With the transfer window closing tomorrow, today’s Scribbles are something of a rumour-monger’s delight. Plenty of deals are up in the air, others are apparently imminent. The next day or two is going to be manic as the transfers move at breakneck speed and we’ll do all we can to keep you up to date:
Arsene Wenger’s attempts to restructure his Arsenal defence has kicked into overdrive. Armand Traore is off to QPR, with Brazilian left-back Andre Santos on the verge of a transfer to the Emirates. The 28 year old will offer plenty experience at the back and could be followed by Per Mertesacker– according to L’Equipe France, the centre half is on the verge of a deal and may even be confirmed as a Gunners player by tonight. A move for Chelsea’s Alex has also been mooted.
Bolton’s Stuart Holden will make his return to action this evening as Bolton’s reserves play Fulham. The American has been out since March with a knee injury and his influence has been sorely missed in central midfield by Owen Coyle’s side. Holden will offer plenty steel to a Trotters side that have lost the last two games and face a difficult run of fixtures over the next few Gameweeks.
Man City have failed in a bid to bring Mark Van Bommel to the Etihad Stadium. The Dutchman’s agent Mino Raiola explained just why he is a man in demand:
“The message of AC Milan was clear. Mark van Bommel is not for sale under any circumstances. They have the problem that Yaya Toure will spend considerable time out because of the matches for the African Cup. In addition, they also know that Mark van Bommel is excellent alongside Nigel de Jong. Hence they came in again for him.”
Edin Dzeko has thanked his manager for keeping faith in his abilities. The Bosnian was a shadow of his current self upon arriving in Manchester last season and having adapted to the rigours of the Premier League, is reaping the benefits with six goals in his first three games:
I am happy that he kept faith with me because I think that’s the most important thing in football – that the coach and the players around you believe in you. The beginning was hard for me, but I wanted to have a full pre-season with the team. Now I have had that and I know the league better. I feel much stronger than last season.
Reports indicate Carlos Tevez is expected to start City’s next match at home to Wigan. This could scupper the plans of Fantasy managers looking to bring in the likes of Sergio Aguero for the Latics showdown. The reasoning behind this line of thinking is that Aguero will take part in exhibition matches for Argentina that take place in India and Bangladesh, with the latter game just three days before the Wigan fixture. Tevez, on the other hand, has not been selected for international duty. The Wigan game starts a run of seven matches in three weeks for Roberto Mancini’s side, with the threat of rotation hanging over City’s first-team squad.
Bolton and Blackburn are battling it out for Liverpool’s forgotten front man Daivid N’Zog. Steve Kean is desperate for new recruits after a move for Hoffenheim’s Vedad Ibisevic fell through due to a thigh injury.
Harry Redknapp will battle it out with Roy Hodgson for the signature of Owen Hargreaves. Spurs are looking to increase their central midfield options and are willing to offer the ex-Man United man a short-term deal.
Steve Bruce is targeting Freiburg forward Papiss Demba Cisse as he looks to solve Sunderland’s striking problems. The Black Cats have found the net just once in their first three league games and were knocked out of the Carling Cup 1-0 by Brighton. Cisse was one of the top-scorers in last season’s Bundesliga and would cost around £13m.
Chelsea may turn to Raul Meireles if their attempts to buy Luka Modric are snubbed by Spurs. Meireles is currently out with a collarbone problem but, even when fit, has failed to make the Liverpool starting XI this season, falling out of favour after the summer influx of midfielders, and has made two sub appearances so far.
Stoke are looking to snap up new Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku on a season-long loan deal. Andre Villas-Boas is looking for the youngster to gain Premier League experience and with Lukaku likely to play second-fiddle to Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Daniel Sturridge this season, a short-term move to the Britannia could be beneficial.
Newcastle are on the verge of signing Inter Milan fill-back Davide Santon. The twenty year old is currently at St James’ Park undergoing a medical as Alan Pardew looks to nail down a replacement for Jose Enrique at left-back. The move certainly limits the potential of Ryan Taylor as a long-term Fantasy option.
