United join the race for Toure

Reports in the Spanish press claim that Manchester United are preparing a bid for Barcelona's defensive midfielder Yaya Toure.

The Red Devils are apparently set to offer €21 million to prise Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure away from the Nou Camp.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to be keen to strengthen United's midfield given the constant injuries plaguing Owen Hargreaves and the loss of form from the likes of Michael Carrick and Anderson.

While the United coach has publicly stated that he will only be making one more signing this season, after the club secured the services of Mexican striker Javi Hernandez and Fulham defender Chris Smalling, a report in Spanish publication Sport says that Ferguson has made inquiries about Toure.

While Barca coach Pep Guardiola is said to be keen to retain the services of the 27-year old Ivorian, reports on Wednesday stated that the Catalan outfit would consider releasing the player for a fee of €30-35 million.

Toure is believed to be seeking a move away from the Nou Camp and has been linked with both Chelsea and Arsenal over the past few weeks.

Arsenal tell Barca: Fabregas is not for sale at any price - Exclusive

Barcelona have finally contacted Arsenal about Cesc Fabregas - and were immediately told he is not for sale at any price.
The Spanish giants have still not lodged an official bid for the want-away Gunners captain but have finally made a tentative enquiry.
But Arsenal have told Barcelona that they are wasting their time, that they will not even enter negotiations or discussions of any kind and that Fabregas is going nowhere. They also made it clear not to bother contacting them again.
Arsenal's strong response has dealt a massive blow to their hopes of signing Fabregas, who has five years left on his contract.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Arsenal-tell-Barcelona-that-Cesc-Fabregas-is-not-for-sale-at-any-price-article439617.html

Aqualani to stay at liverpool?

ALBERTO AQUILANI has vowed to stay at Liverpool and repay the club for their faith in him.

The Italian midfielder's first season at Anfield was a disappointment following his £17million move from Roma last summer.

An ankle injury stopped him making his debut until late October and he made just 13 starts all season as Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2003.

His lack of appearances made some believe there was truth in the rumours he would make a swift return to Italy with Juventus.

But Aquilani, 25, vowed he is determined to stay and prove his worth to Reds boss Rafa Benitez.

He said: "I am staying at Liverpool to make up for many things. I have finally recovered from my ankle injury.

"Juve have approached me in the past and now I'm reading of their interest, but I really don't know anything about it."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2990099/Alberto-Aquilani-makes-Kop-pledge-to-Liverpool.html#ixzz0pADXtjRW

United complete Hernandez signing

Manchester United have completed the deal to sign Javier Hernandez after the Mexico striker was granted a work permit.

United last month agreed a fee with Mexican side Guadalajara for the 22-year-old before the player also completed a medical and agreed personal terms.
United had only been awaiting confirmation of his work permit to complete his transfer, which will go through on July 1.

Arsenal poised to make £8m bid for Lorient centre-half Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal are interested in Lorient’s £8m-rated centre back Laurent Koscielny, 24, who is eligible to play for for Poland and France.
The 6ft 1in defender became an integral part of Lorient's defence, as the Ligue 1 outfit finished seventh in the table.
Koscielny, who played 35 times last season, moved from Tours to Lorient last summer for around £1.2m.

Wanted: Arsenal are chasing Koscielny (left)

After bringing Thomas Vermaelen to the Emirates from Ajax for £10m last season, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger needs to strengthen the heart of his defence with uncertainty surrounding the futures of William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1281677/Arsenal-poised-8m-bid-Lorient-centre-half-Laurent-Koscielny.html#ixzz0pA4xXwbp

Arsenal poised to make £8m bid for Lorient centre-half Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal are interested in Lorient’s £8m-rated centre back Laurent Koscielny, 24, who is eligible to play for for Poland and France.
The 6ft 1in defender became an integral part of Lorient's defence, as the Ligue 1 outfit finished seventh in the table.
Koscielny, who played 35 times last season, moved from Tours to Lorient last summer for around £1.2m.

