Sunderland and Blackburn have been put on red alert after Papa Demba Cisse admitted he wants to leave Freiburg, the Daily Mail understands.
£12.5 million rated Cisse scored 22 goals in the Bundesliga last season and has already struck four in three games in the current campaign heightening interest from the Premier League.
The Senegalese hit man has declared his is ready to move to a bigger club despite having three years to run on his deal in Germany.
Cisse said: “I want to leave. Yes I have a contract but I really want to try playing at a different level.”
Despite a summer spending spree that included the £13 million acquisition of Connor Wickham Black Cats boss Steve Bruce still wants to bring another striker to the Stadium of Light.
Bruce has been prompted into targeting a new front man after two embarrassing defeats to local rivals Newcastle and Championship side Brighton in the space of four days.
Rovers manager Steve Kean is also in the market for players with striker David Goodwillie the only new face at Ewood Park this summer.
With a week left of the transfer window both clubs will have to move swiftly if they are to secure the strikers signature.
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However they’ll both have to wary as Freiburg are likely to instigate a bidding war in an attempt to drive up the price.
Premier League side Fulham have signed striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan from Stoke City until the end of the season.
Gudjohnsen, 32, underwent a medical on Monday so the deal could be completed before the transfer deadline.
The Iceland international has struggled for first-team football at Stoke, making just five substitute appearances this season.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis wished Gudjohnsen all the best with his loan move and admitted his time at Stoke did not go to plan.
“It has been an incredibly frustrating time for Eidur [Gudjohnsen],” Pulis told the club’s official website.
“But he has been an outstanding professional and a great influence around the place in his time here. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the games that he needed to build up his match fitness, but this loan move presents him with a chance to do that.”
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Gudjohnsen will bolster Fulham manager Mark Hughes’ attacking options with striker Bobby Zamora still injured after breaking his leg in September.
It also paved the way for the departure of striker Eddie Johnson, who has left Craven Cottage to join Championship club Preston North End on loan until the end of the season.
Former Southampton captain Claus Lundekvam has shockingly revealed details of a Premier League betting scandal.
The Norwegian defender played for the Saints between 1996 and 2008, and has blown the lid on a frequent betting scandal, in which players co-operated with other teams and money was made for the individuals in question.
“It’s not something I’m proud of,” Lundekvam revealed to The Sun.
“For a while we did this almost every week. We made a fair bit of money. We could make deals with the opposing captain about, for example, betting on the first throw, the first corner, who started with the ball, a yellow card or a penalty.
“Those were the sorts of thing we had influence over.
“The results were never on the agenda. That is something I would never have done. We were professional competitors. Even though what we did, of course, was illegal, it was just a fun thing.
“I know it happened at other clubs as well.
“We footballers live in a bubble. It was part of the lifestyle and the excitement. Whatever we could bet on, we bet on,” he concluded.
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With only a few weeks left in the transfer window it would seem that Sir Alex has finished his summer spending, but has he gone far enough? There are no doubts that he has brought some very talented youngsters to the club, in his record breaking summer of spending. Fergie was given the biggest transfer chest of his 25 years at the club, £100million, to create his final, great side. Over the summer he has brought in Ashley Young-£16m-Phil Jones-£16.5m-and David de Gea-£18.3m-who are all bright young prospects, but they aren’t the finished articles, so will these signings alone be enough to replace what they have lost and propel them to a 20th league title?
It would seem as if United are still lacking a replacement for the retired Paul Scholes. Wesley Sneijder has been rumoured, but time is ticking on the transfer window, and it remains to be seen whether that will go ahead. Perhaps Sir Alex has a cheeky last minute deal up his sleeves that will surprise us all. The young players they have signed are undoubtedly quality, but surely they need more top quality players of the likes of Sneijder, to stay ahead in the league and narrow the gap between them and Europe’s finest. Bringing big names to the club is not without risk though, there is always the possibility of an expensive flop-i.e. Juan Sebastian Veron-which is why it proves to be cautious in the market, however they do need a world class signing to take them that step further in Europe.
