Wednesday 31 August 2011

EPL Transfer Deadline Day Deals: The One Deal Each Team Has to Make on Final Day

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(Bleacher Report) With less than 24 hours remaining, each club in the Barclay's Premier League will be looking to complete their final deals and set their team up as best as possible for the next four months before the January transfer window is open.

Arsenal have been scrambling all day to make sure that Arsene Wenger brings in at least enough to get the club to January in the top six.

The teams expecting to be in the relegation fight are also looking for their last chance to add depth before they see just how grueling the EPL season can be.

There is not a lot of time left for all of our clubs, and with a look at what the next day could hold here is a list of the deals that each team needs to complete on deadline day......Click to View Slideshow.

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Chelsea FC Deadline Day: Franck Ribery, Luka Modric, Yossi Benayoun and More

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(Bleacher Report) Chelsea head into the final day of the transfer window with the intent of splashing some major cash. Their chase for several top internationals from around continental Europe is heading down to the wire, and with so little time left, there is no telling what will happen next.

Andre Villas-Boas is keen on bringing in at least one or two more players while trying to trim the excess from his squad. His new signings are most likely to come at the expense of several veteran players and at least one that has never gotten his career off the ground at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have made a great turn around after their opening day draw with Stoke City, and with the addition of several new players alongside already arrived and debuted Juan Mata, Chelsea could be set for one of their best title challenges yet.

However, the efforts of both Manchester City and Liverpool have them neck and neck with Chelsea as top contenders to push for the top spot in England......Click for all the News.

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Liverpool to Continue Spending on Final Day for Spur's Kranjcar and Corluka

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(Bleacher Report) This morning Caughtoffside has reported that Liverpool are still in spending mode as they have been in contact with Tottenham Hotspur about both Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka.

Both could be set for Anfield with a total combined fee of £15 million int he works. Liverpool's Damien Comolli was in part responsible for the additions of both players to Tottenham when he worked for the club previously before ever coming to Merseyside.

The two players are part of Spurs Croatian contingent that includes current Chelsea target Luka Modric. Corluka is a versatile player that Spurs have used all over the pitch, while Kranjcar has been displaced at times due to the presence of Modric and has never really shown his full potential at the London club.

Since joining the London club in 2008 Corluka has made 91 total appearances for the club scoring only one goal. Kranjcar joined in 2009 and has made 42 league appearances scoring 12 goals.

Liverpool were linked with Kranjcar several times during and after January's transfer window, but it is surprising to see his possible transfer come up again after the additions of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson to the core of the Reds midfield.

Both players could make a contribution to the Reds campaign, but they would most likely be fringe players at best with Steven Gerrard set to return in September and the midfield already overstocked.

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Liverpool Deadline Day Transfer Rumours: Juan Manuel Vargas Could Be Last One In

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(Bleacher Report) Liverpool have reportedly been inquiring about the availability of Juan Manuel Vargas from Fiorentina. The Reds have had previous dealings with the Florence-based Serie A club, as Fiorentino looked to sign Alberto Aquilani on loan earlier in the summer window.

The deal for Aquilani grew cold as the Viola could not match the demands of Liverpool, and the move was called off, with Aquilani heading to AC Milan instead.

Now it would appear that Liverpool could be asking Fiorentina to offer better terms this time if it is true the Reds could make the signing of Vargas their last at the death of the transfer window.

A Peruvian international, Vargas has been with the Italian club since 2008, when he joined on a €12 million fee from Catania after failing to make the grade there.

He has made 80 league appearances for the Viola, scoring 12 goals in the Serie A since making the move. His versatility to play up and down the left side from left back to left wing could be one of the main reasons that he is being scouted by the Reds.
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Liverpool Deadline Day Transfers: Joe Cole Moves to Lille, His Anfield Days Over

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(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole has endured a rough time at Anfield. From a red card on his debut to spending the season on the fringe with just not enough quality or luck to break into the side, he has simply had enough.

Earlier this week Kenny Dalglish said that he would not stand in the player's way of making a move in order to have first team football on a regular basis and the manager looks to have kept his word.

