SLAM!
The transfer window has now shut – but it won’t be until tomorrow that two of the biggest deals are confirmed or denied.
Mikel Arteta’s on-off-on again switch to Arsenal – surely the deal of the day if verified – looked set to have beat the clock.
Rumours abound as well that Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has handed in a transfer request and made a move to Chelsea, almost completely under the radar.
Late nights waiting for news seems likely for fans of the London clubs.
Month: August 2011
Transfer Deadline Day: Kaka rumoured for Spurs
I SAID Harry Redknapp was working on something special…
Rumours have it that Brazilian midfielder Kaka is on his way from Real Madrid to Tottenham Hotspur.
Rumours, though, only rumours – he couldn’t land Kaka, could he?
Be a triffic signing, mind.
Transfer Deadline Day: Newcastle provide chopper action
IT’S NOT a deadline day without millions of pounds worth of footballer being bundled into a helicopter – and Newcastle have apparently come up with some much-needed chopper action.
Rumours abound that FC Twente’s Costa Rican striker Brian Ruiz, a £10m target for Fulham, has been hijacked by the Toon and is being raced by helicopter to Newcastle as we speak.
Good work, Newcastle.
Transfer Deadline Day: Stoke sign Crouch, Spurs lining up biggie?
IT APPEARS to be a done deal that Peter ‘robot dancer’ Crouch is to join Stoke.
The signing would certainly add a new dimension to Stoke’s game – about four inches higher for those long balls, crosses and Rory Delap specials.
The intriguing thing about the signing is not Stoke City’s willingness to take on Crouch – he’s a proven goalscorer at all levels – but the evident clear-out going on at White Hart Lane.
Is Harry Redknapp, a master at last minute deadline day swoops, lining up a shock marquee signing…
Transfer Deadline Day: Arsenal actually sign a central defender
“IN ENGLAND, miracles can happen on the last day of the transfer window,” said Roman Pavlyuchenko in this morning’s papers.
Things haven’t happened for the Spurs striker so far – despite interest from Portugal – but a genuine, bona fide miracle has happened across town.
That’s right, Arsenal have signed a sturdy, experienced central defender.
Per Mertesacker is on his way to the Gunners from Werder Bremen “subject to the completion of formal registration processes”.
He joins newly-recruited Brazilian left back Andre Santos and South Korean striker Park Cho-young to help patch up Arsene Wenger’s depleted squad.
Transfer Deadline Day: Chelsea linked with Ribery swoop
THE biggest rumour of the day so far seems to be the Chelsea interest in French winger Franck Ribery.
The Bayern Munich man, previously targeted by Carlo Ancelotti, is apparently being sought by Andre Villas-Boas as he seeks to find a last-minute attacking edge for his teamsheets.
Figures for the player range from £30m-£36m. I’ve got my fingers crossed for this one.
Transfer Deadline Day: Stoke to sign one of the world’s greatest goalscorers
STOKE have confirmed they are in talks with Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner’s agent/dad over a move for the Dane.
This is a player, who in 2009 said: “I want to be top scorer in the Premier League, top scorer at the World Cup and, within five years, I want to be among the best strikers in the world.”
A great sigining for Stoke then – but with the greatest of respect, perhaps not the move Nicklas was dreaming of a few years back…
Hip hip hooray, it’s Transfer Deadline Day
WALLETS at the ready, chairmen – today is Transfer Deadline Day.
Last time around, we learnt that hulking forward Andy Carroll is worth £35m, and that Fernando Torres is more exciting in a helicopter than on a football pitch.
In total, in January 2011, £225m was spent by Premier League clubs alone – and today could set to match that once more, with the rumour mill already in overdrive.
It’s going to be an interesting day…
Goaltastic Fantasy Football League – Gameweek Three
IT WAS a high scoring weekend in the Premier League, and this translated into some whopping scores in the Fantasy Football league to boot.
Unfortunately for league leader I Look Like Modric, this meant slipping to seventh place in the rankings.
♣ St Hatrick’s™ ♣, managed by Michael Malone, is now sitting atop the league, followed by fellow climbers StooshermadnessFC (2) managed by William Pettit, Just for Fun (3) managed by Alan Tsang, and Debbie Does Gallas (4) managed by Andy Forscutt.
Team Punishment, previously second, slides to fifth, while Loughborough Echo sports reporter Richard Rush’s Sven You’re Smiling also leapfrogs I Look Like Modric.
Kudos must also go to Fantasy Foxes, managed by Sam Fox, who made a three-figure score of 101 to climb to 13th place.
Arsenal to compensate fans after Manchester thrashing
ARSENAL have offered to buy another away ticket for fans who travelled to Old Trafford to watch their team lose 8-2 to Manchester United on Sunday – the first time Arsenal have shipped eight since playing Loughborough FC in 1896.
Around 3,000 fans are thought to have made the 400-mile round trip to Manchester, only to see their team humiliated by the Red Devils.
Manager Arsene Wenger and his inexperienced, injury-hit team were widely criticised for their showing on the pitch, but the travelling support gained widespread praise for backing their team throughout.
A statement said: “Arsenal Football Club has announced it will be writing to fans who travelled to Old Trafford on Sunday with an offer to cover the cost of a match ticket at a future Barclays Premier League away game.
“Sunday’s result was obviously disappointing for everyone connected with the club. Our travelling fans were magnificent throughout and we want to recognise their fantastic support. We will be writing to them shortly with the details.”
Goaltastic 