January Window Movers & Shakers

[johntheclaret]

Arsenal
Leaving? Newcastle and Portsmouth are on the trail of midfielder Lassana Diarra
Set to miss out: Barcelona poised to pip Arsenal for Jaaskelainen
Leaving?: Midfielder Fran Merida poised to join Spanish side Real Sociedad on loan

Aston Villa
Set to miss out: Berba no-go but riddle over Defoe as Spurs rebuff approach from Villa

Birmingham City
Bid rejected: Hibernian reject Birmingham's £1m Murphy bid as Bolton head Balde chase
Left: Striker Rowan Vine has joined big-spending QPR
Target: McLeish targets ex-Villa and Liverpool striker Baros

B4st4rd Rovers
Leaving?: Rams raid Rovers for Robbie Savage

Bolton Wanderers
Bid rejected: Chelsea may have to outbid City for Bolton star Anelka
Bid rejected: We want £15m for Anelka, Blues told by Bolton
Target: Hibernian reject Birmingham's £1m Murphy bid as Bolton head Balde chase
Leaving?: Barcelona poised to pip Arsenal for Jaaskelainen
Target: Trotters eye ex-Liverpool and Villa striker Baros
Target: Megson tells Balde: Choose African Nations Cup or Bolton

Chelsea
Target: Chelsea may have to outbid City for Bolton star Anelka
Bid rejected: We want £15m for Anelka, Blues told by Bolton

Derby County
Target: Blackburn's Robbie Savage, former Newcastle star Laurent Robert and Tottenham misfit Hossam Ghaly are all poised to complete moves

Everton Target: Toffees line up £600,000 Ipswich striker Haynes

Fulham
Target: Cottagers offer £2m for Juve defender Boumsong

Liverpool
Target: Martin Skrtel is expected to complete his move to Liverpool after the defender passed a medical £6m
Leaving?: Liverpool's Sissoko is a target for Juventus

Manchester City
On trial: City close to tying up deal for Iraqi playmaker Nashat
Target: Chelsea may have to outbid City for Bolton star Anelka
Target: City bid for Cisse rejected by Marseille

Middlesbrough
Target: Middlesbrough set to bid £12m for Brazil striker Alves
Target: Boro target ex-Villa and Liverpool striker Baros

Newcastle
Target: Sam Allardyce set to make bid for Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra

Portsmouth
Target: Newcastle and Pompey are on the trail of Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra
Signed: Portsmouth sign Swiss teenager Subotic
Set to miss out: Harry Redknapp knocked back in bid to sign a midfielder and a defender on loan from Tottenham

Reading
Target: Reading and Wigan battle to sign Mifsud
Signed: Royals snap up Czech star Matejovsky

Tottenham
Target: Tottenham have had a £9m bid for Tiago Mendes rejected by Juventus
Set to stay: Berba no-go but riddle over Defoe as Spurs rebuff approach from Villa
Set to miss out: Harry Redknapp knocked back in bid to sign a midfielder and a defender on loan from Tottenham
DeFoe told he is free to leave Spurs
Target: Hammers and Spurs lead the chase for Brazil star Fred

West Ham
Leaving?: Watford target West Ham defender Target: Hammers and Spurs head chase for Brazil star Fred

Wigan Athletic
Target: Reading and Wigan battle to sign Mifsud
Target: Hibernian reject Birmingham's £1m Murphy bid as Wigan monitor situation
Target: Latics target ex-Villa and Liverpool striker Baros

[Dirko]

Good summary John.

Derby need a few more blokes but

[devilsadvocate]

Good get for Derby there SJABC, Savage should go alright.

Plus if your club doc can possibly convince Ghaly into having a brain transplant, the Rams may sneak a few goals out of him.

[johntheclaret]

Agreed DA. He will add a bit of bite in the midfield, but don't count on him beyond the eand of the season

[johntheclaret]

Good summary John.

Derby need a few more blokes but

To be fair SJABC, they are getting them on the cheap. Just picked up Villa, from EAC Mexico. Work permit approved today.

Ghaley is on loan so there is no long trem crippling salary if they do go down. That's got to be the way forward. Don't get sucked into long term expensive contracts, that you will still be paying in the CCC. Remember Bradford.

[johntheclaret]

Now here's a shocker ???

January's biggest transfer could see Jurgen Klinsmann arrive at Anfield, amid escalating talk of Rafa Benitez's exit. Should Liverpool's American owners come out and back the Spaniard?

[RoosterMarty]

Derby after Leeds' Jermaine Beckford apparently. Leeds have issued a 'hands off' warning but Derby may offer 3mill pounds which would be hard to refuse.

