The January Transfers 2009

This thread is for keeping track of all the transfers during the January 09 transfer window.

I wonder how many times Man City will be mentioned here  :

Kolo Toure transfer speculation

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4728697,00.html

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed he has turned down a transfer request from defender Kolo Toure.
The centre-back has failed to secure a regular first team spot this season and Manchester City are thought to be considering a bid.
Hill-Wood is aware that the £10million-rated Ivory Coast international has indicated that he is keen to leave Emirates Stadium, but he insists the Gunners are not looking to sell.
"I know about it (the transfer request)," Hill-Wood said in the Daily Star. "But we are not going to accept it.
"We are not looking to let any of our players go and he is under contract - and we expect him to honour it."
Toure joined Arsenal seven years ago and is the last member of 'The Invincibles' squad, which remained undefeated for the duration of 2003/04, still at the club.

There's no doubt man city will be the biggest spenders in january it's going to be interesting on who they go for

There's no doubt man city will be the biggest spenders in january it's going to be interesting on who they go for

The best they can hope for will be Owen/Heskey up front. :p

Looks like Wayne Bridge is heading to Eastlands for 12 million.

And Diarra has gone to Real for 20million (which was already made).

Given hints at Newcastle exit
http://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item178203/Given-hints-at-Newcastle-exit/
Shay Given is considering his Newcastle future after reaching the "lowest point of his football career" after the Liverpool drubbing.

The future of the Magpies goalkeeper has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City believed to be interested in signing the 32-year-old, who was in inspired form against the Reds despite the scoreline.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear this week insisted Given would not be allowed to leave in the transfer window but the Ireland International's lawyer, Michael Kennedy, claims the player "feels compelled to consider his position" due to "turmoil on and off the pitch" at St James' Park.

In a statement released late on Thursday, Kennedy gave the strongest indication yet that Given is about to bring an end to his 11-year association with the Barclays Premier League outfit

"Shay is very despondent following the very poor performance of the team against Liverpool last weekend," read Kennedy's statement.

"It was the lowest point of his football career and a performance that he would not wish to be repeated.

"When he signed a new five-year contract in 2006 it was on the basis that the club would challenge for major honours, but on the present evidence all that he can see ahead with the turmoil on and off the pitch is a battle for survival.

"Having served the club loyally for over 11 years, Shay feels compelled to consider his position in the light of the interest being expressed in him by Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham."

Sunday's crushing defeat against Liverpool marked Given's 459th appearance for the Magpies since joining from Blackburn in a £1.5million deal in 1997.

Newcastle's well-documented tribulations over the past few months took a fresh twist last weekend when owner Mike Ashley took the club off the market after failing to find a buyer for the Tyneside club.

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Look what we did!

Lassana Diarra(Porthsmouth) has joined Real Madrid.
Belhadj(Porthsmouth) - loan move now permanent.

Hull City manager Phil Brown has confirmed his interest in signing Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant.

The 25-year-old has only made three Premier League appearances this season and he has been linked with several clubs.

Brown said: "I would be very interested in Jermaine Pennant if he was available at the right price. We will be making enquiries.

Chelsea have given England defender Wayne Bridge permission to open transfer negotiations with Premier League rivals Manchester City.

"Chelsea will listen to offers, but any offer will have to be very high," said Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes could pay up to £12m for Bridge, who has seen his opportunities at Stamford Bridge reduced since Ashley Cole's arrival.

The 28-year-old joined Chelsea from Southampton for £7m in July 2003.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/7807951.stm

Senna snubs City

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4732294,00.html

Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna has turned down an approach from Manchester City, according to the player's agent.
Speculation has persistently linked City with a big-money move for the Spain international as Mark Hughes looks to improve his squad in the January transfer window.
The 32-year-old, who impressed as his country won Euro 2008 last summer, recently claimed he was unaware of any interest from the Premier League club and that he was happy at El Madrigal.
However, Senna's representative - Ely Coimbra - claims City have made enquiries as they weigh up a potential bid.
But Coimbra also insists the Eastlands outfit were swiftly snubbed, telling The Guardian: "Manchester City asked us if we were interested in a move to the Premier League and we said, 'no thank you'.
"Villarreal and I have a good relationship and we want to maintain that."

Allardyce eyes early arrivals

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4732818,00.html

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce hopes to bring new faces to Ewood Park 'as early as possible'.
Allardyce took over at Rovers in December and he has made no secret of the fact that he wants to strengthen his inherited squad in the January transfer window.
German winger Sergio Peter is expected leave for Sparta Prague later on Friday and Allardyce - who has been linked with Sunderland's El-Hadji Diouf - is keen for rapid replacements.
The former Bolton and Newcastle boss is in discussions with Blackburn chairman John Williams as the duo look to identify targets.

