Gooner Rant - Attention Mr Wenger - Goalkeeper available - has own gloves

FFS ... having watched that display in Portugal ...

I'm 45 now, and having retired from football I have developed what would be tactfully known as a bit of a beer gut now!

But - Mr Wenger, I am letting it be known that I have boots, I have goal keeping gloves, and having played 2-3 games in goal for my pub team, I have no doubt that I could do a better job than that clown in goal tonight...

As a "free agent" who has not played for anyone this season I'm available for transfer outside of the window. Give me a call mate - and I'll pop down to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg.

Meet up at 7pm outside the gate for a 7:45 kickoff yeah? I'll be the one in the green Jag - could you bring a parking pass with you?

Stumble It!

Manchester City sign Adebayor for £25m from Arsenal

Manchester City have added to their collection of strikers by signing Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor on a five-year deal for a fee of about ££25m.

The 25-year-old joins fellow new signings Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez at Eastlands. And with Robinho, Craig Bellamy, Valeri Bojinov and Benjani also on their books, City have an embarrassment of riches up front.

The Togo striker, who takes City's summer spending to around £80m, passed a medical on Saturday and had already been successful in arranging a work permit.

Adebayor, who was also linked with linked to AC Milan and Chelsea, spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Gunners after joining them from Monaco for £7m, scoring 62 goals in 142 games.

He scored 30 goals in the 2007-08 season but struggled with injuries in the last campaign and also incurred the wrath of some Arsenal fans, who felt the striker lacked commitment.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he was sorry to see Adebayor leave, but insisted he had no immediate plans to replace him.

Gooner Adds :
Adebayor was a big talent, but his 30-goal season two years ago seemed to change the man, and with AC Milan in the picture, money has been the main aim for the big man (and his agent entourage) ever since.

Performances last year were lack-lustre to say the least, and he seemed to be sulking (almost as much as Berbatov did in his final months at Spurs) in order to agitate a big money move.

Rumours are that Adebayor will be on around about £170K per week (or £9m per year) - and that's twice as much as he'd earn at Arsenal.

Frankly, I am pleased to see an unhappy player leave, especially at a £19m profit for the club, but Wenger needs to invest it back into the team in experienced players rather than young potential players if Arsenal are to compete this season.

Whether it's a good buy for Man City? We will have to wait and see.

Stumble It!

MANCHESTER CITY AGREE CARLOS TEVEZ DEAL

FOOTBALL: Manchester City have announced they have reached an agreement to sign Carlos Tevez

The 25-year-old, who left city rivals United at the end of last season, has agreed personal terms and is expected to pen a five-year deal at Eastlands.

City have confirmed the deal has been ratified by the Premier League and the Football Association, and Tevez is expected to have a medical shortly before meeting up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour to South Africa.

With rumours swirling round Manchester that Emmanuel Adebayor is about to be offered a five-year contract to leave Arsenal and continuing speculation over the future of Chelsea skipper John Terry, it is clear City are a club with plenty of cash.

"This is yet another deal that shows the commitment of owner Sheikh Mansour to make this club the best it can possibly be," said manager Mark Hughes.

Stumble It!

FRANCK RIBERY SAYS : IT'S REAL MADRID OR NOTHING

FOOTBALL: Franck Ribery has told Bayern Munich that he wants to leave and join Real Madrid.

Franck Ribery has told Bayern Munich that he wants to leave the club and join the new generation of "galacticos" at Real Madrid.

The France international has been at the centre of a long-running saga over the past six months, with Real and Premier League champions Manchester United chasing his signature.

Bundesliga runners-up Bayern have remained adamant that they will not be selling £30m rated Ribery, but their star asset has now announced his desire to move away from Germany.

The 26-year-old wants to follow Raul Albiol, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in agreeing a big-money, summer move to the Bernabeu, delivering another transfer blow to United.

Sir Alex Ferguson chased Benzema, but the Frenchman snubbed Old Trafford and Ribery looks set to do the same.

"I have made up my mind, I want to leave," Ribery told L'Equipe. "It will be Real or nothing."

Stumble It!

DJIBRIL CISSE MOVES TO PANATHINAIKOS

Former Liverpool and Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse has signed a four-year deal with Panathinaikos to complete his £7m move from Marseille.

