Rumour mill

[ILD]

[quote author=Roopy link=topic=44988.msg1326493#msg1326493 date=1304477739]
[quote author=reuque link=topic=44988.msg1325931#msg1325931 date=1304426661]
What about Javier Pastore guys?[/quote]

It is an interesting situation.

Zamparini will not allow the club's best player to leave ... however Pastore has said that he would only stay at Palermo if the current manager, Delio Rossi, was retained as manager for 2011/12 season.

Zamparini sacked Delio Rossi at the end of February this year ... only to sack his replacement and re-instate him as manger 4 weeks later :laugh:

In the past week, Zamparini has come out and said he is looking to sack Rossi again :laugh:
[/quote]

Will Cavani stay at Lazio?

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=44988.msg1326631#msg1326631 date=1304500114]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=44988.msg1326454#msg1326454 date=1304467601]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=44988.msg1325747#msg1325747 date=1304411920]
Who wants a Manc castoff anyway?
[/quote]

You're confusing Bojan with Rossi aren't you mate?
[/quote]

Rossi is brilliant, i always put him as a buy in the champ man style threads. It looks like he might be Barca bound in the summer.

A major fuck up by United letting Pique and Rossi go haha.
[/quote]

Pique is way too slow for the premier league.

 

[the count]

Liverpool are believed to be interested in snapping up Wigan midfielder James McCarthy if the Latics fail to beat the drop this season.

The Republic of Ireland international is one of Wigan's most highly rated players and subsequently has been attracting the interest of some of the bigger clubs in the Premier League.

Liverpool assistant Sammy Lee was spotted at the DW Stadium on Saturday supposedly keeping a close eye on McCarthy.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is thought to be a keen admirer of the 20-year-old and reportedly wants to bring him in as part of his summer recruitment drive.

McCarthy has rejected Liverpool in the past, opting to move from Hamilton to Wigan in 2009, but might fancy a move to Anfield if Wigan fall through the trap door to the Championship this season.


http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/05/04/Liverpool-eye-Wigan-starlet/gnid-93900/


McCarthy is a great prospect in my opinion.
Not sure if he is ready to step into the first team and be an improvement on what is there at the moment though.

 

[FreshRed]

[quote author=the count link=topic=44988.msg1326772#msg1326772 date=1304513608]
McCarthy is a great prospect in my opinion.
Not sure if he is ready to step into the first team and be an improvement on what is there at the moment though.

[/quote]

Of all the people who have been called the next Gerrard - and there are many - I think that McCarthy comes the closest. He has the ability to raise his whole team a notch when he is on his game. Young and far from consistent, but I could certainly see him having a long-term impact at the club as Gerrard starts to sunset.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=FreshRed link=topic=44988.msg1326775#msg1326775 date=1304514044]
[quote author=the count link=topic=44988.msg1326772#msg1326772 date=1304513608]
McCarthy is a great prospect in my opinion.
Not sure if he is ready to step into the first team and be an improvement on what is there at the moment though.

[/quote]

Of all the people who have been called the next Gerrard - and there are many - I think that McCarthy comes the closest. He has the ability to raise his whole team a notch when he is on his game. Young and far from consistent, but I could certainly see him having a long-term impact at the club as Gerrard starts to sunset.
[/quote]

Good post FreshRed. I agree with you 100%.
I'd love us to get him this summer.

 

[localny]

[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=44988.msg1326785#msg1326785 date=1304515750]
[quote author=FreshRed link=topic=44988.msg1326775#msg1326775 date=1304514044]
[quote author=the count link=topic=44988.msg1326772#msg1326772 date=1304513608]
McCarthy is a great prospect in my opinion.
Not sure if he is ready to step into the first team and be an improvement on what is there at the moment though.

[/quote]

Of all the people who have been called the next Gerrard - and there are many - I think that McCarthy comes the closest. He has the ability to raise his whole team a notch when he is on his game. Young and far from consistent, but I could certainly see him having a long-term impact at the club as Gerrard starts to sunset.
[/quote]

Good post FreshRed. I agree with you 100%.
I'd love us to get him this summer.
[/quote]

I'd love to hear this view seconded by some non Irish posters here, just to make sure we're not being biased. It would be great though, a young Irish player finally makes it at Pool again. We were starved of this in the 90's with just Babb and McAteer - and Finnan and Keane being the only really Irish players - and 3 of them said the word "Gav'nah" every few words.

 

[the count]

McCarthy is a great prospect in my opinion.
Not sure if he is ready to step into the first team and be an improvement on what is there at the moment though.


Should clarify that comment by saying that I think he will turn into a fine player in the future and already is a decent one and a great prospect though I do doubt McCarthy's ability to make an impact/improvement in the Liverpool first team immediately.

 

[King Binny]

http://www.footafrica365.fr/africains-de-l-etranger/angleterre/article_526090_Saint-Etienne-Liverpool-sur-Saadi.shtml

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Saint-Etienne's young striker Idriss Saadi. The 19-year-old is believed to feature high on the English club's director of football Damien Comolli's wanted list, with the Frenchman considering his countryman something of a gem.

