Newcastle United are set to sign Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good after being impressed with the 19 year old during his two week trial with the club. Good had a fantastic season last term, propelling his side to the A-League final for the first time ever. The defender is thought to be valued around·£400,000. His agent told the Herald Sun, “Discussions are ongoing and we are hopeful of a positive outcome.·It would be a fantastic opportunity for Curtis to continue his football development with a successful club from one of the world’s best leagues.”
The Daily Mail reports that recently promoted West Ham side have tabled a·£5 million·bid for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. Manager Sam Allardyce is desperate to land forwards at the club, having also shown interest in Grant Holt and Yannick Sagbo, as he aims to keep the Playoff champions in the top tier for some time. However, he would have to battle against Reading and Stoke to secure the Malian attacker’s services.
More Hammers news, and it appears Big Sam has revived his attempt to land Norwich striker Grant Holt with a revised £6 million bid, reports the Daily Mail. Sam Allardyce is reportedly keen on landing the forward despite having two previous bids rejected by the Canaries. The 31 year-old is reportedly unsettled even after the arrival of new manager Chris Hughton and is very likely to leave Carrow Road this summer. Allardyce, who secured the club’s promotion last term is looking to strengthen his attacking unit as they gear up to take on the big boys of English football.
Man City fans can cheer loudly after a recent report in the Daily Mail suggested that star players David Silva and Mario Balotelli are unlikely to leave Eastlands this summer. Playmaker Silva still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Premier League champions and the club’s officials are reportedly in talks with the 26 year-old’s representatives for an extension. The Spaniard had earlier admitted that he would love to stay on with City. Meanwhile, reports linking Balotelli with a move to Italy have been quashed by his agent, who told the Mail, “Italian football’s economic situation means that at the moment top players can’t come to Italy.”
Relegation to the Championship hasn’t affected Wolverhampton Wanderers’ ability to attract Premier League-level players as the Daily Mail reports that Manchester City’s Stefan Savic is a loan-target for the Midlands team. Savic has been a disaster at the back for City and with Roberto Mancini expected to sign defensive reinforcements, the Montenegrin is expected to fall further down the pecking order. But whether he fancies the battling Championship over a peripheral role at the defending Champions is something Wolves will have to deal with.
Birmingham City have rejected a second bid from Southampton for the highly rated Jack Butland according to the Telegraph, who report that the Midlands outfit turned down a £6m offer for the 19 year old keeper. New manager Lee Clark is confident that the 3rd choice England keeper at the Euros will remain at St.Andrews unless a ‘crazy’ offer comes around.
Premier League new-boys Southampton are eyeing Vitesse Arnhem’s midfielder Alexander Buttner, reports the Mirror. However, they would need to step up their chase as London clubs Fulham and QPR have already held preliminary talks with the 23 year old. German side Werder Bremen are also in the fray for the £2 million rate Dutch player. The youngster did not give anything away in an interview as he said, “England or Germany, they are both fantastic leagues. At the moment I can’t say more, I have to wait. I still have one year left on my Vitesse deal, so a new club first has to agree on a transfer fee.”
The Premier League trio of Fulham, West Brom and Norwich are said to be eyeing Danish youngster Nicklas Helenius Jensen, reported teamtalk.com. The youngster is a promising striker, having scored 14 goals in the Danish Superliga last season. Standing tall at 6’5”, the 21 year-old is in the middle of a tug of war between the clubs, with Fulham boss Martin Jol believed to be the front-runner in the race for his signature.
Atletico Madrid have secured the services of Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois for for another season as the Spaniards announced the one-year loan deal on their official website. The young Belgian keeper impressed as David de Gea’s replacement last season and with his chances at Chelsea restricted due to the presence of Petr Cech, it is only logical that he has chosen to gain more first-team football.
Fulham have completed the signing of 31 year-old Croatian Mladen Petric who was a free agent after a four-year stint with German club Hamburg. The forward has signed a one-year deal that will see him reunite with former Hamburg boss Martin Jol. The player has also played for Swiss giants Basel and German champions Borussia Dortmund during his career. A delighted Petric told the club’s official website, “I like the Premier League and it has always been one of my wishes to come here.”
18-year-old Alban Bunjaku has been signed by Sevilla from Arsenal, reports the Daily Mail. Bunjaku, who came through Arsenal’s youth ranks, is one of Sevilla’s new signings. along with Javi Hervas from Cordoba and Bryan Rabello from Colo Colo.
Tottenham coaches Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond have been sacked by the club in order to make way for the appointment of their new manager. Both the coaches were a key part of Harry Redknapp’s team, and were touted to leave the club after Redknapp’s dismissal from the club.
Italian club Sampdoria, who clawed their way back into Serie A after just one season in Serie B, are looking for a new manager to rejuvenate the club as they take on the challenge to maintain their place in the top tier. Former Inter and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was touted to take up the job but the Spaniard has ruled out a move to the club stating that he is not prepared for a new challenge. The 52 year-old is quoted on Inside Futbol as having said, “This is not the right time.”
(TheSportsCampus)
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