Barcelona will make a take-it-or-leave-it offer of £40m to Arsenal in one last attempt to prise midfielder Cesc Fabregas away from the Emirates. Leave it:lol:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295597/Barcelona-tell-Arsenal--40m-Cesc-Fabregas-thats-final-offer.html

Everton have rejected a £14m bid from Arsenal for central defender Phil Jagielka, and the Gunners are now poised to make an improved £16m offer for the England international. I like tbph
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Everton-have-rejected-a-14m-bid-for-centre-back-Phil-Jagielka-from-Arsenal-article529457.html

Newcastle could swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu and will be released by the Spanish giants. I'd take him at Arsenal, Wenger should definitely look into it
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Newcastle-may-be-offered-the-chance-to-sign-Mahamadou-Diarra-from-Real-Madrid-article529529.html

Liverpool have offered England international and former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole a £90,000-a-week three-year contract.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/880349/LIVERPOOL-OUTBID-RIVALS-FOR-COLE.html

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that left-back Ashley Cole is not for sale and will not be joining Real Madrid or Manchester City.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Chelsea-boss-Carlo-Ancelotti-hailed-the-return-of-Michael-Essien-but-also-fired-a-warning-to-Real-Madrid-and-Jose-Mourinho-that-Ashley-Cole-was-going-nowhere-article529703.html

So Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho will instead turn his attention to Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra, with his team-mate Nemanja Vidic also a target.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/879892/MOURINHO-RECEIVES-EVRA-MOVE-BOOST.html

Manchester United want to sign Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm and are prepared to offer forward Dimitar Berbatov in order to land the 26-year-old German. (Sunday Express)

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will launch joint bids to bring Anfield forward Dirk Kuyt and Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar to Inter Milan. (Sunday Times)

Mario Balotelli's transfer to Manchester City is back on after they offered £20m for the Inter Milan 19-year-old
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/880039/BALOTELLIS-CITY-MOVE-IS-ON.html

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has told midfielder Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres to decide if they want to remain at Anfield in the next two weeks.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/880117/MAKE-YOUR-MIND-UP-TIME-FOR-LIVERPOOL-DUO.html

Arsenal and Tottenham have been told that Ipswich's 17-year-old striker Connor Wickham will cost them £10m.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/879910/DUO-TOLD-TO-COUGH-UP-FOR-WICKHAM.html

Tottenham are interested in signing Blackburn's 18-year-old defender Phil Jones
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/football-hotline/2010/07/18/spurs-chase-blackburn-defender-phil-jones-102039-22420258/

West Brom are lining up a £1m bid to sign Blackburn striker Jason Roberts.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/144952/Roberto-Di-Matteo-ready-to-bag-Jason-Roberts-for-West-Ham/

Stoke City are set to offer West Ham £8m for striker Carlton Cole.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/football-hotline/2010/07/18/stoke-set-to-slap-in-8m-bid-for-carlton-cole-102039-22420257/

Some reports in the Slovenian press saying Arsenal will be announcing the signing of Samir Handanovic shortly.

I can't see Arsenal parting with 16m for a 27 year old to be honest. We all known Wenger is careful with the cash, and it seems more than likely he'll pull off a deal for another defender none of us have noticed or heard of before for a decent price. So for me, Jagielka seems unlikely (though I've been wrong many many times).

As a United fan, I hope we don't lose Vidic. Say what you want about the attacking talents of Rooney and Ronaldo, but I think it's been the solid foundations of our defence that has really been our reason for success.

I've heard that Campbell got a 2 year deal at Newcastle, opt out clause for NUFC if Sol plays less than 20 games in the first season or if they are relegated. And he's on more than the 30k Sunderland offered him. That's from an ex-NUFC staffer, so not 100%.

He's already bought a defender we've never heard of in Laurent Koscielny, and He's said he's looking for one more defender and has said he's looking for an experienced player. It makes sense he'd look for an English player who's proven quality in the EPL.

It wouldn't surprise me if he goes for Jagielka the hardest.

The Express is reporting that he's signed with Newcastle

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/187773/Sol-Campbell-gets-call-from-Newcastle

Everyone's reporting that he's signed, it's the terms of the deal I found interesting. 40k/week, 2 years - but only if he plays often enough. Strange to see NUFC actually looking after themselves on the back end of one of their contracts.

Reports are that Eduardo is off to Shaktar Donetsk for 6m, which apparently paves the way for Joe Cole to come in, because we were relying on the sale of either Eudardo or Rosicky to being Joe in.

