Arsenal’s Wenger confirms transfer talks have commenced

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed the he has begun transfer talks in a bid to strengthen his squad.

The Gunners have failed to gain any silverware in the past four seasons and the Frenchman is hoping to bring in some fresh faces during the summer.

He confirmed to Arsenal’s Matchday Programme that things were already underway in regards to transfer discussions.

“I have definite transfer targets and I have been talking to people but I will not tell you to who," he said.

"I believe the earlier you settle your team the better it is and the less anxiety you have.

"Overall I feel it is very dangerous to buy on (the strength of) the tournament, because sometimes there are players who are fresh and have not played the whole season.

"Everyone can have three weeks of glory as a football player. Ten years is a bit different."

Arsenal favourites to land former French international
Arsenal - Sebastien Frey could be coming to the Emirates

Arsenal are reportedly in pole position to land former French international keeper Sebastien Frey.

The Fiorentina stopper is wanted by a string of clubs both in England and abroad, but the Italian media now place Arsenal as the favourites for his signature.

Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich are also being linked with the 30-year-old, who has built a reputation as one of the finest keepers in europe with continuous top level performances in Serie A.

The former Cannes stopper left his homeland in 1998, moving to Internazionale as a teenager. He spent three seasons at the San Siro, although one of those was on loan at Verona.

A 2001 switch to Parma first brough Frey to prominence outside of Italy, and he made well over 100 appearances at the Stadio Ennio Tardini before moving to the Viola, originally on a season long loan before making it permanent in 2006.

An immediate hit at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Frey made his debut for France in 2007 against Ukraine. Only one more cap followed before the keeper announced his international retirement, with coach Raymond Domenech constantly over-looking the keeper despite constant calls from the French media for Frey to start for Les Bleus.

At club level though, Frey's ability has never been in question. With Arsene Wenger thought to be looking for a new number one at the Emirates, Italian website Tutto Mercato place the Gunners as favourites to land the Frenchman.

The north London club will have to part with close to €10 million to bring the talented stopper to the Premier League, and Wenger might have to dig into his newly found financial pot to land Frey.

Is Jack Rodwell a Target for Arsenal?

If the reports in various media outlets are to be believed, Arsenal is apparently interested in Everton's Jack Rodwell.

He certainly fits the profile of a typical Arsenal signing, but I sincerely doubt it, as I think he would cost too much for a player of his age and limited experience. We have plenty of inexperience and promise, but I'm sure the boss knows we need a few players who are in their prime, have experience, and have reached their potential.

Read More : http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...et-for-arsenal

Arsène Wenger refuses to bolster Arsenal squad with World Cup stars.

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Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo hints at changing clubs again
Portuguese only moved to Spain from United last summer

Former Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo could be prepared to leave Real Madrid after admitting that he does not believe in staying with any particular club for a long period of time.

Real were able to acquire the Portuguese international from United for a world record £80 million transfer fee last summer.

However, with Real crashing out of the Champions League early this season and trailing Barcelona in the race for the Primera Division title, Ronaldo could be looking to change clubs again.

“Football is all about cycles,” Ronaldo told The Daily Star.

“I believe that you are in teams for cycles. If you have already won everything with a team, you have to change – and that’s what happened to me with United.

“I wanted a different football and different goals, and I am very happy to have taken this decision."

The 25-year-old spent six seasons with United before moving to Real, and Ronaldo insists that the Spanish giants will not be the last club he plays for.

“Alex Ferguson understood my decision and I continue to talk to him.

“I spent several years wanting to play in Madrid, but I don’t see myself here at 40. You are in teams for cycles.”

Manchester United Set for Audacious £20m Real Madrid Move

Real Madrid are preparing to spark another summer transfer battle with Manchester United by launching a £20million move for Patrice Evra.
The Spanish giants are determined to land a left back this summer after identifying former Liverpool player Alvaro Arbeloa as the weak link in a defence that has conceded 50 per cent more goals than Barcelona in 34 La Liga games this season.

Bernabeu director general Jorge Valdano has identified a number of candidates – including Arsenal’s Gael Clichy, Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and Fiorentina’s Juan Manuel Vargas – but Evra is said to have jumped to the top of the list on the recommendation of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson reluctantly allowed Ronaldo to leave United for Madrid in a world record £80m deal last summer, but he will not want to lose another of his star players.
However, sources in France claim that Evra could be tempted by a new challenge after winning about as much as he could have dreamed of since leaving Monaco four-and-a-half years ago.

The 28-year-old, under contract till 2013, has enjoyed three Barclays Premier League triumphs, three Carling Cups and Champions League success in 2008.
Evra and Ronaldo were close friends and United and the France defender recently defended his former team-mate against detractors who accused the Portugal star of arrogance.
Arbeloa has been a regular starter for Madrid this season, with former left back Marcelo playing further up the field because of worries over his defensive abilities

Atletico striker Sergio Aguero targets move to English club

Sergio Aguero will lead the Atletico Madrid attack tonight well aware that he could be back in England for good this summer if his club decide to cash in on the player they signed threeand- a-half years ago as a 17-year-old.

He even appeared to be getting his excuses in early to his adoring supporters this week when he said that he would be doing the club a favour if he was to move on for a massive fee.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz0mU4U3TsM

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan are all reported to be showing an interest in Ashley Cole with a view to a summer swoop.

Speculation over the future of Cole continues to mount and the trio are all waiting in the wings should the defender look to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Cole has just returned to full fitness and Chelsea will be loathe to let him go but rumours suggest the England international will ask to leave after the World Cup with Barca favourites to land him.

