Player transfer fees and their larger than life wage bills are a common topic of discussion for a football fan of today. From Wayne Rooney threatening to quit to oil-rich owners going on shopping sprees, the footballers have now become spoilt and they now know that their high demands will be met at their current club or the next.

It is especially easy to get a huge wage offer for those who possess skill and/or experience. Yaya Toure moved from Spain to England with a wage demand that even England’s best Rooney was not getting at the time.

For the smaller clubs, it has become far more difficult to move into the top-flight and pose a threat to the top teams in their own country, let alone go on a Euro trip.

We have taken the liberty to skim out the football clubs out of the ESPN’s 200 best-paying teams in the world and present a list to you of 66 best-paying football teams in the world.

If you’re gifted with football, this is who will show you the money:

The Leagues and Countries: Bundesliga (Germany), EPL (English Premier League, England), La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy) & SPL (Scottish Premier League, Scotland).

Also see: Best Paid Footballers By Country

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

In the words of arguably football’s greatest, Diego Maradona once said; “He was the best striker we ever had here and were never going to see his like again – we’re not going to see anything like him from anyone, no matter what they’re called. For me he was the greatest goal-scorer that I saw in my life“. He was talking about his compatriot and one of football’s most prolific strikers in its history, Gabriel Batistuta.

The Argentine will be revered for his sublime awareness and killer instinct in front of goal. As a striker he was as lethal as they come and his presence alone within starting elevens always offered a deadly impetus in the final third that had his adversaries quaking in fear. He possessed a stunning right-foot that rippled nets all across Argentina and Italy.

Amazingly his career may never have occurred had it not been for his family who urged him to take up the sport as a profession. Gabriel has always been astute on the pitch and his personality somewhat relates off it too as he had aspirations as a youngster to gain a creditable education. Whilst others in Argentina were aspiring to be the next Mario Kempes, Gabriel was more concerned about his future at college rather than kicking a football. Nevertheless his talent as a player was unprecedented leading to Jorge Griffa, the then Newell’s Old Boys’ Youth Team Coach, pulling out all the stops to move him 460km’s south to Rosario and assuring the young prodigy that the club will cover his education whilst he plays. Despite the initial reluctance on the player’s part the deal was concluded and Batistuta never looked back.

La Lepra were champions of Argentina back in 1988 where Batistuta made his debut in the Copa Libertadores Final which Newell’s lost. Despite that initial disappointment his talent continued to blossom and the more experience he gained, the more his all round game began to prosper. He had the knack to elude his markers with ease and find a pocket of space to work into before dispatching a clinical effort that would inevitably rustle the back of football nets up and down the country. Argentine defences were becoming more and more aware of the potent threat and that lead to the nations’ two biggest clubs becoming aware of his credentials.

The Boca pairing of Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Latorre

A devoted Boca Juniors fan, Gabriel made a surprising move to River Plate whom are Los Xeneizes’s biggest rivals. His time at River was brief due to the fallings out he had with coach Daniel Passarella who was Argentina’s World Cup winning captain back in 1978. That lead to a move to his boyhood club Boca and there he became an integral cog of a side that produced some magnificent football. The Bombonera witnessed a magical partnership conjured between their new hero and Diego Latorre whose link up play was thrived upon by his strike partner. Both forged a tremendous understanding of one another’s game and Boca reaped the benefits despite their failure to clinch silverware. Batistuta finished top goal-scorer in 1991 with 20 goals in 29 appearances. Boca won the Apertura championship but ultimately lost out on the official league title to Clausura championship winners and Bati’s old club Newell’s Old Boys in the deciding play-off (The inaugural season where Argentina’s top tier was split into two separate entities with the play-off being abolished straight after Boca’s misfortune).

Batistuta’s bitter taste was quickly swilled as he played a pivotal role that summer in Argentina’s victory in the Copa America within the host country of Chile. He was in fine form and his goals in particular against Brazil and Colombia went a long way in crowning the blue and white stripes South American champions. He finished the tournament’s top goal-scorer which alerted the powerhouses of European football. A move to Serie A materialised with a club that has taken to him as one of their own where he is idolised to this very day, Fiorentina.

