Saga transfer finalised!
Headline of the day...
IT'S OVER AT LAST
The Daily Mirror are delighted to report that the summer's most tedious transfer saga (which they call Tevezzzzzzzzzzzgate) is finally over. Apparently West Ham United and Kia Joorabchian have come to an agreement where the Hammers get £2m for letting Tevez join Manchester United, which should happen in the very near future, delighting him, United and Joorabchian, as well as the rest of us. What does it mean for the situation regarding his ownership? God knows, but it's Friday and it's all going to be over soon, so let's just forget about the complicated details, eh?
Hold the back page...
RED TEVIL
Unfortunately, The Sun must be so bored of this story that they couldn't even be bothered coming up with a decent headline, so they've just combined Tevez and Devil. Maybe they were too busy trying to stir up mass panic about sharks.
HE'S ALL YOURS FERGIE
The other good news is of course that the big court battle now won't happen, which would have been entirely irritating and tiresome, and the Daily Star are relieved that they won't have to start using any big 'legal' words.
PRICE IS RIGHT
Also chuffed today will be Richard Scudamore and the Premier League, who are expected to rubber stamp the arrangement with relief as it gets them out of a tricky situation, reports the Daily Mail.
NEWCASTLE SET TO SEAL A £6m SWOOP FOR SMITH
Another knock-on effect is that Alan Smith is now certainly free to join Newcastle United, a move that is expected to happen today, reports the Daily Express.
LAMPARD'S BROKEN TOE HAS CHELSEA IN TURMOIL
The Independent meanwhile write about a broken toe for Frank Lampard that adds even more injury problems for Chelsea ahead of the Community Shield on Sunday and the league kick-off next week.
LAMPARD: MY TOE'S BROKEN BUT I'LL PLAY AT WEMBLEY
But, like the trooper he is, Lampard has said that he'll battle through the pain barrier to play on Sunday, reports The Sun. Because, you know, the Community Shield is, like, SO important.
WENG SILVA LINING
The Daily Star report on Eduardo da Silva's impressive debut for Arsenal yesterday against Lazio, scoring on the day that he was finally given a work permit to play for the Gunners.
PEARCE TO BE WITNESS AS BARTON IS CHARGED
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail report on Joey Barton being charged with assault for his 'altercation' with Ousmane Dabo and the news that Stuart Pearce will be called as a witness.
Other top stories...
JOL FEELS WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION
The Guardian look at what each team has spent so far this summer and decide that Spurs are under pressure to achieve something this season after a busy summer in the transfer market. Can they challenge for the title?
FERDINAND LAMENTS SLUMP IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
All this money flying around means that young talent won't get properly nurtured and Rio Ferdinand bemoans the dearth in great British young players coming through the system in the Daily Telegraph.
ERIKSSON SPENDS £16.5m ON TRIPLE ADDITION
Not much chance of kids getting a chance at City this season, not with Sven Goran Eriksson signing three foreigners in a single day yesterday, reports The Independent.
BEATEN FINALISTS ENTER FRAY HOPING TO AVOID AN EARLY TRIP TO MOSCOW
The Champions League draw happens today and both Liverpool and Arsenal are involved as they seek to plot a path back the final of the competition that they have reached between them in each of the last three years, reports The Times.
WE'LL FIGHT OUT WAY TO EUROPE
The Daily Mirror report on West Ham United, who are aiming to qualify for Europe this season, with Craig Bellamy saying that the fact they'll be kicking lumps out of each other at every opportunity will work to their advantage.
ALVES UP FOR MOVE TO BRIDGE
Meanwhile, the Daily Star report on Dani Alves, who is still going on about being flattered to be linked with Chelsea and all that jazz.
AT LAST, ALEX IS CLEARED TO JOIN CHELSEA RANKS
Having 'signed' him in 2004 and 'parked' him at PSV since then, Chelsea finally 'got' Brazilian defender Alex yesterday, reports the Daily Express after he was given a work permit. Who says modern transfers are complicated?
I'LL PUT ROCKET UP UTD
In The Sun, Michael Essien says that he wants to score a wonder goal against Man United. He also wants to win trophies. Anything else?