If they don’t get anyone in to replace Scholes, then what options do they have? They could move Ryan Giggs into the centre, or even Wayne Rooney, although that could be a waste of his talents in front of goal. Perhaps they will bring in one of the youngsters at the club like Tom Cleverley. Scholes is a huge player to lose, his retirement marks the end of an era, so replacing him will be a difficult challenge. Perhaps Fergie is testing the water with his current squad. Should they struggle in midfield in the early part of the season, he might then look to strengthen in January, maybe with a bid for Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, whose contract will be expiring next summer which could affect his price-tag.
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Man City and Liverpool have spent big over the summer and are likely to provide tough threats to United’s crown along with Arsenal and Chelsea. It seems like the players United have signed are built for the future and will come into their own over the next few years, along with the wealth of talent in their reserve and youth team’s. This side will be at its peak in the next few seasons, but United still should have enough quality to put up a strong defence of their crown next season.
As well as trying to stay ahead on the domestic front, Sir Alex will be determined to meet the challenge set by Barcelona, after the demolishing that they suffered in the Champions League Final at Wembley. The gap between the sides was huge and no clearer in evidence than in the centre of the park, United seem to need a player of massive ability to close the gap between the sides. However, it is difficult to see how any team can compete with a side that has been such a long time in the making, with its foundations running back to 1992. Barcelona themselves, have spent big, making additions-notably Alexis Sanchez who it was rumored United where interested in-to continue to improve their squad. They are undoubtedly the best team Fergie has faced in his 25 years at United, and he will want to bow out having given absolutely everything in the challenge to take them down. Of course it would be naive to focus solely on Barcelona, they need to concentrate on winning week in and week out, and not be obsessed by the challenge and the benchmark that Barca have set in Europe.
One things for certain, Fergie will not rest until United are at the pinnacle of world football once more. He has spent big on the creation of his last great side, but is it enough to stay ahead of their domestic rivals or to reach the bar set by Barcelona?
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Let me know your thoughts below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter
Premier League club Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the dual signing of Ruben Rochina and Mauro Formica.
Both players move to Ewood Park on permanent deals with Rochina joining from Spanish giants Barcelona and Formica making the switch from Argentinean side Newell’s Old Boys.
Rochina, a 19-year-old striker and Spain under-19 international, has progressed through Barca’s youth system, leaving Rovers manager Steve Kean excited about the acquisition.
“He is a genuine addition to our squad, a young player with great ability who can play in a number of attacking positions,” Kean said.
“Ruben joins our elite development group alongside the likes of Phil Jones and Junior Hoilett and will compete for a place in the team from the word go.”
“The fact we are able to sign young players from the likes of Barcelona is further evidence of the owners’ intention to push the club forward.”
“They told me they were keen to add to our youth development group and this is a significant and exciting signing for us.”
Rochina has netted twice in 13 appearances for Barcelona’s reserves this season, who play in Spain’s second tier.
Formica, 22, is a highly-rated Argentina under-17 international who will add strength and depth to the Rovers midfield.
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“Mauro is a fantastic talent, an attacking player who has been in great demand,” Kean said of the attacking midfielder.
“He has great technical ability and is a typical Argentinian with a bit of fight and a bit of devilment in him.”
There have been few downsides, if any at all in supporting Spain over recent years as their Tiki-taka style has won worldwide acclaim and swept aside all possible opponents in their successful pursuit of both European and World glory. Another Spaniard who can feel proud of his efforts this season is Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez who has been courted by many clubs; namely Liverpool after steering his Latics side clear of relegation despite working with one of the Premier League’s tightest budgets. The former Swansea manager believes defending the European crown will be the toughest agenda yet for La Roja, and contends that Group B possesses some dangerous challengers who may well threaten the dominance of Vicente Del Bosque’s side.
