Spurs close in on one in, one out in defence plus other transfer rumours

Podolski appears to have fallen out of favour at the Emirates and wasn't in the match-day squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

Bonus transfer rumours this morning and Spurs are set to let go of a stalwart to bring in an exciting new talent. This and more from the fingers of Alex Johnson.

Tottenham could complete the signing of Frederico Fazio by the end of this week, according to the Daily Mirror.

Despite seeing his side keep clean sheets in their opening two league games of the season, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen to further bolster his defensive options.

With Michael Dawson poised to join Hull City, Tottenham are ready to spend £8million to bring Sevilla centre-back Fazio to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, SportinaStorm.com report that Sunderland are set to take Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates on a season-long loan deal.

The Uruguayan defender has not played for the Reds in over a year, after suffering a serious knee injury at the beginning of last season. Despite now returning to full fitness, the 23-year-old has dropped further down the pecking order at Anfield, following the arrival of Dejan Lovren.

Sunderland currently have just six senior defenders at their disposal and Coates would offer some healthy competition for places for boss Gus Poyet.

French daily L'Equipe are suggesting Marseille may add to their squad ahead of Monday's transfer deadline, with Alex Song believed to be a target for the Ligue 1 outfit.

Song looks like he may struggle for regular action at Camp Nou this term, after Barca's capture of Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic this summer.

The former Arsenal midfielder has been a target for several Premier League teams this summer, including Liverpool and Manchester United, but France could be his next destination.

Meanwhile, the agent of Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has denied claims that his player is currently speaking to both Juventus and Napoli about a potential move.

Podolski appears to have fallen out of favour at the Emirates and wasn't in the match-day squad for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

There had been suggestions on Monday that the Germany international had flown to Italy to discuss a possible summer switch to Serie A. But agent Ali Pektas insisted: "There has been no approach from either of those clubs. The only certainty is that Lukas has a contract with Arsenal."

Finally, Southampton are looking to make a raid on La Liga champions Atletico Madrid before Monday's transfer deadline.

The Times claim Ronald Koeman has enquired about signing Belgium international defender Toby Alderweireld, although Saints face competition for his signature from French outfit Monaco.

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Arsenal Transfer News: Podolski expected to arrive this summer

Premier League / Michael Lintorn / 08 March 2012 / 2 Comments

Lukas Podolski has grown frustrated by Koln's apparent lack of ambition

"When in a side suited to him, Podolski can be a fairly consistent scorer, as 43 goals in 95 national team appearances and 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga games for struggling Koln this term demonstrate."

It is widely claimed that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lukas Podolski and current side Koln to bring the German forward to the Emirates...

It was ultimately a meaningless triumph, but Arsenal's defiance in the face of adversity against AC Milan on Tuesday appears to have worked wonders in terms of transforming the mood at the club.

Wojciech Szczesny is adamant that it shows that they can beat anyone, ordering his team-mates to fight to finish above Tottenham (a [2.76] prospect) and even feeling confident enough to talk about Spurs being condemned to another Europa League campaign.

And there is now cause to be optimistic about next season too. After waiting until deadline day to do most of their business last summer, the BBC are reporting that they have effectively finalised what will probably prove their main deal of the next window to sign Lukas Podolski from Koln.

The Germany international is set to arrive in a £10.9 million move and earn £100,000-a-week, a sum which perhaps indicates that the Gunners are no longer willing to let lofty wage demands scupper their transfer plans.

The 26-year-old is adept at playing in a central role and, when in a side suited to him, can be a fairly consistent scorer, as 43 goals in 95 national team appearances and 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga games for struggling Koln this term - rendering him a [15.0] contender to be top scorer - demonstrate.

However, he is equally comfortable out wide and, provided Robin van Persie remains at the Emirates, will likely operate primarily on the left wing in Arsene Wenger's favoured formation.

The worry for Arsenal fans will be Podolski's lack of success the last time he left Koln, where he is very much the star man, for Bayern Munich in 2006, enduring three unprolific and unproductive years at the Allianz Arena.

Both the pressure and competition in north London shouldn't be quite so severe though at a club rated [1.54] to ensure him a return to the Champions League by finishing in the top four this season.

The Special One would be welcomed by Chelsea fans but he's smart enough to know you can't step in the same river twice and might prefer to wait for another Premier League job. Max Liu explains why you should never,...

He can't stop scoring and has admitted his own form is 'insane' and whilst that has helped Arsenal out of many a sticky situation, it has also led to the vultures from Barcelona, Madrid and Manchester circling the Emirates......

Like most Premier League fans Andrew Atherley has been impressed by Pavel Pogrebnyak whose goals are making Fulham an end-of-season danger to all and sundry...

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Tottenham Transfer News: Two strikers linked on deadline day

Premier League / Michael Lintorn / 31 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Hugo Rodallega is one of several players being linked with Tottenham

"There are also murmurs that Harry Redknapp will make one last push for Blackburn pair Chris Samba and Junior Hoilett."