Liverpool are hopeful their £90,000-a-week offer to England midfielder Joe Cole will be enough to persuade him to turn down rival suitors Tottenham. Cole has been released by Chelsea.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/18/liverpool-joe-cole-offer-tottenham

The Reds want a decision from Cole this week, amid concerns at Anfield that Spurs or Arsenal could improve their bids.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3058972/Joe-Cole-told-to-hurry.html

Cole is expected to make a decision on where he will resume his club career in the next 48 hours, while his former manager at Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti, claims the reason for his Stamford Bridge departure this summer was "economic". Which funnily enough coincides with Eduardo leaving:lol:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295724/Liverpool-close-money-led-Joe-Cole-Chelsea-exit.html

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp hopes to sign Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy after pulling out of the race to land Cole.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tottenham-transfer-news-Spurs-eye-bargain-deal-for-Manchester-City-s-Craig-Bellamy-as-hopes-over-Joe-Cole-fade-article530001.html

Chelsea and Real Madrid were given fresh hope in their pursuit of Mesut Ozil after Werder Bremen conceded they may have to sell their talented forward rather than lose him on a free transfer next summer. (The Times)

Tottenham are close to signing Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa from Spartak Moscow.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/18/tottenham-goalkeeper-stipe-pletikosa-spartak

Aston Villa are ready to open talks with Spurs about the possibility of signing striker Robbie Keane.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/187774/Martin-O-Neill-urged-to-sign-up-Robbie-Keane

European champions Inter Milan are considering a move for Everton's South African midfielder Steven Pienaar.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295784/European-champions-Inter-Milan-eye-15m-unsettled-Everton-star-Steven-Pienaar.html

Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk are closing in on a £6m deal for Arsenal's Croatian striker Eduardo.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295783/Shakhtar-Donetsk-close-6m-deal-favour-Arsenal-striker-Eduardo.html

Arsenal are ready to offer £18m to sign Everton defender Phil Jagielka.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/145050/Arsenal-set-to-pounce-on-Everton-s-Phil-Jagielka/

Former Arsenal and Everton forward Francis Jeffers will have a trial with Premier League newcomers Blackpool this week after being released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295777/Ex-Everton-Arsenal-striker-Francis-Jeffers-eyes-Premier-League-return-Blackpool.html

Newcastle have entered the race to sign former England defender Sol Campbell, who is a free agent after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/187773/Sol-Campbell-gets-call-from-Newcastle

Birmingham defender Roger Johnson insists his side still need another six signings before the transfer window shuts.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3058901/Roger-Johnson-wants-Birmingham-to-boost-squad.html

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez wants to take Chelsea's Argentine striker Franco Di Santo on loan for the season.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Wigan-transfer-news-Latics-target-Chelsea-striker-Franco-Di-Santo-article529999.html

Another Chelsea youngster who could be heading out on a season-long loan deal is defender Jeffrey Bruma, who is ready to sign for ex-England boss Steve McClaren's German side Wolfsburg.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Chelsea-starlet-Jeffrey-Bruma-poised-to-join-Steve-McClaren-s-Wolfsburg-article530009.html

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is ready make his first major signing for the Premier League newcomers with a club record £1m deal for Derby striker Rob Hulse.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Blackpool-transfer-news-Ian-Holloway-closes-in-on-record-1m-striker-deal-for-Derby-s-Rob-Hulse-article530007.html

Striker Marlon Harewood - a free agent following his release by Aston Villa - is considering accepting a two-year contract to join Dubai club Al Ahli, who are managed by former Leeds boss David O'Leary.
http://http//www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-striker-Marlon-Harewood-considering-Dubai-move-with-David-O-Leary-s-club-Al-Ahli-article530019.html

there are better options imo

and we don't really, desperately need another defensive midfielder

Our list of desperate needs goes like this.
1) Central defender.
2) Goalkeeper
3) Some extra steel in midfield. Simply because we only have Song there and no one else.

goalkeeper ahead of central defender for me

I'd put a centre back ahead of a goalkeeper just because we only have 3 centrebacks at the moment whereas we have 4 goalkeepers. As bad as it is putting one of Almunia or Fabianski in goals we need another cb just a little bit more than a gk.