Wanted: Arsenal are chasing Koscielny (left)

After bringing Thomas Vermaelen to the Emirates from Ajax for £10m last season, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger needs to strengthen the heart of his defence with uncertainty surrounding the futures of William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1281677/Arsenal-poised-8m-bid-Lorient-centre-half-Laurent-Koscielny.html#ixzz0pA4xXwbp

Arsenal poised to make £8m bid for Lorient centre-half Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal are interested in Lorient’s £8m-rated centre back Laurent Koscielny, 24, who is eligible to play for for Poland and France.
The 6ft 1in defender became an integral part of Lorient's defence, as the Ligue 1 outfit finished seventh in the table.
Koscielny, who played 35 times last season, moved from Tours to Lorient last summer for around £1.2m.

Wanted: Arsenal are chasing Koscielny (left)

After bringing Thomas Vermaelen to the Emirates from Ajax for £10m last season, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger needs to strengthen the heart of his defence with uncertainty surrounding the futures of William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1281677/Arsenal-poised-8m-bid-Lorient-centre-half-Laurent-Koscielny.html#ixzz0pA4xXwbp

Real Madrid sack Manuel Pellegrini

Real Madrid have parted company with coach Manuel Pellegrini, paving the way for Jose Mourinho to take over.

Pellegrini was midway through a two-year contract with the Spanish giants but pays the penalty for an unsuccessful first season in charge at the Bernabeu.
Madrid, despite spending around 250million euros in bringing in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso last summer, suffered their second successive trophy-less campaign.
More to follow...

Spurs eye Richards bid

MICAH RICHARDS could make a £9million summer switch to Spurs.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been assessing Richards' situation at Manchester City and knows that the defender would be interested in a move.

Richards missed out on Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup 30 after an indifferent couple of seasons but believes he has got his focus properly back now.

At 21, a more mature Richards is determined to push his way into the international fold again next season and build on the 11 caps he won as an exciting teenager.

Although Richards has played both centre-back and right-back, Redknapp sees him first and foremost as an attacking full-back who can take over from Croatia's Vedran Corluka.

But before Tottenham can bid for Richards they have to raise money by making sales.

Scottish international full-back Alan Hutton, who has flopped at White Hart Lane, could be one of the first players to go.

He spent part of last season on loan at Sunderland and the Black Cats are keen to take him on full-time.

Jermaine Jenas and Robbie Keane, who has been on loan at Celtic, could also bring in cash.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2987325/Spurs-line-up-Micah-move.html#ixzz0p3rthk00

Tottenham eye £7m move for Villa flop Davies and seek contract talks with Modric

Tottenham are set to make a £7million move for out-of-favour Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies.
Manager Harry Redknapp has shown an interest in the former England Under 21 centre half as he seeks to add to his defensive options ahead of next season's Champions League campaign.

Out of favour: London-born Davies has dropped down the pecking order at Villa Park

London-born Davies, 25, has dropped down the pecking order at Villa Park and would jump at the chance to play top European football at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham have no shortage of central defenders but there are worries over the fitness of Ledley King's knees while Jonathan Woodgate is battling to overcome a groin problem and former Luton and West Bromwich skipper Davies would provide more than adequate cover.
He was signed by Villa manager Martin O'Neill for £11m two seasons ago but a shoulder injury last year, that eventually required surgery, has seen him drop down the firstteam pecking order behind James Collins, Carlos Cuellar and Richard Dunne.
Davies remains shy of the 60-game mark he needs to trigger a new contract at Villa Park and his representatives were told during a post-season meeting with O'Neill that he could be sacrificed as the Villa boss has priorities in other areas of the side and needs to raise funds before he can buy new players.

Luka here: Tottenham will hold talks with the agent of Modric in a bid to keep the playmaker out of the clutches of Chelsea

One option for Redknapp would be to offer former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas as part of the deal.
The ex-Newcastle star, who has seen his chances limited by new arrivals at White Hart Lane this season, could be the ideal replacement for Villa should James Milner complete a summer move to Manchester City.
Tottenham will hold talks with the agent of Luka Modric over a new contract in a bid to keep the Croatia playmaker out of the clutches of Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, is understood to be ready to pay upwards of £25m for Modric following his starring role for Tottenham this season.
But Redknapp is in no mood to lose one of his best players after qualifying for the Champions League. Tottenham officials will meet Modric's agent, Zdravko Mamic, before the weekend to discuss improving and lengthening the 24-year-old midfielder's contract, which has three-years left to run and earns him about £45,000-a-week.
Spurs may need to offer him a deal in the region of £70,000-a-week, an increase which will see him join the club's top earners King, Woodgate and Robbie Keane.
The offer of an improved contract for Modric, coupled with the fact that - as revealed by Sportsmail - Redknapp is keen to exploit Everton's failure to agree a new deal for Steven Pienaar, would raise doubts about an approach by Spurs for Joe Cole.
The Chelsea midfielder is available on a free having failed to agree a new deal at Stamford Bridge. But there is the question of Cole's wage demands given he earns £85,000-a-week at Chelsea and is looking to increase that by £15,000.
Meanwhile, Redknapp continues to be linked with a move for Wolfsburg's striker Edin Dzeko despite a £25m price tag.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1281411/Tottenham-eye-7m-Villa-flop-Davies-seek-contract-talks-Modric.html#ixzz0p3ox755M