“I wouldn’t say it’s for Spain to lose; it is probably the hardest out of the last three tournaments, firstly because anyone that plays against Spain knows it’s acceptable to do whatever they want to get a result and that’s a big advantage. As we have seen before in examples from this season, when it is acceptable for you to do that; be very defensively minded and negative with your play just because you are playing against Spain. Therefore it will be very difficult for Spain to find a way to win games and playing in a European competition you know all the teams will be very strong defensively and focused on stopping Spain. This is something we didn’t see in South Africa, there were the South American teams which are completely different to the Europeans and we saw Spain struggle with teams like Switzerland and Germany. For me Group B has the finalists; they may not win the tournament but you are looking at Holland, Germany, Denmark and Portugal so I think that group will set the standard. I think the nations with the best opportunity are Germany and Holland but I do feel Spain needs to find a solution for who will put the ball in the back of the net. It’s as simple as finding someone who can convert those chances and if they can they are the team to beat.”
“For more insight from Roberto Martinez and other leading managers plus all the coverage of Euro 2012 go toyahoo.eurosport.com”
Hearts held champions Rangers to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the Scottish Premier League season.Ally McCoist’s men needed a second-half equaliser from Steven Naismith to pick up a point in front of their home fans at Ibrox on Saturday.
Uganda international David Obua had given the visitors the lead on 16 minutes when he headed in a corner from full-back Danny Grainger as Hearts looked set for an upset.
But forward Naismith levelled 13 minutes into the second half, placing home a cross from Sasa Papac to earn Rangers a point.
Elsewhere, Motherwell recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Inverness CT.
First-half goals from Steven Hammell and Jamie Murphy set the hosts on their way at Fir Park before midfielder Keith Lasley sealed the win with less than 15 minutes to play.
Hammell’s deflected shot found the net on 25 minutes for a rare goal before a pass from Nicky Law put Murphy through to make it 2-0 moments later.
Lasley put in a third in the 77th minute in a comprehensive win for Stuart McCall’s team.
In the day’s other game, Aberdeen and St Johnstone played out a 0-0 draw.
Aberdeen midfielder Ryan Jack was sent off for a late tackle on Murray Davidson after 65 minutes but the visitors could not make the most of their numerical advantage.
So the news has finally broken that Roy Hodgson and Liverpool have parted company by mutual consent this morning.
The news will come as welcome relief for Liverpool supporters, who have grown frustrated with the former Fulham boss of late and it appears the midweek defeat at Ewood Park was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back.
Kenny Dalglish has been appointed manager until the end of the season – a move which is likely to be well received by the majority of Liverpool fans. But the big questions we want to know are:
Is Dalglish the long term answer for Liverpool? What was the reason behind Liverpool’s poor form this season? Did the problems start long before Hodgson’s arrival?
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When Scunthorpe snapped up young Accrington Stanley forward Robert Grant in June 2010 there was much talk about him being the next off the remarkable production line at Glanford Park.
The likes of Sharp, Paterson, and Hooper had or were set to move onto bigger and better things so fittingly hopes were high that the youngster from Stanley could live up to his striking predecessors in Northern Lincolnshire.
Indeed at the time Grant, who had hit 18 in 51 appearances for Stanley, stated that he was hoping to follow in the footsteps of Iron legend Kevin Keegan 40 years previous by earning a move to the top tier from Scunthorpe.
Nigel Adkins certainly believed Grant could become a special player. The 20-year-old was already a first team regular at the Lancashire club and was someone who looked to have a bright future ahead of him. Although he was out-of-contract, as he was under 24, compensation was due to Accrington. A fee of up to £260,000 was agreed based on performance and appearances at Scunthorpe.
However things have not worked out and instead of following in the footsteps of his hero Keegan he now appears to be taking the route back to the lower league football. With his contract expiring there is a controversial decision to make regarding his future but where did it go so wrong?
With Scunthorpe in the Championship, youngster Grant was always signed as one for the future and his start at the club established that with only minor roles coming off the bench. However one of his earliest appearances, as a substitute against Manchester United in the cup, confirmed that he could potentially have a distinguished career for the Iron. He put in a self-assured display for a 20-year-old coming up against one of the best sides in the world.
Despite this it was quite a shock to see him named in the starting line-up by Ian Baraclough for our game at Leicester City in October. Thrown in the deep end by the inexperienced boss, Grant looked something of a fish out of water and was substituted after only 56 minutes.
