Football Rumours

Football Rumours: Aston Villa after Arsenal's Hoyte & Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira

Football rumours continue to abound in the transfer window silly season. Latest ones are that Villa boss Martin O'Neill is reported to be after Justin Hoyte & Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira. Given that Ferreira cost Chelsea 17.5m and he has just signed a new five year deal the report he is wanted as back-up can be taken with a very large pinch of salt.

Gunners star Justin Hoyte has been the subject of football rumours in the past linking him to Villa but has been quoted as saying that he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium and fight for his first-team place.

Seems to us that these football rumours are exactly that, with Martin O'Neill about to be the subject of a lot of rumour and transfer speculation as he tries desperately to reinforce his small squad, which is about to get a bit smaller still. The longest and most boring football rumour of the season appears to be ending, with Gareth Barry moving to Liverpool at long last.

Football Transfers Latest News

Football Transfers: The Toffee's sticky time in the transfer market continues

Football Transfers are becoming ten a penny as the transfer window closure starts to rush towards us. It's the 4th of August tomorrow and the 31st will be upon us before we know it and all football transfers have to be done by then, or be consigned to the chip wrapper.

Latest one to catch the eye is Everton's cashing in on Andy Johnson. Fulham have agreed a fee with Everton for Johnson, although they are renegotiating the terms of payment due to an old knee injury.

Fulham Manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed talks remain ongoing, but he has not spoken with Fulham officials to ascertain the latest situation.

"I think the situation is still ongoing. The transfer negotiations are still going on as far as I know," Hodgson told Sky Sports News. I haven't spoken to the chief executive today (Saturday) so I can't tell you more than that. He's the one negotiating with Everton."

Johnson has won eight caps for England and Hodgson believes the striker will bring undoubted quality to Craven Cottage. "Andy Johnson is a player with great quality. Wherever he's been he's done very, very well," Hodgson added.

Well at least some Football transfers are coming to fruition. Andy Johnson is a good player, and we are slightly surprised Everton are cashing in on him now. Everton have been totally inactive in the transfer market to date, and two weeks out their small squad is about to get smaller still. Seems they have cash to spend but can't attract the players they want. Could be all the rumours of Moutino becoming one of their biggest football transfers turn to dust!

Gareth Barry to Liverpool

Reports coming in of a deal done for Gareth Barry to move to Liverpool

At long, long, last it appears the Gareth Barry move to Liverpool has happened. Reports are surfacing of Villa recieving 17.5 million plus Steve Finnan for Barry.

Rafael Benitez and all Liverpool fans will be pleased the longest running transfer saga of the summer will now be over. It certainly looks like a combination of Alonso, Pennant, and Voronin have played their last game in the red shirt of Liverpool. Personally I am disappointed in Pennant and that he must go. The guy has simply never fulfilled his promise, though he is still only 24.

Benitez I think is looking at Barry for his versatility and intelligence, plus he is better as a holding midfielder than Alonso, given the absence of Mascherano for a month. Given the price of Barry, Keane and Doessena, Liverpool's indispensables each week are starting to look like: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Doessena, Barry, Mascherano, Gerrard, Keane, and Torres. That leaves the likes of Skrtel, Babel, Benayoun, and Kuyt all fighting over one spot. Liverpool are certainly going to be very strong this year, but maybe just not quite!

Gareth Barry to Liverpool has proved to be the long yawn of the summer, and it's instructive how Liverpool have struggled to raise the fee. A sign of the credit crunch and Liverpool's parlous finances perhaps? Martin O'Neill will be glad Barry has finally moved to Liverpool, and he can get on with Villa's season!

Pennant to Blackburn

Jermaine Pennant is wanted by Blackburn & Paul Ince

Paul Ince is set to target the Anfield winger Jermaine Pennant as a replacement for the about to depart David Bentley, who is on the verge of joining Tottenham.

Blackburn officials have sounded out their Premier League rivals with a view to making a £6million offer for Pennant, although reports are saying Liverpool want a similar fee to the £6.7million they paid Birmingham for Pennant two years ago.

Pennant has struggled for first-team football on Merseyside, so may find the prospect of regular action at Ewood more appealing and his sale would free up more cash for Rafa Benitez to spend on his own targets.

Paul Ince will fancy his chances of getting the best out of Pennant at Blackburn and who can blame him. Pennant is reaching the age where it's make or break, as at 24 he has to start delivering on his potential.

