Summer transfers 2009

I am surprised they are going to be buying players before a new manager is even put into place. I watch some of the Russian league this year since Setanta has coverage of it here in Canada. He looks a very good player in Russia and I believe he was on team of Euro 2008 in the summer. I assume he could be a replacement for Malouda who really flopped bad in his first two years.

It is quite weird though considering Malouda has shone during the end of this season, he looks like a completely different player. They do need cover though for Cole, and maybe we will be seeing the back of Malouda then?

I wouldn't Malouda has shone during Gus time at Chelsea, he is playing better simply because before that he has be awful. He never got to the same kind of form that he had when he played for Lyon unlike Essin who fit in to the team and league like a glove also coming from Lyon.

Genoa snap up Crespo (Free transfer)

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5355616,00.html

Genoa have completed the signing of Argentinian star Hernan Crespo from Inter Milan.

Club president Enrico Preziosi met with the 33-year-old's agent, Fernando Hidalgo, on Friday to finalise the negotiations.

And later that day Preziosi confirmed that Genoa had signed the former Lazio, Parma and Chelsea striker on a two-year deal.

"It's an important signing, we're very happy," he said. "Crespo is a great player, a serious lad who we've been following for a long time."

Crespo has been recognised as one of the top strikers in Europe over the last decade but had become a bit-part player for Inter this season after falling behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Balotelli and Adriano in the pecking order.

Aguero all set for Chelsea move

Atletico Madrid favourite Sergio Aguero looks set to join Chelsea according to newspaper reports in England.

The Daily Mail tabloid has revealed that the Argentina international is ready to reject the advances of Italian giants Inter Milan - who are coached by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho - in favour of a massive 50million pounds move to the Barclays Premier League.

Aguerro has enjoyed a stellar season with Atletico, bagging 21 goals in a campaign that culminated in the Vicente Calderon outfit qualifying for next season's Champions League competition thanks to their 3-0 success against Almeria on Saturday.

Besides Inter, news of Aguero's apparently imminent departure for Chelsea is also sure to disappoint Premier League moneybags Manchester City who had been keen to secure the striker's services.

Aguero's arrival in England is likely to coincide with Chelsea's appointment of Italian Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach and comes only weeks after Aguero seemingly committed his future to Atletico.

"People can think what they want but the club and I know very well what we want," the forward said last month.

"It's the club that will decide whether or not I stay. I have always said that Atletico Madrid have always treated me very well and the club knows that I want to continue here.

Not sure how reliable that source is.

There's one way to find out. Be right back.

It's not on talkaloadofbull.com, so it must have some credability.

Italy international Fabio Quagliarella has joined Napoli from Udinese in a five-year deal.

The 26-year-old was Udinese's top scorer during the 2008/09 campaign with 13 goals.

He will play under coach Roberto Donadoni at Napoli, the former Italy boss who selected Quagliarella to play at Euro 2008.

"I am very happy," said Quagliarella. "This is what I wanted.

"This is a dream come true.

"I have always been a Napoli supporter."

Napoli endured a disappointing season last term, finishing 12th in the Serie A standings with 12 wins collected in 38 games.

^^^^^
I signed him on FM 08 when I was managing West Ham. He won worst signing of the season

^^^^^
I signed him on FM 08 when I was managing West Ham. He won worst signing of the season

It is written. That, coupled with the 'I've always been a Napoli supporter' comment can only mean one thing. He'll be back at Spurs before the end of the season :

Pellegrini named as new Real Madrid coach
By Soccernet staff
June 1, 2009
Real Madrid have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Villarreal for Manuel Pellegrini to become their new coach.

The 55-year-old, who lists Argentinian giants River Plate amongst his former clubs, will be officially presented on Tuesday at midday local time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A statement from Real Madrid read: "Real Madrid and Manuel Pellegrini have reached a deal for the Chilean coach to be the first team head coach during the forthcoming season.''

Spanish media reported that Real would pay Villarreal €4million in compensation.

Pellegrini, who has been in charge of Villarreal since 2004 and had a year left on his contract with the Yellow Submarine, will replace Juande Ramos in the Madrid hotseat.

