Transfer Talk - The Latest Rumours
One of my favourite pastimes at this time of year is the transfer rumours that circulate, and below are a few of the latest potential moves:
Who? - Lee Carsley - Everton linked with? - Derby County
Everton manager David Moyes has insisted that Lee Carsley will not quit the club in the summer. The veteran midfielder has been linked in the past few weeks with a return to former club Derby County after Rams boss Paul Jewell revealed an interest in him. However, Moyes has now explained that Carsley is more likely to sign a contract extension than move on. "Lee has told us he wants to sign a new contract here and we expect that to happen," he said. "He's been very reliable for us and we don't want to lose that. I want to keep that strong backbone."
Who? - Matt Derbyshire - Blackburn Rovers Linked with: Several
Mark Hughes has insisted that Matt Derbyshire still has a role to play at the club. The talented midfielder has struggled to find a place in the first eleven this season due to injury problems and the fine form of Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy. However, Hughes has said: "Matty is an explosive player and a great impact player for us. In recent weeks...I've erred on the side of safety somewhat with putting an extra defensive-minded player [on the bench], rather than two attacking-minded players. That's the thinking behind it. It's not the fact that I'm unhappy with his performance or that I think he hasn't got a big part to play, because he certainly has."
Who? - Scott Carson - Liverpool linked with? - Aston Villa
Aston Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson will have to wait until the summer to discover where his future lies, Martin O'Neill has revealed. The England stopper is currently on loan at Villa from Liverpool, having signed for the Reds from Leeds United in 2005. "All parties will sit down [at the end of the season]," said O'Neill. "We are prepared to leave it. I haven't relayed anything to Scott either way." Carson has also been sent out to Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton during his three-year period with Liverpool. He has been on impressive form for the Villains this campaign, but fumbled Niko Kranjcar's shot into the back of his own net during England's 3-2 Euro 2008 qualifying defeat to Croatia in November 2007.