Pennant to Blackburn would be a good move for the player given his lack of action at Anfield, though personally I think he's an excellent player who could thrive given one more chance by Liverpool. Also the present Liverpool system suits him down to the ground, as he's a lot more than just an out and out winger.

Football News: Robbie Keane to Liverpool the Priority

Football News: Benitez now making Robbie Keane to Liverpool his main game

Rafa Benitez is, almost unbelievably, after the yet to be resolved Gareth Barry saga, making Robbie Keane's move to Liverpool his top transfer priority.

Given Liverpool's limited funds, the wealth of midfield options he has, he is now concentrating on bringing Irish striker Keane to Liverpool. All this begs the question on the Barry saga, what was all that about? If Keane has always been the priority, why wait until now to make him as such. Poor old Gareth Barry must be getting a bit worried if he will be playing any football this season, or will he be left to rot in the stands by Aston Villa, with Liverpool unwilling to meet the asking price.

We reckon Robbie Keane to Liverpool is a done deal and we can see why. Keane just behind Torres is a quality partnership, and a great improvement on Crouch, Kuyt and Voronin et al. Liverpool will look a whole lot better if Keane does move from Tottenham. As for the Barry to Liverpool saga - well we reckon Rafa Benitez is playing a game of brinkmanship, and trying to slowly, slowly grind Aston Villa down to a price he can afford to pay. The brinkmanship is if Barry gets nervous, and tells his agent he would go to Highbury as well as Anfield. Villa know the longer it goes on, the lower his value becomes as he has clearly played his last game for the club.

Overall we reckon they are two done deals, eventually! A suitor for Alonso will emerge from Spain, Villa will cave in, and Robbie Keane will be hightailing it north in a move to Liverpool. Boy do these transfers drag on!!

Football News: Keane to Liverpool delay

Football News: Robbie Keane's move to Liverpool maybe delayed as Levy postures

Latest football news has it that Robbie Keanes move to Liverpool maybe delayed as an 'outraged' Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, has complained to the FA about Liverpool and Manchester United's conduct in their pursuit of Robbie Keane and Berbatov.

Liverpool suspect Robbie Keanes club are trying to soften up Spurs fans to the impending departure of both players. Also they further suspect Levy is more angry with Sir Alex Ferguson for his public comment that 'its only a matter of time' before Berbatov moves.

As for Liverpool tapping up Keane - well Mr Levy thats part and parcel of football I'm afraid. It's why Owen and McManaman left Liverpool and why Ronaldo is on his way too. Also Mr Levy seems to have forgotten his part in the tapping up of their present coach Ramos, while Martin Jol was still the manager!

Its well known Robbie Keane is a boyhood Liverpool fan - one of the few who can genuinely say it, even as Jamie Carragher famously said 'they all say that don't they'! Football Focus thinks there was zero tapping up required for Robbie Keane to want to move to Liverpool, and they wouldn't have needed to make the interest known via the media. It's not like they couldn't let him know via a discreet third party is it? Football Focus thinks Levy's words over Keanes move to Liverpool is pure posturing.

Robbie Keane to Liverpool should be a great move for all parties. Spurs get a fat amount of cash to balance the books, Liverpool get a great partner for Torres and Keane gets that move to Livepool he never thought was coming!

UEFA 2008: Torres and Spain sink Germany

Fernando Torres sinks Germany as Spain take UEFA 2008

Fernando Torres struck his second goal of the tournament to down Germany and take Spain to the 2008 UEFA Championship.

Spain have at last fulfilled their potential at a major tournament, and with the squad they have at present, it's about time too! With players like Alonso, Reina and Fabgregas in reserve, and Silva, Torres, Xavi, and Villa as first choice they simply proved too much for their rivals.

There's times when countries come of age in a footballing sense, and you can see it's Spain's time now. They really have some of the worlds best players throughout their squad. From Villa, Torres, Inesta, Xavi, Castillas, and Fabgregas etc they possess players of superb ability. And we must be thankful that a team that plays such fluid, nimble football, and is not packed with brawn won the trophy. Spain have one of the smallest midfields in the tournament, but brain won out over brawn!

Torres and Spain came to the fore this tournament, with superb displays of passing, fluid, and great to watch football. Germany and the others never had a chance!

Football News: Ronaldo to Real Madrid

Ronaldo to Real Madrid: Unstoppable momentum grows

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid is gathering inevitable momentum with increasing reports in the media fuelling the circus around his move.

Latest reports have Scolari and Calderon urging him to 'be strong' and that Manchester United 'can't hurt him'! All silly season stuff really, and what's all been seen before as countless others have done what Ronaldo is now doing ie dig his heels in and force Manchester United to sell him to Real Madrid.