A love affair with himself and the club was built over a nine-year period where he bagged an incredible 209 goals in 325 appearances thus becoming the club’s all time leading goal-scorer. He fell immediately in love with the Viola and despite the lack of silverware he was more concerned about adorning the purple strip. His game in Italy evolved as he became better technically and was now able to dispatch free-kicks and execute sublime long-range efforts. His knack to lose his marker and get behind the defence was expertly portrayed.  Despite his lack of pace, his intelligence along with an eye for goal made him near unstoppable at times. He netted 14 goals in his debut season but the following campaign would result in relegation to Serie B despite Bati’s 17 converted efforts. He had the opportunity to seek pastures new and play his trade elsewhere but instead opted to stay with the club and get them back to the dizzy heights of Serie A. He showed a tremendous loyalty to the football club where his ties got stronger.

He explained his decision during a recent documentary on SKY Sports’ Football’s Greatest, emphasising his devotion to the club:

“I just fell in love with the city and I really liked the atmosphere and I said to myself, I’m going to stay here. That was despite the fact that back then big teams from abroad such as Real Madrid and Manchester United were after me on a regular basis.”

The infamous Batistuta statue constructed by the people of Florence

His passion for the purple shirt was a glowing testament to the fans who rejoiced at his solidarity. Fiorentina did indeed make their way back into Serie A at the first attempt with Bati being the focal point. His return to Italy’s top flight saw him finish the league’s top scorer with 26 goals whilst creating a record by scoring in eleven consecutive games. The passionate people of Florence who packed into the Stadio Artemio Franchi to witness their idol even constructed a bronze statue of the man himself – as well as naming a star after him. The show of love and respect between the two was – and still is – unbreakable.

His continuous goal rush lead to his nickname; Batigoal. He had become one of the world’s most clinical finishers and despite the continuous interest in his availability he continued to stick with the purple shirt. The challenge of winning a Scudetto with the Florence based club was a burning desire he wanted to achieve.  He confirmed that the aspiration of winning a title with Fiorentina was more appealing than winning half a dozen with an elite entity; “To tell you the truth, that didn’t interest so much. Although they were titles, they were easy to win. They (elite clubs) didn’t have to fight hard to win them or extend themselves slightly so that stopped me from moving. I said no, I’m staying with Fiorentina and I’ll try to win something here because one title with this club is worth more than ten with Milan or Juventus”.

The Scudetto eluded Batigoal in Florence but he did win a Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in 1996 whilst qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in 1999. A goal in particular against Manchester United on March 15^th 2000 at Old Trafford orchestrated everything about his attributes. He did magnificently well to cast the ball under his spell on the turn whilst being pressed by Paul Scholes and Jaap Stam before weaving into a little pocket of space and unleashing a twenty-five yard screamer with that lethal right-foot which nearly ripped Mark Bosnich’s net in two.

That season however ended in mediocre fashion domestically and as he entered his thirties he decided to end his affiliation with Fiorentina and move to AS Roma for 70 billion Italian lira where he finally clinched a Scudetto – in his debut season. He was the focal point of the Giallorossi attack and bagged 20 league goals in 28 appearances and ended the club’s eighteen year wait for the league title.

He netted against his old club Fiorentina in the Stadio Olimpico with a beautiful half-volley just outside the D and immediately closed his eye as his peers embraced him in jubilation. He realised the importance Fiorentina had played in his life – being a huge part of his football persona – and almost burst into tears as the Olimpico’s home support erupted into hysteria.

Batigoal is his nation's all time leading scorer with 56 goals

Internationally with Argentina Batistuta will go down in history as one of the county’s most revered superstars. Although he never won a FIFA World Cup he did win two Copa America’s, a Confederations Cup  and is currently the nation’s highest ever scorer with 56 goals in 76 appearances. His name is also etched in FIFA folklore by being the only man to have scored a hat-trick in two separate World Cups. One being against Greece during USA 94 with the other against Jamaica four years later in France.

A brief spell with Internazionale and a two year stint in Qatar concluded Batigoal’s career. A man who was so dominant in the final third with his predatory nature will undoubtedly go down as one the game’s greatest strikers. For a player of his calibre his CV should be littered with honours and accolades. However, despite a lack of silverware he showed tremendous loyalty and appreciation to Fiorentina and always gave his all for both club and country. A tremendous role model for aspiring strikers in Argentina whose attributes are unparallel.  If the great Diego Maradona believes so, then who can dispute that?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

After Wayne Rooney reminded us all that he used to be a fairly decent professional footballer with his derby day belter against Manchester City last Saturday, the received (Sky Sports-infused) wisdom seems to be that the decidedly off-colour striker’s effort was, without need for second thought, the greatest overhead kick ever scored by anyone, anywhere, ever.

