Carlos Tevez takes a break. Cesc Fabregas is fit and may feature in Arsenal’s weekend friendly. Steve Kean finally signs a striker, though may see his skipper depart for North London. Alan Pardew is determined to freeze out Joey Barton and Joe Cole’s name blinks on the QPR radar. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles, folks:
The Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona saga drags on this morning. The midfielder has now recovered from his hamstring injury and for the past two days has trained with the Arsenal first-team ahead of Saturday evening’s friendly against Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners are reportedly preparing two first-team photographs ahead of next season- one with their skipper and one without. Fabregas is even willing to take a pay cut to ensure the move goes through but the stumbling block remains a £5m difference in each club’s valuation of the player.
Carlos Tevez is the other big name in the news this morning. City have reportedly extended their skipper’s vacation, allowing him to miss Sunday’s Community Shield clash with United. Tevez’s future remains in the balance, then, and, despite his obvious appeal in Fantasy terms, the City striker will have been crossed off many a pre-season watchlist. He now seems unlikely to begin the season in the City starting line-up when Swansea turn up at Eastlands next weekend
Chris Samba’s Blackburn future is again in doubt as the latest reports suggest Spurs have moved to the front of the queue for his services. A £6 million fee is reportedly on the table as Harry Redknapp looks to bolster his backline. Presumably the Spurs boss has Samba lined up to partner skipper Michael Dawson, with Ledley King’s knee still preventing him from making regular Premier League appearances. Should Samba arrive at White Hart Lane, it’s safe to say that Fantasy managers may look more favourably both on Samba and the Spurs back four.
Blackburn fans can at least take some consolation that their club made their first move in the transfer market yesterday, completing a deal for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie . He is set to make his debut at Kilmarnock this weekend – a full Scout Report on the Scottish starlet will follow later today.
Norwich’s Ritchie De Laet has wasted little in settling into his new surroundings, following his loan move from Man United. The defender grabbed a goal and picked up the Man of the Match award in the Canaries 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza. At just 4.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) he’s one to definitely consider, for those Fantasy managers undecided over low-price defenders.
While Joey Barton has hinted at seeing out the final year of his contract on Tyneside, Alan Pardew has other ideas. The Newcastle boss is reportedly determined to ensure the midfielder offers no further disruption to first-team matters by forcing him to train alone until his departure. Jose Enrique has closed his twitter account amid reports the club are on the verge of banning all players from using the social media site.
Liverpool’s forgotten man Joe Cole has been offered the chance of a season-long loan deal by QPR. Cole is clearly out of the picture at Anfield and, providing Neil Warnock’s side can afford his wages, would certainly get plenty chances at Loftus Road. With a 6.0 price tag, he’s a budget-friendly FPL option, though many Fantasy managers will steer clear until the situation becomes a little clearer.

