Premier League - Transfer Talk: Blue Noses

Eurosport - Mon, 09 Jun 22:52:00 2008

There is a big week in store for two clubs in blue, but which one will come out of negotiations with the biggest smile?

2008 Chelsea Didier Drogba - 0

Let's start with Chelsea. The man who blubbed when Jose Mourinho departed Stamford Bridge could soon be reunited with his old boss in the same city - but playing for the wrong team.

AC Milan are haggling over Didier Drogba but there is a gulf in both clubs' valuation of the Ivory Coast hitman. Chelsea want £30 million but the San Siro outfit have so far tabled just £18m.

And that's not all the two clubs have been negotiating about. Amazingly, Milan have been told that out-of-sorts Andriy Shevchenko is 'untransferrable'.

Meanwhile, there is ongoing speculation that Peter Kenyon has been in Italy's fashion capital attempting to sweet talk Kaka to metropolitan London and also making a last-ditch attempt snare the evasive Carlo Ancelotti. Having been snubbed by every Serie A manager, Publicity Pete mk II may now turn his attention to the dugouts of second-tier outposts such as Grosseto, Piacenza and Frosinone.

Mourinho's Inter re-enter the frenzy as he has targeted Samuel Eto'o. The Barcelona striker is mooted as a replacement for Drogba at Chelsea with a tug-of-war set to unfold for a reported £22m. In more direct business, the man who claims he is no longer 'the Special One' wants to renew his working relationship with Ricardo Carvalho.

Roman Abramovich could be asking his banker to move some gold bars in Bayern Munich's direction for Franck Ribery. With the likes of Florent Malouda and Shaun Wright-Phillips failing to live up to expectations, a club record fee of £31m for the exciting Frenchman could just be the remedy.

The other big blue spendthrifts are more-money-than-sense Manchester City.

Thaksin Shinawatra has made his mind up and intends to make Ronaldinho the most handsomely paid player in the world at a cool £200,000 per week, and presumably hopes to locate his genius, which he left at an exclusive Catalan nightclub in 2005.

Obviously reputation, future gate receipts and merchandise sales are top priority at City rather than the current state and performances of transfer targets. Further proof comes in the form of whispering sweet nothings to Hidetoshi Nakata to come out of retirement. The former Asian Footballer of the Year last kicked a ball in 2006.

Progress is being made though with light at the end of the tunnel for CSKA Moscow forward Jo to link up with Mark Hughes by the end of the week in another wallet-busting deal worth £20m. However, with only one full international cap to date, expect some jobsworth pencil-pusher from the Home Office to be less-than-forthcoming with a work permit.

In other news, from Brazilians to Samba... Christopher. The Blackburn centre-half is weighing up his options due to the uncertainty created at Ewood Park after Mark Hughes's departure. Despite signing a five-year contract last Autumn, the Congo international may use this window of opportunity to leave for Sevilla.

Not even the fact that Alexander Hleb is clearly better off on a five-a-side pitch can deter suitors from the Minsk Maradona. Fresh stories in the German media point to double winners Bayern Munich as the midfielder's next port of call.

Wheeler and dealer Harry Redknapp has drawn a line under Wayne Bridge, the recent recipient of a four-year renewal at Chelsea, and has now cast an eye on Nicky Shorey in his search for a new Portsmouth left-back.

For a more fairytale signing (if your idea of a fairytale is a £5m house in Sandbanks), it is understood Redknapp will launch a £4m bid for France captain Patrick Vieira - apparently out of favour at Inter. To balance the books, Sean Davis will be exiled to Middlesbrough for £1.5m.

Bolton Wanderers have cause to celebrate with the likely re-signing of their long-time goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen for three years. In doing so, the Finn resisted the overtures of Aston Villa. Another veteran at the club, Ricardo Gardner (signed in 1998) is on Steve Bruce's wanted list at Wigan.

Freddie Ljungberg has not yet seen in a year at Upton Park, but the West Ham captain is being linked with Roma. The Serie A side need to deposit close to £3m in order to make this transfer a reality.

Newcastle await a decision from Galatasaray over their £7m move for Arda Turan. The 21-year-old Turkey star would inject new life on the wings at St James Park, where Damien Duff remains a continuous injury concern and the future of James Milner in black and white is, well, less than black and white.

Meanwhile, the obscure Peruvian midfielder Juan Carlos Marion of Spanish Second Division minnows Hercules has been approached by the Magpies, or so says the player's agent. A deal worth £2.5m is in the pipeline, but if he turns out to be half as good as compatriot Nolberto Solano, there will be no complaints on Tyneside.

More exciting news on Wearside where Sunderland boss Roy Keane is using his Irish-only contacts book to lure Irish winger Aiden McGeady. He should be aware that any movement is likely to spark rival interest, none more so close to home than Kevin Keegan's Newcastle.