Ramos was installed as interim boss on a six-month contract when he took over from Bernd Schuster in December and had a mixed spell in charge. In La Liga he guided Madrid to a remarkable run where Los Blancos picked up 52 from a possible 54 points to close the gap on leaders Barcelona.

However, his side also lost 6-2 at home to arch-rivals Barca, who eventually won the title, and suffered a 5-0 aggregate defeat to Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League, a tournament also won by Barca as part of an historic trophy treble.

Pellegrini is now the man who has been tasked with closing the gap to the Catalan club and fulfilling the goal of new Madrid president Florentino Perez to get the fallen Spanish giants back amongst the world elite.

Perez was unveiled as the club's new president on Monday and hinted he would bring back the galacticos era he was famous for during his first stint in charge at Madrid. Between 2000 to 2006 he brought the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham to the club.

On Monday Perez said: "We are working towards and we will work to create a spectacular project, and that is to make Real Madrid the best club in the world once more.

"A club like Real Madrid needs to have several of the best players in the world and even though I can't discuss names today, we have a spectacular project on the sporting side."

Pellegrini is the man who will mastermind this new era and although he failed to lead Villarreal to any major trophies during his time at El Madrigal, the Chilean did help make the Yellow Submarine one of Spain's best clubs.

In his first season in charge he led the unfashionable east-coast outfit to a third-place finish, while in their subsequent Champions League campaign in the 2005/06 season Pellegrini took Villarreal to the semi-finals where they were unfortunate to lose to Arsenal.

Last season Villarreal ended up as runners-up behind champions Madrid, while this term they ended the campaign in fifth spot.

Pellegrini has also enjoyed success at previous sides, winning silverware in Chile, Argentina and Ecuador during spells at River Plate, San Lorenzo, Liga de Quito and Universidad Catolica.

Well, Barry to City.

It'll be interesting to see now what Villa do in the transfer market.

Well, Barry to City.

It'll be interesting to see now what Villa do in the transfer market.

They are suppose to be going after that Defour guy from Standard Leige but it will be hard to get him since they are in the UCL next year and Villa are only in the Europa League.

Brummies break their transfer record on Benitez who plays in Mexico for Santos

Birmingham City land Christian Benitez for club record fee

Birmingham City land Christian Benitez for club record fee

Birmingham City have beaten off competition from top European clubs to sign Ecuador striker Christian Benitez from Mexican side Santos Laguna.

The Blues confirmed a fee - thought to be a club record - had been agreed for the 23-year-old, who will travel to England for a medical next week having agreed personal terms.

Although the fee is undisclosed it is set to surpass the £6.25million paid for Emile Heskey in 2004 and is reported to be in the region of £9million.

Benitez - son of the Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorer, Ermen - starred in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and has scored 31 goals in 58 games in Mexico's Primera Division over the last two campaigns.

He recently underwent surgery on a shoulder injury and is unlikely to be involved when Ecuador play World Cup qualifiers against Peru (7 June) and Argentina (10 June).

The club are confident of acquiring a work permit for the striker as he has played in 85% of Ecuador's competitive A grade games over the last two years - well above the required amount.

^^^^

Thanks for not posting that in it's own thread saying "Benitez joins City" or something like that, Adam.

^^^^

Thanks for not posting that in it's own thread saying "Benitez joins City" or something like that, Adam.

It is funny because it is all over newsfornow which is set for Liverpool but information about this guy keeps coming up for obvious reasons.

Some really quality buys in here, Kaka, Diego and unfortunately Zhirkov too. Benitez will have the Zarate effect for Birminham I think, he's a good player

Moyes axes Toffees duo

Everton boss "The Chosen One" has wasted little time in clearing out his ranks at Goodison Park after releasing Portuguese full-back Nuno Valente and Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde.

Valente moved to Merseyside in 2005 but has struggled with injuries and last season saw his place at left-back handed to Leighton Baines.

Moyes, who has also in the past preferred Joleon Lescott in Valente's specialist position, has decided the 34-year-old no longer has a future at the club.

Van der Meyde joined Everton from Inter Milan four years ago, but has endured a miserable time through injuries, poor discipline and personal problems.