It's the sad but inevitable route many transfers take in modern football, and the Ronaldo to Real Madrid saga is no different. Just the money involved is bigger than ever before! Eighty million really is nuts!

Bernd Schuster has come out and said Real Madrid will do 'whatever it takes' to get Ronaldo from United. That appears to be an eight million transfer fee, and 182 grand a week! The interesting part will be if the Glasers become as relentless as Real Madrid and leave him in the stands. There was an interesting article in the Times the other day, where an employment lawyer basically said that a deal will get done as Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Manchester United will all realise that lawyers will be the only winners if it goes to court.

We at Footy Focus reckon it's a done deal. Ronaldo will move to Real Madrid, and Manchester United will get a stash of cash to replace the forty goals a season! It's a well worn path and Manchester United have time and again been in Real Madrids place. Thats life Fergie!

Football News: Ronaldo to force his way to Madrid?

Ronaldo to do 'all in his power' to move to Madrid

In a depressingly familiar tale of player power, reports are emerging that Cristiano Ronaldo is to do 'all in his power' to get his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

'Sources' also briefed in the media that Ronaldo considers Real Madrid a bigger club than Manchester United, and that he has never been enthused with life in Manchester.

Given Ronaldo signed a new, improved deal a little over 12 months ago, it all has the familiar depressing ring of contracts not being worth a carrot, as player power rules.

Manchester United will be further enraged that FIFA have cleared Real Madrid of any wrongdoing in their conduct and relentless pursuit of Ronaldo.

It seems the saga is beginning to play out to its inevitable end, and that Ronaldo will move to Madrid after the European Championships, much to the dismay of Manchester United and it's supporters. There is a slim chance the Glazers might do what they say, and stop Ronaldo's Madrid move, and let him 'rot in the stands'. Now that would be fascinating to see!!

Football News: Fernando Torres to Chelsea a dream

Fernando Torres to Chelsea officially a dream as he commits to Liverpool

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres moved again to quash any speculation of a move to Chelsea. Speaking after Spain's game against Sweden he said;

“I want to say very clearly that I’m not on the market and that it’s my desire to continue at Liverpool, I’m very happy there and I want to carry on. I came to the club to win trophies. I have many years left on my contract and I expect to win some silverware there. I have gone through things I have never experienced before, like playing in a Champions League semi-final.And now that I have come within touching distance of glory I want it all.”

Well speaking as a Liverpool fan, you really can't get much clearer than that. I get the feeling with Fernando Torres that he is going to be at Liverpool for a while. Call it gut instinct, whatever, but you just can't see Torres moving on. It's destiny!

Speculation had increased after the appointment of Scolari, with fantastic rumours of a 65 million pound double bid for Fernando Torres and David Villa. Such talk has quickly proved to be newspaper drivel, with Torres quickly moving to ridicule the speculation and Villa stating he's rather move anywhere but Chelsea, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid his preferred destinations.

I'm just glad these Fernando Torres to Chelsea rumours are now likely to go away and I can watch Liverpool's dealings to bring players in not out!

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Football News: Real want Ronaldo to strike

End-game becomes a farce as Real Madrid urge Ronaldo to go on strike

The Sun and Tribal Football are reporting that Real Madrid are urging Ronaldo to go on strike, to force Manchester United's hand over Ronaldo's proposed transfer.

Real Madrid president, Calderon is being quoted via second hand 'sources' that they want Ronaldo to go on strike at Manchester United until the transfer window closes on 31st August.

It's all becoming very nasty, sad and disappointing really. A lot is just newspapers filling the column inches, but there can be little doubt Real Madrid have turned Ronaldo's head, and both are now trying to engineer a move.

As we've said before, wouldn't it be great if just for once a club stood up to a player and let him either stick to his contract or as Ferguson put it, 'rot in the stands'. It would be fascinating if the Glazers and Manchester United really did refuse to buckle to Real Madrid and Ronaldo.

Whether Ronaldo moves to Real Madrid or not, its once again showing the money driven, dark side of football. We can only hope Manchester United back up their words with action. More power to their elbow we say!!

Football News: Liverpool turn to Bentley

Liverpool turning to Bentley as Dosenna signs in
Rafa Benitez is reportedly turning to David Bentley as the solution to Liverpool's right wing problems. His chances of securing Bentley have increased due to Mark Hughes leaving, and Blackburns inability to secure European football next season.

Bentley reportedly sees Champions League football or UEFA Cup football at least, as vital to his ambition to cement his place on the right wing for England, as David Beckhams long term replacement.