Nikola Zigic completes 6m Birmingham City deal

Nikola Zigic has landed himself a tall order - finding the goals to fire Birmingham City upwards after completing a £6million switch from Valencia.
The giant Serbia striker has agreed a four-year deal with the St Andrew's club, becoming Alex McLeish’s third signing of the close season.
Zigic stands at almost 6ft 8in - he doesn’t exactly dwarf Spurs’ Peter Crouch, but the England international has finally found someone in the Barclays Premier League to look up to. Albeit by less than an inch.

Getting stuck in: Zigic was tracked by a number of Premier League clubs

 

McLeish moved quickly to secure Zigic on a lengthy contract from Valencia, who have off-loaded the Serb shortly after banking £34m from the sale of David Villa to Barcelona.
The striker had also been tracked by Stoke, Blackburn and Sunderland.
McLeish, armed with funds from Carson Yeung, has added Zigic to his frontline after signing Manchester United’s Ben Foster late last week. Spanish midfielder Enric Valles has also joined on a free transfer from Breda.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1281594/Nikola-Zigic-completes-6m-Birmingham-City-deal-giant-striker-pens-year-Blues-deal.html#ixzz0p3kcIkmz

FERNANDO TORRES will stay at Liverpool.

The Kop striker's agent, Jose Antonio Peton, last night insisted: "For the moment I can assure fans that Fernando will continue at Liverpool next season."

And that is bad news for Manchester City and Chelsea who would both love to have the Spanish World Cup star on their books.

Peton added: "Everything is down to Liverpool's attitude but, for the time being, Fernando is happy at the club and has a good contract.

"Liverpool have not spoken to us about his future, so he is just concentrating on playing at the World Cup."

Torres, 26, is still battling to make Spain's World Cup opener against Switzerland on June 16 after a season dogged by hernia, hamstring and knee problems.

He has not played since April when a second bout of knee surgery left him in a race to be fit in time for South Africa.

And, last night, Torres conceded how the pressure of coping with expectancy on top of his injuries turned last season into a horror show at Anfield.

He revealed: "It's been very difficult. When you start out, you hope you can win titles and not have injuries.

"Instead it has been just the opposite. But in football there is always tomorrow.

"So I have put aside the club and the bad season, and I want to finish in the best way possible by making history with my country at the World Cup.

"I am happy with the progress of my injury and, God willing, I'll be 100 per cent for our first game of the World Cup."

One man definitely leaving Liverpool, though, is left-back Fabio Aurelio, 30, who rejected a pay-as-you-play deal after a season decimated by injuries.

Aurelio's contract runs out on Tuesday and he will go with a glowing reference from boss Rafa Benitez.

The Liverpool chief, who signed Aurelio from Valencia four years ago, said: "We had been trying to work something out with regards an extension and it was a pity we couldn't. 

"He has given us absolutely fantastic service. Fabio is a top professional, a great player and a really good lad."

 http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2987586/Torres-tells-Kop-I-will-stay-put.html#ixzz0p3jvw1Q9

Valencia issue David Silva warning

Manchester United and Real Madrid have been warned that Valencia star David Silva is not for sale.

The pair have been reportedly eyeing £30million moves for the 24-year-old but Los Che have said the Spain international will not be leaving.
Silva had previously expressed his temptation at a possible move to United, who were thought to be keen on making a close-season swoop.
Club president Manuel Llorente has said the midfielder will not be going anywhere, though, after he helped them secure a third place finish in La Liga.
Valencia recently lost David Villa to Barcelona in what was believed to be a £35million deal and Llorente is keen not to lose another key name.
He said in The Sun: "He will not leave."
/http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item445486/Valencia-issue-David-Silva-warning/

Here's your chance Wenger!

