, stuttgart, team football, thomas hitzlsperger, World Cup, Zaragoza

Kapo happy to move on

January 9, 2010

Olivier Kapo is relieved at finally leaving Wigan Athletic. The French international has just sealed a return to his homeland after signing a loan deal with Boulogne.

The 29-year-old has agreed a loan deal until the end of the season and has told L’Equipe of his happiness to move on after his career stalled in England.

“It is a real relief. I wanted to come back [to France],” Kapo told L’Equipe.

“The officials and the coach showed me they really wanted to sign me, they were very motivated.

“I join a very sane group and that is essential. I will find again pressure before the matches. I really missed it. I am happy. We will try to fight to get salvation. I have big desire to play again.”

Tags: Athletic, Boulogne, desire, England, Equipe, France, french international, happiness, homeland, kapo, l equipe, loan deal, Olivier Kapo, pressure, return, sane

Dossena ready for Napoli switch

January 7, 2010

Liverpool full-back Andrea Dossena has revealed he is on the verge of moving back to Italy to play with Napoli as he awaits his exit from Liverpool. Dossena has had a disappointing time at Anfield and has spoken of his desire to return to Serie A before.

The Italian is on the brink of ending a sad 18-month spell in England after starting just 13 Premier League games from Liverpool having switched to The Reds from Udinese in 2008

Dossena is expected with Napoli and the 28-year-old is excited by the prospect of returning to Italian football.

“I’m looking forward to embracing Napoli and to experience the emotion of the Stadio San Paolo,” Dossena told Il Mattino.

“It’s missing the official news of the move and so I can’t say a lot, but I’m waiting.

“I thank Napoli and I’m happy to meet up with friends such as De Sanctis, Quagliarella and Maggio.”

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed everything has been agreed for the move. De Laurentiis he is now waiting for the paperwork to be signed.

De Laurentiis told Radio Marte, “For Dossena, we are missing only this (the signature). Now, we are thinking of sales.”

Tags: Andrea, Andrea Dossena, anfield, aurelio de laurentiis, brink, desire, dossena, emotion, England, il mattino, italian football, Liverpool, Maggio, napoli, official news, paperwork, premier league, premier league games, quagliarella, radio marte, reds, stadio san paolo, udinese

FA Cup hero Beckford hands in transfer request

January 7, 2010

FA Cup giantkillers Leeds United’s goalscoring hero Jermaine Beckford as expected on Wednesday handed in a transfer request opening the way for a lucrative move possibly to Newcastle United.

The 26-year-old – whose contract expires at the end of the season – scored his 20th goal of the season for the League One leaders in their stunning 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

However, on Wednesday his agent told the BBC that Beckford had indeed handed in his transfer request.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson seemed resigned to losing the former windscreen wiper fitter, who cost 45,000 pounds when he signed from non-league side Wealdstone four years ago, but insisted that he would not let him go for a derisory fee.

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has already spoken of his desire to sign Beckford but says he will be patient in his pursuit of the striker.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: AFP, bbc, Chris Hughton, desire, FA Cup, fitter, grayson, hero, LEEDS, leeds united, london, Manchester, manchester united, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, old trafford, Simon Grayson, striker, transfer request, windscreen wiper

Coyle ready to quit Burnley

January 5, 2010

Owen Coyle is set to be named the new manager at Bolton Wanderers. Burnley confirm on their official website that the coach has informed them he wishes to take up the vacant managerial post at the Reebok Stadium.

The two clubs are now reportedly in negotiations to determine the compensation package Bolton owe their Premier League counterparts, because Coyle is still under contract at Turf Moor.

Last week, Bolton axed Gary Megson, who had been under pressure for a while. They immediately targeted 43-year-old Coyle as Megson’s successor. Coyle was a popular player for The Trotters midway through the nineties.

The Scottish coach helped Burnley gain promotion to the Premier League last season. Coyle has been in charge of The Clarets since 2007.