Cole was originally thought to be making a move to Tottenham after those reports were circulated much of late April and May. However, Harry Redknapps admiration's were only in voice and not purse.

It then looked as though a loan move to Queens Park Rangers would pan out, but alas that one failed as well.

But now it looks as though Cole finally has his wish as defending French Ligue 1 Champions Lille have just agreed to take the former Chelsea sensation to France.

He will most likely be on the opposite wing to Eden Hazard in the position once occupied by now Arsenal winger and attacker Gervinho.

A move to the French or Italian League was just what Joe Cole truly needed as his pace and physicality have gone away to much for the English league, but he could be a massive star in France.

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Liverpool FC Transfer Rumours: Yossi Benayoun Will Not Be Returning to Anfield

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(Bleacher Report) Chelsea tried to complete a last minute player plus cash deal that would see Raul Meireles go to Stamford Bridge and see the Reds former sprightly attacking midfielder Yossi Benayoun come back to his Merseyside roots along with a £7 million purse.

However, Kenny Dalglish and Damien Camolli have seen off Andre Villa-Boas and his attempt to reclaim his former charge Meireles whom he sold to Liverpool at the beginning of last season while still managing FC Porto.

Meireles has emerged as a standout player for the Reds and is currently out with a collarbone issue. His substitute performance alongside Luis Suarez in the Arsenal game two weekends ago proved how valuable he can be to the club.

He also has proved that he can provide a spark when the club needs it most as he was the player who peaked just as Kenny Dalglish came back to the helm in January. The Portuguese player went on a run that saw him score five goals in six games including the single goal that lifted the Reds to a league double over Chelsea on the day of Fernando Torres' debut as a Blue.

There was simply no way that the Liverpool powers to be were letting go of one of their best assets.

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Liverpool Deadline Day Transfers: David N'Gog to Wrap Up Bolton Move

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(Bleacher Report) Bolton Wanderers have been chasing the signature of Liverpool's 22-year old French attacker David N'Gog for the last few months, and it looks like he is finally set to make the move in the next 24 hours.

As the deal has been left late, the Trotters are racing to get it done in time just as Liverpool is.

He is expected to command a fee of £4 million from the Reebok based team and Owen Coyle will be getting a great prospect with much room to grow. It was unfortunate for him that the Reds just did not have the room for him as he did not fit the talent level that is looking to be required to lay at Liverpool.

His sale could see a possible Reds move for an additional striker with only Dirk Kuyt the available attacking option up front off the bench.

Bolton's manager Owen Coyle is desperate to see additional players up front with only Ivan Klasnic and his Captain Kevin Davies left to truly call on.

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Liverpool FC Transfers: Sebastian Coates Puts Pen to Paper for Reds

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(Bleacher Report) After appearing in the stands at the Liverpool vs Bolton game over the weekend, Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates has finished all the negotiations and paper work for his move from Nacional.

The player brings some great youthful vigor to the center of the back line and will slot in with Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger as the top four choices for the Reds central defense.

Coates credits the Reds Luis Suarez as the one that had the most influence upon him coming to Merseyside and had this to say about his national and now club teammate on LFC.tv:

"Luis told me a lot about Liverpool - but about the fans more than anything else. He told me how passionate they are about the club and how supportive they are."

"I saw that myself on Saturday when the fans really got behind their side against Bolton and that was great to see."

"Luis also told me about the history and the tradition of the club and now I feel very happy and excited to be here because I have left one great club in Nacional and signed for another great club with a fantastic history."

"To come to such a big club alongside a fellow countryman is very important for me. I know Luis will help me settle in, we have the same cultures and customs so having him around will help me a lot."

The player got to enjoy his first taste of victory at Anfield when the Reds played Bolton off the park save a consolation goal at the death by Ivan Klasnic.

It is not know when the club is most likely to debut their newest player but it could come as a substitute in the clubs next match two weeks from now.
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Tuesday 30 August 2011

Arsenal Transfer Deadline Targets: Per Mertesacker & 6 Players on Wenger's List

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(Bleacher Report) After a horrid Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford, Arsene Wenger looks to finally show true signs of life in the transfer market.

He has brought in £60 million to stock his transfer kitty with the sales of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City.

However, until this weekend's 8-2 humbling defeat to rivals Manchester United, he has looked content not to spend.

It is now down to the fact that his team is just not good enough and he cannot simply rely on his youthful talent. He needs proven players with veteran leadership to ensure he has a fighting chance of turning out the same result as in 2006-07.

That was the last season Arsenal sat on only one point after three games and the Gunners still finished fourth. But this season looks to have already proven it will be a tougher battle for fourth than ever as Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all at the top of the table and ready for a fight to the finish.

Here are seven players he is considering......Click to Start Slideshow.

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EPL Transfer Deadline News: Scott Dann, Craig Bellamy and 23 Top Rumours

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(Bleacher Report) The news piles in as the time is ticking away, with less than 48 hours now left in the current transfer window.

English teams have been wheeling and dealing to try and get as much done before Wednesday evening's cut off, and there look to be some exciting moves in the hours to come.

Several big names have moved around in the World Football scene as well as in England. Diego Forlan's move to Inter Milan has been a hot topic in Europe's transfer scene, as he hopes to fill the empty boots of Samuel Eto'o.

Elsewhere several loan deals look to have been completed, or are in the works, and it is shaping up to be a delightfully tasty transfer deadline run-in over the next two days......Click to Start Slideshow.

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Monday 29 August 2011

Transfer Deadline Rumours: 5 Possible Destinations for Wesley Sneijder

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(Bleacher Report) Wesley Sneijder looked like he could become a hot commodity this summer when Manchester United started to chase his signature.

For several weeks he was at the top of their want list behind the already wrapped-up deals for Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea.

Then the deal suddenly seemed to just wade away as Sir Alex Ferguson began to distance the club more and more from the speculation over the Dutchman.

Mainly I believe that Ferguson has been, and rightfully so after this opening month, very happy with his youthful contingent in the center of midfield.

He still has many veterans to choose from with Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher all still on the roster.

Now it is still up for grabs whether the Inter Milan playmaker will move before Wednesday or stay put......Click to see Slideshow.


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How Liverpool Might Benefit from Diego Forlan's Transfer to Inter Milan

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(Bleacher Report) Today saw Luis Suarez's international teammate, Diego Forlan, put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Inter Milan. His move from Atletico Madrid puts him in position to try and fill the boots of Russia-bound Samuel Eto'o, who left the club just last week for Anzhi Makhachkala.

Upon his departure after seven years in Spain between Villarreal and Atletico, the Uruguayan striker offered these words to his fans and teammates in a press conference in Madrid Monday:

"It's difficult to say goodbye after four years here and three years at Villarreal. I am sad to leave Spain. I feel a great affection to the people and I will never forget it.

"The experience at Atletico has been incredible. We have won many titles but not only that, I've met great people at the club.

"I leave as an Atletico fan. These people will remain in my heart."

Forlan will make a good addition to the current Inter Milan side and should fit well with Diego Milito up front, but could cause some confusion if Wesley Sneijder yells Diego on the pitch to put in a through ball. All joking aside, he should be a fine new piece of attacking prowess for Massimo Moratti.

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However, this signing actually has some interesting underlying circumstances that Liverpool football club and its fans should take note of.

The first instance is to completely end the speculation that Dirk Kuyt was going to move to Inter this August. It had been thought that he might move last year when Rafael Benitez took up the Inter post as manager.

To the delight of most Reds fans, the hard-working Dutchman remained on Merseyside. It was a good thing that he did, as he would end up as the Reds' leading scorer with 13 when last season's campaign came to a close.

This year he is now almost permanently a third striker. The additions of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing will limit his time as a deputy on the wing as opposed to before when he was the primary choice to deputize on the right flank.

Depending how you look at it, this is a blessing as Kuyt's ability is much needed in the current Liverpool squad. He is a veteran leader who is unselfish and a prime example of professionalism.

It looks as though fans can rest assured that he will remain at Anfield for at least one more season under Kenny Dalglish, under whom he has been most successful.

Another interesting angle for the Reds is to know that their young Spanish striker Dani Pacheco now becomes a primary choice for the Atletico starting XI. Without a chance at an extended amount of first-team action at Anfield this campaign, the Pacheco opted for a loan move to Atletico.

 Alex Livesey/Getty Images
He had great success while on loan at to Norwich City, and it was believed for the longest time that he would return to the Canaries on loan this season. However, they still did business with Reds as they purchased young defender Daniel Ayala in August.

Pacheco was still deemed to raw to have a permanent role in the Reds' first team this season as he still has time to develop and grow.

However, the departures of both Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan from Madrid's second club have left the door wide open for the youngster to stake claim to a starting role next to Radamel Falcao.

Falcao was the highest scorer in the Portuguese Liga with 34 goals and was both a champion of Portugal and also a second-tier European champion as FC Porto won the UEFA Europa League championship.

Young Pacheco has an amazing opportunity and his home club of Liverpool looks to profit from the possible rewards of the Spanish starlet.

Whether it ends with Pacheco making huge developmental progress or with him being sold on for a profit, Diego Forlan's move could help Liverpool gain a little extra fiscal or physical equity in their youth system and current rosters.


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Dimitar Berbatov: Five Possible Transfer Deadline Day Destinations

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(Bleacher Report) Dimitar Berbatov has been tipped to leave Old Trafford ever since his apparent falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson during and after his failure to even appear on the bench for Manchester United's 2011 UEFA Champions League Final match against Barcelona.

The 2010-11 Barclay's English Premier League Golden Boot winner looked to be on his way out of Old Trafford early in the summer.

Despite Sir Alex Ferguson having squashed the rumors of the Bulgarian's departure, it still remains a hot transfer topic.

Danny Welbeck's rise to prominence in the face of both Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez has many questioning where the 30-year-old actually fits in.

Michael Owen and Federico Macheda are also on the attacking fringes with United, which leaves Berbatov left wanting for first-team action.

He may or may not be on the move, but if something happens in the final few days, here is a list of five possible destinations where the 20-goal scorer could be headed as the transfer window is quickly reaching its final days......Click to View Slideshow.

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Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates and Deadline Deals

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(Bleacher Report) The Reds ended their August fixture set on a high with a resounding 3-1 win against Bolton Wanderers in front of a packed house at Anfield. Off to their best start in several years, the Reds have not only been doing well on their pitch, but the efforts of Kenny Dalglish and Damien Camolli off the pitch have seen great results.

Jordan Handerson and Charlie Adam both got off the mark for the club at the weekend, and it is great to see some of the newcomers already putting their touch on the results this season.

However, even though the Reds have brought in Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and now Sebastian Coates, they still look to have more transfer movement before the cut off on Wednesday.

Loan moves seem to be the majority of what will happen. Both Alberto Aquilani and Dani Pacheco have finalized their loan switches lately. The Italian makes his move to AC Milan back in his homeland of Italy, and promising young attacker Dani Pacheco will be taking a trip back home to Spain to play for Atletico Madrid.

Further loan moves and transfer out look to be in the works as the Reds try and trim off some of the excess of their large squad.

Dalglish continues to refuse to comment on transfer speculation, which most likely means there is still a good bit of it going on behind the scenes.

So lets get to the news of the last few days and get us all caught up after a ventilating weekend from the Barclay's Premier League and Liverpool's first home victory in front of the Kop.

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Liverpool FC: David N'Gog Looks Certain to Make a Move to Bolton by Deadline Day

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(Bleacher Report) Behind all the current Craig Bellamy and Sebastian Coates transfer news for the Reds is the continuing possibility of young French striker David N'Gog and his proposed move to Bolton Wanderers.

N'Gog is a left over prodigy of the Rafael Benitez era and he has so far totaled 94 appearances for the club scoring 19 goals for the Reds. Owen Coyle has admitted to wanting to bring the player in since week one.

He has been on the Trotters radar since this middle of summer and with him being confined to the Reds reserve squad so far since the end of preseason, he could jump at the chance for first team action at least twice as likely at the Reebok.

Bolton have been in need of additional attacking options since the departure of Johan Elmander, and the expiration of Danny Sturridge's loan deal from Chelsea. N'Gog could be the solution for a time and it is believed he would move for around £4 million.

Dirk Kuyt has taken up the third striker spot when he is not deputizing on the right flank. If the Reds do sign Craig Bellamy, then the 22-year old Frenchman is effectively out of a job.

It has also been said that despite the Reds interest in a move for Bolton's Gary Cahill, the switch of N'Gog to the Reebok would be a completely separate deal.
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Liverpool FC: Craig Bellamy May Have His Shock Reunion by Transfer Deadline Day

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(Bleacher Report) News and speculation regarding a possible Liverpool return for Manchester City outcast Craig Bellamy has been picking up more and more steam in the last week.

Bellamy played one season on Merseyside for Rafael Benitez during the 2006-07 campaign when he made 41 appearances scoring nine goals for the Reds before parting ways in July 2010 to West Ham United for a fee of £7.5 million.

The move is believed to have been due most likely to tension between Bellamy and Benitez after the player reportedly assaulted then teammate, now Fulham defender John Arne Riise, with a golf club.

Despite his former transgressions, the 32-year old is just the type of player that can provide the spark Kenny Dalglish wants to have ready and waiting on the bench for the Reds.

Roberto Mancini has been working to make a deal happen for the player as can be taken from these comments:

"Craig is a good player and it's important for him and for me to find a good solution," Mancini said. "It could be (Liverpool) and it's important players from City can go to a good team. We have another week and I hope can find a good solution."

Along with Mancini being supportive of the transfer of Bellamy to Liverpool, his current Welsh national team manager Gary Speed has also backed the move with his comments:

"Liverpool are a fantastic club and if that is true and it comes off, that would be great."

"Hopefully by the end of the transfer window things will be sorted out."

"It is only natural Craig is going to be linked with top clubs because he is a top player."

Bellamy could be a risk, but he could turn out to be one worth taking as he has consistently scored at least nine goals per season since 2001 when he was still with Newcastle, and that veteran attacking presence is something that the Reds have been lacking upfront.

On top of that, a proven goal scorer on the bench is nothing that most managers would not want for themselves either and Bellamy could be just that for Kenny Dalglish.
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Liverpool FC: A Joe Cole Transfer Looks Imminent as Dalglish Stands Aside

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(Bleacher Report) Kenny Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo on Saturday that he would not stand in the way of Joe Cole making a loan or transfer deal to another club.

The English player has had a rocky time on Merseyside which started with a Red Card in his first match on opening day last campaign. He would have flashes of brilliance but they were just to far and few between.

Dalglish had this to say in his latest talks regarding Joe Cole:

"I think it's being fair to the boys for them to go and get football somewhere."

"They were not going to get it here. There was no way we were going to stand in their way or prevent them from playing football."

"He (Cole) is here and he will be treated exactly the same as everyone else."

"Joe's attitude to training and his commitment has been fantastic. He has been unbelievable, he has worked really hard and he just needs a little bit of luck."

"He will be treated the same as everybody else as regards playing matches. If he gets a bit of luck, he will be alright."

"If Joe is here he will be very much part of it. He will not be discarded in any way shape or form. I have more respect for Joe Cole than that. He has been fantastic about the place."

"It is not just Joe Cole, it's everybody who is not playing that I find it hard. The strength of the club means there are going to be quality people who are not playing as well as those who are."

"I sympathize and empathize with players who don't get a game because I wouldn't have liked to have been in that situation myself. That is why I have great admiration for the players who aren't playing that they do apply themselves as well as they do."

"We have said before we are happy with the squad we have got, we are stronger than last year."

With that said it is apparent that if a move comes along that both the player and the club would like to take then it will most likely be a mutual agreement to allow the Englishman to leave.

The clubs linked to him at the moment are still Tottenham Hotspur as Harry Redknapp has had a long term admiration for the player. Queens Park Rangers have expressed an interest for a loan deal to take Cole to Loftus Road and there is still an outside chance of a move for him to Paris Saint Germain.
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Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates and Deadline Deals

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(Bleacher Report) Uruguayan International and former Nacional center back Sebastian Coates is ever so close to completing a £7 million move to Liverpool. His presence in the Anfield stands on Saturday confirm that the deal looks a complete lock.

He has sighted conversations with his national team teammate, Luis Suarez, that the Reds playmaker's opinion of the club made it nearly impossible to resist.

The defenders was voted the best player in the Copa America tournament and despite other interest from Manchester City and a late bid from Atletico Madrid he is following Suarez to Liverpool:

"The offer ticks all the boxes, so you can say that the transfer is a done deal," said Coates. "The chance to move to Liverpool is very attractive.

"It's a club with a lot of tradition and history in English football, and the fact that Luis is there is a great help for me.

"I have spoken to him. He got in touch with me and we had a chat. It is good there is another Uruguayan already in the team - it is easier if there is someone I know well.

"He has told me what the club is like. It's important because he won over the fans straight away and is scoring lots of goals. He's doing really well, and that's good for me as another Uruguayan arriving."

It looks as though the departure of Sotirios Kyrgiakos to VfL Wolfsburg was is anticipation of the arrival of Uruguayan Coates and he will be Kenny Dalglish's sixth first team purchase this off season if everything goes according to plan.

Sunday 28 August 2011

Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Final Luka Modric Bid and the Blues' Deadline Hopefuls

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(Bleacher Report) Chelsea got their second straight victory of the new campaign with a tough 3-1 victory over newcomers Norwich City. The Blues went ahead thanks to a brilliant strike from Jose Bosingwa in the first half and looked comfortable going into the break.

As the next period went on, Chelsea continued to control the run of play, but the second half saw one resounding mistake from stand-in keeper Henrique Hilario. The Portuguese shot stopper allowed Canaries captain Grant Holt to make a spectacular over-the-head flick for his first Premier League goal.

Not barely a minute later, the Blues were charging on the attack to try and regain their lead, but an in-swinging cross to Didier Drogba ended in tragedy for the Ivorian. Norwich keeper John Ruddy went after the ball and instead of meeting it, his punch landed full speed on Drogba's head.

Drogba immediately went limp and literally bounced back an inch off the pitch as he hit the floor out cold.

Juan Mata and Nicolas Anelka then made their entrance as they hoped to regain the lead and at least give their fallen comrade a great result.

The cagey match continued, but would eventually turn back to the Blues when John Ruddy was sent off and Frank Lampard blasted home the resulting penalty in the 82nd minute.

Just eight minutes later, Mata combined with Fernando Torres as the new boy scored on the 90th minute for the Blues. It took Mata only 23 minutes to do what his fellow Spaniard took nearly three months to do, and has yet to repeat.

Chelsea still look set to strengthen before the window closes as Manchester United's 8-2 demolition of Arsenal suggests that the Blues need all the firepower and class they can muster in order to chase their rivals to the top of the table come May.

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Chelsea Transfer Rumors: Franck Ribery Subject of Unexpected Blues Dealine Bid

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(Bleacher Report) Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery has become one of Chelsea's most recent surprise targets after Caughtoffside.com have broken speculation that the Frenchman is the subject of a £35 million bid.

The Frenchman could be brought in to start taking the place of Florent Malouda who is getting up in years at 31. Yossi Benayoun could also be on the way out with him possibly being another piece of the Blues bid puzzle to secure Luka Modric.

Benayoun has endured a tough time at Stamford Bridge, and his exit would follow the departure of Yuri Zhirkov whom also failed to reach his potential in Chelsea Blue.