Cisse, 27, scored 11 goals in 38 appearances in a loan spell with Sunderland in the English Premier League last season, but failed to clinch a permanent move.

He was greeted by around 3,000 fans when he flew into Athens on Thursday.

Cisse said: "I am very enthusiastic from the welcome and I have not witnessed anything like it in my life."

Cisse,reportedly going to be the highest-paid player in Panathinaikos history in a deal worth more than £2m a year

Stumble It!

CARLOS TEVEZ LEAVES MAN UNITED LIKELY TO JOIN CITY

Carlos Tevez is expected to join Manchester City after champions Manchester United confirmed the striker is to leave Old Trafford.

Manchester United issued a statement which read: "Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club.

"The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5million and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest-paid players.

"Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

"The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."

Stumble It!

RONALDO DECIDED ON REAL MADRID MOVE LAST SUMMER

FOOTBALL: Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he made up his mind to leave Manchester United last summer

Madrid conducted a long and public pursuit of Ronaldo last year but it proved ultimately unsuccessful as the 24-year-old remained at Old Trafford.

But despite staying in the Premier League, and helping United retain their title, Ronaldo claims he made up his mind to leave after the Champions League triumph over Chelsea a year ago.

"After we won the European Cup. I thought there is no more I can achieve here," the Portuguese player told the News of the World.

"And when you have done all you can, you know it is time for a new challenge. I stayed one more season and it was nice to make it three titles in a row but it was my dream to play for Madrid."

Stumble It!

UNITED ACCEPT REAL MADRID'S £80M RONALDO BID

FOOTBALL: Manchester United have accepted an £80million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

Manchester United have finally caved in to Real Madrid's repeated attempts to lure Cristiano Ronaldo away from Old Trafford.

United confirmed on Thursday morning they had accepted an £80million bid for the world player of the year, with a world-record deal expected to go through by June 30.

The news had been expected given that Real stated on Wednesday night talks were under way and now it is only a matter of finalising the player's personal terms before he completes a dream move to the Bernabeu.

A United statement read: "At the request of Cristiano - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player."

Stumble It!

KAKA COMPLETES REAL MADRID MOVE

FOOTBALL: Real Madrid have completed the signing of Kaka from AC Milan on a six-year contract.

The Spanish giants confirmed the eagerly-awaited capture of the 27-year-old Brazilian superstar in a brief statement on their website late on Monday night.

Kaka, currently on international duty with Brazil in his homeland, underwent a medical in Recife earlier on Monday before putting pen to paper on a six-year deal.

The transfer fee is expected to be new world record at around £56million, eclipsing the £48million Real paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in the summer of 2001.

Stumble It!

Cudicini moves from Chelsea to Tottenham

Tottenham have signed Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer from London rivals Chelsea.

The Italian goalkeeper has set his sights on pushing Heurelho Gomes for the number one jersey at White Hart Lane.

Cudicini (35) spent a decade at Stamford Bridge and has no regrets about swapping Champions League football for a Premier League survival battle saying :

"At this moment the team is not in the best position but it doesn't matter - I'm here to bring some experience and try to push this club forward."

Stumble It!

Kaka turns down Man City and stays at AC Milan

AC Milan playmaker Kaka has turned down a lucrative move to Manchester City.

City issued a statement saying they had ended talks, believing it was unlikely a deal could be struck with Milan. Executive chairman Garry Cook said: "The discussions reached only a preliminary stage and the player was not involved at any time."

City's bid for Kaka was reportedly worth £100m, more than £50m in excess of the current world transfer fee record Real Madrid paid to Juventus to sign Zinedine Zidane in 2001, and that the Premier League club were willing to pay the Brazilian weekly wages of £500,000.

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi told Italian television the 26-year-old had opted not to leave. "That's the end of the story," Berlusconi said. "I'm truly delighted to have kept Kaka at Milan."

Stumble It!

KAKA transfer news overdose ...

Here is a selection of news flashes and pure made up bollocks published by newspapers in the last 24 hours regarding Kaka's possible transfer to Manchester City.

They can't all be true - many of them contradict each other ...

(Press Association) Despite reports to the contrary from the Middle East, Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists the Kaka deal could still go ahead.

(Arabianbusiness.com) Manchester City have sensationally withdrawn their bid for Kaka, and will instead unveil another signing from Serie A in the next 48 hours - "not in the Kaka league".

