latest transfer news

Real Madrid have made another approach for Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira while fellow Gunner Robert Pires is linked with Inter Milan. (News of the World)

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon wants Jose Mourinho to manage the club for the next decade (Various) while Sporting Lisbon accuse the Blues of making illegal approaches for three of their young players. (News of the World)

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness will be handed a £25m summer war chest as he bids to sign six new players. (Mirror, Independent)

Souness also says Magpies skipper Alan Shearer "was right" to reject a move to United nine years ago. (The People)

And former Toon hero Malcolm MacDonald has branded Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt "a disgrace" following a disappointing first season on Tyneside for the former Manchester United player. (The People)

Butt says he wants to quit St James' Park. (Star)

Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has agreed a new £110,000-a-week deal (News of the World) but the player is pushing to become the game's highest-paid star on £150,000-a-week. (The People)

The England international may also have pain-killing injections on a hamstring injury to help him get through Sunday's FA Cup semi-final clash with Newcastle. (The People)

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson has assured off-target striker Ruud van Nistelrooy that he has a future at United (The People) and says the club's fans have a right to criticise his team's performance. (Express)

Ferguson also defends skipper Roy Keane and his match tactics. (Mail on Sunday)

The United board are expected to snub Malcolm Glazer's latest takeover bid (The Independent) while Glazer pledges he would never sell-off Old Trafford. (Express)

Liverpool want to sign Bolton's Kevin Nolan in exchange for striker El-Hadji Diouf, who is currently on loan at the Reebok. (The People)

Anfield's Sami Hyypia is set for a £3m summer switch to Roma. (News of the World)

England and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves hints he would be keen on a summer move to Chelsea. (Various)

Aston Villa have snapped up Portsmouth's Patrick Berger on a free as a replacement for the departing Thomas Hitzlsperger. (Various)

Everton are planning a £4m summer move for Inter Milan star Emre Belozoglu. (Mirror)

Arsenal's Sol Campbell says he is determined to bounce back after his recent injury problems. (The Times)

Middlesbrough are closing in on Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah (The People) and have made a new inquiry about Appiah's team-mate defender Igor Tudor. (Star)

Bolton fine Ivan Campo £30,000 after the Spaniard landed a red card and a three-game ban while playing for the reserves. (Various)

Middlesbrough's Bolo Zenden has quashed talk of a move to PSV Eindhoven and says he wants to remain at the Riverside. (The People)

Boro are leading the race to sign Graz AK midfielder Rene Aufhauser. (Mirror)

Portsmouth want Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell to replace Boro-bound Yakubu (The People) and the Finn is close to signing a season-long loan deal with the south coast club. (Mirror)

Tottenham want Newcastle's James Milner included in any deal which sees Robbie Keane leave White Hart Lane for Tyneside (The People, Star) and lead the charge to sign Sporting Lisbon starlet Joao Moutinho. (Mirror)

Birmingham want Spurs' Michael Brown as a replacement for Robbie Savage. (The People)

Paulo Wanchope is linked with a return to the Premiership with Manchester City (Various) while Ben Thatcher insists he will see out the rest of his two-year contract with City despite recently being lined up for a move to Fulham. (Mirror)

Liverpool's Djimi Traore insists he will not quit Anfield in the summer (The Mirror) while Reds' team-mate Jamie Carragher says he would love to see Michael Owen return to Merseyside but does not believe that will happen next season. (Various)

Jonathan Greening has pledged his future to West Brom - whatever the outcome of the relegation scrap. (Star)

LOL@rio ferdinand - he should get his sums right if he wants to be highest paid - ronnyd gets £153,000 a week basic salary son!

wow does ronnyd get that much are you sure! I reckon rio deserves £80,000 max

nufc - he gets that as basic salary plus like the elite players at barca him,etoo, puyol he gets £2m just for being at barca - referred to as the BARCA BONUS - then u add all the other bonuses

Benitez confident of attracting big names to Liverpool


Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says their Champions League run this season will help them attract bigger names.
He said: "With the foreign players now, they see Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final and think 'It's a good team, a good club'.

"We have got a better chance of signing better quality players now. We have always been a big club, but for them Liverpool is attractive again."

Vassell would love Chelsea's Parker at Villa


Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell admits he'd love to see Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker with the club next season.
"I know what a great player he is," Vassell told Sky Sports News. "And I think he's coming back to fitness, the same way as I have, and I'm looking to prove myself.