A statement from Burnley read: “Owen Coyle has today reaffirmed his desire to leave Burnley Football Club and join Bolton Wanderers Football Club.” “Burnley Football Club will now enter discussions with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, due to the fact that compensation between the two parties has yet to be agreed.”

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

Tags: Bolton, bolton wanderers football club, burnley football club, clarets, coach, compensation, compensation package, counterparts, desire, gain promotion, gary megson, negotiations, Owen Coyle, premier league, reebok stadium, Scottish, trotters, turf moor, Wanderers

Mourinho keen on Inter stay

December 24, 2009

Inter coach Jose Mourinho insists he intends to honor his stay in Italy and remain with the Nerazzurri until 2012. Mourinho extended his contract last year, however some still believe he could leave after this season comes to an end.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has been constantly linked with a move back to England where he enjoyed great success. His relation with the Italian media has deteriorated after the media criticized him for his style of management and continuous off-the-pitch rants.

The Portuguese tactician has voiced his desire to return to England on many occasions, but he insists that he wants to see out his contract with Inter until 2012.

“There are no friends in football, so to be able to say that I am the friend of my ex-president Roman Abramovich makes me happy and one day this will happen with Moratti because the relationship with him is positive and sincere,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.

“When I am no longer a coach I will remember a president who has always been fair with me and I hope that he remembers me in the future as a positive trainer, but we are speaking about the future.

“Because at this moment I am and I’ll be Inter coach.

“On the contrary of what was said when I signed until 2012, I did it with the intention of staying until 2012.

“Me and the club have done it with the conviction to go forward until 2012.”

Mourinho joined Inter last season and won the Serie A with Inter in his first season in Italy. It is likely that Inter will win a second consecutive Italian league title. However, Mourinho has been under-fire after failing to raise Inter’s standards on the European scene.

Tags: boss, CHELSEA, coach, conviction, desire, England, intention, italian league, italian media, Italy, jose mourinho, keen, moratti, occasions, pitch, relationship, roman abramovich, Sky Sport, sport italia, tactician

Bastos keen on Lyon stay

December 23, 2009

Michel Bastos is expected to remain with Olympique Lyon in the New Year despite attracting interest from Italy.

Lombardy based AC Milan are understood to be interested in the Brazilian winger following a bright start to his career at Stade Gerland.

However, his representative Duro Ivanisevic insists there is no chance of a January move as he only joined Lyon from Lille in July.

Bastos has no desire to start afresh at this stage of the season as he looks to secure a place in Dunga’s squad for the World Cup.

“I can confirm that Michel is followed by several top European clubs, also Italian,” Ivanisevic told calciomercato.it.

“However it is impossible that he leaves Lyon in January. He arrived last summer and he’s happy at Lyon.

“There is a Champions League to play and then he hopes to go to the World Cup with Brazil.

“This is no time to think about these things.”

Tags: ac milan, bastos, brazil, champions league, desire, gerland, Italy, ivanisevic, Lille, Lombardy, new year, olympique lyon, winger, World Cup

Pandev: “I can’t wait to leave Lazio”

December 22, 2009

Once again, Goran Pandev has stressed he wants to leave Lazio. The striker has been in the stands of the Stadio Olimpico since last summer because he refused to extend his expiring contract. The Collegio Arbitrale (Settlement Committee) will soon render a decision concerning his request to be granted a unilateral rescission of his contract with the club.

Pandev’s contract at Lazio expires next summer, but the Macedonia international hasn’t played a match for months. The 26-year-old forward was frozen out of the squad by chairman Claudio Lotito after expressing his desire to leave the club last summer. Now, Pandev says he has had enough of this nightmare.

“I can’t wait to leave,” he told Mediaset.

“Lotito disappointed me: he treated me as a nobody and told me one too many lies.

“I have been training on my own for four months and now I am just hoping that all this comes to an end.

“I just want to get back to being a football player.”

If Pandev succeeds in his bid to legally free himself from his contract with the Biancocelesti, Internazionale and Milan are reportedly ready to do battle to lure him to the San Siro in the new year.