JTC have you heard anything about Cardiff City's Joe Ledley being a transfer target for Spurs or Boro? I've been told a few things from various people but haven't seen anything solid. It would be devastating to lose him, he has scored the winner in our last two CCC games.

[smithy]

Liverpool
Target: Martin Skrtel is expected to complete his move to Liverpool after the defender passed a medical £6m
Leaving?: Liverpool's Sissoko is a target for Juventus

[devilsadvocate]

Big news, Sam Allardyce has 'parted company' with (read sacked by) Newcastle after the maggies poor start to the season.

Not quite sure what to think about this yet, but maybe Newcastle has jumped the gun and has created more instability. Big Sam wasn't given the time, but has had some pretty ordinary results.

Will Shearer get the gig? No EPL managerial experience is a monster risk IMO.
Jol is second favourite behind Shearer at the early stages followed by the Special One, Klinnsman and Steve McLaren. God help the Geordies if they choose Rudolf.

[johntheclaret]

Beat me to it DA.

He becomes the 8th EPL manager to be given the push this season.

Agree BTW re-Shearer. No experience, big risk. Anyway, why would he want to give up a cushy number at the Beeb to step into the poisoned chalis.

ATM he is a Tyneside hero, take the managers job and fail, he becomes a villain.

My tip for the job...... Punky

[johntheclaret]

Derby after Leeds' Jermaine Beckford apparently. Leeds have issued a 'hands off' warning but Derby may offer 3mill pounds which would be hard to refuse.

JTC have you heard anything about Cardiff City's Joe Ledley being a transfer target for Spurs or Boro? I've been told a few things from various people but haven't seen anything solid. It would be devastating to lose him, he has scored the winner in our last two CCC games.

This is all the Bluebird news I can find RM

Cardiff ace Joe Ledley has played down speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
Ledley is reported to be a target for a number of clubs as Cardiff consider selling some of their top players to ease their financial problems. The Welsh international, who scored the winner against Preston on Saturday, insists he is happy at Cardiff and would like to help the side win promotion. "I'm probably playing the best I've played this season," said Ledley. "I am happy where I am at Cardiff. If they accept a bid then I will be gone but it's up to Cardiff. "Everybody wants to play in the Premier League. Hopefully I can do that with Cardiff."

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has returned to Manchester City following his loan spell at Cardiff.
The 21-year-old Dane made 14 appearances in the Coca-Cola Championship for the Bluebirds but turned down the chance to stay on for two further league matches. Schmeichel would have been unavailable for Saturday's FA Cup third round clash away to Chasetown under the terms of his loan agreement. The shot-stopper began the season as first choice at City, but lost his place in manager Sven Goran Eriksson's first XI. Joe Hart has since enjoyed an impressive run in the City first-team and Schmeichel will face a tough task to force a place in the starting line-up.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones is resigned to losing his promising youngsters Joe Ledley and Chris Gunter 'if the price is right'. The pair are playing well for the Bluebirds, leading to speculation bigger teams may come in for their talents. And boss Jones admits he would let them go if the price was right so he could strengthen the team in other areas. He told the Western Mail: "At the moment we are trying to build here and keep our best talent. "But, if the price is right, then you let them go. That can strengthen the club in other areas as well as the one you need to replace. At the moment, because the likes of Ledley and Gunter are doing well for us, there's going to be speculation. Chris has had two good games at international level and two good games for us. Does that constitute teams looking at him again? I'd hope so because it means he is doing well which hopefully helps us. There's always going to be speculation if players are doing well. But, until you get the phone call, you don't need to deal with it."

[johntheclaret]

Todays news Wed 9th Jan

Arsenal
Staying put: Wenger turns down Villa's Hoyte inquiry

Aston Villa
Target: Wenger turns down Villa's Hoyte inquiry
Staying put: My players are not for sale: Allardyce warns off Spurs, City and Villa
Target: O'Neill targets Magpies striker Martins
Target: O'Neill looks to Spurs defender Chimbonda

Birmingham City
Target: Birmingham boss McLeish to table improved bid for Murphy and £3m McFadden
Target: Queue for Murphy's services comes as no surprise to former mentor Proctor
Target: McLeish targets £2.5m City striker Samaras

Blackburn
Signed: Midfielder Robbie Savage joins Derby for £1.5m

Bolton
Leaving: Bolton accuse Blues of trying to get Anelka on the cheap
Bolton set to bid for AZ Alkmaar defender Gretar Steinsson, according to the player's agent