(The Sun) AC Milan star Kaka will only move to Manchester City if he is given a series of get-out clauses as part of a world record £175m deal.

(The Sun continues) If he joins City, the Brazilian star wants written guarantees in his contract that Sheikh Mansour remains the club's owner and continues to invest heavily, that City qualify for the Champions League within two years, that Robinho stays at the club and also that he retains control of his image rights. If any of those clauses are broken, Kaka would be allowed to leave for a predetermined transfer fee.

(Daily Star) City will offer Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti the chance to take charge at Eastlands in the summer in a bid to improve their chances of signing Kaka.

(The Sun tried a new line ..) Kaka is committed to the Rossoneri but will listen to City if there is any indication that the Italian club are willing to accept the £100m on offer by the Eastlands club.

(Daily Telegraph) Milan are willing to sell Kaka but a deal will only be sanctioned if he wishes to leave the San Siro.

(The Sun must have a lot of bugs in the negotiation room) Kaka's father and closest adviser Bosco Leite is flying in from Brazil to enter the negotiations.

(Daily Mirror) City will present their proposal to Kaka's representatives before the end of this week but Bosco Leite holds the key to whether the deal will go through.

(Daily Mail) Kaka wants to meet Sheikh Mansour before he decides on his future.

(Daily Telegraph) City will renew their efforts to sign Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon or AC Milan goalkeeper Dida in an attempt to convince Kaka of their ambitions.

(The Guardian) Manchester City used Kaka's compatriot Robinho, who joined them from Real Madrid for £32.5m in August, to try to persuade the 26-year-old midfielder to swap the San Siro for Eastlands.

(Daily Mail starts to make it all up ..) Robinho has been in regular telephone contact with Kaka and has told City boss Mark Hughes that his Brazil team-mate is ready to move to Manchester.

Stumble It!

Transfer window opens - what do the Premier League managers say?

The January transfer window opens on New Year's Day, giving clubs their first opportunity to buy or sell players since the end of August.

Most Premier League managers have already had their say over how they see the next month going:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"Although we are not close to signing anyone at the moment, if we do buy I think what we need is maybe someone with a bit of experience. I need a creative midfielder and eventually another midfielder, because we are short.

"We already have many young players so, if we buy, it will be somebody who is ready to play straight away. A loan deal could also be a possibility. What we might need is someone who can create a little spark."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill:
"We are definitely looking at trying to do something if it is at all possible."

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
"I'm also more focused on getting players in rather than players out. Certainly my focus over the last two days has been speaking to the chairman about that. We're both going to go out and try and improve our squad as quickly as possible."

Chelsea manager Luiz Filipe Scolari :
"I knew that it's a different time for Chelsea but, if we suffer more injuries, the board understand that I'll need one or two players to replace some [injured] players. They understand this. "

"If, on the other hand, the players are in good condition and there are no more injuries, I think it's maximum one player they'll replace because we need one more. Only one. A striker."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez :
"It will be difficult to bring anyone in January because we have a good squad. To bring in anyone better than what we've got isn't easy and could be expensive."

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes:
"I think everyone understands there are certain areas of the squad which need strengthening and we will look to address those in the window."

"We are looking to bring good quality players to the club to help our situation and make sure that the club is moving forward in the future. There is no guarantee how many of those players we will be able to bring to the club. It is clear from everyone's point of view that we do need help."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson :
"I do not think there will be any January transfers, I am happy with what I have got.
"We are probably going to bring back a couple of young players who have been on loan. That may just give us extra protection. "

"We took 23 players to Japan (for the Club World Cup) and they are substantial players. I would be happy to play any one of them."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp :
"If could find a wide-left player I would like to get one. That and a frontman would be the priority."

"I think Portsmouth have had a massive offer from somebody for Jermain Defoe, so good luck to them - I paid about £9m when I signed him. He is a good player but we're not going to pay over the top for anyone."

"I like Stewart Downing but I don't know whether Middlesbrough want to sell him."

Stumble It!

Telegraph reports Arsenal interest in Ghanian Stephen Appiah

Arsenal are reportedly set to the revive their interest in Stephen Appiah, planning a late move to beat West Ham to the signature of the Ghana midfielder according to the Daily Telegraph.

Appiah is a free agent following his release from Turkish club Fenerbache, and so is available to be signed outside of the enforced transfer windows associated for players already on contract.