Saadi has progressed through France's Under-16, 17, 18 and 19 level teams, choosing to play for the country instead of the land of is ancestors, Algeria. Nominally a striker, the youngster can also operate on either flank, adding versatility to his game.

Despite his tender years, Saint-Etienne have begun to blood the striker in the first team, a sign of just how highly the Ligue 1 side rate their youngster.

The French side will not be keen on parting with Saadi, but Comolli is thought to believe a bid of 7M euros would be impossible for Les Verts to resist given that the youngster has yet to make a real impact at first team level. Saadi has so far enjoyed eight appearances with the senior side, but has yet to find the back of the net.

 

[Akakabooto]

Yay, a French gem...

 

[jan]

Sounds like Ngog

Though it's probably a bullshit rumour, we're going to be linked with everyone from St.Etienne

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=localny link=topic=44988.msg1326799#msg1326799 date=1304517109]
[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=44988.msg1326785#msg1326785 date=1304515750]
[quote author=FreshRed link=topic=44988.msg1326775#msg1326775 date=1304514044]
[quote author=the count link=topic=44988.msg1326772#msg1326772 date=1304513608]
McCarthy is a great prospect in my opinion.
Not sure if he is ready to step into the first team and be an improvement on what is there at the moment though.

[/quote]

Of all the people who have been called the next Gerrard - and there are many - I think that McCarthy comes the closest. He has the ability to raise his whole team a notch when he is on his game. Young and far from consistent, but I could certainly see him having a long-term impact at the club as Gerrard starts to sunset.
[/quote]

Good post FreshRed. I agree with you 100%.
I'd love us to get him this summer.
[/quote]

I'd love to hear this view seconded by some non Irish posters here, just to make sure we're not being biased. It would be great though, a young Irish player finally makes it at Pool again. We were starved of this in the 90's with just Babb and McAteer - and Finnan and Keane being the only really Irish players - and 3 of them said the word "Gav'nah" every few words.
[/quote]


SaintGeorge67 is a fan too.
The lad is Scottish and has done fuck all for Ireland so far.
I would basing my opinion on the fact he has performed very well for a poor side in a tough league.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Todays Gossip

Manchester United and Birmingham City target Maxi Lopez could be heading to the Premier League this summer from Italian side Catania.
Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal and Tottenham have been put on red alert after reports in France claimed coveted striker Gervinho has rejected a new deal at Lille.
Full story: talkSPORT

Chelsea are bracing themselves for a £25m bid from AC Milan for midfielder Michael Essien.
Full story: Metro

Sunderland and West Brom are locked in a battle to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Simon Vukcevic.
Full story: talkSPORT

AC Milan will make an £18m bid to entice Michael Essien from Chelsea this summer and could also offer a player part-exchange.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, who has been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham, has opened the door to a move to the Premier League.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland have approached West Ham about striker Demba Ba.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and Chelsea frontman Didier Drogba could be swapping clubs this summer, according to reports.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are lining up a bid for Wigan midfielder James McCarthy, having failed to sign him from Hamilton two years ago.
Full story: Daily Mail

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew hopes to lure Ipswich's in-demand teenager Connor Wickham to St James' Park, having worked with him previously at Reading.
Full story: Daily Mail

Blackburn's highly rated 19-year-old defender Phil Jones has given a hint where his future may lie by saying "Arsenal play the prettiest football in the Premier League".
Full story: the Independent

Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker could leave for free in the summer after his agent revealed there had been no talks over a new contract with the Midlands club since November.
Full story: the Daily Shite


OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is losing his battle to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the FA Cup final on 14 May.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen could make a remarkable return at Stoke in the Premier League on Sunday. The Belgian has been out since August because of an Achilles tendon injury.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham have drawn up a seven-man shortlist to replace Avram Grant as manager - Neil Warnock, Paul Lambert, Malky Mackay, Chris Hughton, Slaven Bilic, Ian Holloway and Martin O'Neill.
Full story: the Guardian

Manchester United and Barcelona will only receive about 25,000 tickets each for the Champions League final at Wembley on 28 May. (the Times, subscription required)

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany, 25, says he wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career. "I have never been embraced as well as I have been here by the fans and country in general," said the Belgian defender.
Full story: the Independent

Hull owner Assem Allam wants to buy the KC Stadium from the local council and build a £100m sports village, which would include an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Full story: Daily Star

Fears are growing that midfielder Scott Parker could miss the rest of West Ham's season as they battle against relegation. He is set to have painkilling injections because of an Achilles tendon problem.
Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY
Prince William's spokesman has rejected claims by a Fifa member that he was invited to the Royal wedding as an enticement to vote for England's 2018 World Cup bid.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Kazakh footballer Armand Masimzhanov, who plays for FC Kairat, has been banned for life after an astonishing kung-fu kick on a rival.
Full story: Metro

Cricket chiefs fear the opening Test match between England and Sri Lanka in Cardiff at the end of the month could be played in an empty ground if Swansea and Cardiff make it to the Championship play-off final on the same bank holiday weekend.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[gene hughes]

Saw on twitter today that Ashley Young has allegedly agreed personal terms with us.

