-
Related
Essien signs new Chelsea contract, Ferguson gets the mind games started, Bentley is primed for a big money switch and Barry gets booed away with Villa
Essien signs new Chelsea contract
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has signed a new five-year contract the club announced on Wednesday. Essien joins Wayne Bridge and Petr Cech in agreeing recent new deals. (Reuters)
Bentley primed for big money switch
It looks like Blackburn winger David Bentley's move to Tottenham could come sooner than expected after he pulled out of Blackburn's pre-season training camp in Germany. The England star is waiting for Rovers to agree a deal with Spurs, who have seen their initial 16 million pound offer rejected. (Daily Mail)
Bentley's expected move to White Hart Lane has also reportedly put the brakes on Zenit star Andrei Arshavin's plans to play in the Premier League (Daily Mail)
City target Bellamy
Manchester City are considering making a move for West Ham's Craig Bellamy after Benjani Mwaruwari broke down in training with a ruptured thigh muscle - meaning the Zimbabwean striker will miss the first month of the season. (The Independent)
But reports have also surfaced suggesting City boss Mark Huges will make a 15million pound move for Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz to stop his striker shortage. (Various)
West Ham told to wrap-up Cisse
West Ham have been warned they have just 10 days to tie up a deal for former Liverpool and current Marseille striker Djibril Cisse. They Hammers are reported to be weighing up an 8m bid for Cisse to replace Bobby Zamora who has signed for Fulham (Daily Mail)
Wigan complete loan deal for Egyptian goal ace
Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of Egyptian international Amr Zaki, whose 27 goals in 48 appearances for his country, according to Fifa's rankings, make him the world's most prolific international. (The Guardian)
O'Neill denies Zigic swoop
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has dismissed reports that they club have made a swoop for 5million pound rated 6ft 7 Valencia striker Nikola Zigic (Daily Mirror)
Hennessey on hold
O'Neill will wait for Wolves keeper Hennessey with plans to sign Brad Freidel as a short-term solution.
Aston Villa boss O'Neill hoped to get Hennessey this summer and called Molineux about their Wales star. But Wanderers will not sell their prized asset for a year as they push for the Premier League. (Daily Mail)
Everton still keen on Moutinho
Everton remain keen on signing 16million rated Joao Moutinho from Sporting Lisbon despite the club insisting he is not for sale (Daily Mirror)
Keegan wants to keep Milner
Kevin Keegan is reportedly at loggerheads with the Newcastle board, who are ready to sell James Milner for more than 10million pounds (Daily Star)
But the sale of the former England U-21 player could
see Liverpool make a fresh bid bringing him to Anfield.
(The Times)
Other news
Barry booed by Villa fans
Aston Villa's wantaway midfielder Gareth Barry was booed during the hour he played in the sides 3-2 pre-season win over Walsall at the Bescot Stadium after making clear his intentions of leaving for Liverpool. (Scotsman.com)
Toure taken ill
Arsenal have suffered yet another blow to their new season build-up with the news that Kolo Toure has contracted Malaria. Toure reportedly picked up the disease at home in the Ivory Coast and is now a doubt for the start of the new Premier League campaign. (Various)
Ferguson warns Scolari
Man United manager Alex Ferguson has kicked off the new season mind games early after issuing a warning to Chelsea boss, Luiz Felipe Scolari. Fergie told the former Portugal coach he faces a battle to inspire his ageing Chelsea squad in order to repeat the success they enjoyed under Jose 'Special One' Mourinho. (Various)
Ronaldinho says goodbye to Barca
AC Milan's new signing Ronaldinho has written an open letter to the fans, staff and team-mates at his former club thanking them for all they have done for him. (FCBarcelonaweb.co.uk)
And finally.........
A notorious Italian organised crime gang tried to buy football
club Lazio using money gained from violence and intimidation,
authorities said on Tuesday.
The plan by the Casalesi clan of the Camorra, the Naples version of
the mafia, came to light as police in Rome served arrest warrants
to 10 people including former Lazio player and President Giorgio
Chinaglia.
(Reuters)