He had been considering terms to sign at Upton Park but the resignation of Alan Curbishley has forced the player to reconsider his options having been said to be close to reaching a £40K-per week three-year deal.

The player is keen to ply his trade in England and Arsenal could now offer him that opportunity as manager Arsene Wenger considers ways to improve his midfield.

Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Appiah, who two years ago was close to joining Arsenal before a knee injury denied him.

Certainly, Arsenal's young midfield requires strengthening and Appiah could provide a sound alternative at The Emirates - much in the style of Patrick Vieira.

Stumble It!

Desperate Transfer Gossip

In a desperate attempt to try and keep my football blog current I submit to you a selection of bollocky football rumours that will almost certainly NEVER come to pass.

So let's lead off with the Daily Mirror who say :

Wigan have warned Liverpool off a move for midfielder Wilson Palacios by insisting he is worth as much as £18m-rated Gareth Barry.

Everton will make a £7m bid for Switzerland midfield man Goekhan Inler in an attempt to finally clinch their first signing of the summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a move for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

But The Guardian win the worst rumour of the day award for speculating :

Manchester City are investigating the possibility of making Barcelona's Thierry Henry a "box office" signing in January.

It all seems a slice of bullsh!t to me - but I read it - and now you've heard about it too.
;-)

Stumble It!

More Transfer rumours ...

Continuing the (almost) regular series ...

Cristiano Ronaldo has fails to clear up speculation over his future by saying he could still leave Manchester United. When quizzed by ESPN he said: "What do you want me to say? That I'm going or I'm staying? I don't know about the future, only God knows it. I can't say any more."
( Gooner Truth Rating = 5/10 :: Source = ESPNsoccernet)

Chelsea's world record bid to sign AC Milan forward Kaka could cost the Blues anything from £50m to £120m with 10% going to the player himself, but the Serie A side say he is not for sale.
( Gooner Truth Rating = 1/10 :: Source = Everyone)

Chelsea are also apparently interested in Real Madrid forward Robinho after his agent revealed the club have proposed a firm offer.
(Gooner Truth Rating = 5/10 :: Source = Sunday Telegraph)

Juventus are ready to launch a £15m bid for Arsenal's Robin van Persie, who they see as an ideal replacement for Pavel Nedved.
(Gooner Truth Rating = 1/10 :: Source = News of the World)

And in the massively over-hyped and not nearly as good as you and your agent think you are section of the day Emmanuel Adebayor says that he will deign to stay at Arsenal if the Gunners offer him £100,000-a-week.

F*ck off Ade - no-one is interested in your delusions.

Stumble It!

Arshavin suddenly fancies Arsenal

Andrei Arshavin's agent has hinted his client would choose Arsenal over other interested parties due to manager Arsene Wenger's influence and the team's attacking football.

Zenit St Petersburg's Russia international is suddenly one of this summer's hottest properties after helping his side claim last season's Uefa Cup and impressing with couple of good performances at Euro 2008.

However, Arshavin believed his own agents publicity too early and after shooting his mouth off that he "only wanted to play in Spain", and now the Russian midfielder has had to come to terms with the fact that Spanish clubs were more impressed with their own national teams efforts than his displays.

The 27-year-old playmaker has little chance of engineering a move to Spain and now it appears as though Arsenal could be in pole position for his services - err - if they plan on making a bid.

Arshavin's agent Dennis Lachter has told Sky Sports News his client is a great admirer of French tactician Wenger and the team's exciting attacking football.

"The stable situation in the club and the influence of Arsene Wenger to Arsenal to English football is huge. I think this is an advantage," said Lachter.

---

Honestly?! I feel that this is a load of desperate old bollocks, hyped by an agent and carried by Sky Sports to get a few hits.

Arshavin has excelld in the UEFA Cup, then looked good for two international games before disappearing in the "big match" against Spain.

At 27 he's already running out of time, and if he was to be an Arsenal target then it would be for a damn site less than the £20m quid being bandied about.

Bollocks Rating on this rumour = 9/10 - very unlikely.

Stumble It!

Friday's Transfer Rumours

Even the transfer gossip is coming up a bit short today - although the London papers have plenty of general speculation re-hashed as a new story.