Not for the first time, Tottenham dominate the headlines on transfer deadline day, with several stories surfacing about the [25.0] title outsiders boosting their chances with some last-gasp business.

Wigan forward Hugo Rodallega looks almost certain to move today and with links to both Fulham and QPR, London appears his most likely destination.

There are reports that Spurs will gazump both though, taking advantage of the fact that he is due at White Hart Lane for tonight's match, with the Daily Mirror even suggesting that the Colombian could face them and then join them straight after.

Elsewhere, it is claimed that they will try to seal a deal to bring loan star Emmanuel Adebayor in on a permanent basis for a fee of around £8 million, while there are murmurs that Harry Redknapp will make one last push for Blackburn pair Chris Samba and Junior Hoilett.

In addition to Adebayor, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini may see the back of another outcast before the 23:00 deadline. No, not Carlos Tevez, despite QPR following Liverpool and West Ham in kindly offering to take him on loan, but Wayne Bridge, who is believed to be Sunderland-bound.

Other speculation doing the rounds is that Arsenal will provide Newcastle with some competition by joining the race to sign Watford defender Adrian Mariappa. The Sun suspect that the Hornets will let him leave for a sum of just £2 million, having previously demanded £4 million.

There could be several strikers on the move, with QPR close to completing the capture of Djibril Cisse within a week of him ending a horrific goal drought at Lazio, and Fulham talking to Stuttgart's Pavel Pogrebnyak, who made his name as a hero of Zenit's triumphant 2007-08 UEFA Cup side.

In the Championship, Southampton [[6.2]] have confirmed the arrival of Doncaster goal-getter Billy Sharp, with leaders West Ham [[2.06]] expected to react by swooping for Barnsley's Ricardo Vaz Te, increasingly their ex-Bolton ranks. Rather more exciting is the gossip that they will land highly-rated Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany returns for Roberto Mancini and though that might not be enough to help te visitors keep a clean sheet, it should help them secure yet another win, says Lee Dixon....

Manchester United host Stoke in the Premier League, just three days after crashing out of the FA Cup. United are widely expeted to win the match of course but what do the black-letter stats say about the value bets, asks...

It is widely claimed that Liverpool are hoping to agree a deal to capture Carlos Tevez from Manchester City before the window closes......

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Transfer Deadline Day: Live updates and market movers

Premier League / Mike Norman / 31 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

We are all set for a day of great excitement and drama

"Transfer Deadline Day is barmy enough under normal circumstances, but there’s nothing normal about today."

It's one of the busiest days of the football season, made all the more intriguing by a big programme of football fixtures this evening. Mike Norman takes us through the day.

13:02 Tevez News

I forgot to mention earlier that AC Milan are back in for Carlos Tevez. If they fail, I wonder if Liverpool will try and offer Andy Carroll to Milan in a swap for a few pork pies!

13:00 - 10 hours to go

As I mentioned earlier, this TDD is unique in that it coincides with almost 20 domestic fixtures in the top four divisions of English football.

We could have a scenario where Wigan's Hugo Rodallega starts for his current club against Tottenham tonight, signs for Spurs at half-time, and turns out for Harry Redknapp's men in the second half. Ok, that can't happen but you get my point - one minute he's cheering on the away side, the next minute he's cheering on the home size. Bizarre.

Tonight's Premier League fixtures

Everton v Man City
Man Utd v Stoke
Swansea v Chelsea
Tottenham v Wigan
Wolves v Liverpool

12:45

West Ham are expected to be very busy today as they look to consolidate their position at the top of the Championship, and highly-rated Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison is currently having a medical at Upton Park.

At the start of the season I made West Ham 'certainties' (well almost) to win the Championship and they are now into [2.02] from an opening [8.6].

12:40

SSN are reporting that Andrei Arshavin is a possible target of some Russian club... let's just say you would be world champion if you got the name of the club accepted on a scrabble board. Roma midfielder David Pizarro could join Man City on loan, and QPR have made a £5m bid for Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.

Incidentally, if you think Arshavin will be leaving you can back the No option in the Arshavin To Stay market at [1.23] currently.

12:30

If it's figures you're into - numerical ones that is, then keep a check on the Betfair Transfer Totaliser by clicking this link.

12:27 Breaking News!!!

Just to confirm how barmy TDD is, Norwich boss Paul Lambert tells Sky Sports News that none of his senior players will leave Carrow Road, and in the very next news item, Rangers are reportedly interested in signing Grant Holt... from Norwich.

12:25

Some of the bigger name players expected to move today include Djibril Cisse (Lazio to QPR), Wayne Bridge (Man City to Sunderland), Nikica Jelavic (Rangers to Everton), Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham to West Brom), and of course, there's the will he, won't he, where, question marks hanging over the heads of Tevez and Carroll.

12:20 Done Deals

Right, let's get the show on the road. Here's a list of some early done deals (in the last 48 hours) - what are these clubs thinking of, being organised and completing deals before lunch. Killjoys!