"I'm expecting somebody as early as possible," Allardyce told the club's official website.
"Certainly my focus over the last few days has been speaking to the chairman and saying that if I can find a player, which I'm focusing on doing, I will let you know as soon as possible and hopefully we can do something.
"We both talked about that for a long time, and we are both going to go out there and try and see if we can improve the squad as quickly as possible and that will be very good if we can.
"January is a difficult window to work in, generally the inflation that comes in a small window like this is in many cases bordering on diabolical, but if you don't pay the money you don't get the player and that is why lots and lots of money changes hands at this particular period."

Allardyce, though, insists he will not be making sweeping changes to the Rovers squad he inherited from Paul Ince as he looks to keep hold of Manchester City target Roque Santa Cruz.
"In the main these players are good enough to get us out of the trouble that we are in," he added. "But any manager will always take a player if they think they can improve the squad."
"From our point of view, finding that player or two that would improve the squad immediately is very important now, because it would lift us all I think.
"We will try and get players that can make an impact on the team, otherwise I would prefer just to go with the squad that I've got now and not lose anybody and make sure we get out of trouble."

Manchester United have concluded their business in the January transfer window with the capture of Serbian duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"That is the end of the transfer business at Manchester United this year,'' Ferguson said. "There will definitely not be anything else this January.''

United announced a couple of months ago they had reached agreement with Partizan for Tosic and Ljajic, since when the Red Devils have been attempting to agree personal terms and acquire visas.

Ferguson himself personally attend a November hearing regarding the work permit of 21-year-old Tosic and the deal looked close to collapse at one point.

However, any outstanding issues have now been resolved, leaving Tosic free to swap the Stadion Partizana for Old Trafford next week, with Ljajic staying in Belgrade for the remainder of the season.

Despite being just 21, Tosic has already made 12 appearances for Serbia, including at the Beijing Olympics, and is regarded as one of the best young wide players in Europe.

"He will need to get used to the tempo of our game and the training but he could play for us this season,'' Ferguson said of Tosic. "Hopefully he does well but we will have to give him time because he has not played since December 10."

In theory, Tosic's arrival could be bad news for Nani, who has struggled to make anything like the same impact as fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, having left Sporting Lisbon for United 18 months ago.

However, with Ryan Giggs now 35 and set to figure even less over the next 18 months, Sir Alex Ferguson may decide to persevere with Nani, giving Tosic time to get used to his new surroundings.

At just 17, Ferguson feels Ljajic will benefit from the stability of remaining with Partizan, knowing his first-team opportunities at United would be almost non-existent this season.

Ljajic has already made his presence felt at under-21 level for Serbia and most observers believe it is only a matter of time before he gains full international honours.

It has been suggested United could end up paying around £17million for the duo, who will link up with compatriot Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford, although that figure is likely to be based heavily on future success and the club have refused to comment on the size of an initial payment.

Ferguson did not make clear whether his statement on the end of transfer business included turning Carlos Tevez's loan deal into a permanent transfer.

Although it has been suggested Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian is due to have more talks with United chief executive David Gill, the United boss has been unable to shed any more light on the present position.

"I am not going on about that (transfer) because it is never-ending,'' said Ferguson.

"I am sure David Gill (United chief executive) is doing his best with it but I have nothing to report.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=606267&sec=transfers&cc=5901

Liverpool ponder surprise move for Almeria fullback Bruno Saltor


Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is considering a shock move for Almeria fullback Bruno Saltor.

Saltor will leave Almeria for nothing at the end of the season so the club will listen to offers for the 28-year-old in January. Bruno was superb under former manager Unai Emery as Almeria had an outstanding first season in the top flight last year.

Benitez is eyeing the experienced fullback, though faces competition from Arsenal and Valencia.

Liverpool ponder surprise move for Almeria fullback Bruno Saltor


Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is considering a shock move for Almeria fullback Bruno Saltor.

Saltor will leave Almeria for nothing at the end of the season so the club will listen to offers for the 28-year-old in January. Bruno was superb under former manager Unai Emery as Almeria had an outstanding first season in the top flight last year.

Benitez is eyeing the experienced fullback, though faces competition from Arsenal and Valencia.

Link?

Here's a link of every transfer completed so far in english football

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7806817.stm

messi, kaka, aguero to liverpool(dreaming)
did we buy masch yet

did we buy masch yet

Long time ago lad.