However, that’s not quite the case – as the following, ten-strong video essay will hopefully attest to.

Oh, and apologies for the slightly tongue-in-cheek strapline. I hope we can still be friends.

Let’s press on, shall we?

10. Dean Ashton – Man Utd vs WEST HAM, 2008:

Fergie was quick to peg Rooney’s flying shinner against bitter rivals City as the greatest goal that had ever graced Old Trafford, though former West Ham striker Ashton has grounds to take issue with that particular assessment…

9. Joseph Desire Job – MIDDLESBROUGH vs Sporting, 2005:

After joining on the back of a wave of promise, Job never really ‘clicked’ during his time at the Riverside. However, for one fleeting moment during Boro’s UEFA Cup second round defeat to Sporting Lisbon back in March 2005, the watching world witnesses just what the Cameroonian striker was capable of…

8. Manuel Negrete – UNAC vs Puebla, 1985:

Four wondrous touches; the initial chest control, the ‘sombrero’ (or the ‘chapeau’ for those of you with Gallic pretensions), a deft flick of the forehead and then BOOM!…

7. Trevor Sinclair – QPR vs Barnsley, 1997:

Sadly, it never got any better than this for our Trev, who quite rightly came away with Match of the Day’s goal of the season award in 1997 for this blistering bicycle kick against the Tykes in the FA Cup…

6. Eliran Atar – Maccabi Netania vs BNEI YAHUDA, 2009:

Israeli forward Atar made the 2009 Puskas Award shortlist (i.e. an award doled out to the scorer of the most ‘beautiful’ goal of the year) for this acrobatic strike, though somehow only managed to finish fourth in the final vote behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and Grafite.

That said, the look of sheer, discombobulated amazement on the collective faces of everybody present (including Atar’s) serves to tell you more about this freakishly pure connection than I ever could…

5. Unknown – 5-a-side tournament, 2007:

This clip has become somewhat of a viral sensation since it was first posted on Youtube a few years ago, and it’s perfectly understandable as to why.

A goal of truly scintillating beauty, regardless of what level of the game it was scored at…

4. Rivaldo – BARCELONA vs Valencia, 2001:

Brazilian artisan Rivaldo (who, incidentally, has a few overhead corkers under his belt to pick from) finished the 2000/’01 campaign as La Liga’s second top goal-scorer (one goal behind Real Madrid striker Raul), thanks chiefly to the hat-trick he scored against Valencia on the last day of the season.

A momentous hat-trick which first and foremost secured Barca a spot in the following season’s Champions League and, secondly, just so happened to culminate in this little beauty…

3. Youri Djorkaeff – INTER MILAN vs Roma, 1997:

French playmaker Djorkaeff notched his fair share of cultured strikes during his 22-year career, but I’d wager that none come close to the angled, airborne Exocet that he unleashed against Roma during his maiden season with the Nerazzurri…

2. Mauro Bressan – Barcelona vs FIORENTINA, 1999:

In stark contrast to the scrappy build-up, La Viola midfielder Bressan pulls a career-defining, 25-yard pearler out of his ‘you know where’ to open the scoring in a pulsating Champions League game that eventually finished 3-3.

Several years later, ITV voted the Italian’s effort as the second greatest Champions League goal ever scored, nestled sweetly behind Zinedine Zidane’s iconic volley in the 2002 final…

1. Marco van Basten – AJAX vs Den Bosch, 1986:

The Dutch legend, seen here doing what he did better than almost anybody else to have ever played the game, i.e. score goals that seem to tamper with the laws of physics…

So there we go. Missed any blindingly obvious candidates? Please feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments box below…

More from the Soccerlens Archives:

10 Outrageous Disallowed Goals
10 Famous Debatable Goals

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Morning all. Throughout January Soccerlens are going to be bringing you a daily round-up of the morning’s various goings-on. Be it juicy morsels of spurious transfer gossip or real, actual bona fide news, rest assured, we’ll have it covered.

Here’s this morning’s batch.

Duck hunting season opens at Chelsea…

Having staved off Roman’s wrath for the time being with a thumping 7-0 victory over rudderless Ipswich at the weekend, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is apparently about to be handed the necessary funds to finally land AC Milan starlet Alexandre Pato before the January transfer window ebbs to a close in three weeks’ time.

