Sun may no longer shine for City - Transfer Rumours Today
Who? - Karim Benzema - Speculation Where is he? - Olympique Lyonnais Who is he linked with? - Manchester United
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has again spoken of his belief that France forward Karim Benzema will still be with the French champions next season. The 20-year-old is wanted by a number of top clubs across the continent, with Manchester United and Barcelona reported to be upping their interest in the talented youngster. However, Aulas told Sport: "It is logical that clubs are watching him. We are talking about a great player and he has a great future in front of him. But it is not a question of money. It is easier than that, it is a question of feelings. Karim Benzema wants to be at Lyon because he feels the club and this is his home. That has nothing to do with a figure of money. He has a long career ahead of him and I think he will star in the 2010 World Cup finals. He is growing fast and we are very happy with him. He has helped us a lot and is a reference point in the team. What I can assure everyone is that he will be at Lyon next season. From what I know, I think he will be here for the next two years. It is good that major clubs are watching a player that Lyon has brought through. It means that we are doing the right things, but there will be no short-term gains made."
Who? - Shaun Wright-Phillips - Speculation Where is he? - Chelsea Who is he linked with? - Leaving
Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips insists he is happy at Stamford Bridge and not looking to move on in the summer. The England international has endured another frustrating season with the Blues where he has failed to hold down a starting place for a consistent period. But despite being expected to miss Wednesday's Champions League Final, the 26-year-old claims he is not looking to leave the west London club. Wright-Phillips, who joined the Blues from Manchester City in 2005 for 21million, has two years remaining on his existing contract. "I will definitely be at Chelsea next season," he said. "Speculation has been like this since I was at Manchester City. It was going on for seven years before I left. Then I came to Chelsea and speculation has been going on for my whole time here and I have still not left. I have signed a contract and I'm here to see it out."
Who? - Dean Ashton - Speculation Where is he? - West Ham United Who is he linked with? - Manchester United
West Ham United have described as "productive" a round of talks with Dean Ashton's representatives over securing the striker's long-term future. Ashton, 24, still has two years remaining on his existing contract, but manager Alan Curbishley is keen to tie the powerful striker down to a new longer-term deal following speculation over his future since the end of the season. The former Crewe Alexandra and Norwich City striker, who has netted 13 times in 43 appearances for the Hammers, has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool in recent weeks. The Swindon-born striker joined the Hammers in a 7million deal in January 2006, but has suffered a succession of injury problems during his time at Upton Park. "We had a very productive meeting," chief executive Scott Duxbury told the club's official website. "Dean wants to stay and we want him to stay. We are committed to finding agreement on a new long-term contract."
Who? - Sun Jihai - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester City Who is he linked with? - Leaving
Manchester City defender Sun Jihai has not ruled out the possibility of staying with the Citizens. The China international is out of contract at the City of Manchester Stadium next month but is hoping to prolong his six-year stay in England. Jihai, who has also played for Crystal Palace, has made more than 150 appearances since joining City from Dalian Wanda in 2002. "I'd love to play in England and I'd love to play football for Manchester City," he admitted. "In the future I don't know, nobody knows. A player like me who can play in different positions is important. By the end of the season, I proved I can play and you cannot expect all the first-team players to start every game. I think I'm still fit enough to play in the Premier League."
Who? - Alberto Aquilani - Speculation Where is he? - AS Roma Who is he linked with? - Arsenal
Arsenal have been linked with an ambitious raid on AS Roma to sign Italy international midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The 23-year-old has been capped four times by the Azzurri after breaking into the full international side on the back of an impressive European Championship for the under-21s last year. Aquilani made 26 appearances for Roma during the recently completed Serie A season and is reportedly high on Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's wishlist to replace AC Milan-bound midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The player's agent, Vincenzo Morabito, claims his client is already in talks with the north London club over a reported 12million summer transfer. "Aquilani is speaking to Arsenal," he told Italian media. "We will have to see if Roma will be able to match his demands."