I think everyone saw that Bridge transfer to City coming from 3 months ago.

God knows how he's worth 12 million though. That ones well beyond me.

N’Zogbia still keen to leave

Unsettled Charles N'Zogbia has confirmed he is still hoping to leave Newcastle in the transfer window after labelling The Magpies' season a 'disaster'.
The French winger first admitted he wanted to leave the north east club at the back end of December before confirming his wish to work under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
N'Zogbia has now followed in Shay Given's footsteps by stating the behind-the-scenes turmoil at the club in recent years has proved too much to take for the 22-year-old.
The former Le Havre youngster has only been at St James' Park for four years and is staggered by the fact that he has already worked under six different managers.

"There have been some upheavals at Newcastle for some time now," he told The People.
"I have known six different managers during my four years here, and that is a lot.
"The club has objectives of its own, yet every season ends up a disaster.
"So I am going to try to leave during the winter. It is a case of trying to get myself a bit more exposure."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4743398,00.html

Bayern set Podolski price

Bayern Munich have revealed that they would be prepared to part with Lukas Podolski for 10million euros (£9.6m).
The Germany international has been attracting interest from a host of clubs in the wake of his continued frustrations at the Allianz Arena.
Podolski joined Bayern from Cologne in 2006, but has struggled to hold down regular first-team football ever since.
His former employers are believed to have tabled a 7.5million euros (£7.2m) approach to take him back to Rhein Energie Stadion, but that will not be enough to secure his signature.
"We have said we want a double figure sum (in millions) and if we are not offered that then the interested club will not recruit the player," Bayern's general manager Uli Hoeness told the tz daily.
"Cologne do not want to pay what we are seeking."
Hoeness also confirmed that he is hoping to have offloaded Podolski 'by the end of January', with Tottenham, Manchester City, Roma and Marseille all reported to have expressed an interest.
Bayern have already completed a deal which will see Hamburg's Croatia international Ivica Olic arrive in the summer as a direct replacement.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4743686,00.html

Boro deride Downing bid

Middlesbrough have branded Tottenham's latest approach for Stewart Downing as 'derisory'.
Spurs have been tracking the England international for time and, with the transfer window now open for business, have tabled a bid for the winger.
The offer is believed to be around £6million, a figure which falls well short of Boro's valuation.
The North East club have now accused their Premier League rivals of attempting to steal their star man on the cheap, and club chief executive Keith Lamb has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham's transfer policies.

"It is a derisory offer," Lamb told the News of the World.
"Who on earth do Spurs think they are?
"They bleated away when Dimitar Berbatov left for Manchester United in the summer - but they sold at top dollar.
"Then they want to snatch other players for derisory offers and try to unsettle players.
"That is what has happened here. Their offer is a joke.
"Why would we sell our best players to our nearest rivals? Stewart is going nowhere."

Middlesbrough have also been left disappointed by the manner in which Portsmouth have made their interest in Gary O'Neil public knowledge.
Lamb added: "Portsmouth are at it as well, sniffing around Gary O'Neil, trying to get him through the back door.
"We're close to Spurs and Portsmouth in the table.
"Why would we sell these clubs our best players?"

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4743345,00.html

Boro deride Downing bid

Middlesbrough have branded Tottenham's latest approach for Stewart Downing as 'derisory'.
Spurs have been tracking the England international for time and, with the transfer window now open for business, have tabled a bid for the winger.
The offer is believed to be around £6million, a figure which falls well short of Boro's valuation.
The North East club have now accused their Premier League rivals of attempting to steal their star man on the cheap, and club chief executive Keith Lamb has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham's transfer policies.

"It is a derisory offer," Lamb told the News of the World.
"Who on earth do Spurs think they are?
"They bleated away when Dimitar Berbatov left for Manchester United in the summer - but they sold at top dollar.
"Then they want to snatch other players for derisory offers and try to unsettle players.
"That is what has happened here. Their offer is a joke.
"Why would we sell our best players to our nearest rivals? Stewart is going nowhere."

Middlesbrough have also been left disappointed by the manner in which Portsmouth have made their interest in Gary O'Neil public knowledge.
Lamb added: "Portsmouth are at it as well, sniffing around Gary O'Neil, trying to get him through the back door.
"We're close to Spurs and Portsmouth in the table.
"Why would we sell these clubs our best players?"

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_4743345,00.html

Lucas Neill to AC Milan? Was spotted at their Dubai training ground according to ninemsn.com.au