Liverpool are involved in a major reshuffle, with Riise, Alonso, Kewell, Crouch, Finnan, Pennant, Carson, and Itandje all going or gone. Benitez is reportedly keen to up his quota of English players given the possibility of the 6+5 foreigners rule.

Bentley to Liverpool would be a great signing for Benitez, and give Liverpool some real balance to the side. He'll be expensive but worth it. Kuyt or Bentley on the right - duh!

Ronaldo: Ferguson not welcome here

Ronaldo's position becoming untenable as he tells Ferguson to stay away

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid seemingly took a step closer yesterday, as he made it known he did not wish to see Alex Ferguson at the Portuguese training camp, to discuss the matter.

Given Ronaldo has now also come out and said he would like to move to Madrid, via a Brazilian website, it all stacks up to the player slowly building pressure on Manchester United, in a bid to engineer his move.

What would be really interesting is if the Glazers and Manchester United stick to their guns and let Ronaldo 'rot in the stands' as Ferguson said this week. Personally I would be ecstatic if they did. How good would it be if just for once, a player was made to stick to their contract. Given Ronaldo only signed his latest four year deal last year, United have every right to feel aggrieved.

However I think its a bit rich for them to complain about Real Madrids tactics. I suspect Sir Alex Ferguson is a past master at such tactics and has been using them for years, in order to get his transfer targets from other clubs!

Depressingly for Manchester United fans, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to move to Real Madrid, and it is now turning into the story of the summer. The really fascinating part will be how far the Glazers and Manchester United are prepared to go in standing up to Real Madrid and the modern player power being displayed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Let battle commence!

Ronaldo to Madrid: Looking a shoe-in

The mother of all moves edging closer as Ronaldo admits to wanting move to Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted yesterday (albeit on a Brazilian website), that he would like to move to Real Madrid. There was no word from Sir Alex Ferguson, though Manchester United's Chief Executive David Gill stated that "Our position on Ronaldo remains as set out last week," referring to Ferguson's insistence that the club would rather let the player rot in the reserves than do business with a club who, in their eyes, have brazenly flouted transfer rules and etiquette.

It all seems like its building up to be the mother of all transfer stoushes, probably ending in the mother of all transfers, with a world record fee of 78 million pounds securing Ronaldo's move to Madrid.

Manchester United and it's supporters will be hugely disappointed with Ronaldo, who it appears is determined to engineer the move to Madrid after only two outstanding seasons. However given his recent comments it can come as no surprise.

Overall the Premier League will be very interesting next season, and potentially there will not be a better time for a club to break into the top three or four. Arsenal have lost Flamini and Hleb, Chelsea look likely to lose Drogba and possibly Lampard, while Manchester United certainly look like losing 40 goals a season in Ronaldo.

Football News: Torres to Chelsea

Torres to Chelsea reports of a 50 million pound bid

Fernando Torres

According to reports Chelsea are set to launch an astonishing 50 million pound bid for Fernando Torres. Torres is allegedly one of the players identified by Avram Grant before his departure, and Chelsea are set to pursue Torres despite being managerless.

Giving it the 'insiders' line, the papers are saying Liverpool may sell to fund the squad rebuilding, and to allow Hicks to take complete control. Safe to say there would be one hell of a public order problem on Merseyside if the club agreed to this. There'd be meeeerrrrddder!

Footy Focus really can't see this as anything other than fantasy. No one in their right mind would sell Fernando Torres to Chelsea. Even Hicks whose financial model depends on success on the pitch, wouldn't countenance such a deal. Would he....?

Fernando Torres to Chelsea, not a chance!

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Football News: Liverpool given Bentley Hope

Bentley to Liverpool hint, transfer may just be on

David Bentley has given his strongest hint yet he may be prepared to leave Blackburn to further his career.

Speaking in the News of the World he stated that while he may have had a good season at Blackburn, he considers himself to have achieved nothing yet. Displaying fierce ambition, he openly stated his desire to replace David Beckham in England's midfield, and to play at the very top in Champions League games.

Given that the Champions League qualifiers are known before the start of each season ie Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea, it all points to one thing. Also given that the club linked most heavily with him is Liverpool, it seems the path towards Anfield has started.

Expect to now see more 'sources' stories linking the player with Anfield. From Blackburns point of view, a wad of cash plus Jermaine Pennant wouldn't be a bad deal at all.