-Kevin de Bruyne - Genk to Chelsea for around £6.7m though the midfielder will stay at Genk on loan for the remainder of the season.
-Marcus Olsson - Halmstads BK to Blackburn, free
-Andy Keogh - Wolves to Millwall, undisclosed
-Sama Diakite - Nancy to QPR, loan
-Danny Ward - Wrexham to Liverpool, undisclosed
-John Bostock - Tottenham to Sheff Wed, loan
-Tom Carroll - Tottenham to Derby, loan
-Billy Sharp - Doncaster to Southampton, undisclosed
-Sam Vokes - Wolves to Brighton, loan
-Diniyar Bilyaletdinov - Everton to Spartak Moscow, undisclosed
-Alan Smith - Newcastle to MK Dons, loan

12:10

Or quite possibly, 500 footballers might have their chances of a move scuppered by being in action tonight. However it pans out, there's never been a TDD quite like this one.

We'll be here throughout the day to update you on all the moves, the possible moves, and the market moves depending on who goes where. We have a lot of 'To Stay' markets in our Football Specials section including players such as Darren Bent, Dimitar Berbatov, Andy Carroll, and of course, Mr Carlos Tevez.

And as today's not just about transfers, I'll be providing you with some links to expert previews of tonight's big games, and some vital Opta stats.

12:00

If we're being honest, there's never been a Transfer Deadline Day like the one we are in the midst of now. TDD is barmy enough under normal circumstances, but there's nothing normal about today. Why I hear you ask.

Take five Premier League fixtures, throw in a full programme of Championship fixtures, add some League One and League Two encounters, and garnish with a couple of Africa Cup of Nations games and you've got approximately 500 professional footballers practically sitting on the sill of a ginormous transfer window.

David Pizarro to Manchester City and Bobby Zamora to QPR are two of the rumours gaining at the halfway point on deadline day......

Not for the first time, Tottenham dominate the headlines on transfer deadline day, with several stories surfacing about the [25.0] title outsiders boosting their chances with some last-gasp business....

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany returns for Roberto Mancini and though that might not be enough to help te visitors keep a clean sheet, it should help them secure yet another win, says Lee Dixon....

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Man City Transfer News: Late entrance for creative midfielder

Premier League / Michael Lintorn / 31 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

David Pizarro has barely featured this season, despite appearing a perfect fit for Luis Enrique's style of play

"While staying fit has been a problem recently, Pizarro is intelligent and creative enough to be a difference maker when available, so the potential rewards outweigh the risk in a loan scenario."

David Pizarro to Manchester City and Bobby Zamora to QPR are two of the rumours gaining at the halfway point on deadline day...

It looked like Manchester City were going to complete their first transfer-free window in the four years since their landscape-changing takeover, but Roberto Mancini has decided to catch everyone off guard with a shrewd late piece of business.

Roma have confirmed that they are in negotiations with the [1.55] Premier League favourites over letting them take experienced midfielder David Pizarro on loan until the end of the season.

The Chilean has featured sparingly over the last year or so primarily due to injuries and supposedly strained relationships with Roma coach Luis Enrique and former boss Claudio Ranieri. The latter shouldn't be a concern if he goes to Manchester City though, as he played for Mancini at Inter.

There is also little doubt that while staying fit has been a problem recently, Pizarro is intelligent and creative enough to be a difference maker when available, which is why Juventus considered him as an alternative to Andrea Pirlo, so the potential rewards outweigh the risk in a loan scenario.

Pizarro aside, there hasn't been much to get excited about so far on deadline day. The only major deal completed is Chelsea's signing of 20-year-old Genk winger Kevin De Bruyne, however he will close the campaign with his former employers, and probably head out on loan again next term.

If Manchester City playing a part in the end-of-month proceedings isn't a huge shock, then the extent to which Everton are getting involved certainly is. If reports are to be believed, by the end of the day, they will have brought in almost as many new stars as in the last decade combined.

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic is top of the bill, currently undergoing a medical before his alleged £8 million move, in which the Toffees are using the funds that they gained through the sale of Dinyar Bilyaletdinov to Spartak Moscow.

There is talk that he and Darron Gibson, who arrived earlier in January, could yet be joined by any of Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci, PSG forward Guillaume Hoarau - though Leonardo has denied this - and AEK Athens defender Kostas Manolas.

Elsewhere, Bolton increased their offer for Crystal Palace youngster Wilfried Zaha to £7 million without joy, and QPR hope to prise Bobby Zamora away from neighbours Fulham.

Keep up with all the latest deadline day action via Mike Norman's live blog

It's one of the busiest days of the football season, made all the more intriguing by a big programme of football fixtures this evening. Mike Norman takes us through the day....

Not for the first time, Tottenham dominate the headlines on transfer deadline day, with several stories surfacing about the [25.0] title outsiders boosting their chances with some last-gasp business....

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany returns for Roberto Mancini and though that might not be enough to help te visitors keep a clean sheet, it should help them secure yet another win, says Lee Dixon....