According to the German website, 4-4-2, the 21-year-old Brazilian striker is known to be keen on a move to the Bridge to reunite himself with Ancelotti (whom he served under for a year or so at the San Siro back in 2008/2009), though Chelsea will have to stump up around €30 million in order to even open a line of communication with the Serie A giants.

Ancelotti will also have to wait for Milan chief Adriano Galliani to return from Brazil, where he is currently trying desperately to flog his buck-toothed show-pony Ronaldinho to former club Gremio.

Third Gunners’ stint for Sol?…

Unhappy with his peripheral lot at Newcastle, veteran centre-back Sol Campbell is said to be pining for a third stint at Arsenal and may get his way as Arsene Wenger continues to source cheap, reliable defensive reinforcements.

Having witnessed current first-choice pairing Sebastien Squillaci (who also twanged a hamstring during the game) and Johan Djourou being systematically dismantled by the near-immobile Luciano Becchio over the weekend, you can’t really blame the Frenchman for his roving eye.

The Daily Express seem fairly certain that 36-year-old Campbell will be moving back to the Emirates on a five-month loan deal, similar to the one he signed with the Gunners at the tail-end of last season.

Where art thou Becks?…

In short, no-one knows what the hell is happening vis-a-vis David Beckham‘s protracted loan move to Tottenham, not even Spurs manager Harry Redknapp who now seems to think that ‘insurance issues’ may scupper any bid to sign the LA Galaxy man on a playing contract.

It seems likely that Becks will now be moving to North East London to train with Redknapp’s side until the MLS gets going again in a couple of months’ time, though if anyone knows their way around ‘insurance issues’, it’s old ‘Arry.

Birmingham line up ‘three-and-a-bit’ big name signings…

Brum are hoping to add the sum total of about 3.25 ‘big name’ signings to their roster over the course of the next week or two, with both Robbie Keane and David Bentley almost certain to join from Tottenham’s reserves and Kenny Miller and Pablo Mouche set to follow on shortly after, arriving from Rangers and Boca Juniors respectively.

All in all, it looks like Big Eck is going to be shelling out somewhere in the region of £8 million for the four new faces, two of which (Bentley and Mouche) will be joining on six-month loan deals.

El Diego claims Premier League interest…

Argentinian barmpot Diego Maradona has claimed that he will be travelling to England next month to hold talks with an as-yet anonymous club about taking over at the helm – with West Ham being touted by many as the most likely destination.

So said ‘El Diego’:

“In February I will be travelling to England to listening to a formal proposal from a team from there who wants to talk to me. If they convince me I might accept the position. I’m not desperate but I know that some day I’ll be the coach again of some team.”

What could possibly go wrong?

The best of the rest…

The agent of Manchester City striker Jo has claimed that he has received five bids for his client in the past two weeks. The Brazilian had been linked with a loan switch to Olympiakos, though it seems that the quintet of offers have emanated from France, Spain and Russia…

Fiorentina are trying to engineer a ‘pre-contract’ agreement with the agent of Bolton striker Johan Elmander, who’s current deal at the Reebok expires in the summer…

Aston Villa are ready to up the stakes in their bid to sign Newcastle bruiser Joey Barton by throwing midfielder Nigel Reo Coker into the deal as a like-for-like makeweight. Good luck with that one chaps…

Blackpool have rejected three £2 million bids for Charlie Adam, with Blackburn, Sunderland and Birmingham all thought to be courting the Scottish schemer…

West Ham are ready to sack Avram Grant and hand Sam Allardyce a six-month trial to save the club from relegation, i.e. should he succeed in avoiding the dreaded drop, Big Sam will get to keep the job on a full-time basis…

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

As things stand, there have only been two occasions during the illustrious 54-year history of the Champions League (or the European Cup, as it was known pre-1993) when a club emanating from the host city of the final has managed to hoist the trophy aloft – both coming over 45 years ago.

The first instance occurred way back in 1957, a year after the competition’s inception in 1955/56, when Jose Villalonga Llorente‘s vaunted Real Madrid side rolled Fiorentina over on the hallowed turf of the Santiago Bernabeu and eventually ran out 2-0 winners.

Eight years later in 1965, Internazionale secured their second successive European title, this time on home soil, beating Portuguese giants Benfica (for whom Eusebio was playing at the time) by a single goal to lift the trophy in front of an 85,000-strong crowd at the San Siro in Milan.