 

[themn]

Who said that, Gene ?

 

[gene hughes]

Someone on my twitter stream. I can't remember who.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=gene hughes link=topic=44988.msg1327331#msg1327331 date=1304605670]
Someone on my twitter stream. I can't remember who.
[/quote]

Add that to MarkMC's post that we just missed out on him in Jan and things are looking good.

 

[gene hughes]

Only if you like him, I'm not that keen myself.

 

[Squiggles]

Young is a decent player who is in good form again.

He would improve us a lot. Anything under £14M would represent decent value.

 

[reuque]

[quote author=gene hughes link=topic=44988.msg1327331#msg1327331 date=1304605670]
Someone on my twitter stream. I can't remember who.
[/quote]

Read it too from some @Ydaphus. Claims to be in the know and has been pretty much right so far.

 

[grjt]

Young is a good option for us - on the basis that he adds something that we dont already have (dynamic wide play with pace and skill). You'd have to worry about the rumours re his linkage to London nightlife and propensity to shoot straight off to the capital after games/ after training/ every available opportunity....

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=grjt link=topic=44988.msg1327343#msg1327343 date=1304606323]
Young is a good option for us - on the basis that he adds something that we dont already have (dynamic wide play with pace and skill). You'd have to worry about the rumours re his linkage to London nightlife and propensity to shoot straight off to the capital after games/ after training/ every available opportunity....
[/quote]

True, he'd have less opportunity to do that here though I guess. He's a good option and one with plenty of potential, whether he's got that winning mentality that Kenny seems to be looking for is the question I suppose.

 

[ILD]

Sure can't he go on the piss here with Andy?

 

[reuque]

From twitter

Ashley young will announce summer where he intends to go not b4 its still possible he will renew his villa contract

ok lets get this straight as reported 2 weeks ago a fee is agreed with ashley young and villa 12 million with add ons rising to 16 mill

But likely hood is that he will move on from villa summer again no terms agreed for young but a fee agreed with 3 clubs

just being honest about the young situation that is how it is as it stands now fee agreed with 3 clubs up 2 young who he chooses.

 

[Avmenon]

Avvy likes this

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a summer move for Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay.

Sources state that Kenny Dalglish is keen on the Dutch international who has struggled to secure a spot in the Catalan club's starting eleven since his move to the Nou Camp in January.

25-year-old wide man Afellay arrived at the La Liga champions for a nominal fee as his PSV Eindhoven contract was due to expire at the end of the season and has made just four league starts and has subsequently been linked with a summer exit.

Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli are drawing up a list of prospective targets as the club's owners prepare to fund significant moves in the transfer market. For some time now there has been talk of the need for more natural wide options as regular starters Maxi and Dirk Kuyt struggle to make a consistent impact.

Having signed Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll at the tail end of the last transfer window, Liverpool are now looking to bring in natural width to help provide ammunition for their strike force. Afellay has however impressed in recent cameo roles, most notably during the Champions League Semi-Final with Real Madrid.

Barcelona are however reportedly heavily in debt and they could opt to cash in on a player who cost them just €3m (£2.6m) and will listen to offers of €10m (£8.7m) for the talented winger who can also play as an attacking midfielder or in the hole behind the striker.

Dalglish is reportedly happy to meet any reasonable valuation in order to land Ibrahim Afellay who may be keen on the chance to move to the Premier League especially if such a move helps secure regular first team football.

 

[doctor_mac]

First I saw of him really was against Madrid, where he definitely changed the game. He looks decent, and would provide good ball for Carroll you'd have thunk, but I'd like the opinion of those who know him better.

 

[dmishra]

I like him. Skilful and pretty quick. I don't think he's as big a talent as Hazard/Sanchez/Costa though.

 

[keniget]

Difficult to judge based on his time at Barca. Amongst the likes of Iniesta and Messi he looks quite clumsy on the ball - but then so did Henry at times.

He looks like a reasonable attacking outlet but not a potential star.

 

[peekay]

[quote author=dmishra link=topic=44988.msg1327718#msg1327718 date=1304682145]
I like him. Skilful and pretty quick. I don't think he's as big a talent as Hazard/Sanchez/Costa though.


[/quote]

Is this guy a winger ? Whom does he play for?

I will be surprised if Barca let go of Afellay. They have a very small squad in comparison to Madrid and Madrid will look to add Sahin and Lorente to theirs.
Afellay looks like a promising addition. I think he will do very well in ours - has pace and good control and can play on the wings and in the center.

 

[Hansern]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=44988.msg1327724#msg1327724 date=1304683155]
Difficult to judge based on his time at Barca. Amongst the likes of Iniesta and Messi he looks quite clumsy on the ball - but then so did Henry at times.

He looks like a reasonable attacking outlet but not a potential star.
[/quote]

Barca aside, he has been really ace for PSV and Holland. Made the wrong career move, but that can happen from time to time.

Fantastic player and we should be all over this if he wants the move.

 

[gene hughes]

Today on Twitter:

Agger seems set to leave due to his high wages and poor injury record.

Comolli wants to make one 'marquee' signing from abroad this summer, Benzema and Aguero both considered possibilities.