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European Transfer List: Five biggest January movers so far

European Leagues / Michael Lintorn / 27 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Maxwell was Paris St-Germain's first major signing under Carlo Ancelotti

"Most of the exciting transfer speculation to have done the rounds this month has involved the [1.41] Ligue 1 favourites, with Carlos Tevez, Kaka and Alexandre Pato among the big names linked."

It has been a fairly dull window, and even the final days threaten to underwhelm with Carlos Tevez now judged unlikely to move. Michael Lintorn picks out five high-profile transfers that actually have taken place...

Gary Cahill (Bolton to Chelsea, £7 million)
Chelsea conceded as many goals in the first half of this season (24) as they did throughout four of the last seven campaigns. To solve that problem, they opted to reunite John Terry with an England colleague. One advantage of buying from Bolton is that there's no need to worry about Champions League ineligibility; they are [16.0] to win that competition.

Maxwell (Barcelona to Paris St-Germain, £3.35 million)
Most of the exciting transfer speculation to have done the rounds this month has involved the [1.41] Ligue 1 favourites, with Carlos Tevez, Kaka and Alexandre Pato among the big names linked since Carlo Ancelotti's arrival. Their first signing wasn't quite as glamorous, with the defence strengthened by the capture of Barcelona's Brazilian left back.

Jose Antonio Reyes (Atletico Madrid to Sevilla, £2.9 million)
Reyes once changed clubs for a sum rising to £17 million in January, and though the fee for his latest switch doesn't come close to that, it's been the standout deal of a very quiet Spanish window. The 28-year-old returns to his local side, while his former employers have welcomed back an icon of their own, hiring Diego Simeone as coach.

Papiss Cisse (Freiburg to Newcastle, £10 million)
At the start of 2012, it seemed like the only chance of Newcastle appearing on this list was by selling one of their stars, but instead caught everyone off guard with the eight-figure purchase of one of the most prolific players in the Bundesliga over the last 18 months. The Senegalese striker is [2.9] to help the Magpies maintain their top-six position.

Eduardo Vargas (Universidad de Chile to Napoli, £11.5 million)
Five Napoli starters hail from South America, not to mention their idol Diego Maradona, and it is hoped that Vargas will be their latest hero from the continent. The Chilean forward has arrived for a hefty amount from Copa Sudamericana winners Universidad de Chile, yet Walter Mazzarri plans to bed him in slowly after a poor debut against Cesena.

Loan deals and free transfers have been ignored, in case you're wondering where Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry are...

James Eastham believes the defending French league champions will lack firepower without their Senegal international....

Lille were crowned French champions last season and are the team to follow in 2012, says James Eastham, who also picks out this weekend's best bets....

Three months after ending his brief spell as Nottingham Forest boss by resigning, Steve McClaren is expected to return to management at the club where he enjoyed his greatest success, Twente....

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European Transfer News: Fun for Ancelotti at Paris St-Germain

French Football / Michael Lintorn / 18 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Carlo Ancelotti has been left spoilt for choice in terms of potential signings

"Agents have nudged him in the direction of Radamel Falcao, Carlos Tevez, Fernando Torres, Dimitar Berbatov, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Edinson Cavani and Fernando Llorente."

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that life in charge of Paris St-Germain is like living in a candy shop, but nobody is too certain whether they will sign Carlos Tevez...

The latest news involving Carlos Tevez's future varies depending on where you read it. Some reports claim that he is close to joining Paris St-Germain, others hint that Inter will up their bid and the rest take the dreaded stance that the saga remains nowhere near a conclusion.

Regardless of whether Paris St-Germain capture Tevez - [3.6] to stay at Manchester City - or not, the final fortnight of the transfer window promises to be a hectic time for the French club, and new coach Carlo Ancelotti appears to be loving it.

The former Chelsea boss certainly hasn't been shy over the last 48 hours, discussing everything from possible big-name purchases to the lure of Paris to the importance of the players already there and - most unnecessarily - why his old employers should get shot of Didier Drogba.

His standout revelation, and one that hasn't been crushed as you would expect if he was misquoted or just talking nonsense, was that agents have nudged him in the direction of Radamel Falcao, Tevez, Fernando Torres, Dimitar Berbatov, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Edinson Cavani and Fernando Llorente.

Quite a shortlist of strikers to pick from, and one that you suspect must seriously unnerve current line-leader Kevin Gameiro, who has scored nine in 19 Ligue 1 starts since being bought from Lorient.

Ancelotti has vowed not to completely rip apart the team that he has inherited though, instead pledging to only ditch half of them. He said: "Stars will arrive, but the spine of this group will remain the same. More than half of the current players will be here next season."

The Italian tactician, who plans to revisit his interest in Kaka and Alexandre Pato in the summer, also admits that having taken over a side top of the table following the rather harsh sacking of Antoine Kombouare, it will reflect badly on him if they fail to win the title.

A 3-1 victory over Toulouse in his first league game ensures that the two-time champions are still three points clear of Montpellier and convincing [1.4] favourites to finish first.