Roma came close to adding their names to the ridiculously elite list in 1984 but, thanks chiefly to the ‘spaghetti legs’ technique Liverpool ‘keeper Bruce Grobelaar chose to employ during the penalty shoot-out, it was Joe Fagan‘s side that left the Stadio Olimpico with ‘big ears’ under their collective arms, rather than the Romans themselves.

John Terry sits dejected after the 2008 Champions League final

This season’s final is to be held at Wembley, the ‘home of English football’, which has thoughtfully been located in one of the most inconveniently accessible areas of London’s suburban waste ground.

It will be the first time that this incarnation of the stadium will have hosted UEFA’s glittering showpiece (the final was staged at ‘Old Wembley’ four times – in 1968, 1971, 1978 and most recently in 1992) and, theoretically at least, there will be three London-based clubs hoping to etch their names in history by continuing the aforementioned pattern.

Whilst Manchester United, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have all tasted European glory, England’s capital has never managed to produce a Champions League winner. In the recent past, both Chelsea and Arsenal have matched Leeds United’s (1975) feat of reaching the final, but neither club is yet to venture that one, critical step further in the competition.

After last season’s domestic heroics, Tottenham have also afforded themselves an opportunity to add to their single Cup Winners Cup and two UEFA Cup triumphs during the 1960′s, 70′s and 80′s by snaring European football’s most distinguished prize. All extemely premature bombast aside, the fact remains that Spurs can actually win the Champions League this season.

Tottenham made their Champions League debut against Bremen

Both Chelsea and Arsenal got their 2010/11 European campaigns off to consummate starts earlier this week by racking up 4-1 and 6-0 wins over MSK Zilina and SC Braga respectively. Chelsea are yet to drop a point in the Premier League this season, and given their juggernaut-like propensity to comfortably win games by three-0r-more goals this season, must be tagged as the favourites of the London contingent to go all the way in this year’s tournament.

Arsenal were almost magisterial at times as they systematically deconstructed Braga on Wednesday evening and, if they continue to consistently display that kind of grace against all who befall them, then reaching the final will almost be a dead-cert. However, the same lingering doubts over the maturity of the majority of Arsene Wenger‘s burgeoning squad remain, and will only be truly admonished once a tangible pinnacle of their ongoing development is achieved i.e. silverware – such is the Devil’s bargain.

Tottenham represent the outsider’s choice. With no Champions League bloodline, it would be easy to prematurely dismiss Harry Redknapp‘s outfit as also-rans. However, after an encouraging start to proceedings (a 2-2 away draw with seasoned campaigners Werder Bremen is nothing to sniff at) and with playmakers aplenty, it looks like Spurs have lost none of the perpetual momentum that saw them crack the top-four monotony of the Premier League last season.

In fairness, it’s not really a question of whether a London-based side can win the Champions League this term, of course they all can. The actual nub of the matter is whether or not a London-based side will win the Champions League this season – an entirely different proposition altogether.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Emiliano Insua may have missed out on a move to Fiorentina, but it looks like he could still yet make a Serie A switch this month. According to Sky Sports Italia, Genoa have been in talks over a deal for the Liverpool left back.

Insua looked all but set to depart last week, as Fiorentina had agreed a fee with Liverpool for the 21-year-old. However, the deal fell apart, as the Argentine defender and the Italian club could not come to an agreement over personal terms, and on Tuesday, Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino confirmed that the deal was off and that the club would not press on with trying to push a deal through.

Genoa barely missed out on Champions League qualification in the 2008/09 season, but thanks to a defense that surrendered 61 goals, Genoa slumped to ninth last season and missed out on Europe.

Thus, it’s no surprise that strengthening the back line has been a priority this summer. The club has already signed three new defenders in Schalke right back Rafinha and center backs Diego Angelo (Naval) and Chico (Almeria), and if these reports are indeed true, they’ll add another talented young defender soon in Insua.

Among their other notable signings, Genoa have also signed former Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni, and last week, they tied up a deal for Sporting midfielder Miguel Veloso, who’d been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal in the past.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It looks like Liverpool will have the services of left back Emiliano Insua, at least for the time being, s the Argentine’s prospective move to Fiorentina has fallen through.

The two sides had agreed on a fee for the 21-year-old, but the deal has broken down due to the player being unable to agree personal terms with the Serie A side.