Personally I'd love to see him at Anfield. Pennant has the talent, but not the mental toughness or maybe iron-willed desire to succeed at the top. Bentley to Liverpool would do very nicely!

Football News: Chelsea's Lampard to Inter Milan mystery

Chelsea's Frank Lampard is linked with Inter Milan on Champions League eve
Chelsea's Frank Lampard was at the centre of an astonishing row with Chelsea last night, as Inter Milan claimed they had lined up a transfer for after the UEFA Champions League final. Inter Milan even went to the effort of quoting the contract they have lined up for the Chelsea midfield star.

Reports from Italy now cite Lampard's move from Chelsea to Inter Milan as a 'when' not 'if', and it all adds to the weight of Jose Mourinho being the next Inter Milan manager.

Peter Kenyon was incensed when he heard, and rang Abramovich to ensure no deal had been going ahead without his knowledge.

Seems to Footy focus there is no smoke without fire. Chelsea had better prepare themselves for the inevitable, Lampard is transferring to Inter Milan!

Football News: Liverpool Malouda link

Football News: Liverpool linked with 10 million move for Malouda
Liverpool have today been linked with a 10 million pound move for Chelsea's out of sorts Florent Malouda. Some sites even report that talks have begun with his agent, which seems to be jumping the gun a bit to us.

Interesting this one. Malouda is quality, but clearly struggled in the Premier League.... a bit like Ryan Babel but without the excuse of youth. If it meant Liverpool could play Babel somewhere he looks a bit more comfortable, then great he'd be worth getting, especially if it doesn't get too expensive.

Whether he's the missing link in Liverpool's title bid I don't know, but one things for sure, Malouda surely can only be more creative than what Liverpool have got now. Pennant, Babel and Benayoun are better than before but still collectively not good enough.

Florent Malouda to Liverpool will be big news in football if it comes off and may well turn out to be a really smart move!

Liverpool: Fernando Torres to get better?

Liverpool's Fernando Torres could be even better in his second season

Been a keen watcher of Fernando Torres this season. He is truly the best centre forward Liverpool have had since Ian Rush. As faster as Owen, as good a finisher as Fowler, and as strong as Collymore he's the nearest thing to a complete centre forward Liverpool have had in decades.

Question is though, will Torres be as good next year? Defenders will have worked him out a bit (though you can't work out sheer pace!), teams will plan tactics on stopping him, and he's yet to get a bad injury.

We at Footy Focus think Fernando Torres will be better than ever. He'll have a year under his belt and will feel a lot more settled and confident. He's proved he can handle the physical aspect of the league, and if Rafa gets it right in the transfer market, Torres will be playing in a more balanced team, with one or two better players.

The key for Liverpool is to buy at least one player of the same class as Fernando Torres and Stephen Gerrard, and hope that Ryan Babel comes through after his debut season. Too often Liverpool's attacking threat consisted of Torres and Gerrard only, with poor support from the likes of Babel, Pennant, Kuyt, Voronin and Kewell.

Footy focus is a huge fan of Fernando Torres and can't wait for his second season, but Liverpool oh so desperately need another of his calibre!

Football Transfer Time!: Liverpool News

Football Transfer time as Liverpool aim for early news

Rafael Benitez is aiming to get off to a flyer now its football transfer time. The early movers have long been touted in the papers, but where it really gets interesting is beyond that.

Kewell, Crouch, Riise, Pennant, Alonso and Carson are all gone or very likely to be going. Football's worst kept secret of the much touted transfer to Liverpool of Gareth Barry is likely soon to come to it's inevitable conclusion. The transfer of Swiss right-back Phillip Sendgren is also a done deal.

After that it becomes a bit murky on who Benitez is after. David Bentley seems a certain transfer target, though as he's English he won't come cheap. Another mentioned in dispatches, that won't be the glamour winger the Liverpool fans are seeking, is Wigans Ecuadorian Valencia.

Other football big names for transfer that have been mentioned are Joaquin, from Spain, Daniel Alves (again!), and David Villa. Also now Newcastle's James Milner, and as usual Michael Owen are being mentioned as potention transfer targets.

Seems to us it all depends on how the Board room battle goes. Benitez has obviously been given a big enough kitty to his liking, despite the Board room wars. Also he's got some decent football players to sell, with the above mentioned likely to raise in the region of 35 million plus in transfer fees. That plus a 20 mill kitty gives him a cool 55 million to spend! That should easy get him Barry (10 mill), David Villa (25 mill), and Bentley (15 mill)!

Football transfer time is always an interesting time of year. Lets hope Rafa pulls another Torres out of the hat this year!