Football news round-up: 27 Jul-2 Aug

Sunday 2 August 2009

Andrey Arshavin came off the substitute’s bench to score both Arsenal goals in a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Emirates Cup. Scottish Premier League Champions Rangers won the first match on Saturday as they defeated Paris St Germain 1-0. Defender Madjid Bougherra was the goalscorer.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce threatened to call a halt to his attempt to sign Tottenham forward Darren Bent after watching his side win 2-1 at Celtic. Bruce said: “We thought we had an agreement a couple of times but things have changed. I have to say there comes a time when I have to draw the line.”

Chelsea drew 2-2 at Reading after AC Milan dismissed reports that their midfielder Andrea Pirlo is about to sign for the Stamford Bridge club. Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi said: “They are all stories. There is no truth at all.”

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has also refuted speculation that he is about to join the Premier League with Arsenal. De Rossi said: “Arsenal? I have never heard anything. Roma have declared me untransferable, I want to stay only here.”

Manchester United have beaten Arsenal to the signing of French teenager Paul Pogba, 16, from Le Havre. The French club have expressed their displeasure at losing their brightest prospect.

Cardiff City winger Paul Parry is expected to sign for Preston on Monday after the two Championship clubs agreed an undisclosed fee. Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale said: “Paul has accepted the personal terms offered and he is due to have a medical on Monday."

Leeds teenager Fabian Delph is the latest target for Manchester City. Manager Mark Hughes, speaking after his side’s 1-1 draw at Barnsley, said: “We have an interest in the situation. He is a young player who has been brought to our attention.”

West Brom have signed Rotherham striker Reuben Reid for an undisclosed fee. Reid, 21, scored 19 goals last season and the club’s COO Paul Douglas said: “Once Reuben handed in his transfer request we felt we had little choice but to let him leave.”

Sheffield United midfielder Nicky Travis has signed a one-year deal with Australian side Central Coast Mariners. Travis, 22, earned his move following a five-week trial with the club.

Saturday 1 August 2009

Obafemi Martins has joined German champions Wolfsburg from Newcastle. The Nigerian striker, who moved to Tyneside from Inter three years ago, signed for the Germans on Friday in a deal reported to be worth £13m.

Tottenham won the Asia Trophy by beating Premier League counterparts Hull City 3-0 in the Final in Beijing. Robbie Keane scored twice and England winger Aaron Lennon added a third.

West Ham finished third in the Asia Trophy after beating local favourites Beijing Guoan 2-0 with late goals from Danny Gabbidon and young striker Zavon Hines. The Hammers have also signed Swiss teenage defender Fabio Daprela from Grasshoppers Zurich.

Emile Heskey could miss the start of the season after being sent off Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Porto in the Peace Cup in Spain. The England striker was dismissed for tangling with defender Fucile, ruling him out of Sunday’s Final. He said: “I will miss the Final but hope this won’t carry over for the start of the season.” Heskey and Steve Sidwell scored Villa’s goals.

Huddersfield have signed Jordan Rhodes from Ipswich Town. The teenage striker spent much of last season on loan at Brentford, helping them win League Two.

Adrian Mutu has lost his appeal against a FIFA ruling that he must pay almost £15m to Chelsea after he was sacked and banned from football for failing a drugs test in 2004. Mutu, now with Fiorentina, had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

England striker Darren Bent has apologised after his outburst on Twitter against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. Bent admitted he was frustrated that his proposed transfer to Sunderland has dragged on, but apologised on the club’s website.

John Hartson is improving after surgery to remove a brain tumour. The former Wales, Wimbledon and West Ham striker has been taken off the critical list at hospital in Swansea where he is being treated for cancer, although his condition remains serious.

Sir Alex Ferguson has set his strikers a target of 100 goals this season, shortly after Manchester United lost the Audi Cup to Bayern Munich on penalties following a goalless draw in Bavaria. He said: “You usually look to score about 100 goals in all competitions, so we're aiming for that again.”

Friday 31 July 2009

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits he is still interested in signing Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar despite the recent arrival of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth. Redknapp said: "It is definitely not a no-go. It is still a possibility. If you look at his goalscoring record, it is incredible."

Everton have rejected a second bid from Manchester City for defender Joleon Lescott. A statement on the Everton website read: “We have received an offer of £18m for Joleon and that offer has been rejected outright”.