Insua, who started 30 Premier League games for Liverpool last season, rejoined the club for today’s friendly in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach, and he started and played nearly an hour in Liverpool‘s 1-0 loss.

Fiorentina could still make a move for Insua over the next month, but if he remains at Liverpool, one could expect him to have an edge to be first-choice at left back ahead of the re-signed Fabio Aurelio, who replaced him in today’s defeat in Monchengladbach.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

England

Chelsea To Sign Benfica Star?

As reported here earlier, Chelsea will sign Benfica midfielder Ramires next week for £20m, according to ESPN Soccernet sources.

Analysis: If you need to be impressed, see here and here (you’ll especially enjoy what happens around the 1:15 mark). Chelsea are getting a good one, and he’ll only get better learning from some of the best midfielders in the world.

Milner Saga Turning Ugly?

Well, it appears we’re going to ‘he said, he said’ territory with the James Milner to Manchester City saga. After Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill said yesterday that Milner told him before the World Cup that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract with the club, that he wanted to leave, and that a deal could be done at the right price, the Daily Mail reported today that a ‘friend’ of Milner’s said that Milner said no such thing.

Analysis: Well, considering that O’Neill’s comments weren’t exactly of the scathing variety, then there’s really no reason for such a report to come out aside from just wanting to cause problems. Besides, you’d have to seriously question why a manager of O’Neill’s reputation would come out and attribute such comments to one of his star players if it wasn’t true. Come on.

Poulsen To Replace Mascherano At Liverpool?

According to Goal.com, Liverpool could move for Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen if Javier Mascherano leaves for Inter Milan.

Analysis: No disrespect to Poulsen, who’s a solid and accomplished midfielder (and quite the bringer of pain), but this would be a bit of a step back in quality for Liverpool. If he’s not starting regularly for Juve, I don’t see him as more than a squad player at Liverpool.

Stoke To Cough Up Crazy Cash For Cole?

According to ESPN Soccernet, Stoke City are set to make a £14m bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.

Analysis: With his height, Cole’s head would certainly be a perfect match for some long Rory Delap throws into the box, wouldn‘t it? Cole would fill the need for a double-digit goal scorer, which is what Stoke are in need of if they want to make a move up the Premier League table, but £14m? With that, Stoke would do well to put in the highest bid for Nice’s Loic Remy instead of helping West Ham be able to fund their own bid for Remy.

Spain

Ozil Close To Barcelona Move

According to an exclusive report on Transfer Market Web, Barcelona have agreed terms with Werder Bremen star Mesut Ozil.

Analysis: Makes perfect sense if it happens. Sure, Fabregas would be the ideal capture, but he is unavailable as unavailable can be. Ozil, however, is available, for a far cheaper fee at that, and he’ll bring every bit the production and plenty of potential. Still too soon though to write this one off as signed, sealed, and delivered yet.

Stuttgart Star Sets Sights On Spanish Switch

VfB Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira has stated that he is currently deciding on a move to Real Madrid, and he will make his decision within the coming days. (ESPN Soccernet)

Analysis: Well, I can’t say I see him staying. He has only a year left on his contract, and I think Stuttgart would much rather get a relatively decent fee for him this summer instead of losing him for nothing next summer.

Italy

Milan Hot On Honda

According to Goal.com, AC Milan are in the midst of discussions to land Japanese star Keisuke Honda. Milan reportedly put in an offer of €13m to CSKA Moscow on Thursday, which fell short of CSKA’s asking price of €15m, but sources say that a deal could be struck soon.

Analysis: Whether it’s to Milan, Madrid, Merseyside, or elsewhere, it’s been quite a quick rise for Honda, and I’m not surprised. When I first saw highlights last year when he was still with VVV Venlo, I was very, very impressed. He’s only gotten better in the last year, and the best is yet to come.

Germany

Wolfsburg Stick To Stance On Stars

Wolfsburg sporting director Dieter Hoeness says that striker Edin Dzeko and attacking midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic are not for sale this summer, at any price. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: No surprise here, despite all of the speculation and both stating their desire to leave. They are two players that Wolfsburg needed to keep in order to make a serious run at the Bundesliga title and at the very least land a Champions League place. Throw in their new arrivals, and I fully expect to see it happen. If it doesn’t, then I can see Wolfsburg softening their stance next summer.