On Merseyside, the blue half will rejoice at the end of a mutual nightmare shared between Everton and Andy van der Meyde. The troubled Dutchman will leave through the back door to the ridiculously named Red Bull Salzburg.

Liverpool can groan at more speculation to run-of-the-mill wingers frustrating the Anfield crowd next season. Last week it was James Milner and Albert Riera, today stand up Stewart Downing.

Ronaldo section

If Alex Ferguson was fuming about perceived interference from Real Madrid before, he had better bring that hairdryer out of retirement.

Real President Ramon Calderon is believed to have instructed Ronaldo to put in a transfer request and then conveniently scarper away on holiday as soon as his participation in Euro 2008 comes to an end.

Amardeep Claire / Eurosport

Comment 23 - 42 of 42

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  1. here i will like to critisize both manU and cristiano
    manU because there is a strong feeling into their mind that they can't do it without cristiano and that is true cowardness . they'll have to believe on there good squad.
    and one should be loyal with his old club. i was extremely disgusted at henry's departure from emirates. it was frustrating. if drogba leaves chelsea it will be heartbreaking for a die heart fan of chelsea like me

    From amanthegame007, on Mon 14 Jul 2:33PM

  2. i can see that some peolpe are so stupid that they can control there self,you fool who told you that africa is suffering, or in poverty, i guest it is your family that is in poverty.this should be the very last time you say this on net.no wonder, your called KALANGEADAM. YOU NO WHAT THAT IS A good name for an animal.and as well as my late DOG NAME. dem you @#$%.

    From esuescolp4real, on Tue 10 Jun 12:32AM

  3. how on earht could somebody be selling her body on the net .has she gon crazy or something, anyway i think she is looking for somebody to distroy, but let me assure her that, no man will be a victim.@#$% your black assssssss go to hell linder . i really need to see those your so call picture's in my mail box. (esuenize4real@gmail.com) may be ............

    From esuescolp4real, on Tue 10 Jun 12:21AM

  4. I am ugly and poor from Birmingham England! e mail me with offers of marriage at nhuggy2@btinternet.com

    From nhuggy2, on Mon 9 Jun 11:52PM

  5. you forgot about jaap stam who also///Chat with me and with real cute girls at " B L A C K W H I T E K I S S .C O M " -- for men to find real beauties, both black and white, all of them love sports...

    From wpvfe, on Mon 9 Jun 9:29PM

  6. Trying to say the sports fans site " B L A C K W H I T E K I S S .C O M ". yes, it is great. Girls there are hot and they enjoy ta lk ing sports and starts with you. Cool.

    From hzhberg, on Mon 9 Jun 9:22PM

  7. I dont understand the so much noise about C.Ronaldo transfer saga, the Man U player is getting more arrogant by the day and feel on top of the world.Its not a curse he will not score 20 goals in all competitions next season. And I feel his pride is caused by the english press "hyping" I think David Villa,Ruud are better players. All eyes will be on him and he will fall like a pack of cards next season under pressure to suceed and he would miss the best oppoturnity in his life pf playing for Madrid, though Im a gunner,eventually he will be kicked out by the Fergie. He should ask Beck,heinze,forlan and ruud. Fabulous kid from nigeria. Contact me for love if you want ladies(fabulouskid77) YIM

    From fabulouskid77, on Mon 9 Jun 7:32PM

  8. To the messages from peter T the bitter scouse t--t! Ur living in the past mate 1 more league and weve caught you and as for europe, yes you were the best nearl 20 years ago but you'll never see the premiership trophy!!!!! If it wasnt for u lot anyway more british teams might of had a chance in europe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MUFC 1st, kids second & missus third

    From peacock8417, on Mon 9 Jun 7:07PM

  9. Ruud,Heinze And Beckham Left Because They Wanted To,Fergie Even Admitted Letting Japp Stam Go Was One Of His Biggest Regrets.

    Ronaldo Says He Wants To Play For Madrid However...He Never Said When And Also,He Never Said He Doesn't Want To Play For Us(I'm A United Fan =p) Again Yes?

    How Did A Debate On Transfers End Up Into A Champions League Debate Over Who Has Won The Most Cups?
    Maybe Madrid And Liverpool Have Won More Than Us However,We Have Practically Ruled Europe Over The Last Two Years(Last Years Second Leg Semi Final Was Won Over Fatigue Not Over Class,Milan Rested Their First Team For Their Weekend Game!)
    Man Utd Are The Best Team Out Of The Three At This Moment In Time,Real Madrid Concentrate On Buying Other Teams Players Instead Of Focusing Partly On Upcoming Players Through The Ranks(Like A Spanish Chelsea ;p)
    Liverpool Lack Squad Quality Through Out However Their Midfield Is Class,Their Strikers Play Swip-Swap Throughout The Season(:

    Ronaldo Has A Decision To Make,He Made The Situation Worse Himself By Declaring He Wants To Play In Spain However The Tempo Slows Down In Spain And The La Liga Will Make Him Look Ordinary To Be Quite Honest,He Should Wait Till SAF Retires Until He Leaves For Madrid.