Arsene Wenger insists there is money for him to spend on new players at Arsenal but he will not be rushed into any panic buys. Wenger has lost the services of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure but still feels his current squad is good enough to challenge for silverware this season.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola admits he would love the chance to bring Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen to Upton Park. Zola admits he is keen to sign another striker and knows all about the Icelandic international, having played alongside him for three years at Stamford Bridge. 

Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is a big doubt for the opening Premier League game against Wigan after dislocating his shoulder during the 3-1 Peace Cup win over Atlante in Spain on Wednesday. Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: "It's pretty obvious he may be a doubt for the start of the season."

Fulham strolled to victory in the Europa League third qualifying round first-leg as they beat FK Vetra 3-0 in Lithuania. Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy (pen) and Seol Ki-Hyeon were among the scorers.

Thursday 30 July 2009

Kolo Toure has signed for Manchester City from Arsenal. The Ivory Coast defender completed a medical on Wednesday and his £16million fee takes City’s spending to over £40m with the North London club after the arrival of former Emirates team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor.

Meanwhile, leavng Eastlands is Brazilian midfielder Elano who has agreed a four-year deal at Turkish outfit Galatasaray. After two years, 80 games and 18 goals, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man heads to Istanbul.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is unconcerned about reports that Arsenal are interested in his Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland. “I am not bothered. I would only be bothered if Arsenal made an offer,” said Hodgson, whose side face FK Vetra in the Third Round of Europa League qualifying on Thursday.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill believes Manchester City are capable of winning the Premier League this season. O’Neill said: “This Manchester City side is going to be so, so strong. They might not be favourites to win the league but they should be.”

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa is on the verge of joining Real Madrid for £3.5million. The Spaniard passed a medical at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and is set to sign a five-year deal with the La Liga club.

West Ham have been rocked by news that Luis Boa Morte has damaged his cruciate knee ligaments. The Portugal midfielder sustained the injury in the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Asia Trophy and will be out of action until the New Year.

Tottenham will play Hull City in the Final of the Asia Trophy after the Tigers beat Beijing Guoan 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. Geovanni had opened the scoring for the Tigers after nine minutes, only for William to equalise just after the break.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has vowed to fight tooth-and-nail to keep England Under-21 star Lee Cattermole at the club. Sunderland, Arsenal and Liverpool are all reportedly interested in him but Latics manager Martinez said: “I am not surprised about the interest, but you look at him as a player - technically, physically - he is a leader and we need him in our squad.”

Cattermole's England Under-21 team-mate Nedum Onuoha has agreed a new five-year contract at Manchester City.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Martin Ling has returned to management after being named as the new boss of Cambridge United. The former Exeter, Swindon, Southend and Orient midfielder spent five years in charge at Brisbane Road before leaving last season. He succeeds Gary Brabin at the Abbey Stadium.

Former Liverpool full-back, Steve Finnan, has returned to English football by agreeing a one-year deal with Portsmouth. The Irishman, formerly with Notts County, Crystal Palace and Fulham, has negotiated a release from his contract with Spanish side Espanyol.

England’s future is in safe hands according to West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola, who has promised to put his trust in the club’s youth academy that produced Sir Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. "With patience, working with young players and trying to develop them and making them better can work," said Zola. "That is the kind of policy West Ham want to take and I am very committed to it."

England midfielder, Owen Hargreaves, is still in rehabilitation following the surgery that forced the Manchester United player to miss most of last season. Hargreaves has not been able to join United’s pre-season tournament in Germany, and Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We had hoped he would be joining us but he is still in rehabilitation. He has had major operations on both knees and we are not rushing that." Hargreaves is in the United States being treated by renowned knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.

Ferguson also believes his side can survive without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has moved to Real Madrid for £80m. "I understand all too well that losing 26 goals from a winger is hard to replace, but we will try because it is the nature of our club that the expectations never change whether you have Ronaldo or [Antonio] Valencia," he said.

Bolton midfielder, Matt Taylor, has agreed a new one-year deal with the club. "Matt's agreed to sign an extension to his contract, which he is pleased about, his family is pleased about and obviously we are," said manager Gary Megson.

Hull manager, Phil Brown, says he hasn’t give up hope of sealing a £5m deal for Fulham striker Bobby Zamora. "The deal has been agreed between the two clubs and now we are trying to agree personal terms," said Brown.