We obviously need both but if I had to choose one or the other it'd be a new CB, because going into a season with only 3 recognised centrebacks is just suicide and we may as well not bother then.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 20/7/2010 09:28:22 AM

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is refusing to give up on his dream move to Barcelona but may be forced to submit an official transfer request to force his exit from the Emirates. Even if he hands one in, which I don't think he will, Barca won't be able to afford him
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296096/Cesc-Fabregas-anxious-force-Barcelona-transfer.html

Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano says he may remain in Spain, despite a summer of speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3059780/Luis-Fabiano-eyes-Sevilla-stay.html

West Ham remain in the hunt for Nice striker Loic Remy, but may face competition from Liverpool for the £12m-rated player.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3060406/Loic-Remy-still-on-West-Ham-radar.html

Alternatively, West Ham have turned their attention to Rosario Central's Argentine striker Milton Caraglio.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/West-Ham-transfer-news-Avram-Grant-targets-Argentine-striker-Milton-Caraglio-after-missing-out-on-Loic-Remy-article530551.html

Manchester City officials have travelled to Italy to close the £35m-deal for Inter Milan's 19-year-old striker Mario Balotelli.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295938/Manchester-City-closing-35m-Inter-misfit-Mario-Balotelli.html

Newcastle United are keen to sign Saint-Etienne's 23-year-old centre back Yohan Benalouane.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1295929/Newcastle-determined-beat-West-Ham-Rangers-Sevilla-Saint-Etienne-defender-Yohan-Benalouane.html

Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma, 18, is set to join German side Wolfsburg, who are managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, on a season-long loan deal.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Chelsea-starlet-Jeffrey-Bruma-poised-to-join-Steve-McClaren-s-Wolfsburg-article530009.html

Birmingham have been approached about a deal for Monterrey's Chile striker Humberto Suazo and have expressed interest in Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, who is a free agent.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296087/Birmingham-look-lure-7m-Chile-striker-Humberto-Suazo.html

David James will open talks with Celtic after Portsmouth withdrew their contract offer for the 39-year-old England goalkeeper.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296090/Celtic-open-David-James-talks-Portsmouth-run-patient-England-goalkeeper.html

Fulham manager-elect Martin Jol is eager to bring Tottenham striker Robbie Keane to Craven Cottage after being promised a £20m transfer kitty by club owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296100/Fulham-manager-elect-Martin-Jol-given-20m-hes-Keane-Tottenham-striker-Robbie.html

Middlesbrough's French midfielder Didier Digard is ready to sign for French side Nice in a permanent cut-price deal.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Middlesbrough-midfield-flop-Didier-Digard-ready-to-sign-for-French-club-Nice-article530469.html

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is set to table a £10m bid for Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-transfer-news-Martin-O-Neill-set-to-bid-10m-for-Celtic-star-Aiden-McGeady-article530521.html

Marlon Harewood has been offered a two-year deal at Glasgow Rangers. The striker is a free agent after leaving Aston Villa.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Rangers-offer-former-Aston-Villa-and-West-Ham-striker-Marlon-Harewood-two-year-deal-article530513.html

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists he is not concerned that he has not heard from Javier Mascherano since trying to contact the midfielder last week. The Argentina captain is still on holiday after his World Cup exploits and is not due to return for pre-season training for another week.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hodgson-not-concerned-by-mascherano-silence-2029996.html

Newcastle have pulled out of the Sol Campbell transfer. Apparently he wouldn't sign the deal with the release clause in it and they weren't prepared to saddle themselves with him at 45k/week for 2 years.

Sunderland's 1 year, 30k/game deal is still on the table.

Manchester City are in talks to sign Brazil's £30m-rated World Cup midfielder Ramires from Benfica, after a deal for Aston Villa's James Milner stalled.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-City-transfer-news-City-in-talks-with-30m-Brazil-World-Cup-star-Ramires-after-James-Milner-deal-stalls-Exclusive-article532017.html

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will snub Manchester City's interest to stay at Spanish club Barcelona
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3061396/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-will-snub-Man-City-interest.html

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is back on the trail of Werder Bremen's German World Cup star Mezut Ozil. Ferguson missed out on signing midfielder Ozil as a teenager.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3060567/Alex-Ferguson-after-Mesut-Ozil.html

Chelsea have joined Manchester City and Manchester United in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296209/Manchester-United-City-face-competition-Chelsea-Mario-Balotelli-chase.html

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is on the verge of a season-long switch to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296271/Tottenham-striker-Roman-Pavlyuchenko-weighing-season-long-loan-Sporting-Lisbon.html

West Ham are set to finalise a move for Lyon defender Francois Clerc, who is available on a free transfer having seen out his contract with the French club.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/West-Ham-transfer-news-Hammers-close-in-on-Lyon-defender-Francois-Clerc-article531331.html

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is plotting a raid on former club Chelsea to sign defender Ricardo Carvalho, who he brought to Stamford Bridge from another of his former clubs Porto in 2004.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Chelsea-transfer-news-Real-Madrid-boss-Jose-Mourinho-plots-bid-for-Blues-star-Ricardo-Carvalho-article531237.html