This was a bad weekend for Ligue 1 contenders Lille and Lyon. Table-toppers PSG did win but there are reasons to believe they may not last the distance. All of which may pave the way for Montpellier, says Ben Lyttleton....

Lille were crowned French champions last season and are the team to follow in 2012, says James Eastham, who also picks out this weekend's best bets....

After a fortnight of speculation, it is being reported in Italy and France that Paris St-Germain have finally made an offer for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato......

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Tottenham Transfer News: Modric staying, Crouch off, Cahill joining

Premier League / Richard / 31 August 2011 / Leave a Comment

Harry Redknapp is convinced Luka Modric will stay at Spurs

"Redknapp was sure his side weren’t going to sign anyone on transfer deadline day last summer and they ended up bagging Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart for £8million."

Harry 'don't call me a wheeler dealer' Redknapp looks set for a massive day of wheeling and dealing with several players linked to moves in and out of White Hart Lane

It's just as well Tottenham Hotspur's chairman Daniel Levy has a batter grasp on numbers than manager Harry Redknapp who this morning said he was a "million per cent sure" that Luka Modric would be staying at White Hart Lane.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Spurs boss said: "Obviously there's been all the talk about Luka but the chairman has held firm and he's not for sale.

"So he's not going, which is great. That won't happen, no chance. One million per cent - that will not happen."

However, Redknapp was sure his side weren't going to sign anyone on transfer deadline day last summer and they ended up bagging Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart for £8million.

If you reckon Harry is telling porkies, then Modric can still be backed to leave Spurs at [4.1].

One player who does look set to leave though is Peter Crouch who is allegedly now being pursued by Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland.

The Black Cats remain favourites for his signature though as the £12million valuation is thought to be putting Neil Warnock and his board off the player.

Crouch would certainly do a job for Sunderland who have been starved of a goalscorer since Darren Bent's move to Aston Villa in January.

If Steve Bruce's side - who have scored just one goal in three Premier League games this term - can start finding the net, a bet on them to finish in the top ten at [2.1] looks well worth a punt.

Meanwhile, Redknapp is also keen to bring in Bolton defender Gary Cahill after Arsenal withdrew their interest in the centre-half yesterday.

Redknapp, rather coyly, said: "I've always been a big admirer of Gary Cahill so we've got to wait and see really," he said.

"We've got some bits and pieces to do ourselves. So we'll see how the day pans out."

There's no doubting Spurs need to add some more quality to their squad if they are to have any chance of getting back into the top four. They are currently [6.0] to do just that.

Everything looks set for another interesting day in North London...

Tied to a chair and armed with just a TV and a laptop, Mike Norman (and later Jaymes Monte) is here to bring you all the deals as they happen on Transfer Deadline Day....

Manchester City are going against the grain and getting someone on the cheap, while Arsenal are going mad and spending some money...

After the Manchester Massacre at the weekend, Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko have become joint favourites to finish top Premier League goalscorer...

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Transfer Deadline Day: All the moves as they happen

Premier League / Mike Norman / 31 August 2011 / 1 Comments

"Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says that Luka Modric is a million per cent certain to remain a Spurs player, though Peter Crouch can leave with Sunderland and Stoke leading the chase to land the £10m-rated striker."

Tied to a chair and armed with just a TV and a laptop, Mike Norman (and later Jaymes Monte) is here to bring you all the deals as they happen on Transfer Deadline Day.

12:41

Joe Cole has signed for French side Lille on a season-long loan, scuppering Aston Villa's last ditch attempts to take him to Villa Park.

QPR have agreed a fee with Sunderland to take defender Anton Ferdinand to Loftus Road.

12:33 Done Deal

It's official, Gary Neville is staying at Sky Sports, and he is not moving to some Lithuanian non-league football channel as the whole country had hoped.

Stoke have agreed a fee with Birmingham to bring striker Cameron Jerome to the Britannia Stadium, whilst it is also being reported that Stoke is the preferred club of Peter Crouch. Still no more on that 'exciting' news coming out of Old Trafford however (re: 11:35). Maybe it was Darren Fletcher opening his wallet!

12:15

We are still waiting for official confirmation but it definitely looks like both Arsenal and Liverpool have grabbed themselves a centre back each - Per Mertesacker moving to the Gunners and Sebastian Coates moving to Anfield.

Liverpool can be backed at [1.63] and Arsenal at [2.58] in the Top 4 Finish market.

Meanwhile, ala Owen Hargreaves, I've just released a video of myself proving my fitness in the hope I might get a move to a new club soon - take a look.

11:55

I agree with The Other Stevie G's comment below, especially as it looks like Liverpool have agreed to let David N'Gog go to Bolton. That just leaves Suarez, Carroll and Kuyt at the club who can play in attack. Peter Crouch is available you know. Would you have him back? Big man, giant man in attack could be the new big man, small man combo!

