Friday Transfer Round-up:
David Villa to England ?
Out of favor at Barcelona, could be a revelation in England as London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea look to seal the deal for a cut price of £15 Million for the World cup winner. After missing the majority of last season due to injury, Villa has found it hard to fight his way back into the elitist Spanish side and could move to England in search of first team football.
Barcelona are willing to sell David Villa for £15 million. The Daily Star says it is thought the 31-year-old is keen on a move to England before finishing his career. London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are the most desperate to land the former Valencia star, with the latter hoping to partner Villa with his Spanish international team-mate Fernando Torres.
Surprisingly, Swansea have emerged as front-runners to land the hit-man, with some bookies making him odds-on to join the Welsh club in January.
Liverpool – Ince:
Liverpool have been chasing their former player Ince for quiet sometime now and boss Brendan Rodgers may look elsewhere after having an offer for Thomas Ince turned down by Blackpool. Liverpool are thought to have suggested a fee of £4 million, which is considerably more than the £250,000 Blackpool paid when they took Ince from Anfield only 16 months ago. Rodgers admitted he will consider other options, with Liverpool also deadlocked over a move for Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge.
“I don’t know about that. I’m just assessing the players we’ve got at the minute, he said. If we can get talented young players, and talented young British players in here, then that will be fantastic for us. The negotiations are done by the people above me and we’ll conclude what we can as early as we can.”
Manchester United Wants Ezequiel Garay:
The Sun, reported today morning that Manchester United are interested in signing the Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay. Though a long term target of Sir AlexFerguson, the deal did not materialize last summer and it looks like the manager will give it another try next summer. The 26-year-old has already been extensively watched by Sir Alex Ferguson’s scouts and the club have now let the Portuguese champions know they are interested.
Though it may not be easy for Ferguson to lay hands on his target as he faces a fight with Serie A leaders Juventus also thought to be keen admirers of the defender, the manager is positive that he can secure the signature of former Real Madrid man.
The Argentine international, who is valued at around £15 million, struggled to get games under Jose Mourinho in Madrid but has impressed since arriving in Portugal 18 months ago which has led to interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides.