He got lucky..

It was all skill

Zlatan!!

Maradona 3 Million

What a bargain that would be now

http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/excl...in-dzeko-agent


Exclusive: No Milan Deal For Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko - Agent
Reports suggesting Dzeko was on the verge of joining Milan are less than deft as his agent claims there is no deal in place...
9 Jun 2009 11:20:13


Edin Dzeko's agent Irfan Redzepagic has exclusively told Goal.com that his client is not in talks with Milan, contradicting what Sky Sport Italia claimed on Monday night.

The Italian news station suggested Dzeko was on the verge of joining Milan after his father met with Milan directors Adriano Galliani and Ariedo Braida on Saturday. However, the player's agent has denied rumours that his client was in negotiations with the Italian side.

"Edin Dzeko is a Wolfsburg player and he still has a two year contract left to run with the German side," Irfan Redzepagic told Goal.com

"Reports saying that Milan are in talks with Dzeko are not true. I have been contacted by clubs and there are teams in England, Spain, Germany and Italy who are interested in him, but we have not received any concrete deal on the table yet.

"There are no offers for the moment, but it's possible that he could leave for another club. I don't have any information of a deal between Milan and Wolfsburg."

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com



What i don't understand is Man City have only offered 9m for him?

yet they payed 12m for barry

Edin was second from top scorer in the Bundesliga netting 26 goals.
Scoring 30 goals in 32 games in all competitions, yet hes only worht 9m? ****ing bargain.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...n-1700598.html

Van Persie welcomes Arsenal move for Vermaelen

Tuesday, 9 June 2009



Robin van Persie is delighted Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax.

The 23-year-old defender is thought to be discussing personal terms with the Gunners after a fee of 12m euros was agreed between the clubs.

"It's a good thing," Van Persie told De Telegraaf. "There's nothing wrong with the qualities of Vermaelen. He can play as left-back and central defender and we need this type of player.

"The guys that we now have on those positions are already somewhat older."

Van Persie admits he does not know a lot about Vermaelen but added: "But our head scout does and he doesn't do such a thing out of the blue.

"He needs to see a player 30 to 40 times before a decision is made."

http://hammyend.com/?p=2294

Brede still an Arsenal target
June 9th, 2009

The Guardian claims that, despite Arsenal closing in on a deal for the Ajax centre back Thomas Vermaelen, Brede Hangeland still remains a transfer target for Arsene Wenger.

The paper’s report offers no new information from the usual tittle-tattle that has linked Hangeland, so impressive last season, with a move away from Craven Cottage. They insist that Wenger remains keen on signing the Norway captain but Fulham will play hardball, holding out for a new club record fee, eclipsing the £12.8m Manchester United paid for Louis Saha in January 2004.

The Whites are still confident that Hangeland will sign a contract extension after encouraging close-season negotiations.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo....html?ITO=1490

Arshavin demands Arsenal bump up his £80,000-a-week deal to cover tax blow

By Ashley Gray
Last updated at 12:37 PM on 09th June 2009


Andrey Arshavin's agent has called on Arsenal to increase the star's huge £80,000-a-week wages just four months after arriving in England.

The Russia forward agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract when he signed from Zenit St Petersburg for £15million


But his agent Dennis Lachter says the club should cover cost when the top rate of income tax rises from 40 per cent to 50p in the pound next April.

'The British Government has suddenly started to solve their problems through the crisis of people who earn big money in the UK,' said Lachter.
Arsene Wenger


'If a player has signed a contract, it is logical that there were certain obligations from the club on the money that the player receives.

'Now suddenly, this tax rate change. The question arises: why, in this situation, must the player suffer? So, a club must deal with the problem.'

He insisted that the government rather than the club were to blame, adding: 'This crisis will affect not only Andrey Arshavin, but Frank Lampard, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Queen of England, and so on.

'The situation is not simple - it is understandable that no one wants to lose their money. The hostage of this situation are just clubs. And they will try to somehow resolve the issues.'

http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.c...e.asp?a=156978

Rumours - Masch Wants Barca Move?

The agent for Javier Mascherano has cast further doubts over the Argentine's future at Liverpool with him rumoured to have told a Catalan radio station that he'd like to join Barcelona. Walter Tamer is believed to have said that the midfielder would happily join the Spaniards if they approached him, as he explained to RAC-1:

'If a club like Barcelona want to bring you into their ranks after having completed such a brilliant season and having won everything, obviously as a player you are going to say 'Yes, I want to play there'.

'It is an honour for Javier that a club like Barca pay such close attention to him, especially after the incredible season they had. I believe that a transfer would be feasible. If Barca really want him, he will sign for them.

The Argentina international cast some doubts over his Reds future before last season ended by refusing to rule out a summer exit before then committing his future to the club, but his agent, like most do, is going backwards and forwards on the issue now!