Chelsea
Target: Bolton accuse Blues of trying to get Anelka on the cheap

Derby
Signed: Midfielder Robbie Savage completes £1.5m move from Blackburn Rovers

Everton
Leaving: Birmingham boss McLeish to table improved bid for Murphy and £3m McFadden

Fulham
No deal: Liverpool's Harry Kewell is on too high wages for Craven Cottage and his team-mate Sami Hyypia is also unlikely to be arriving in London
Target: West Ham's Bobby Zamora continues to attract the attention of boss Roy Hodgson

Liverpool
Staying: Harry Kewell's wages have proved a stumbling block for Fulham

Manchester City
Leaving: Ousmane Dabo could be heading for French giants Marseille
Leaving: Samaras set to join Birmingham in £2.5m deal
Target: Sven wants Magpies striker Martins
Missed out: City and Pompey frustrated as youngsters commit to Palace
Target: Sven must battle with Ramos and Real Madrid for Elmander
Target: My players are not for sale: Allardyce warns off Spurs, City and Villa

Manchester United
Target: Lyon hot shot Benzema admits 'love' for United
Leaving: Shawcross set for £1m Stoke switch

Middlesbrough
Leaving and target: Boro to offer Spurs Downing and Johnson for Defoe

Newcastle United
Target: Magpie Martins targeted by Villa and City
Staying?: Sam Allardyce has moved to warn off clubs thinking of making a bid for defender Steven Taylor
Staying put: My players are not for sale: Allardyce warns off Spurs, City and Villa

Portsmouth
Target: South Korea striker Cho Jae-Jin on trial with a view to a permanent move
Staying?: Niko Kranjcar has dismissed speculation of a move in the January transfer window and says he is happy at Portsmouth
Missed out: City and Pompey frustrated as youngsters commit to Palace
Signed: Pompey sign one for the future - and he's just 18

Reading
Staying? Royals offer Hunt £20,000 a week to stay
Leaving?

Sunderland
Target: Reading offer Hunt £20,000 a week to ignore Black Cats

Tottenham Hotspur
Leaving? Eight to shown the door as Ramos wields the axe at White Hart Lane
Target: Spurs finally admit defeat in pursuit of Rangers' £9m man Hutton
Staying put: My players are not for sale: Allardyce warns off Spurs, City and Villa
Target Spurs step up their chase for Jarque after fresh Hutton knockback
Target: Queue for Murphy's services comes as no surprise to former mentor Proctor
Leaving and target: Spurs to be offered Downing and Johnson for Defoe
No deal: Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has moved to warn off clubs thinking of making a bid for defender Steven Taylor
Leaving?: Spurs defender Chimbonda targeted by Aston Villa
Target: Ramos and Sven in battle for Elmander

West Ham
Hammers to offer Zamora plus cash for Reading defender Shorey

Wigan
Bruce looks to sign Ecuador striker Tenorio

[Dirko]

keep the updates coming John. Good work as always !

[johntheclaret]

[Blue Boy]

Best wrap up of this on the net - well done JTC !!!

[Blue Boy]

Is there any news on Berbatov and Man U ???

[devilsadvocate]

Is there any news on Berbatov and Man U ???

99% certain Berbatov will still be a Spur in Feb.

After his performance last night (and the last couple of weeks), it will take 35m quid+ to land him.

[RoosterMarty]

Derby after Leeds' Jermaine Beckford apparently. Leeds have issued a 'hands off' warning but Derby may offer 3mill pounds which would be hard to refuse.

JTC have you heard anything about Cardiff City's Joe Ledley being a transfer target for Spurs or Boro? I've been told a few things from various people but haven't seen anything solid. It would be devastating to lose him, he has scored the winner in our last two CCC games.

This is all the Bluebird news I can find RM

Cardiff ace Joe Ledley has played down speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
Ledley is reported to be a target for a number of clubs as Cardiff consider selling some of their top players to ease their financial problems. The Welsh international, who scored the winner against Preston on Saturday, insists he is happy at Cardiff and would like to help the side win promotion. "I'm probably playing the best I've played this season," said Ledley. "I am happy where I am at Cardiff. If they accept a bid then I will be gone but it's up to Cardiff. "Everybody wants to play in the Premier League. Hopefully I can do that with Cardiff."