Adebayor going to Milan is being touted as an almost done deal - with AC Milan midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is being used as part of the "bait" to finance the estimated £30m cost of Adebayor.
(Source = Daily Express)

So the Sun reckons that Arsene Wenger wants to sign Ajax and Holland striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar to replace the departing African.
(Source = The Sun)

Down the road a bit ...

Frank Lampard has left Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich stunned by rejecting a £140,000-a-week deal over four years - although that works out as £29.2m in wagers Lampard says it's not enough - he needs 5 years to secure his future.
(Source = Daily Star)

So Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has stirred things up by claiming Lamps is "the best professional" he has worked with as he tries to lure the midfielder to Inter Milan.

The Stamford Bridge club are considering making bids for Real Madrid forward Robinho and Valencia striker David Villa reports "The Independant" - which frankly sound like a rehash of our blog entry yesterday.
(Source = Independent)

Stumble It!

Thursday's Transfer Rumours

It looks like being another month or so until "REAL" football kicks off - so I'm going to continue the football transfers rumours series.

ARSENAL lead off today with a whole lot of talk ..

Arsenal midfielder Alex Hleb has agreed a four-year-deal with Barcelona and is set to sign for £15m - or perhaps €15m. No-one seems quite sure.
(Source = The Sun)

Arsenal are also likely to waive goodbye to Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva to Greek side Panathinaikos.
(Source = Blog Arsenal Analysis - but now picked up by a lot of papers)

On the positive side Arsenal will complete a £11.5m deal for Marseille's Samir Nasri now that the new French tax year has begun.
(Source = The Sun)

Newspapers then start totally making it up when claiming that Arsenal have bid £19m for Andrei Arshavin but his club Zenit St Petersburg want £24m.
(Source = Star)

The Gooners are also rumoured interested in 22-year-old Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, who is rated at £8m by his club River Plate - and this sounds more like Wenger to me.
(Source = The Sun)

Chelsea are also well covered in the rumour market ..

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has personally blocked Inter Milan's attempts to buy midfielder Frank Lampard.
(Source = half a dozen sites)

While on paper says that Lampard has told friends he is determined to leave Chelsea and says it is time for him to go.
(Source = Daily Express)

Didier Drogba still wants to leave Stamford Bridge, even though there hasn't been much interest - with Milan keeping very quiet ...
(Source = Daily Star)

And Chelsea were interested in Brazil forward Robinho but have been told by Real Madrid that it will cost £30m to sign .
(Source = Daily Star)

Liverpool fans are also kept informed - although the news is not so positive ..

Liverpool were interested in signing Valencia's David Villa but have been put off by the massive £32m price tag and instead are looking at Spanish international winger David Silva.
(Source = The Sun)

Benitez's transfer funds are also in doubt after Juventus said that they will not pay £15m for midfielder Xabi Alonso. That could affect Liverpool's chances of raising the cash to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.
(Source = The Sun again)

Finally two snippets from mighty ManYoo ..

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has pontificated again about "player slavery" and said Manchester United they should let winger Cristiano Ronaldo join Real Madrid.
(Source = FIFA website)

Manchester United look to have lost another Portuguese employee in the form of assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, who took over as Portugal manager on Wednesday evening.
(Source = Daily Star)

Stumble It!

Premier League Transfer gossip

Warning most of this is pure bollocks!

As the summer grinds on - and very little major transfer action actually is happening - I thought that I would start a daily thread of the various rumours - with their sources.

The cynical webmasters amongst you might think that i'm just trying to up the hits on this blog ... and you might be right !!
:-)

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has boasted to Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal that Cristiano Ronaldo has already signed for the Spanish club.
(Source = just about every newspaper)

Frank Lampard looks to be on his way out of Chelsea as owner Roman Abramovich has refused to sanction the new five-year deal the midfielder is demanding.
(Source = The Sun)

AC Milan claim Arsenal have written a letter to them offering to sell Emmanuel Adebayor, but don't want to pay the £35m fee that the Gunners want for the striker.
(Source = The Sun again !)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has set Gareth Barry's price at £17m plus defender Steve Finnan. Wow!
(Source = Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is trying to do a cut-price £6m deal for Real Zaragoza's Argentine forward Pablo Aimar.
(Source = Daily Mirror)

Everton are tracking Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito as David Moyes considers potential replacements for unsettled striker Andy Johnson who might move to Wigan. (Source = several)

Stumble It!