Transfer News

We've had a busy start - rumours and deals have been flying around all over the place. We always said it was going to be a busy summer for a lot of the bigger teams in the Premier League and today it has all really kicked off.


We'll start with the official news, Sunderland have agreed to sell their young starlet Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20million. The deal also involves David N'Gog going in the other direction on top of the large transfer fee. The deal was struck earlier on today, Henderson is set to discuss personal terms and have his medical on Wednesday. Sunderland wanted to keep Henderson but he was keen on leaving and the club did not stand in the way of the deal, plus £20million pounds is a very large sum of money. I think Sunderland and Steve Bruce will do good with that money in the transfer kitty. Overall - Decent signing, did they really need Henderson? £20million seems an inflated price for the youngster - ★★★☆☆

This deal seems as good as done - Phil Jones to Manchester United. They beat off stiff competition from Liverpool and Arsenal to the young man's signature. The reported fee is somewhere in the region of £16million. I presume Ferguson's long term idea is to have Smalling and Jones together at centre half? Vidic and Ferdinand are no spring chickens. He is also more than capable of playing in the centre of midfield - this may well be where he starts to get games. Jones looks a strong purchase, he really is one for the future. I have always spoken of my admiration for the guy, a real talented footballer and all interviews I have seen and read he comes across as a nice guy. I can't see him moving on from Manchester United if he is getting game time. Being only 19 years old he has a good 10+ years to offer his new employers. Also for new owners Venky's this is a great big of business... They paid £23million for a 99.9% stake in the club and now are on their way to taking back £16million only on one player, not bad going. Overall a good signing for United; young, strong and talented - ★★★★☆

Arsenal make their first signing in what has been promised to be a busy transfer window. Their signing is that of lesser known youngster Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic. The 19 year old right back and his family are Arsenal fans and when the club declared interest he was very eager to move. Arsene Wenger is arguably the best manager in world who can sign an unknown player and really make them a star. Hopefully for Arsenal that is going to happen, a young right back by trade but who can also play all the way along the back line will help stabilise that fragile defence of last season. Arsenal are signing the young man on a free but it is believed that around £1million compensation will be paid to Charlton Athletic. I wouldn't expect to see Jenkinson in the first team for a little while but he could very well be Bacary Sagna's replacement in the future as Arsenal do not have any real talent coming through in that position. Overall a potentially good signing for the gunners, only time will tell. From what Charlton manager Chris Powell has had to say he sounds like a very good player and they are sad to lose him. One for the future but no real impact to Arsenal as a club - ★☆☆☆☆

Transfer Rumours


Talk in both England and Italy is that Chelsea lead the race for Inter Milan's talisman Wesley Sneijder, he has reportedly told close friends that he wants to embark on a new challenge. Manchester United along with Manchester City will be battling Chelsea for his signature. Inter Milan's manager Leonardo has his eyes on Chelsea's Ramires, will the young brazilian be used as bait to lure Inter into talks with them instead of their rivals? There is also talk of Inter chasing young Gatson Ramirez - virtually unknown to the masses in England but in Italy he has made quite an impression. The skilful midfield player maker has tricks for days as well as a few goals up his sleeve. Here is a classic video compilation for those of you who are interested.

Chelsea officials are in Belgium at the moment trying to negotiate a deal for young winger Kevin De Bruyne after an initial bid of around £5.3million was knocked back. 
Lassana Diarra has come out and said IF he was to leave Madrid it would only be for a return to the Premier League, Tottenham and Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in the French holding midfielder. 
Napoli are playing in Europe next season, they are trying to strengthen their squad with the addition of Domenico Criscito but face competition from Inter. Gohan Inler's agent has come out and said his man is close to a move to Napoli, a real talent and has been a target for many top clubs in the past. An Inler-Hamsik midfield pairing in Europe could be something beautiful. 
Reports in Italy say that Roma are after Barcelona golden boy Bojan Krkic and Luis Enrique who is now the manager at the Italian club could be the swinging factor? I personally can't see him leaving but who knows?

Gervinho is a name that will most likely feature in every single transfer rumour column at least once a week this summer - the striker told Sky Sports today that he is on his way to England but tells L'Équipe that he is undecided. He is creating the speculation all on his own. I have a feeling Lille will sell the front man, especially as he would probably have a large price tag on him. 
Word from Catalunya Ràdio in Spain is that Fabregas' agent has come out and said a verbal agreement with Rosell, the president of Barcelona, has been made - He says this Friday they are meeting to discuss a strategy to get Arsenal to agree to sell him. The reported fee is near 40million€. 
Everyone in England is waiting for the official statement from Manchester United to confirm their signing of Ashley Young, it seems to be just a matter of time. What is interesting is that Juventus see this as an opportunity to swoop in and try to steal one of United's current wingers - Luis Nani. I personally think that Nani has had the best season of his career but there is still more to come, he would be foolish to move if the offer ever comes about. I'm sure the signing of Young will plant a seed of doubt into his head, towards the end of the season he wasn't getting as much game time as he wished. 
Shakthar Donetsk are reportedly in for Arsenal's want away midfielder, Denilson. Part of this deal is that Arsenal have to pay £4million plus Denilson for their quick-footed pacey Brazilian winger Willian - I don't know how much truth there is to this rumour but I do know that Arsenal need to get rid of Denilson along with a few other players this summer.
News just in - Sunderland have offered £12million for Wes Brown, Darren Gibson and an unnamed third player, who could it be? Wellbeck? O'Shea? The deal has come about hours after the confirmation of Henderson's big money move to Merseyside.