Hertha Star Heads To Hamburg

It’s a third new face in the span of a week at Hamburg SV, as the club have landed Hertha Berlin midfielder Gojko Kacar. According to reports, HSV have splashed out an initial £4.5m for the 23-year-old, with a further £800k dependent on their qualification for European football. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: Hamburg have added three players in Kacar and defenders Heiko Westermann and Dennis Diekmeier who will boost the club’s hopes of being able to earn a Europa League spot and perhaps even make a run at a Champions League place.

Greece

Riera Signs For Olympiakos

Olympiakos have completed the signing of Liverpool winger Albert Riera. Liverpool will receive £3.3m up front for the former Espanyol star, and they will receive a further £1.6m if Olympiakos capture the Greek league title. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Look at the reception that Olympiakos fans gave Riera upon his arrival yesterday. Perhaps they just wanted a good reason to party it up, or they think just that highly of their new arrival. Either way, don’t let ‘em down, Albert.

Russia

Spartak To Land Gervinho?

According to French media sources, Lille have accepted a €20m bid from Spartak Moscow for highly-rated Ivorian forward Gervinho. (Goal.com)

Analysis: Curious move this would seem to be, what with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and others mentioned as potential destinations. But Spartak are going to be in the Champions League (qualified for the group stages via a runner-up league finish last season) and would offer him some handsome wages, not to mention more than enough funds for Lille to land a replacement. And he would be just the player Spartak need to put them back into contention for a Champions League place, as they currently sit seventh in the league, 14 points behind Zenit St. Petersburg after only 13 matches.

USA

Marquez Moves To MLS

Thierry Henry could be joined by a former Barcelona teammate in New York. Goal.com reports that veteran defender Rafael Marquez has agreed a release from his Barcelona contract and is set to move to the New York Red Bulls on a four-year deal that will be confirmed next week.

Analysis: Marquez has looked primed for an exit this summer, so this wouldn’t be unexpected. Another wage off of Barcelona’s books, which comes in handy right now. For the Red Bulls, adding Marquez would only aid their chances to catch up and pass Columbus in the Eastern Conference in the second half of the season.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

VfL Wolfsburg sporting director Dieter Hoeness has set the record straight once again, and perhaps for the final time this summer, about the futures of star striker Edin Dzeko and playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic.

For the second straight summer, the 24-year-old Dzeko has been linked with a big-money move, with Manchester City and Juventus said to be battling it out for his signature. However, going by the comments of Wolfsburg managing director Dieter Hoeness, he‘ll have to wait until at least next summer, as will Misimovic, 28, who has been linked with the likes of Fiorentina and Atletico Madrid.

‘We have decided to end the recurring speculation: both Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic will be staying at Wolfsburg, no matter what offers come in for them.’

‘We did not want this speculation to become endless as we move closer to the start of the season.

‘It made no sense to continue going around in circles. Now everybody can concentrate on the new season.’

Both players have spoken of their desire to leave Wolfsburg this summer, but it should come as no surprise that both will be staying put. Wolfsburg have held firm in their stance on their stars over the last couple of summers, both because of their importance and because of a lack of a need to sell to buy, given the sizable amount of funds at their disposal.

After winning a first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2008/09 season, Wolfsburg disappointed last season, as they finished eighth in the league, crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage, and lost to Fulham in the Europa League quarterfinals.

Despite the disappointing results for the team, the Bosnian duo put together fine individual campaigns last term. After scoring 26 league goals in Wolfsburg’s title-winning campaign, Dzeko scored 22 league goals last season and tallied 29 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, while Misimovic led the Bundesliga in assists for the second straight season with 13 and finished with 14 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.

But Wolfsburg have landed a new manager in former England manager Steve McClaren, and by holding on to their stars and adding several talented new faces in defense, midfield, and up front, the club should be back in the thick of the Bundesliga title race this season.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

England

Lahm Deal No Walk In The Park?

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United could make a move for Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm, but any deal could hinge on whether or not United are willing to part with Park Ji-Sung, who is wanted by Bayern.

Analysis: With Bayern in pursuit of Ajax’s Gregory Van der Wiel, Lahm could be United’s for the taking if they really want him. Park has been a dependable squad member and stepped up in big moments on numerous occasions, but as the second leg of United’s Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern last season showed, having some experience and steadiness at right back can be a real difference maker.

