The big transfer news this week has reportedly been Manchester City boss Mark Hughes preparing a £34m bid for Bayern Munich midfield ace Franck Ribery. The French international is also wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona, not to mention Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, but it is hoped Hughes will steal a march on these clubs by offering Bayern £34m in cash immediately plus a huge contract for Ribery that would make him one of the Premier League’s top earners. The deal will help soften the blow of the departure of Robinho who now looks certain to join Barcelona when the transfer window opens in January.
Liverpool’s need for a striking option for Fernando Torres has never been more starkly illustrated than in the past week and the Reds boss, Rafa Benitez, has been busy, according to some press reports, making arrangements to bring in at least one striker during the transfer window. While a mooted move for Emile Heskey seems to have gone quiet and there is no further news on reported interest in striker Goran Pandev of Lazio, it is reported this week that West Ham striker Carlton Cole is a target for Benitez. One does wonder what Liverpool fans will think of this move, given that Benitez sold Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Keane not so long ago.
Tottenham and Wales international star Gareth Bale could be the target of a bid from ambitious Birmingham City. Manager Alex McLeish, with £40m of new owner Carson Yeung’s money burning a hole in his pocket, is believed to have targetted several stars in a mini Manchester City-esque spending spree in January. As well as Bale, McLeish is also linked with Aiden McGeady of Celtic.
Sunderland are reportedly in the market for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson. However any deal for the winger could be a delayed until a new manager is appointed at the Riverside, with Chairman Steve Gibson rumoured to favour appointing Gordon Strachan to the hotseat.
Harry Redknapp hasn’t bought or sold a player for about two hours, so he is getting withdrawal symptoms. As such he has lodged a bid for Brazilian midfielder Sandro, believed to be in the region of £14m. Apparently Real Madrid and Barcelona were also interested. This is agent speak for “Let’s see how much money I can get from the club for my client.” Harry does need a midfielder, being that he is down to his last 14 or so. I’m still concerned for David Bentley’s whereabouts. Should we put out an APB on him?
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