11:45

Here's a tip for all you Football Manager fans. Don't go out and buy FM2012 later this year, just load up your FM2011 Editor and replicate all the real life transfers that way. I'm still using FM1979, though I refuse to retire Trevor Brooking. What a wonderful player he was/is... he's 78 now but he still gets 40 goals a season playing in front of Paul Gascoigne and Lionel Messi!

11:35 - Major news

We don't know what it is, but there are reports that there's some exciting news coming out of Old Trafford for Manchester United fans. For the moment though, we'll just have to sit tight and wait for it. Wesley Sneijder anyone? Bit of an anti-climax that wasn't it?

Aston Villa are in talks with Liverpool's Joe Cole. I'm a big fan of Cole, and at his age he definitely needs to be playing regular football. Will be a good deal all round that one.

11:23

The most surprising signing today could be that of Owen Hargreaves by Man City. The England international has been plagued with injuries since he joined Man Utd four years ago, so much so that Sir Alex Ferguson released him at the end of his contract a few months back.

But in an amazing twist Hargreaves, barring any last minute hitches (like a broken leg, cruciate ligament damages etc) is expected to complete a move to City in the next few hours and join a squad that already has excellent players that can play in his position.

What do you think City fans? Will Hargreaves complete your jigsaw?

As well as all the arrivals at Eastlands (can I still call it that?) in the summer there are a handful of players expected to leave the club today. Shaun Wright-Phillips should complete a permanent transfer to QPR, whilst Craig Bellamy is also in talks with the London club. And Stewart Downing has tweeted that James Milner has left the England camp, though my guess is the City midfielder has gone for an early bath, and not to another club.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says that Luka Modric is a million per cent certain to remain a Spurs player, though Peter Crouch can leave with Sunderland and Stoke leading the chase to land the £10m-rated striker.

11:10

Right, let's start with some odds in the Premier League.

Manchester United are the favourites to retain the title at [2.42], just ahead of neighbours City at [3.15] - both have made magnificent starts to the new season. Chelsea are a rather tasty looking [5.9], how busy will new boss Andre Villas-Boas be today?

In the relegation market QPR can be backed at [2.76] but I have a feeling Neil Warnock and his staff will be bringing in some big names throughout the day and that price may well drift.

11:00

Morning everyone. It's one of the most exciting days in the football calendar today with clubs up and down the country desperately trying to fine-tune their squads before the transfer window slams shut. There will be many twists and turns as the day progresses, and there could even be some huge deals.

All eyes will be on the likes of moneybags Manchester City, Premier League new boys QPR, transfer deadline-crazy Harry Redknapp at Tottenham, and the desperately in need of improving Arsenal.

The betting.betfair team will be here all day to let you know who moves where and who stays put, but it's not all just about the football clubs. You the fans are just as important so please let us know who you would like your club to sign by leaving a comment below. Which players are on your wish list and who are you hoping will be staying put?

It's going to be a very exciting day, and that's about the only thing I can guarantee you at this stage.

Harry 'don't call me a wheeler dealer' Redknapp looks set for a massive day of wheeling and dealing with several players linked to moves in and out of White Hart Lane...

Manchester City are going against the grain and getting someone on the cheap, while Arsenal are going mad and spending some money...

After the Manchester Massacre at the weekend, Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko have become joint favourites to finish top Premier League goalscorer...

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Cesc Fabregas Transfer: Arsenal 'agree to negotiate'

Premier League / Dan Thomas / 19 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Could the Cesc Fabregas transfer saga finally be coming to an end?

"Barcelona has made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31 and we'll try to reach an agreement."

The long-running Cesc Fabregas transfer saga could finally be reaching a conclusion after Pep Guardiola said Arsenal have agreed to negotiate a deal for the midfielder.

The Barcelona manager said: "We have made an offer, Arsenal another and we have time until August 31 and we'll try to reach an agreement."

The comments came just hours after Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood called on Barca to put up on shut up over Fabregas.

"They've made one offer, which works out at around £26m, but that was ages ago," he told the Daily Star.

"I am not sure how keen they are. There are still stories in the (Spanish) press, but they don't talk to us."

"But at the moment our situation is very straight-forward: we don't want to lose him.

"Obviously if they come up with an offer which was a very good offer we would have to think about it."

For the latest odds on in the Fabregas to Stay Betfair market and the chance to bet, check out our brand new transfer-o-meter.

It looks as if Carlos Tevez is off on his travels again and Dan 'The Betting Man' Fitch thinks that even with all the money in the world, Manchester City will struggle to replace their talisman....

The likes of David Bentley and William Gallas have shrugged off their Arsenal pasts to become Spurs players in recent years. Will Emmanuel Adebayor be the next?...

Swansea wear the unwanted tag of early frontrunners to make a swift return to the Championship, however as many as a dozen teams are viewed as relegation contenders....

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Transfer News: Aguero to replace Tevez at City?

Premier League / Maxliu / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Eastlands bound?

"Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?"

If one Argentina strikers goes another may arrive at Eastlands, United chase "new Kaka" and Wenger prepares for life after Cesc. Let us know what you think of the latest transfer rumours...

