Transfer Rumors (24 August 08): United make final Berba bid, Newcastle interested in Malouda, Chelsea finally offload Sheva, and more
We’ve moving towards the last week of the transfer window, and there are still some transfer sagas yet to be resolved. While there’s little new news on any of them in today’s roundup, there is a fair amount to report on, with the Premier League and Serie A stealing all of the headlines today.
England
According to News of the World, Manchester United have made a final bid for Dimitar Berbatov in hopes of doing a deal for the Bulgarian before the window closes.
Rumor Rating: 3 – It seems both sides have drawn lines in the sand that are a little apart from one another. It’s really plain and simple though. If it goes through, then woohoo! If it doesn’t, then Spurs have a moody Bulgarian that will have to stick that lip back in, and United, well, their money will be spent elsewhere. It’ll work out one way or another, certainly.
Newcastle are being linked with a £12m swoop for Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, with the Daily Mail saying that the Frenchman would be dispensable if Chelsea are successful in their pursuit of Robinho.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Malouda has been linked with an exit throughout the summer after a disappointing debut season at Chelsea, but he could help liven things up at St. James’ Park.
Everton are reportedly trying to work a deal for Espanyol’s Albert Riera, who’s been linked with archrivals Liverpool all summer. The Toffees could offer as much as £12m for the 26-year old winger, which could be enough to persuade Espanyol to sell.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Everton have whiffed in the market thus far, but this could be just the signing that they need to make before the window closes.
Middlesbrough striker Mido is contemplating whether or not he will stay at Boro or move to Wigan on loan.
Rumor Rating: 3 – Mido has made a successful return from injury, scoring goals off of the subs’ bench in Boro’s first two Premier League matches. While he has a lot of competition for starting time at Boro, the same might be the case at Wigan, where there’s already Amr Zaki and Emile Heskey.
Italy
Just when it appeared that Andriy Shevchenko wasn’t going to get his return to AC Milan, he is.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Even though there had been all the talk that the deal was off, I figured there was a good chance it could still happen, considering Chelsea’s wish to get rid of him and Milan’s desire to have him back.
Torino have swooped for Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi, signing the 25-year old on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Rumor Rating: 5 – Bianchi didn’t get a permanent move to Lazio after his loan spell there in the second half of the season, but he has the permanent move to Italy that he wants now, just in time for the start of the Serie A season.
Well, that’s it for another day in transfer news and rumors. I’ll be back to kick off a new week tomorrow, but until then, chime in with your thoughts on today’s tidbits, chip in with ones that you’ve heard and read, and make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest confirmed transfers with our updated summer transfer lists.
Topics: AC Milan, Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea, English Premier League, Everton, Football Transfers, La Liga, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Serie A, Tottenham, Wigan
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I think Tottenham is a shambles and I blame the board andMr.Levy.If they sell Berbatov for 25m to you know who then you realise Tottenham are a selling club letting players use us as a stepping stone to bigger teams.I have said it time and again during this window that we need to keep Berbatov if we are to get anywhere this season.If need be fine him 2 or 3 weeks wages but he is still under contract to us for at least 3yrs.I hear of the thought of Heskey coming in what a laugh Heskey is a donkey is so slow a snail could overtake him and he is too bloody old.What we need is someone like Huntlaar and also get Arshavin in at the same time and still try to get Corluka from Man;city.We need to out and out strikers and there is nobody better than Berbatov he is pure class that is why his name is on the back of my shirt.I have supported Spurs for 50yrs and at the moment I am dismayed at the start of our season.For once in my life I am thinking of tearing up my membership card and I am disgusted at the way Mr Ramos is playing certain players out of position.Another thing Darren Bent is not an out and out striker he should be shot as he is bloody useless.This is pouring my heart out as I am so so sad as to the condition of my beloved SPURS and we as fans deserve a lot better from our manager the board and the team.So please someone please agree with what am saying SPURS fans please reply to my email.COYS///////////////
August 24th, 2008 @ 16:19Haydn although it seems that Tottenham are quite wealthy at the moment they do not have the spending power to buy Arshavin, Corluka, and Huntelaar on top of Bentley and Modric, even if they do offload Berbatov. But I do agree with your “stepping stone” comment but unfortunately if Tottenham do not break into the top 4 then that’s the way it’s going to stay as United or Liverpool or Arsenal will try snatch Modric, dos Santos, Bentley etc when they become word class.
August 25th, 2008 @ 04:42As a Man Utd fan…in advance I will just say thank you for the services of Berba if we get to sign him within the next week. He’s a want-away player anyways. Why would you want someone to play for you who doesn’t even want to be there? Agreed he’s a great player and that’s why when he signs for Utd I will also be wearing his name on the back of shirt…although it will look better in Red than white.
August 25th, 2008 @ 15:01haha sorry, I couldn’t resist.