Football Transfer Gossip
Welcome to today's latest football transfer gossip and football transfer speculation.
Who? - Wes Brown and Ryan Giggs
- Speculation
Where is he? - Manchester United
Who is he linked with? - No-one
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has confirmed that Ryan Giggs and Wes Brown are close to penning new deals with the club. Both players are out of contract at the end of this season but have already said they want to remain at Old Trafford. Gill said: "We're always relaxed about Ryan because we trust him and he trusts us. I'm sure we'll look at that. Wes likes it here and we will be looking to extend his deal." Brown, who has spent almost a decade with the club, said last week: "I love playing for United and talk of me leaving this summer was rubbish. I have never thought of going anywhere else because it would be a step down. Having that conversation with the manager is something I dread."
Who? - Benni McCarthy
- Speculation
Where is he? - Blackburn Rovers
Who is he linked with? - Chelsea
Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes has dismissed rumours that Benni McCarthy will leave the club this summer. Chelsea are reported to be interested in the striker, who enjoyed a hugely successful first season in the Premier League, but Hughes has poured cold water on talk of a transfer, saying: "The situation is he's our player, we won't want to sell him and we're not going to. Benni understands that and seems happy. He comes to training with a smile on his face. I don't think he is agitating for a move. We fully expect him to be with us at the start of the season."
Who? - Gabriel Heinze
- SpeculationWhere is he? - Manchester United
Who is he linked with? - Liverpool
Gabriel Heinze has revealed he will stay at Old Trafford if he can get first-team football. The Argentine left-back has been linked with a move away from United this summer and Sir Alex Ferguson nixed a potential move to Liverpool last week. However, despite this talk, Heinze has told the News of the World: "I will only leave if Alex Ferguson says to my face I do not enter in his plans. I don't consider myself inferior to anyone. This is a delicate subject, especially for the fans. I believe that to leave United for Liverpool would not be understood by them."
Who? - Arjen Robben
- SpeculationWhere is he? - Chelsea
Who is he linked with? - Real Madrid
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has again played down talk of a move away from the club for Arjen Robben, after the Dutch winger missed the high-profile friendly against LA Galaxy. Robben has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid this summer, although Mourinho is adamant that he does not want to sell the left-winger, who is carrying a knee injury. However, the Portuguese had to comment on Robben again after John Terry scored the only goal of a game that saw David Beckham make his debut for the Los Angeles outfit. Mourinho said: "Robben is injured. He's here and he's flying home with us, not to Madrid."
Who? - Julio Baptista
- SpeculationWhere is he? - Real Madrid
Who is he linked with? - Newcastle United
Former Arsenal loanee Julio Baptista is a reported transfer target for Newcastle United. The 26-year-old Brazil international, who can play either in midfield or attack, scored ten goals in 35 appearances for the Gunners last season, but is currently back at Real Madrid after a permanent deal failed to materialise. However, Newcastle are now rumoured to be interested in bringing the South American back to England. He told the Sunday Mirror: "I believe I showed at Arsenal last season that I can play in England, score goals and make goals. Newcastle is a big club, but before I consider a move I need to know about my future with Real. I want the chance in pre-season to show our new coach, Bernd Schuster, I should be part of his plans. If things don't work out here I will have to look at other options in Spain and England."
Who? - Jose Antonio Reyes
- Speculation
Where is he? - Arsenal
Who is he linked with? - Lyon
Lyon have confirmed they are interested in signing Jose Antonio Reyes from Arsenal. The Spanish forward spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, having failed to settle in England. It was thought he would stay in his native country for the forthcoming campaign, however, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed that the club is considering a move. "I talked about him to [Lyon sporting director] Bernard Lacombe, who told me he is a good player," Aulas told L'Equipe. "Indeed, he could enter our list, but we have had no contact so far. We also have two or three other trails."
Who? - Jermain Defoe
- SpeculationWhere is he? - Tottenham Hotspur
Who is he linked with? - Portsmouth
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe believes he will still be at the club at the start of this season. The England international has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane during the summer, with Portsmouth thought to be in the chase to sign him. However, despite rumours of a new bid from Harry Redknapp's side, Defoe has said he is happy at Spurs and does not think he will be sold. "At the end of the day, if I was going to leave I would have gone by now," he told the Daily Mirror. "The fans know I love the club, all my friends are here so I am just looking forward to putting on a Spurs shirt and scoring many goals. There has been competition for places for the past few years now. There's so much quality in the dressing room that it keeps you on your toes so you've got to play well and that is only good for the club."
Who? - Robbie Fowler
- Very likelyWhere is he? - Unattached
Who is he linked with? - Cardiff City
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler is set to join Cardiff City. Fowler was released by the Anfield club at the end of last season and, despite reported interest from Leicester City and Port Vale, is expected to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Cardiff in the early part of next week.
Who? - Luke Young
- Very likelyWhere is he? - Charlton Athletic
Who is he linked with? - Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have agreed a transfer fee of 2.5million for Charlton Athletic defender Luke Young. The 28-year-old England international will move to the Riverside Stadium subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. Addicks boss Alan Pardew recently hinted that Young would be leaving The Valley this summer, saying: "I've got a lot of time and respect for Luke and I appreciate where he is in his career he wants to play in the Premier League. If a decent club comes in and I thought the fee was right I'd let him go. I've obviously brought in a replacement already in Yassin Moutaouakil, who I feel is going to give real competition to Luke whether he stays or not. I know that if we don't get the right offer then he'll stay and be as professional as he is. There is no bad feeling and he's not being difficult." Young made 207 appearances for Charlton following his 4million switch from Tottenham six years ago.