If Argentine striker Carlos Tevez does leave Eastlands this summer - he's [1.15] to leave - then Diego Maradona's son-in-law might be the man who replaces him.

That's the latest rumour buzzing around Eastlands with the Blues reportedly interested in brining Sergio Aguero in from Atletico Madrid. The striker will cost City around £38 million - the type of fee they may recoup if Tevez leaves. However, City have so far failed to agree a fee with Corinthians, Tevez's main suitors, and there are only three days to go until the Brazilian transfer window closes. Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?

City fans, what do you think? With your team [5.2] to win the Premier League, is Augero the man for you if Tevez goes?

Forward motion is on the cards at White Hart Lane too with reports the Peter Crouch may leave Tottenham before the end of the transfer window. Betfair don't as yet have a To Stay market on the England striker so it's a surprise to here that he could return to Queens Park Rangers as Neil Warnock prepares a cheeky bid. Crouch spent a season at Loftus Road a decade ago but do the Hoops think he's the man to lead their Premier League charge this season?

Manchester United may not sign Samir Nasri - [1.6] to stay at Arsenal - but they are setting their sights on young Brazilian midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso. Dubbed "the new Kaka", Ganso plays for Santos and it's understood that United might be able to land him for around £25 million.

Meanwhile, the arrival of ex-Red Devils John O'Shea and Wes Brown at the Stadium of Light means that Anton Ferdinand could find himself surplus to requirements. A return to West Ham might be on the cards for the defender or a move to Birmingham.

Arsene Wenger is already seeking replacements for Cesc Fabregas - [1.78] to stay at Arsenal - and Napoli's Marek Hamsik is at the top of his list. The Slovakian, who has, at the age of 23, already captained his country is seen as the ideal solution to filling the hole that the Spaniard would leave in the Gunners' midfield.

Harry Redknapp has once again insisted that wantaway midfielder Luka Modric will be a Spurs player at the start of the season....

Arsene Wenger does not plan to report Barcelona to FIFA over Xavi's comments about Cesc Fabregas but has hit out at the Barca player for being disrespectful....

The papers have combined to find four potential targets for Aston Villa as they try to improve their squad with the funds recouped for Ashley Young and Stewart Downing....

Patrick Vieira has announced the end of his glorious career, having won trophies with all four clubs that employed him since 1996 as well as reaching the top with his country....

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Luka Modric Transfer: Dan the hard man

Premier League / Ralph Ellis / 11 July 2011 / 1 Comments

Daniel Levy has been accused by Luka Modric of going back on his word, and not for the first time

"Playing tough and making Modric honour the six-year contract he signed is the best way to show they mean business. It would send a signal to the dressing room, to the likes of Gareth Bale, that the club remain ambitious."

Luka Modric has his heart set on a move to Chelsea but he's finding out like other Spurs players before him that he'll only be sold when Daniel Levy is good and ready to let him go. The interesting thing is that the Betfair market still thinks that will be this summer.

These days, top players have an army of people working for them. There are bodyguards, and drivers, and gardeners, and pretty much any other sort of "ers" that their lifestyle might demand; most especially, they have lawyers who check out their entitlement to image rights and the occasional super injunction.

But it amazes me that so many of these men of law still allow huge loopholes in their clients' contracts. They check through the fine print of several pages of a five-year deal. Meanwhile the player is being assured by his chairman or chief executive that "if a big club comes we won't stand in your way". Yet somehow that part of the process never gets put in writing.

Luka Modric is the latest to find himself on the wrong end of this process, and no doubt he'll be getting plenty of sympathy from both Charles N'Zogbia and Stewart Downing this morning. All three of them have got their eyes on pastures new - and all three are finding that their clubs are playing hardball.

Modric wants to go to Chelsea. Chelsea want to sign him. The trouble is that Spurs don't want to sell. So now the Croatian midfielder is playing the "Daniel Levy can't be trusted" card. Spurs fans will be familiar with this tactic. We've heard it over the years from Darren Bent, Dimitar Berbatov, and from plenty others claiming the chairman had gone back on promises.

"I reminded Mr Levy of the gentlemen's agreement we made last summer," said Modric. "I mentioned that if a concrete offer comes in from a big club we will look at the offer and agree the best solution. The chairman said: 'ok we will sit down and discuss it.' Now he is changing his story."

The problem for Modric is that actually Levy is not changing his stance at all. He has indeed sat down and discussed it, and agreed that the best solution for Spurs is not to sell.

Betfair's market has taken a cynical view. Levy has previous for promising top players wouldn't go at any price, and in the past has always buckled on deadline day and taken the biggest fee he could get (think of both Berbatov and Michael Carrick). At the moment the midfielder is rated odds against to stay at anywhere between [2.1] and [3.4].