Sunderland Swoop For Manchester Starlets

Sunderland are hopeful of finalizing a deal for young Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck within the coming days, and the club could also be set for a move for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Neither player looks to have a chance at many first-team opportunities at their respective clubs this coming season, so a move is in their best interests. Onuoha can be an immediate starter for Sunderland, Welbeck will greatly benefit from the chance to earn significant Premier League experience. And even if there’s a logjam at striker, Steve Bruce can find a place for him as a winger, so he should find opportunities there for the taking.

Birmingham Bid For Clyne

Birmingham City have made a bid of £1.25m for Crystal Palace right back Nathaniel Clyne. (The Sun)

Analysis: With Palace likely set for a battle to stay up this season, selling Clyne right now could be considered, given that being in League One wouldn’t do much for his value. However, he stands to have a lot more value to the club if he stays and helps their fight to stay up than if he leaves for what can be thought of as a rather small sum with his talent and potential in mind.

Wigan Loan Al-Habsi

Wigan have signed goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi on a season-long loan from Bolton. (The Sun)

Analysis: With the injury cloud always looming and ready to rain down on Chris Kirkland, it’s a smart move for Wigan to land another goalkeeper with Premier League experience. Al-Habsi performed well for Bolton in his extended spell of action in the 2007/08 season, and he could step in and do a job if needed.

Spain

Barcelona Target Bilbao Star

Barcelona are pondering a move for Atletico Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez. (Goal.com)

Analysis: Martinez is one of the brightest prospects in Spanish football (which is saying a lot, considering the young talent they have), and he was a top target for Liverpool last summer. With Barca looking to meet frustration on the Cesc Fabregas front yet again, he makes for a fine backup option, but Barcelona’s financial situation could price them out of a move unless some sales can be made soon.

Aduriz Set For Valencia

Valencia have agreed a €4m fee for Mallorca striker Aritz Aduriz, who will underdog a medical at his prospective new home tomorrow. (Sky Sports)

Analysis: David Villa he is not, but he is a reliable scorer. Valencia will certainly miss Villa and Silva, but they will survive and flourish, thanks to old faces (Juan Mata, Joaquin, and Pablo) and newer ones. Alejandro Dominguez should be a significant contributor in his first full season at the club after coming from Rubin Kazan in January, and Aduriz and fellow new signing Alberto Costa will also do their part to make sure that the two Davids aren’t missed too much.

Atletico Eye Godin

Atletico Madrid are interested in Villarreal center back Diego Godin, who‘s coming off of an impressive World Cup performance for Uruguay. Villarreal could sell the 24-year-old if an offer around €15m comes in. (Goal.com)

Analysis: If there’s any area that Atletico need to spend big, it’s at the back. The addition of Godin wouldn’t be a cure-all for their defensive woes, but it would significantly boost their hopes of having an all-around successful 2010-11 campaign.

Italy

Juve Enter Fray For Forlan

According to Italian news reports, Juventus could be set to make a €20m bid for Atletico Madrid star and World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan. (Goal.com)

Analysis: It makes a lot more sense for Juve to make a run at Forlan instead of Edin Dzeko with numerous factors in mind. The only negative when it comes to a Forlan deal is his age, but when you’re capable of reaching a goal total as high or higher than your age, well, it’s just a number.

Milan Agree Papastathopoulos Deal

AC Milan and Genoa have come to an agreement over Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos. AC Milan will have the 22-year-old on loan next season and then sign him permanently for €7m next summer. (Transfer Market Web)

Analysis: Another much-needed step towards giving the squad a much younger look. Papastathopoulos (say it five times fast!) was a steady performer for a Genoa defense that was one of the worst in Serie A, and he has the potential to be a key cog in Milan’s back line for years to come.

Roma Look To Seal Burdisso Deal

After Inter Milan rejected their initial bid of €3.5m for defender Nicolas Burdisso, Roma are hopeful that an improved bid of €6m will be enough to land the Argentine international. (Goal.com)

Analysis: Inter may want €10m, but with Roma not having much room to maneuver in the transfer market right now, Inter shouldn’t find it hard to find a compromise over a player who Roma needs a lot more than they do at this point.

Fiorentina Close On Insua

Fiorentina have agreed a fee of £5m with Liverpool for left back Emiliano Insua. (Daily Mail)

Analysis: Liverpool could’ve certainly benefited from having him in the side next season, but he should step in and be an immediate starter for Fiorentina.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News