Tamer is expecting either Masch or Xabi Alonso to go this summer, but doesn't believe both would be sold so it depends on who does go first, with him also going on to say:

'What if Xabi Alonso also leaves? Surely, Rafa Benitez would not want to have both his central midfielders go. It will be difficult, although Xabi's future does not depend on Mascherano and vice-versa.

'The transaction would certainly happen, but the first to leave will have more options.'

This is likely to make Rafa Benitez furious again as the Spaniard has already spoken of his annoyance at rumours about players coming and going, and done this more than once including today, however I feel this is something that we are going to see a lot of this summer I'm afraid.

If the 24 year old wants to go let's hear Masch say he wants to go, having him say that he is happy to stay at Anfield one minute, and say he wants Carlos Tevez to join him, is not very helpful when his agent is saying that he wants to leave the next!

http://www.fansfc.com/story/12253.html


Transfer record smashed for Chelsea & Man City target...Man U star next?
09:28 AM 09 June, 2009
Real Madrid have signed the Brazilian midfielder Kaka from Milan for £56m, smashing the previous record in pounds set by Zinedine Zidane.

The 27-year-old Brazil international was wanted by Chelsea and Manchester City earlier this year, but now has agreed a six-year contract at Real.

Now Real president Florentino Perez is aiming to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.


They have also agreed terms with david villa for £32m. I hope Chelsea outbid them though.

Real madrid have brought kaka because they gave up on ronaldo that's what i was thinking surely they won't buy ronaldo as well

Same but you never know with there unlimited amount of money.

Don't believe they have offered 32m. for Villa.

He should go Chelsea for 40.

The SPL is doomed! Rangers and Celtic will be better off joining the English Premier League..

Cardiff is a Welsh city, but are in a English league so no problem with Celtic and Rangers joining the English Premiership.

Rangers and Celtic, wouldn't be in champions league without Staying in the SPL.

Coz they wouldn't break top 4.

Im not even sure they would get into Europe probably not both of them.

They would then get less money, and unless they could just add 2 teams to the premiership, and make it 22?? Who's to say they start in the premiership they would have to push 2 off the bottom.

so we would have 40 games per team a season.

Or 42.

Best to keep celtic and rangers in the scottish league

we don't want teams like hearts and aberdeen finishing 1st and going straight into the champions league

REAL 'UNDECIDED' ON RUUD FUTURE

Real Madrid have stated that they remain undecided over the future of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham.

The striker is currently fighting to be fit for the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery in November but that has not stopped rumours surfacing regarding where he will play next season.

The Dutchman appears to have been pushed down the pecking order at the Bernabeu following the arrival of Kaka, while Real have been continuously linked with moves for David Villa and Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.

Real are said to be ready to let van Nistelrooy leave for 1.25million Euros despite the former Manchester United frontman voicing his desire to stay and fight for his place in the Spanish capital.

The news is likely to alert Spurs and Panathinaikos, who have been linked with a move for the 32-year-old.

"We are still not decided over the situation of some players like van Nistelrooy," a Real Madrid source told skysports. "At the moment, we have other priorities and they will wait until next week."

New Real manager Manuel Pellegrini is believed to have the deciding stay over whether van Nistelrooy will stay at the club.

PATO SET FOR ANCELOTTI TALKS

Alexandre Pato has revealed he will speak to new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti before deciding whether he will stay at AC Milan.

The 19-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge ever since his former boss Ancelotti made the switch last month.

However, the Brazilian international moved to swiftly deny any reports linking him with a switch to West London last week but it now seems his head has been turned.

The former Internacional star admitted that his future would be resolved after the Confederations Cup - where Brazil will compete against the likes of Spain and Italy - in South Africa due to begin in a week's time.

"It's an honour being esteemed by a club like Chelsea," Pato, who finished the season with a total of 17 goals in all competitions, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Anyway, I repeat, I will meet Ancelotti before, then Milan officials. My future will be clear at the end of June."

Despite Pato's insistence on meeting with Ancelotti, Milan are unlikely to let another of their top stars leave San Siro this summer after Kaka's sensational move to Real Madrid.

But the news that one of their brightest talents plans to discuss his future with one of their former managers rather than his current club will come as major blow to the Milan hierarchy.

"There is nothing decided yet," Pato reiterated.

"At the end of June, after the Confederations Cup, I'll meet Milan officials and we will talk about my future. But before I'll talk with Ancelotti.

"He's a sensational man. I owe him. It's because of him I've been able to emerge at Milan and in Italian football.

"Before deciding my future I want to talk to him."

BILIC KEEN ON POMPEY JOB

Slaven Bilic is 'very interested' in holding talks with Portsmouth over the club's vacant managerial position, according to the Croatia boss' agent.

Pompey are currently without a permanent head coach after temporary manager Paul Hart's deal expired at the end of last season.

The club are overseeing a period of change as prospective owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim is in a period of due diligence before his takeover at Fratton Park is completed.

A number of high-profile coaches have been linked with the post, including Sven Goran Eriksson, with Bilic's name the latest to be mentioned.

Bilic's agent, Rudi Vata, has now claimed the former West Ham defender would be keen to manage on the South Coast, despite the Croatian Football Federation being keen to hold onto his services.

Vata, who recently suggested the Croatian could be set for Celtic, told The News: "Slaven is open to offers and there is interest from Portsmouth.

"There are different clubs who want him but he is very interested.

"Portsmouth have tried to get in touch, but there is no concrete offer at this stage.

"But the idea of working with and building the club would excite him.

"Slaven is hungry for the right club with the right ambition because he is a hungry manager. He is a person who sets high goals and wants to work hard to achieve them.

"There are going to be special things from him in the future."

lol yes could you imagine, they would be one of the teams barca beat 7 - 0.


And Celtic and Rangers would probably finish like 7th n 8th...

HUNT WANTS OUT OF READING

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt is seeking a move away from the Madesjki Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland international's future was the subject of conjecture in the winter transfer window, with the midfielder keen to move to the Premier League.

Hunt, though, opted to sign a new contract with the Royals, but the club ultimately failed to gain promotion from the Championship.

Media reports claim Everton are lining up an offer for Hunt and the 27-year-old intends to seal a transfer away from Reading this summer.

He told Sky Sports News: "My own situation is that I am happy at Reading, but in terms of my future, I've been loyal to Reading, maybe a fresh start would be good for me and the club.

"I think me and the club agree it is time for a fresh start. I don't know about that (Everton). I can't talk about other clubs."

Meanwhile, Brynjar Gunnarsson's future at Reading is also in doubt despite being offered fresh terms by the club.

Gunnarsson's agent, Olafur Gardarsson, told Fotbolti.net: "He hasn't rejected the offer but he is mulling over his options.

"He's got the offer of a one-year contract and he is considering that and also other offers from clubs in the Championship."

£59M KAKA: I MOVED TO HELP MILAN

Brazil star Kaka has revealed he has joined Real Madrid in order to help AC Milan to overcome their financial difficulties.

The Italian side confirmed the sale of Kaka to Real in an expected world-record transfer late last night, before Madrid also announced the move on their own website.

Reports have suggested Kaka, who was also earlier linked with Chelsea, has signed for around 68 million euros (£59million) - which, if true, would smash the world record fee of £46.7million paid by Real to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

He had the opportunity to join Manchester City in January this year in a deal reported to be worth £100million, but opted to stay in Italy.

At a press conference in Recife, where the player is currently on international duty ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, Kaka revealed he rejected the move to England as he did not want to leave Milan mid-season.

"I can officially say I'm a Real Madrid player. My professional link with AC Milan finishes now, but my sentimental link will never end," he said.

"Real Madrid intend to build a great team, with historic players such as Raul and Casillas. We will make history again, both in Spain and Europe. I guess the sport project is very good.

"Manchester City and Real Madrid are two different clubs with different situations. At that time (January), it was mid-season, I had a strong emotional impact due to the Italian fans requesting me to stay, and I decided to stay.

"Now another chance came up and AC Milan is in a big crisis (financially). For me, the sporting project (at Madrid) is interesting and will be an important boost to continue my career in the highest level."

"I wanted to stay on at Milan, but the world (financial) crisis affected a lot of clubs, especially those like Milan which are businesses," he continued.

"So then, I spoke with the Milan directors and we reached the conclusion that the best thing for everybody would be to sell."

Kaka also revealed that new Real president Florentino Perez has been busy "making contact" with potential targets as he looks to revive his 'Galacticos' project.

In Perez's previous stint with the club, he oversaw the acquisitions of global stars of Luis Figo, Ronaldo and David Beckham, as well as Zidane.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Franck Ribery have also been linked to the Spanish capital club since Perez's unopposed election signalled the return of their vast spending.

"The president (Perez) is already making contact (with potential signings) and is putting together a competitive team, one which will try to once again become champions in Spain and Europe. That's why I chose Madrid.

"They have historic players there already, such as Raul or (Iker) Casillas. Real Madrid will be an important challenge for me. We're going to win many titles again."

Kaka also admitted he had received plenty of advice on the move from former Real player and Perez signing Beckham, who spent a short spell at Milan on loan earlier this year.

He also revealed that although the deal was only announced on Monday night, it had been in the pipeline for some time.