    Real Madrid Are Not Consistent Throughout Their Management Which Has Been Mentioned Before However Manchester Uniteds Has Been Together For At Least 10 Years(Few Have Left,Retired Etc.)

    Man Utd Should Buy Veloso,Benzema/Huntelaar.
    We Have Frazier Cambell,Manucho And Saha Yet;The First Two We Actually Havent Seen Play In The English League!

    From taylor.lewis86, on Mon 9 Jun 6:57PM

  10. itss simple... if ronaldo want to leave,jz leave.. we'll see.. y? bcoz wuts will u all think if his body in man utd and his mind in real?? of coz the ability not all going out.. yes,hes the best right now but with alex mind,without ronaldo,man utd still can be a strongest and still winning all the silverware available.. with man utd teamwork style,they r far too good than real.. if u compare real n man utd,the style of man utd produce r more enjoying than real but whos care.. i thing b4 u want to leave ronaldo,leave after sir alex retire becoz he made u a star not roman calderon or the club who never consisten in management!!

    From franz_desk, on Mon 9 Jun 6:13PM

  11. Wow, must of hit a nerve with the small penis thing...keep boasting about the premier league being the best, because satisfying your women is obviously not. Ladies when the season starts back up Madrid is only a short "Ryan Air" flight away.

    Back to futbol. Real Madrid can boast 9 true spaniards on the team, to man u 5 brits. if blatter gets his way the premier league is about to get a swift kick in the nuts.

    Have fun in the UEFA cup losers

    From estrada.paul44, on Mon 9 Jun 5:55PM

  12. why does every real madrid fan forget that they won 5 in a row from 1955 - 1960 round about the time that Man Utd lost the bulk of their team in the Munich disaster of 1958. Need i remind madrid fans that we were destined for glory then?? The next one you won was in 1965. Needless to say, that was the OLD European Cup. The UEFA Champions League began in 1992, where not just champions played but league runners up as well (which means that its a lot harder to win it now than ever before because they are more teams to beat AND because champions of one season are not necessarily the best teams the next season). AND this where the truth sets us all free. Since the champions league began, Real madrid have won it 3 times, Man Utd 2, Liverpool 1 (sorry u dumb reds!!). Madrid realise that their European Record (especially over the last 16 yrs) is being threatened which is why they want to destroy every team that challenges theat European record (coz they dont have the best record in the champions league, do they now??)..

    From neado007, on Mon 9 Jun 5:53PM

  13. All those Real Madrid fans who so tirelessly repeat "we won the European Cup 9 times so everyone else is nothing" should stop basking in the glimmers of their glorious past for a moment and take a look at the not-so-glorious present. Yes you managed to win the Spanish league, but only because everyone else was even more awful and inconsistent than you were. In the European Cup you are quite clearly second-raters and you never had a realistic chance of winning it for at least 5 years. Maybe if you focused on developing the team you have and building some sense of continuity instead of pursuing ridiculously expensive transfers for players you don't need and sacking successful managers you would be better off.

    From astfgl, on Mon 9 Jun 5:03PM

  14. what article?,u think everyone cares only about one thing"football",how about Burma earthquake in China, poverty in Africa, sufferings in Iraq and Afghanistan?

    From kalangeadam, on Mon 9 Jun 4:59PM

  15. estrada.paul44, you are aware manutd have the most english players in a champions league team dont you?

    From daniel c, on Mon 9 Jun 4:56PM

  16. roy keane was kicked out too. forgot about that one. sad, one of your best servants threw out the back door too cos he fell out with "fight me fergie"

    From peter t, on Mon 9 Jun 4:50PM

  17. you forgot about jaap stam who also was kicked out of man utd the same as the rest of them. your boss cant handle not being the one in the spotlight so he just gets rid of all these good players? weird?

    From peter t, on Mon 9 Jun 4:47PM

  18. EUROPEAN ORDER OF MERIT goes like this:- MADRID 9, MILAN 7, LIVERPOOL 5. Whenever man utd beat this give me a call+then we'll talk. its only on loan, ours is for keeps in our trophy room4ever. you'll never walk alone.

    From peter t, on Mon 9 Jun 4:44PM

  19. Message for Estrada,regarding real madrid.Listen n-- head,What about your real team.Corret me if i am wrong does that not include two ex United players,that incidently come from Holland & Argentina.Plus the further insurge of foreigners not Spanishthat presently play for real madrid.Dream on Diego boy.get your facts right you D---

    From harkinsinturkey, on Mon 9 Jun 4:41PM

  20. Becks, Ruud, Heinze Now Ron!!?? WE CAN LET DIS HAPPEN

    From bilalsanimohammed, on Mon 9 Jun 4:37PM
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