Jerzy Dudek believes Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, wants to join him at Real Madrid. "He is Spanish and all the Spanish guys want to play for Real Madrid. This is a dream come true for them and Xabi knows that he's not the only one," said Dudek, who won the Champions League while at Anfield before moving to the Bernabeu.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

England striker Peter Crouch has signed for his first club, Spurs, from Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee. Crouch began his career in the Tottenham youth ranks before moving on to QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich (loan), Southampton and Liverpool. This is the third time Harry Redknapp has signed him.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have renegotiated their £290m debt with the Bank of Scotland. The American duo have agreed to pay back £60m in the next year.

A live hand grenade was found on the wall outside the house of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish. Dalglish, who now works at the club's Academy, is currently away with in the Far East with Rafael Benitez's side. Merseyside Police said: "The device was removed and made safe and is currently undergoing forensic examination."

England’s Ashley Young has pledged his future to Aston Villa. The winger said: "It's flattering for me to be linked with such big clubs. But I'm an Aston Villa player, I'm happy here and I've got two and a half years left on my contract."

Everton are hopeful of keeping midfielder Steven Pienaar at Goodison Park – despite the South Africa star rejecting the offer of a new contract. A club source said: "Everyone is still talking, and we are confident there will be a happy outcome."

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar says he has no plans to retire at the end of the season. The 38-year-old said: "I don't know if this is going to be my final season," he conceded. "As far as making a decision I'm going to see how the season goes. It's always hard the moment you decide to stop playing."

Michael Owen can beat Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time England record of 49 goals, according to Ryan Giggs. The Manchester United forward has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for The Three Lions and United team-mate Giggs reckons Owen can keep on going. "Looking at Michael's ration of goals and games for England you'd have to say of he plays another 15 internationals he will probably overtake it," Giggs said.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has completed a medical at Barcelona following his £40m move from Inter Milan – but the Sweden striker has a small fracture in his left hand. "We've seen that he has a fracture at the base of the second metacarpal of his left hand," said club doctor Ricardo Pruna. "It's a fracture that we have to study how to fix it so that he can play as soon as possible."

John Hartson is making an ‘excellent recovery’ following a second operation on his brain. The former Arsenal striker has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, which has spread to his lungs and brain. But doctors at Morriston Hospital are positive. Dr Peter Matthews said: "We hope that he will be in a position to advance his cancer treatment (chemotherapy) as soon as possible."

Hull striker Craig Fagan will miss the rest of pre-season after being told he will need to undergo a hernia operation. Fagan remained at home as the Tigers flew out to China to continue their preparations for the new season. Manger Phil Brown said: "It can be ten days to a fortnight so hopefully he'll be back on the training ground post Aberdeen but pre-Chelsea."

Monday 27 July 2009

England skipper John Terry has committed his future to Chelsea after weeks of speculation. Terry, currently with Chelsea in the USA, was wanted by Manchester City, but said: "I am totally committed to Chelsea, always have been. My leaving was never a possibility."

Sir Bobby Robson's England side finally got revenge for their 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat when they beat a German XI 3-2 at St James' Park on Sunday. The match, featuring Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer and Peter Shilton, raised thousands of pounds for Sir Bobby's cancer charity.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits he would love the chance to bring England striker Peter Crouch to White Hart Lane. Negotiations are currently taking place between the two clubs and Redknapp is hoping a move can be finalised this week.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has completed his transfer from Inter Milan to Barcelona, with £40m plus Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o moving in the opposite direction. Pep Guardiola says the Swedish striker will not be his last major signing this summer.

Bolton have signed Welsh full back Sam Ricketts from Hull and central defender Zat Knight from Aston Villa. Knight, who made his England debut on tour in the USA in 2005, was previously with Fulham.

Ryan Giggs scored a hat-trick and England striker Michael Owen scored twice as Manchester United ended their Far East tour with an 8-2 victory over Hangzhou Greentown in China.

Liverpool beat Singapore 5-0 to complete their Far East tour on Sunday. Krisztian Nemeth scored twice, while Andriy Voronin, Albert Riera and Fernando Torres grabbed the other goals.

Celtic warmed up for their Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow this Wednesday by beating Spurs 2-0 to win the inaugural Wembley Cup on Sunday. Barcelona's 4-1 win over Al Ahly in the same tournament left them second.