The European champions are keen to sign a new left-back and will target Cole, while there have also been suggestions that Blues target Dani Alves could move in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

Football thread
 

Arsenal & Manchester United Go Head to Head for £12m Midfield Maestro: Steven Defour Ready for Premier League Move

Standard Liege captain Steven Defour is set to become the subject of a bidding war between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. The Belgian international’s season has been hampered by injury and as a result his side has struggled to keep up with Belgian pacesetters Anderlecht and found themselves an astonishing 30 points behind the leaders before the league went into the play-off stages.

Manchester United boss Ferguson made no secret of his interest in the 22 year old midfielder and even sent the youngster a letter encouraging Defour as he recovered from a long term knock. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also a big fan and sees the talented midfielder as just the type of player who could improve his Emirates squad.

A number of other Premier League sides have expressed an interest in the intelligent ball winner but United and Arsenal are in the driving seat and Standard Liege may feel that they have little hope of trying to keep Defour at the club and will instead look to cash in on their prized asset.

Manchester United May Consider Move for £22m Premier League Goal Machine

Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly considering making a move for Sunderland’s in form marksman Darren Bent. The Old Trafford boss is known to be looking at potential attacking additions to help share the goalscoring burden with Wayne Rooney and the Manchester United manager may deem the former Tottenham man as a worthy purchase.

The England international has gone from strength to strength since being frozen out of White Hart Lane by Harry Redknapp. The 26 year old has had an incredible time since arriving at the Stadium of Light netting 24 Premier League goals, more than half Sunderland’s total for the season.

Steve Bruce will not be keen on selling such a crucial member of his Black Cats squad but the £22m rated front man would surely be excited by any such interest in his services. Bent knows that a move to any side in the top six would help secure him a regular spot in the national team set up and the Ipswich born striker is keen to prove himself at the highest level.

Chelsea Man Considering Sensational £20m Move to Manchester City

Roberto Mancini will attempt an audacious swoop to bring Chelsea left back Ashley Cole to Eastlands this summer. The England international has reportedly been upset at the way he has been treated by Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti following his alleged extra marital affairs and this could spark a melee for the former Arsenal man.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are also both considering moves for the 29 year old only returned from a lengthy spell out on the weekend. The Manchester City boss is ready to make an attractive bid in the region of £20m to secure Cole’s services and whilst Chelsea will be loathed to accept any bid for the defender they may also feel that there is no point in keeping a player who is supposedly unhappy at the club.

Clearly Ashley Cole is no stranger to controversial transfers and would presumably not think twice about making a move to a Premier League rival if indeed he feels hard done by. Manchester City boss Mancini is looking to bring in new faces this summer and believes the capture of talented left back would be quite a coup and one that would further push their case as genuine Premier League title candidates.

Man uniteds 5 worst strikers ever!

Massimo Taibi – £4.4m for the Italian goalkeeper, and a joke of a goalie he was as well. How he ended up letting that ball go through, in what looked like a very awkward position, from a speculative Matt Le Tissier shot is beyond me. This led to him being nicknamed the ‘Blind Venetian.’ He ended up playing four times for United before all concerned realised the signing was a mistake…

Diego Forlan – it makes sense that he was labeled ‘Diego Forlorn’ when he left! This guy took 27 matches and eight months to score his first goal, and he was supposed to be a real prospect when he arrived at Old Trafford for £7m. He went on to only score 10 goals in 63 Premier League games, and was eventually released after two seasons at the club.

Eric Djemba-Djemba – a replacement for Roy Keane? In what sense? I’d be surprised if Keane didn’t make Djemba-Djemba clean his boots. His weaknesses were highlighted even more by the fact that he was signed when United were going through a transition period and players like him just made the task harder. No doubt he tried hard, but shouldn’t have been brought in the first place.

Dion Dublin – the striker scored two goals in two seasons and appeared so infrequently that he twice missed out on Premiership medals after failing to play the 10 games required to gain one. Whilst he had success elsewhere, United was too big a step for Dublin.

Juan Sebastian Veron – this was a tough one, because he did have some contribution in United’s European matches. Anyway, Veron’s £28m fee looks even more like a waste of money when you see how he destabilised the team. He forced Paul Scholes out of his favoured position (to play as a support striker), struggled with the pace of the English game, produced no way near the standard of performance he did for Argentina and Lazio and generally looked out of place. When you let a rival club pay half of what Sir Alex Ferguson paid for him, than you know you’re glad to sell him.

I'd snap at the chance of having Modric at Old Trafford, plus we get rid of that waste of space called Carrick.

I like carick but Modric is like a little magic man.. can play a bit fabregas like just not quite the quality..

Hes quite like nasri i think.

Fabregas has a better range of passing and football brain, but Modric has great feet and balance, with an ability to take people on, which is sorely lacking at the moment in United's midfield. He'd actually be wonderful playing in Gigg's usual role, just in that pocket behind Rooney.

agreed.

Wonder which striker you will buy if berba leaves...

I'd say it's a case of when he leaves. Just not a United player. Funny thing is he'll go to Germany or Italy and do really well.

For sure he would be great in an italian team i think.

But who will you buy??


Villa?

heskey

I have no idea really. Trying to figure out myself who'd be good for us. I honestly think Bent could do well at United, if he's at the right price of course. Is he still after Huntelaar and Benzema?

I think huntelaar wouldnt be a target for you, benzema maybe yes, and bent yes possibly 22m kinda steep tho.

west ham **** off you bunch of dykes

You all supporting Liverpool tonight then so we get a footie sub forum?

Kuyt starting up front, really need him to play his best tonight. Babel's also gonna need to give us a reason to keep him, and Aqualani still needs to show his true talent for us that he had for Roma.

yes football sub forum!!