"If we can get him at this stage, with him looking to prove himself, I think he could be a great addition to the squad."

Newcastle boss Souness: I'd like six new signings

Newcastle United boss Graeme Souness fancies making six signings during the summer market.

"I hope we can strengthen big time," he said yesterday. "I'd like to get four or five players - six even - who can play at this level and get results at this level.

"I have not been told a certain amount that I have to spend, but we will be looking to freshen things up and bring in more quality players - finished articles. We made three signings in the winter window who have improved us [Babayaro, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Amdy Faye] and I hope to make another four, five, six, in the summer.

"That's my message to everyone, our supporters included. We have some promising young players in Steven Taylor, Charles N'Zogbia, James Milner, but Thursday night bore out what we have known from day one. We don't have enough strength in depth."

Man Utd boss Ferguson admits Van Nistelrooy down on confidence


Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is down on confidence after his scoring drought.

The Dutchman has been linked with a move to Spain and either Real Madrid or Barcelona amid reports that he is becoming isolated from teammates and coaching staff.

Ferguson told the Independent: "I don't understand it.

"Every striker I've had, when they're scoring, they're fantastic; when they're not scoring they feel they're not contributing at all. He's exactly the same as all the other strikers there's ever been. We've just got to weather the situation until he hits that bloody net. And we hope it's Sunday."

Ferguson, a former Rangers striker, adds: "I remember I went 17 games without scoring myself once. My dad used to say to me, 'You've got to hit the target. Just make sure you blast it. If the goalkeeper's got to save it, what the crowd will be saying is, "What a great save that was".'

"That's why I say to all strikers, 'Make sure you blast 'em'. I've said that to Ruud. 'Blast it. Don't mess about. Just hit them'. If it hits the goalkeeper's kneecap, or head, it doesn't matter. If you try and slip it past the goalkeeper, and it doesn't quite get there, they'll be saying, 'For Christ's sake, he's got no strength, no belief'."

Chelsea set for victory in case against Juventus striker Mutu


Chelsea are set to win round one of their compensation case against Juventus striker Adrian Mutu.
The Blues are suing Mutu for millions of pounds in damages after he tested positive for cocaine.

The Premier League Appeals Committee will rule this week whether Mutu broke FIFA regulations by being in "unilateral breach of his contract without just cause".

A source close to the case has told The Sunday Telegraph that it is "favourable to Chelsea".

If they win the case, Chelsea are likely to ask FIFA for about £8 million in compensation, the amount he may have been worth on the transfer market. FIFA could decide that Juventus, Mutu's new club, are liable for compensation.

Boateng suspends Middlesbrough contract talks

Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng has put off new contract talks.
Boateng said: "It's flattering to know that the club want to keep me here, but I have not even thought about it.

"When I was injured I was a patient for doctors, for hospitals and for chiropractors and so the only thing on my mind was to get fit and get back in the team.

"Now all I am thinking about is helping the team to finish he season strongly and then go on holiday. After that we will see."

Inter Milan consider move for Arsenal's Pires

Inter Milan are being linked with Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires.

The News of the World says Inter chiefs are aware that talks over a new contract have failed to meet Pires' expectations.

Pires won't be offered new terms until 2006, while he is demanding a longer term deal now.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini is desperate find a quality attacking midfielder who can play on the left and along with Pires, is also considering Real Madrid ace Luis Figo.

Chelsea tickets going for £1,000 a pop

Chelsea home tickets for their Champions League semi against Liverpool could go for as much as £2,000 a pair.

For fans, the match is looming as the most expensive in history with touts already demanding £1,300 for two seats at Stamford Bridge for the match on Wednesday week.

Jez Walters, a spokesman for the CFCnet fans' website, told the Evening Standard: "It is the really loyal supporters who were there during the bad times when we were being relegated who deserve to be at these big games. But now they can't get tickets."

He said there was a well organised network of touts at Chelsea that had been successful in obtaining thousands of tickets for every match.

A spokesman for Chelsea said it had put in place a range of measures to find out who was supplying the tickets to the touts.

The club employs a "tout detective" to buy tickets from agencies and trace the Chelsea members and season ticket holders who supplied them.

Prices will rise as kick-off gets closer, with top City firms regarding the London match of the two-leg tie as an "unmissable" event for corporate hospitality.

Benitez hints at unlikely Liverpool return for Diouf


Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hinted he doesn't see a way back for on-loan Bolton Wanderers striker El Hadji Diouf.