Well it looks like Cesc might stay at arsenal for another season, so heres Wenger chance to build a strong side and win trophies to convince Cesc to stay here. Reports suggest that the frenchmen has a huge transfer kitty and due to the transfer fee which Arsenal are demanding which is reportedly around 80 m pounds for Fabregas a move for the spaniard to Barca has been scupperred.The transfer window is about to open and were in for a 'hot'' summer.Get all the latest rumours and transfers here.

France throw up Benzema shocker

Patrick Vieira and Karim Benzema have been omitted from France's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup.

Vieira returned to the Barclays Premier League to join Manchester City from Inter Milan in January and recovered some of his form, but not enough to impress Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech.

Benzema, who has had a less than fruitful season with Real Madrid, has also missed out on selection for the squad, as has midfielder Samir Nasri, whose Arsenal team-mates Gael Clichy, William Gallas, Abou Diaby and Bacary Sagna are included.

Franck Ribery, who is sweating over his participation in Bayern Munich's Champions League final with Inter on May 22 with the Bundesliga champions appealing his ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is included.

Three members of Marseille's Ligue 1-winning squad - goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and forwards Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Valbuena - are named, as are two Chelsea players, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.

France were drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay, their opponents in their first game in Cape Town on June 11.

Squad: Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille); Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rod Fanni (Rennes), William Gallas (Arsenal), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Adil Rami (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla); Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon); Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Rennes), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).

Dunga dumps Ronaldinho & Adriano

Ronaldinho and Adriano will both miss the World Cup after being omitted from the 23-man Brazil squad named by Dunga today.

Wolfsburg striker Grafite is the surprise inclusion at the expense of Flamengo's Adriano, while Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is one of the three goalkeepers named.

Dunga explained Adriano's failure to make the squad was a rational, rather than emotional decision after the former Inter Milan forward was granted numerous chances to impress and failed to do so.

"Adriano was given several opportunities," said Dunga, who lifted the World Cup as captain in 1994 and will now bid for the Selecao's sixth World Cup win.

"There was a moment when we made a decision about the group.

"The group always welcomed Adriano, but there is a moment when reason talks louder than the heart."

The 30-year-old Ronaldinho, who was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, has been in good form for AC Milan this season but has missed out on Dunga's squad for the finals in 2010, denying him the chance to add a second World Cup crown to the one he won in 2002.

One of his team-mates in 2002, former Manchester United midfielder Kleberson, has made it into the squad after rediscovering his best form back in Brazil with Flamengo.

The coach also opted to leave out Santos duo Paulo Henrique and Neymar.

Dunga revealed the duo failed to impress enough while on international duty.

"I have to test the players when they are in the national team," he said.

"I follow their form in their clubs, but why didn't you (the media) want them in the squad in December or January?

"These players are enormously talented, but I cannot prepare a national team for 2014 if I have to win today."

AC Milan's Alexandre Pato has also failed to win selection after a less-than-impressive season in Italy.

Inter Milan trio Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio will be three of the most important players in the squad after helping the Nerazzurri clinch a berth in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Brazil have been drawn in Group G alongside North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal and Dunga called for the fans to back the team, regardless of their thoughts on him as coach.

"I beg the Brazilian fan that they support us," he said.

"If they don't like me or any other thing, that's fine, but I want him to support us, to be a patriot."

Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham); Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma); Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).

England World Cup 2010 Squad Named: Fabio Capello Picks 30 Man Provisional Selection

England coach Fabio Capello has made several surprise selections in his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad.
Uncapped duo Adam Johnson and Michael Dawson both feature along with Dawson’s Tottenham team-mate Tom Huddlestone.
Jamie Carragher comes out of international retirement, while fellow defender Ledley King and the injured Gareth Barry have also been picked.
Stephen Warnock, Scott Parker and Darren Bent are chosen, with the final 23-man squad to be announced by 1 June.
Under Fifa regulations, Capello is permitted to bring players into his 23-man squad who were not included in the preliminary party.
But that would be an unusual move, meaning the final party he takes to this summer’s finals in South Africa is likely to come from the one he has already named.
England play Mexico at Wembley on 24 May and Japan in Austria six days later as part of a pre-tournament training camp.