But this time it could be different. Tottenham are at a pivotal moment if they want last season's wonderful Champions League adventure to be more than a one-year wonder. Playing tough and making Modric honour the six-year contract he signed is the best way to show they mean business. It would send a signal to the dressing room, to the likes of Gareth Bale, that the club remain ambitious. And with the experience of Brad Friedel in goal bringing some extra security to the defence, it might just make them value at [4.5] to recover a top four spot.

Levy may finally have realised that the old adage "you can't keep an unhappy player" no longer applies. If the star throws a sulk once the transfer window shuts he will quickly find he is the only person to suffer. Martin O'Neill proved that a couple of years back when Aston Villa refused to sell Gareth Barry unless they got the fee they wanted. The England midfielder stayed another full and successful season.

Villa clearly haven't forgotten that lesson. Having let Ashley Young move to Manchester United with just a year on his deal left, they are playing hardball with Stewart Downing. New boss Alex McLeish has set the price at £20million, and if Liverpool or Arsenal won't pay that much then the player won't go. Downing, with two years of his contract left, might not like it, but he will have to get on with it.

The downside to that stance is that it's stopping McLeish from recruiting Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan because Dave Whelan is talking just as tough. He reckons the 25-year-old French winger should be in the same price bracket as Downing. Guess what? N'Zogbia thought he had a "gentlemen's agreement" from the chairman that "if a big club came in we can talk about it".

Gervinho won more trophies last season than several of his new team-mates have earned in their careers, but that's not the reason why he should prove a shrewd addition, says Michael Lintorn....

There is speculation that Chelsea will move for Joao Moutinho following Michael Essien's injury in pre-season training, while their pursuit of Luka Modric may not be over....

The betting says he's off with Real Madrid and Chelsea the leading contenders but there are plenty of reasons to doubt that, says Joe Dyer...

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Tottenham Transfer News: Spurs look at home for new forwards

Premier League / Joe Dyer / 10 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will this Black Cat be plying his trade in north London next year?

"Could Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan be the man to fire Spurs up the Premier League table? It's been reported that Defoe could leave White Hart Lane for the second time in his career, in a swap-plus-£5m deal with the Black Cats."

Spurs are again right in the middle of rumour mill with many striking options for the faithful to chew over

No day on the transfer rumour mill is complete without a Tottenham mention and so it is that they dominate today's talk.

Spurs fans have long thought that the key to Champions League qualification is a change of personnel upfront with none of misfiring quartet Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch considered a key man at the Lane.

But while much talk has focused on Harry Redknapp's probably fruitless attempts to land Giuseppe Rossi from Villareal, the transfer chat suggests a couple of solutions may be closer to home.

Could Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan be the man to fire Spurs up the Premier League table? It's been reported that Defoe could leave White Hart Lane for the second time in his career, in a swap-plus-£5m deal with the Black Cats.

After impressing at the 2010 World Cup, Gyan scored ten goals for Sunderland in a largely successful season for the Ghanaian on Wearside. But there have been rumours of a departure from the Stadium of Light in recent weeks, and Steve Bruce could be bracing himself for the loss of another big name after Darren Bent last season and Jordan Henderson this summer.

But Gyan isn't the only name for Spurs fans to consider with Dimitar Berbatov once again appearing on Redknapp's radar.

Many amongst the Tottenham faithful would be unhappy to see the Bulgarian back at White Hart Lane, but his 20 goal tally last year easily surpassed top scorer Pavlyuchenko (9) and laughs at the four goals scored by Defoe and Crouch.

Spurs are currently [4.6] for a top four finish, but a big name signing upfront will surely make them a genuine threat to an Arsenal side likely to be rebuilding under Arsene Wenger and Liverpool, where Kenny Dalglish will be trying to bed in a host of new players.

Shay Given, Alan Hutton and Scott Parker could all be on their way to Villa Park as Alex McLeish looks to make his own imprint on the Aston Villa squad....

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy expressed confidence that Luka Modric will be happy to stay at the club after their meeting, while he could be joined by Juan Mata....

Charlie Adam is expected to become Liverpool's second summer signing after it was confirmed that they had struck a deal with Blackpool....

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Fernando Torres Transfer: The latest odds on the big move

Premier League / Joe Dyer / 31 January 2011 / 6 Comments

Torres arrives at Liverpool for training - could it be the last time?

"Torres is priced at [5.0] to still be a Liverpool player at 13:00 on February 3. He is [1.25] to be elsewhere."

Though likely this is not a done deal yet, say Betfair punters

The headlines suggest Fernando Torres is on his way to Chelsea - but the betting on Betfair suggests there could be a twist or turn in the saga yet.

Given the pace with which a sale can move this could be old news before it's even published but at the time of writing (16:15, Jan 31) Torres is priced at [5.0] to still be a Liverpool player at 13:00 on February 3. He is [1.25] to be elsewhere.

And, if taking the short price, don't forget that Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez both looked to be on their way earlier in the season. The pair traded at [4.0] to remain and where are they now? Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium.

However, with deals for Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll possibly going through - a rumoured £50m injection from Chelsea must be very tempting to the Liverpool hierarchy.

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