Moyes continued his cull by releasing youngsters John Irving, John Paul Kissock, Scott Spencer, Eunan O'Kane and Cory Sinnott, while Segundo Castillo has returned to Red Star Belgrade after his loan spell came to an end.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5377001,00.html

Milan confirm Cissokho capture

AC Milan have announced the signing of Aly Cissokho from Porto following a second medical.

A deal for the French full-back had looked to be in doubt after a dental problem raised concerns with the Rossoneri's staff.

However, after further examinations, they are now happy for the 21-year-old to complete his switch to Giuseppe Meazza.

Cissokho is currently on his way to Senegal to visit family but is expected to sign his new contract upon his return to Europe.

"I can confirm that I encountered some problems in my first physical," revealed the Porto full back.

"But then we did another test, a more detailed one, and everything went well.

"I have signed my pre-contract with Milan and now I am going on holiday to Senegal."

Reports suggest Milan have shelled out around £12.7million in order to land the talented youngster.
Agreement

Meanwhile, having announced one new arrival, Milan have also revealed that Alberto Paloschi has been granted permission to extend his loan spell at Parma for another season.

The Italy U21 international spent the 2008/09 campaign at Stadio Ennio Tardini and helped the Gialloblu secure promotion back into the top flight.

"Keeping him was our primary objective," underlined Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi.

"We wanted to renew his co-ownership and that is what we have achieved.

"I have to thank [Milan vice-president Adriano] Galliani. He was hesitant over such an outcome at first, but he then gave me the opportunity to complete the deal.

"Milan have great faith in the player and I think they were initially keen to tie up an agreement for his return to their squad."

http://i40.tinypic.com/33ddqnm.jpg

Remember that?

Yeah and the blew it in the home leg :

Disco Djimi is off to Monaco

Traore makes Monaco move

Monaco have signed Mali international defender Djimi Traore from Portsmouth.

The former Liverpool full-back, who spent the end of last season on loan with Birmingham, has penned a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 outfit.

Traore saw his time at St Andrews badly hit by injuries and he made just three appearances during his stint with Alex McLeish's side.

Traore collected several medals during his time at Anfield, including glory in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.

He moved to Merseyside from French club Laval before being sold to Charlton in a £2million deal August 2006.

Traore joined Pompey the following January, but was never able to secure a regular first-team berth and made only 11 league starts at Fratton Park.


http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11800_5387879,00.html

Djimi Traore - Anfield legend.

Doesn't have much of a ring to it does it?

Djimi Traore - Anfield legend.

Doesn't have much of a ring to it does it?

Yeah but he's got one more European Cup medal than Michael Owen will ever have.

Why do some people say that someones did a Djimi what did he do?

Looks like Tevez has come to his senses 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5390010,00.html

Manchester United have confirmed striker Carlos Tevez will not be playing for the club next season following the conclusion of his two-year loan.

The Argentina international was a fans' favourite during his time at Old Trafford, however, he has rejected the chance to sign a long-term deal with The Red Devils.

United had agreed to pay the £25.5million fee required to secure the 25-year-old's services permanently and offered the striker a lucrative five-year contract.

However, despite the prospect of becoming one of the club's highest paid players it has now been revealed that he no longer wished to play for the Premier League champions.

Tevez found regular first-team football especially hard to come by last season following the expensive acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham and that has been attributed as one of the reasons behind his decision.

United's city rivals Manchester City are now likely to be the front-runners for the striker, although both Liverpool and Chelsea have both been credited with an interest in his services.
Contract rejected

"Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.

"Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

"The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."

Sky Bet make Carlos Tevez 1/10 on (from 1/6) to join Manchester City after champions United on Saturday confirmed the striker is to leave Old Trafford.

Sky Bet's Dave Pilgrim said: "We've been seeing sustained support for Tezez for several weeks at odds-on prices to join Man City, and United's confirmation that he will indeed leave the club just lends further weight to this money.

"We're 1/10 that he joins City now, with Chelsea probably the only other serious contender of the British clubs after he appeared to rule out Liverpool. Chelsea are a 11/2 shot."