With Juan Mata now on the scene the Blues could call on the 28-year old to bring in additional creative influence from the wide areas. Despite all his success in Bavaria it looks like it could be time for him to make a move.

Bayern have faltered in the last few seasons and injuries have made Ribery's last years slightly less productive. The time is right for him to make a switch and the price expected is a figure that should see the Bavarian club satisfied, but with four more years on his contract left he might not be allowed to move at all.
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Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Ajax Defender Gregory Van Der Wiel Deal Agreed? Getty Images/Getty Images

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(Bleacher Report) Both TalkSPORT and Givemefootball.com have issued reports that Chelsea have indeed agreed a deal with Ajax Amsterdam believed in the range of €32 million for wing back Gregory Van Der Wiel.

The Netherlands International has been on the Blues Radar before and with the possibility of Chelsea's Brazilian center back Alex moving to Juventus, the young starlet could be in line for a trip across the channel.

Branisvla Ivonovic would most likely fill the void at center back while Van Der Wiel would contest the spot at right back with Jose Bosingwa.

New Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas had been chasing after the signature of his former right back Alvaro Pereira, but that deal looks to be stalled and the next option on the list is the Dutchman.

With 24 appearances for the Oranje, Van Der Wiel is a top class signing, and at his age could net the club a substantial return if sold on in the future.
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Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Could Fernando Torres Leave Chelsea on Deadline Day

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(Bleacher Report) He was believed to be the Blues future, the next legend to lift the Barclay's Premier League Trophy at Stamford Bridge and be the talisman to take over the throne of Didier Drogba as the spearhead of the Chelsea Attack.

However, £50 million plus 21 appearances and only one goal later the once prolific Liverpool goal machine is on the edge of stagnation in London. What he believed to be the best move of his life may just have turned out to be devastating to his future.

The arrival of Kenny Dalglish last January at Liverpool had seen the Spaniard begin a return to form as the Reds legend knew exactly what it was like to have a bad patch leading the line as he had been in the same spot at times.

It seemed that the damage had already been done to Torres' though as a disappointing seventh place finish that saw Rafael Benitez exit Anfield, a poor appointment with Roy Hodgson at the helm and too many seasons without a trophy looked to have taken all the fight out of the Spaniard.

Unfortunately for Torres his move to London has not turned out so well. In most cases he has proved largely ineffective for the Blues upfront and has failed to replicate the deadly strikes he called upon in front of the Kop since making his move.

Juan Mata's debut goal was set up by a pass from Torres and perhaps the arrival of a fellow country man is just what the out of sorts front man needs, but that remains to be seen.

Current reports have Torres in the media as a possible last minute target for his old club Atletico Madrid as they have been tracking their former Captain. He also has been attracting interest from Spain's newest side on the rise Malaga who would more than likely have the funds to make a move if they saw the opportunity.

In all likely hood Torres will be given at least the full season to prove his new manager either right or wrong, but if he fails to produce this year I could see him making a cut rate move in late January or next summer.

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Chelsea FC: The Blues Prepare Final Luka Modric Bid Before Transfer Deadline Day

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(Bleacher Report) Chelsea have been chasing Luka Modric all summer, but events this weekend could have finally brought the deal to a true turning point.

Harry Redknapp has held out and protracted the possible move for almost two months, primarily believed to be in order to raise the price that there rival Londoners will pay for the Croatian International.

Last weekend Tottenham Hotspur fell to a 3-0 defeat at the Hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford, but that was not the worst of it. Sunday afternoon saw Manchester City come to White Hart Lane for Spurs' home opener, but what the fans witnessed was brutal.

The Lillywhites faithful witness Edin Dzeko and his assistant Sergio Aguero completely run riot in the 5-1 destruction of their beloved Spurs. Dzeko scored four to take his tally for the season to six in three games, and Aguero is now on three for the year.

This humiliating defeat could finally force the hand of Harry Redknapp to allow his prized midfield play maker move across town to Chelsea. With a cool price on offer expected to be in the range of £40 million this go around Redknapp would be a fool not to take it as he needs funds for injection as fast as possible.
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