"I spoke to some friends, like Beckham, who has already played for Real. He said it's a fantastic place to play. I spoke to him this past week and he kept helping me, he said I made a positive choice for my career's growth," Kaka revealed.

"I wanted this move to be announced sooner. For me it's a relief that it has been announced now, although I have always be 100% focussed on the national side.

"I've been weighing up the offer from Real Madrid a lot. It's an important project for me to continue growing in my career. I'm not going to Real Madrid for money, as I had other offers. But I knew I would only leave Milan to play for Real Madrid.

"Only small details were missing, such as the medical exams I passed this morning. The deal was sealed long time ago".

He also said he hoped to put an end to Barcelona's dominance of Spanish and European football, after the Merengues' arch-rivals swept all before them this season en route to claiming Spain's first league, cup and Champions League treble.

"This will be a tough season at Real Madrid, after all that Messi conquered with Barcelona," he said.

"They're the big favourites and deservedly so. I hope Barcelona's hegemony will end in the coming years. Real Madrid will build a great team to win titles again, as it's the club's history"

Meanwhile he revealed he fell uncomfortable taking on the number five jersey once worn by Zinedine Zidane.

Perez had admitted he would like to see the Brazilian playmaker take on the shirt, but Kaka said he would not feel comfortable doing so.

He said: "Wearing the number five would be a great responsibility. Zidane was a great player, both for Real Madrid and for France, and I wouldn't like to wear the same number as he did.

"We're going to wait a bit before deciding which one to use."

And finally he had words of gratitude to Milan for launching his career in Europe, while he was also elusive about whether he would end his career in Madrid.

"I will be 33 years old by the time the (Madrid) contract ends, with the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 still to come. Lots of things will happen," he said.

"I'm not thinking today in ending my career at 33. I expect to write history there and sign a new contract, who knows, until 35. May be I'll retire then."

He added: "I want to thank Milan, as they were the club who put me on the international scene. They gave me the opportunity to become a big name in Europe.

"I'm happy to leave Milan by the front door, with a lot of friends. It has been very emotional to see what the Milan fans have done for me."

TURKEY MOVE INTERESTS KAPO

Wigan's Olivier Kapo is keen to secure a return to France, but is not ruling out moving to one of Turkey's giants.

Kapo, who has two years remaining on his Latics contract, is being tipped to leave the JJB Stadium this summer.

The French winger made just 10 Premier League starts last season and is mulling over his options in search of regular first-team football.

Kapo's preferred switch is returning to Ligue 1, but with the likes of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray expressing an interest he is also considering moving to Turkey.

"I want to return to France, but not for sentimental reasons. I have other offers on the table," he told skysports.

"Turkey? Why not, they have good crowds there and big teams.

"It could be another good experience in my life, but nothing is done yet so let's wait and see."

SCOLARI UNVEILED BY BUNYODKOR

Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been appointed as the new coach of Bunyodkor, according to the Uzbek outfit.

The 60-year-old, who was dismissed by the Blues in February after barely six months in charge, has penned an 18-month contract, Bunyodkor announced on their official website.

Scolari takes over from fellow Brazilian Zico - who left the club in December to take up the hotseat at CSKA Moscow.

"Uzbek football now creates its own success story, especially Bunyodkor with its remarkable dynamism and prospects for the past four years," said Scolari on www.fcbunyodkor.com.

"Completion of a new football stadium in the town of Tashkent, which is scheduled for March 2010, will open a new era for the club.

"I know that I am in the right place at the right time and in the right team."

Bunyodkor won the Uzbek league and cup double last year and also reached the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League.

ESPINOZA CLOSE TO BLUES MOVE

Giovanny Espinoza is only awaiting his visa to finalise his move to Birmingham City.

The player's agent Jorge Guerrero has confirmed that a deal is in place and the Ecuador international will move to the club later this month.

The 32-year-old defender is arriving on a two-year deal after Birmingham agreed a nominal fee with his club Sporting Club Barcelona and he will become the second Ecuador international to arrive at the club after they also sealed a deal for his compatriot Christian Benitez.

"We are just working on a visa for Espinoza and we also have to wait for Ecuador's match with Argentina," Guerrero told the Birmingham Mail.

"As soon as Birmingham were promoted to the Premier League, we were waiting for the call.

"I know that Espinoza is really happy and his family are also very happy to be moving from Ecuador to Birmingham.

"He is a great player and is the captain of his club at the moment, he's the best player in their team but the chance to play in the Premier League is a dream for him."

Meanwhile, Oguchi Onyewu's American-based representative Lyle Yorks denied that a deal was already in place to take him to Birmingham.

The Blues look ready to win the battle to sign the Standard Liege defender - who is available on a free transfer.

But Yorks insists a deal is yet to be concluded.

"This is not true. We are only in discussions at this point," said Yorks.