He said: "Diouf has played well at Bolton but, like the other players out on loan, maybe he's not good enough for us in the future, or at least he might only be good enough for us to offer him a place on the bench.

"People at Bolton think there's no other interest in him, but we have had two or three teams express an interest in Diouf.

"We will see what happens in the summer."

Man Utd boss Ferguson makes personal check on Lyon pair


Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a personal check on £15 million Lyon pair Mickael Essien and Florent Malouda.
Ferguson was in Holland during the week to see the duo in action against PSV Eindhoven as he prepares a summer bid for the exciting pair.

Winger Malouda is rated at £5 million, while Lyon want £10 million for central midfielder Essien.

Birmingham to wrap up deal for Arsenal's Pennant in days


Birmingham City are expected to confirm the signing of Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant early this week.

A deal has been provisionally agreed for an initial £600,000 to be paid to the Gunners up front, with the fee rising to £3 million based on appearances and success.

Pennant confirmed on Friday that the transfer was virtually completed.

"We've tried our utmost to make the deal possible but now that part has been done," Birmingham manager Steve Bruce told Sky Sports News on Friday.

"The next part is talks with his representatives next week and we hope we can conclude something very, very quickly."

Van Nistelrooy considering Man Utd future


Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is considering his future at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has had a frustrating injury-plagued season this campaign and has been criticised by many ex-United stars for his poor goal output.

The Sun says Van Nistelrooy is ready to quit the club at the end of the season.

Van Nistelrooy has grown distant from his team-mates and boss Sir Alex Ferguson off the pitch and his form has gone on it.

Lauren urges Reyes to stick with Arsenal


Arsenal fullback Lauren is urging teammate Jose Reyes to forget about a return to Spain in the summer.

Lauren said: "He's a man now. It's difficult because he comes from a place which is completely different to England. He will mature.

"I want him to stay. I know he's a talented player and can make a difference. We've seen that already this season but he had a bad time over the winter.

"He knows it's not easy when you come from abroad. It's a different type of game, style and culture. It's been a difficult season for him and I try to help him. We've all been in the same situation and learned how to cope with it.

"Everybody, when they change from one country to another and one league to another, finds the first six months difficult.

"Once you know the language and the people around you, it's not a problem.

"It's normal that he's had to get used to the physical game here. You have to come to terms with it.

"Jose is young and a fantastic player but he still has a few things to improve."

Birmingham prepare offer for Man Utd ace Giggs


Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is preparing a move for Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs.

The Welsh wizard is still to commit a new contract at Old Trafford and Bruce is convinced he can take advantage of the deadlock and lure his former teammate to St Andrews next season.

The Sun says Giggs, 31, has been holding out for a new two-year extension but United have offered only 12 months extra.

The Wales skipper was on the brink of putting pen to paper earlier this week. But talks have hit yet another hitch, which has fuelled hope in the Midlands that Giggs could be available at a cut-price £3million.

Sporting Lisbon whiz Moutinho tops Liverpool shopping list


Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is chasing Sporting Lisbon's teenage midfielder Jose Moutinho.

The 18 year-old tops an exciting list of summer transfer targets drawn up by Benitez, who said: "After the Juventus games, people can see that we are progressing - even with all the problems we have had this year.

"As a manager I am happy with the season but think we can do a lot better next year.

"With the foreign players now, they see Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final and think 'It's a good team, a good club' and that makes it easier for me."

Seville ready to sell Ramos to Man Utd - for £18M!

Seville have told Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson he can sign teenage fullback Sergio Ramos - for £18 million.

Seville president Jose Maria Del Nido told Sky Sports: "If they pay the clause there will be no problems over negotiations."

Ramos said: "I know the news from the papers, but little more than that.

"I am happy with my work this season and things are sensational for me because this demonstrates that my play is good.

"If they are interested for me the solution is easy. It all depends on Sevilla, and after that they must speak with my father and brother [who are his agents]."

Norwich's Ashton: I almost joined Arsenal


Norwich City striker Dean Ashton has confirmed he came close to joining Arsenal earlier in his career.
Only two weeks ago, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he once failed in a bid to lure Ashton to Highbury.

The striker revealed: "I was 17 and was on a really good run. Arsenal made a bid but Crewe turned it down. I was not told at the time and only found out six months later.

"But I am certainly happy with the way things turned out. Who knows, I may have gone to Arsenal and spent all my time in the reserves."

WOW!

i know