That will provide Capello with time to work with a much-changed squad and put the finishing touches to his preparations.
The Italian has included 23-year-old Joe Hart among his three goalkeepers after the Manchester City player enjoyed an outstanding season on loan at Birmingham.
Like Hart, left-backs Leighton Baines of Everton and Aston Villa’s Warnock have one senior cap to their names and are graduates of the England Under-21 side.

There was plenty of speculation over whether Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole would be selected but the 28-year-old has bounced back impressively from cruciate knee ligament damage and a poor run of form.
“I followed Joe Cole for a long time when he was injured and when he started to play he was not so good,” Capello admitted. “But now he’s fit and every game he has played with us he has always been good.”
Capello’s other wide options include fit-again Aaron Lennon of Tottenham, Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips of Manchester City.

He was reportedly set to omit Barry because of the ankle injury that will keep him out until the start of June but the Manchester City midfielder, who has won 20 of his 36 caps under Capello and played in eight of England’s 10 World Cup qualifiers, has been included and will have a fitness check on 24 May.
Capello revealed he tried to persuade Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes to come out of international retirement, but failed.
“We tried to convince him to return but he said no, he’d prefer to stay with his family,” revealed the former Real Madrid and AC Milan manager.
There were rumours England might turn to Owen Hargreaves, the man Barry replaced in the team in September 2007, but a knee problem has restricted the Manchester United midfielder to only one minute of first-team football in 19 months.
Manchester City’s Johnson, Huddlestone, West Ham’s Parker and Villa’s James Milner are also rewarded for fine seasons.
“I met with Hargreaves twice in Manchester but he’s not fit to play and hasn’t played in 18 months,” said Capello. “I trusted him but the last decision was his. I hope he’ll be fit for the European Championship qualifiers in the autumn.”
Fulham’s Bobby Zamora and West Ham’s Carlton Cole both missed out on a striking berth, with Sunderland’s 25-goal frontman Bent, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe of Spurs joining Villa’s Emile Heskey and prolific Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.
“Zamora was a really important player but we spoke with him and he has a big problem with his Achilles,” Capello added. “He said he can’t play because he can’t train every day.”
The World Cup runs from 11 June to 11 July and England open their Group C campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on 12 June before facing Algeria on 16 June and Slovenia on 23 June.

England’s 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup finals:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).
Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). (BBC Sport)

Crazy Domenech drops Nasri from France squad for World Cup!

Raymond Domenech has been much maligned in France for some of his strange decisions while managing the national team, but surely this must be one of his craziest move ever.

Although Clichy, Sagna and Diaby are all in the France squad to go to South Africa, the midfield maestro Samir Nasri has not been included, despite some excellent performances for Arsenal while Cesc Fabregas was out injured.

The crocked William Gallas, who hasn’t played for Arsenal for months because of his recurring injuries, has been given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the final selection.

Poor Sami was messed about by Domenech two years ago at the Euro2008 competition, when he was put on standby when Patrick Vieira was injured, only for Domenech to keep the Arsenal legend at the Finals, even though he didn’t recover in time to play.

Bacary Sagna couldn’t help but sympathise with his team-mate. He said: “It’s great to see so many Arsenal players but the news of Nasri has put things in perspective. In these moments there is little one can say. I have not yet called him but no words can soothe him. He misses a World Cup.”

I don’t understand why France kept Domenech on as manager after the team’s dismal performance at the Euros, and he has proved once again that he is an idiot. He will definitely be dismissed once France are embarrassed by his tactics again this summer.

Arsenal rumours May 11th – Campbell, Bonucci, Gallas and Asamoah

There is a good bit of Arsenal transfer news about today, and it is not all good news. It appears that Arsene Wenger has upset William Gallas with his not-generous-enough new contract offer, and the French defender has decided to go off in a huff.

The Sun reports today that Wenger is wasting his time going for new talks with Gallas’ agent, and they quote a “source close to Gallas” as saying “Something seems broken between William and Arsene and it looks possible he will not be at the club next season.” I guess that if Gallas hasn’t signed a contract by now, it is pretty unlikely that he will in the next few days….