Wolves, West Ham and Blackburn are locked in three-way tussle to sign striker Benjani, who is a free agent after leaving Manchester City.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Wolves-West-Ham-and-Blackburn-in-three-way-fight-for-ex-Man-City-star-Benjani-article531225.html

Wolfsburg boss Steve McClaren has failed in an attempt to bring Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy to Germany on loan
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296353/Wolfsburg-boss-Steve-McLaren-fails-bid-sign-Manchester-City-misfit-Craig-Bellamy-loan.html

Everton striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is joining Coventry City on loan.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296358/Coventry-City-sign-Evertons-Lukas-Jutkiewicz-loan-Leicester-City-step-pursuit-free-agent-Andrea-Orlandi.html

Blackpool are leading the race to sign former West Brom midfielder Robert Koren on a free transfer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296336/Blackpool-lead-race-sign-Slovenia-captain-Robert-Koren.html

Had a bit of a :lol: when I read this.

why sydcro? to capture all those 3 would be awesome

Yeah I know it would be awesome but just so far out of the realms of possibility:lol:

Add to that the only player out of those 3 we need is Steklenberg. Buying Van Der Wiel and Suuarez would just be buying players in positions where we have more than enough depth already.

we obviously need stekelenberg more than anyone else, but i'd still rather van der wiel than sagna

I'd take Sagna over Van der Wiel any day. He's been one of our most consistent players ever since he arrived and tbh hardly ever puts a foot wrong.

yeah, i thought you'd say that, i probably would to, but i've just got a thing vor vdw, that and he's dutch

I don't know what it is but I just love Sagna. Sure he's got the most fucking retarded haircut in the world:lol: but the bloke just seems to be one of those players that does what he needs to do with a minimum of fuss. One of Wenger's best signings imo.

hey, his haircut's fucking awesome :p

Sunderland have agreed a fee with Wigan for defender Titus Bramble. Bramble was a classic comedy defender whilst with Newcastle, but has won player-of-the-season twice in two years since joining Wigan. He's out of contract next summer and we've reportedly agreed a fee of 1 million, rising to 3 million on appearances.

Can't say I'm thrilled, but I'll trust Stevie Bruce's judgement on this one. He was the coach, after all, who turned Bramble from the slapstick comedy merchant of Tyneside to a competent stalwart of Wigan.

Would it be safe to assume that if you got Bramble Sol isn't an option?

Bramble's a good pickup for 1m imo, was fairly solid last season and is far from the joke of a centreback he was earlier in his career.

Not to mention built like a brick shithouse:lol:

if arsenal want to sell sagna...ill take him without questions...

http://www.skysports.com/football/transfer_clockwatch

Bramble appears to be a replacement for Anton Ferdinand, who will be out before the season kicks off. In that respect he's definitely an improvement - I really don't have a lot of time for Anton. However, we're still short at the back with John Mensah having gone home. We need an old head to bring the best out of Turner and Bramble, Sol might be that man.

It appears that Sol is taking his time waiting for the best deal before making up his mind though. He's got a few options, but the fact that he's just bought a mansion in Northumberland would imply that it's either Newcastle or Sunderland.

Sunderland have joined the race to sign England goalkeeper David James.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296665/Sunderland-join-race-sign-England-keeper-David-James.html

Real Madrid striker Raul is being lined up for a move to Tottenham Hotspur with the 33-year-old Spaniard available on a free transfer.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3062125/Spurs-lead-Toon-in-race-for-Raul.html

New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is set to turn his attentions to signing Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge. The future for the 29-year-old left-back has come under threat at Eastlands with the impending arrival of a number of new players.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-transfer-news-Reds-to-launch-shock-raid-for-Manchester-City-defender-Wayne-Bridge-article533091.html

Tottenham are interested in bringing in striker Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296679/Tottenham-make-loan-Manchester-City-forward-Craig-Bellamy.html

Sevilla are mulling a £9m bid for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296657/Arsenal-tabs-Evertons-Mikel-Arteta-Sevilla-prepare-9m-raid.html

West Ham are in pole position to sign Nice forward Loic Remy after making an improved £13m bid.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296655/West-Ham-close-13m-Nice-striker-Loic-Remy.html

Wigan are lining up a £2m move for PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido as a possible replacement for Maynor Figueroa, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296670/Wigan-eye-2m-wantaway-PSV-defender-Carlos-Salcido-Liverpool-Stoke-prepare-bid-Manyor-Figueroa.html

West Bromwich Albion are weighing up a move for former Hull City midfielder George Boateng after the Dutchman started training with the club.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296666/West-Brom-eye-George-Boateng-Hull-City-star-trains-Albion.html