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has returned to Manchester City following his loan spell at Cardiff.
The 21-year-old Dane made 14 appearances in the Coca-Cola Championship for the Bluebirds but turned down the chance to stay on for two further league matches. Schmeichel would have been unavailable for Saturday's FA Cup third round clash away to Chasetown under the terms of his loan agreement. The shot-stopper began the season as first choice at City, but lost his place in manager Sven Goran Eriksson's first XI. Joe Hart has since enjoyed an impressive run in the City first-team and Schmeichel will face a tough task to force a place in the starting line-up.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones is resigned to losing his promising youngsters Joe Ledley and Chris Gunter 'if the price is right'. The pair are playing well for the Bluebirds, leading to speculation bigger teams may come in for their talents. And boss Jones admits he would let them go if the price was right so he could strengthen the team in other areas. He told the Western Mail: "At the moment we are trying to build here and keep our best talent. "But, if the price is right, then you let them go. That can strengthen the club in other areas as well as the one you need to replace. At the moment, because the likes of Ledley and Gunter are doing well for us, there's going to be speculation. Chris has had two good games at international level and two good games for us. Does that constitute teams looking at him again? I'd hope so because it means he is doing well which hopefully helps us. There's always going to be speculation if players are doing well. But, until you get the phone call, you don't need to deal with it."

Great stuff mate!!


I read a list of top 20 local prospects outside the EPL just before and 3 was Diamond Joe.

3. Joe Ledley (Cardiff City)

Age: 20 Position: Midfield Nationality: Welsh (full) Value: £4m Interested: Everton, Tottenham, Wolves.

Left-sided midfielder who can also play in the centre or at left-back; capped at every level before making his full international debut at 18. Locally born, he wants to play for Cardiff in the Premier League and recently turned down Wolves to pursue that aim. He will make it, even if Cardiff do not.

Fantastic attitude from the young lad, great to see a bit of loyalty. We are half a chance of a playoff spot this season but can't really see us getting promoted this season. So Ledley will have to wait another year for a crack at the EPL or move clubs.. I pray he hangs around Ninian for a bit longer...

[johntheclaret]

Arsenal
Returning?: Barca star Henry eyes Arsenal return

Aston Villa
Leaving?: I'd be keen to join Spurs or Newcastle if Villa deal falls through, says Laursen
Targets: O'Neill ready to bid £15m for Spurs duo Defoe and Chimbonda
Targets: Chimbonda: Villa move would be great for me

Birmingham City
Exit: Two minutes enough for Vine to choose QPR
Target: McLeish wants Blues chief to fund £5.5m move for McFadden

Bolton
On the way out: Le Sulk is back as Anelka digs heels in over Chelsea move
Target: Pompey exit is Taylor-made to save Hatters
Target: Megson goes to Iceland to solve defensive problems

Chelsea
On the way in: Le Sulk is back as Anelka digs heels in over Chelsea move

Derby
Target: Derby closing in on Rangers star Carroll

Everton
Target: Boro braced for battle with Spurs and Everton for Downing
Leaving: Manuel to have Everton medical
Leaving?Birmingham ready to offer £5.5m for McFadden

Fulham
Target: Watford have rejected a bid of £4million for striker Marlon King

Manchester City
Targets: Sven rules out Mancini move - but says Akram is coming to Eastlands

Manchester United
Signed: Sheffield United have completed the loan signing of winger Lee Martin until the end of the season

Middlesbrough
Leaving?: Boro braced for battle with Spurs and Everton for Downing
Target: Boro agree terms and will sign Alves for £14m
Target: Boro to miss out on Iceland defender

Newcastle
Target: I'd be keen to join Spurs or Newcastle if Villa deal falls through, says Laursen
Target: Magpies look like missing out on Iceland defender
Leaving: Carr set to quit Magpies for Wiganr

Portsmouth
Leaving?: Pompey exit is Taylor-made to save Hatters
Target: Redknapp keen on Spurs defender Paul

Reading
Leaving?: Sunderland raise Hunt bid to £4.5m

Sunderland
Target: Sunderland raise Hunt bid to £4.5m
Target: Pompey exit is Taylor-made to save Hatters

Tottenham Hotspur
On the way out: Colchester have agreed terms to sign full-back Philip Ifil on a permanent transfer
Target: Boro braced for battle with Spurs and Everton for Downing
Leaving? Redknapp keen on Spurs defender Paul
Target: I'd be keen to join Spurs or Newcastle if Villa deal falls through, says Laursen
Leaving? Villa prepare £15m swoop for Defoe and Chimbonda
Target Maniche back on White Hart Lane radar after Inter pull out of deal
Leaving? Chimbonda: Villa move would be great for me

Wigan
Target: Magpies defender Carr set to join Latics

[Blue Boy]

Is there any news on Berbatov and Man U ???

99% certain Berbatov will still be a Spur in Feb.

After his performance last night (and the last couple of weeks), it will take 35m quid+ to land him.

Cheers JTC