But if Gallas goes, and Silvestre is a certainty to join him, then it looks imperative that Sol Campbell stays, or Wenger will be desperate for defenders in the next couple of months. But today it seems that the newly promoted German club St. Pauli have made Campbell a big offer to play in the Bundesliga next season. If Campbell gets tired of waiting for Wenger to make him an offer, Arsenal could be dropped in the proverbial manure. Come on Wenger, pull your finger out!

But perhaps Wenger has other, younger, defenders in mind, as he is being linked with a couple of Italians this morning in TuttoSport. The Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci has had a great season in Italy, and is definitely on the move this summer. He has been variously linked with Man City and some top Italian clubs before today, and last week he sounded like he would prefer to join Inter Milan if Jose Mourinho wanted him. He is currently co-owned by Bari and Genoa, and they will both need to be involved in any transfer dealings.

He said last week: “I don’t know anything about my future. The co-ownership will be discussed in June. But it would be a source of pride for me to play with either Inter or Juve.

“However, I am still really attached to the Inter shirt and Jose Mourinho is a great boss and a great man. It would be a massive pleasure for me to be coached by him.”

I’m sure he would be persuaded to say much the same thing about Wenger if he came in with a serious offer….

Another Serie A player linked with Arsenal is the Ghanain midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah. The big 20 year-old has just been named in the Ghana squad for South Africa. He is obviously very talented, and Udinese have put a pricetag of 30m euros on him to frighten off any hostile bids. There is no way that Wenger would pay that much so this link is unlikely to be taken any further.

I imagine Wenger will be spending most of his time looking at defenders anyway

Hodgson is LMA Manager of the Year

Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been named as the manager of the year by the League Managers' Association.

Hodgson has been recognised by his peers after steering the Cottagers to the Europa League final for the first time in their history as well as taking the London club to 12th in the Barclays Premier League on a limited budget.

Fulham, who also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, will have played 63 games this term after their prestigious clash with Atletico Madrid having started their European campaign last July.

Tottenham's Harry Redknapp took this season's Premier League manager of the year award after guiding Spurs to fourth place but LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson believes Hodgson's efforts since taking over an ailing Fulham in December 2007 make him a worthy winner of the overall prize.

"Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes," said Wilkinson.

"He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Newcastle's Chris Hughton is the new Coca-Cola Championship manager of the year for his efforts in taking the club back up at the first attempt, while Norwich's Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill have been honoured for their exploits in League One and League Two respectively.

Steve McClaren, enjoying a career renaissance in Holland with FC Twente, was handed the LMA's special merit award, while there were also gongs for Arsenal director Ken Friar, who won the service to football award, and Ron Atkinson, who was inducted to the LMA's Hall of Fame.

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, said: "Tonight is a celebration of this season's managerial achievements throughout all four leagues at the highest level.

"To be voted for and acknowledged by your fellow members, peers and competitors is a great honour and the ultimate accolade is public recognition of success.

"The manager remains the most important man at a football club and to succeed in this profession requires extreme dedication and commitment.

"Roy Hodgson received an overwhelming number of votes from the members and has won the LMA Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Barclays by the most significant margin in the history of the award.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football. He freely gives up his time to help other coaches and managers develop and hone their skills and talents, regularly contributing to the LMA's educational programmes."

RVP: I like Chamakh

Arsenal forward has Robin Van Persie says he has seen Chamakh on T.V and liked what he saw.
Chamakh could link up with Van Persie at Emirates Stadium and the Dutch forward is excited at the prospect.

"[I know him] just from TV," said Van Persie.

"He looks good, he looks quite strong in the air, he scores lots of goals with his head and he looks quite confident on the ball.

"Hopefully it [the deal] goes through. I think it is good for all of us and that is why I am happy to see him coming here."

Wenger:we need experience

Arsene Wenger has stated that he will be chasing experience instead of youth in the transfer window.

Ever since Arsenal's title chances fell away in mid-April, the main media attention has been on how the Frenchman would add to his team over the summer.

Naturally, Wenger has kept his counsel. But, speaking before the weekend, he did suggest that he would target more seasoned stars.

"We have plenty of young players," said the 60-year-old. "If we bring some players in then they have to be experienced players."

"I think we have been in the race this year with the team we had. We will be stronger next year just with the internal improvement and with the experience these players will have now. The additions will be minimal but if there are some they have to be really top class."

Does this give an indication of what Wenger is going to do this summer?

Were going to have to see.