Premiership Transfer News of the Week
The football season may be coming to a close but this only means that transfer stories are on the rise. Soon managers will be shifting their attention to summer signings as they look to improve their squad for next season.
Not surprisingly, Manuel Neuer’s heroic performance for Schalke against Manchester United has reignited the speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson may look to bring in the German No 1 in the summer to replace the retiring Edwin van der Sar. Following United’s 2-0 win over Schalke, Ferguson said, ‘I think in my time at United this was the finest display of goalkeeping against us.’ Even though it is expected that Neuer will sign for Schalke’s fierce rivals Bayern Munich, an escalating row between the two clubs has given United a chance to lure the goalkeeper to Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea will make an audacious bid for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale. The paper reports that the Blues could be willing to offer up to £40 million for the winger but doubts surround the move given that the Welshman signed a new four and a half year deal this year to remain at White Hart Lane until 2015. However, the Guardian say that Chelsea have been given added hope of signing Ajax full back Gregory van der Wiel after reports in Germany said that Bayern Munich have dropped their interest in the Dutch international. If Van der Wiel does sign for the blues then it could lead to the both Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Ferreira leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Following Arsenal’s defeat to Bolton last Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger finally admitted in the week that the club need a ‘commanding’ presence at the back prompting talk that the Gunners could target Bolton’s Gary Cahill in the summer. Meanwhile, both TalkSPORT and the Daily Mirror report that Zenit St Petersburg are prepared to offer Andrey Arshavin a return to the club should he decide to leave North London in the summer.
Two of Napoli’s stars could be heading to the Premiership in the transfer window with both Edison Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi linked to Manchester City and Liverpool respectively during the week. The Times said that City may also decide to make a move for Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez but the club’s spending could all depend on who leaves Eastlands. However, the Daily Telegraph believes that should City fail to qualify for the Champions League, the club will embark on their smallest summer spending spree since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan’s September 2008 takeover.
Everton are not known for spending big but the club may decide to splash £6 million on signing Reading’s Shane Long according to the Daily Mail. The striker has been in impressive form this season, scoring 26 goals and he could be a perfect option for David Moyes as he looks to enhance his forward line in the transfer window. Meanwhile, the Sun says that Everton will look to pounce on already relegated Championship side Preston by signing defender Billy Jones. Jones is out of contract this season so he could be an attractive prospect for Moyes.
Finally, West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie has made his intentions clear of staying at the club should they stay up. This week the Sun reported that the forward will snub Italian giants Juventus should the Baggies avoid the drop. ‘My intention is to continue playing in England and if West Brom is not relegated then I’m more than happy to stay.’