After being continuously used in a bit-part role, Grant decided to gain some much-needed playing time at League One side Rochdale. He made the ideal start for the Dale, netting on his debut and went onto make six appearances for the club, scoring once more before being recalled by Scunthorpe. However as Scunny struggled at the bottom of the Championship, Grant remained a squad player regularly featuring off the bench. He only made six more starts as the side were ultimately relegated back to League One.
This summer Grant was understandably keen to ‘draw a line’ under his disappointing first season with the club, failing to live up to the potential that Adkins first saw in him.
Big things were expected of him in League One as although he looked out of his depth in the Championship he had already demonstrated he could perform at this level during his short loan-spell at Rochdale. It started well enough and by November Grant had registered nine goals in League One. His fine performances at Charlton and at home against Tranmere demonstrated the obvious ability that he possesses. But frequently during the season he has failed to illustrate this ability; repeatedly frustrating to watch, polarising opinion on the terraces and at times proving to be a liability for the side.
Consequently Grant’s status at Scunthorpe remains one of untapped potential.
The irregularity in his play is probably the most infuriating part of his game. For every stunning long-range wonder goal (Tranmere) comes an instant that costs the side crucial points (Colchester). His past substitute appearances had resulted in self-seeking long range efforts that made life difficult not for opposition keepers but for our ball boys.
Grant was probably signed by Adkins with a view to playing him as an out and out striker but I personally think he has the ability to succeed as a winger. Too often earlier in the season, while played up-front, he was dropping deep after being left isolated by our uncreative midfield. He lacks the height and all-round ability to cause major problems in a league dominated by burly centre-backs in the centre of attack. However his nine goals for the Iron this season demonstrate that he is very capable of scoring goals. Perhaps a wider role would let this talent shine through? Indeed, the versatile front-man performed well on the left-wing during his loan-spell at Accrington, claiming three goals in his seven games back at his former club.
In part, Grant was quite unfortunate to get injured during January when Knill strengthened the attack, switching to a 4-3-3 formation with Parkin leading the line with Duffy and Barcham providing support on the flanks. However he came back from his loan spell with a better attitude and looked decent enough leading the line during our last three games of the season. Perhaps this has made Knill re-think his opinion about young Grant.
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With an option to extend his current contract available it is possible that he does have a future at club after all if they decide that his obvious potential outweighs his dubious attitude. This and his recent improvement in performance and attitude may just be enough for him to get another year at the club.
However with the option to get rid approaching many fans believe it is time to cut our losses with the egotistical 21-year-old whose potential remains yet unfulfilled at Scunthorpe United. I just wonder if Alan Knill agrees.
Let me know your thoughts about Bobby’s future with the club on Twitter: @aidanmccartney
English Premier League club Chelsea have lodged a complaint to the Malaysian FA over racist abuse targeting Yossi Benayoun.The Israeli midfielder was jeered and booed during the club’s 1-0 friendly victory over the Malaysia national team in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Chelsea, who toured also toured Thailand and Hong Kong as part of their pre-season programme, feel the baiting was of an anti-Semitic nature, with Malaysia being a largely Muslim country.
“Notwithstanding most fans behaving appropriately on the night, we believe Yossi was subjected to anti-Semitic abuse by a number of supporters at the game,” a statement posted on the club’s website on Wednesday read.
“Such behaviour is offensive, totally unacceptable and has no place in football.”
Chelsea also explained why an initial complaint was not made, with the incident not rearing its head until six days after the match had been completed.
“The club did not make representations at the time as it was initially unclear as to the nature of the abuse Yossi received, as several players from both teams experienced similar treatment, sometimes louder and longer.”
“However, having taken time to consider the issue fully, it has become apparent that a formal complaint was necessary.”
“Our stay in Malaysia was, on the whole, a very positive experience for all the team travelling on the pre-season tour. It is a shame, therefore, that the behaviour of a minority of supporters is also a memory we take away.”
The Football Association of Malaysia will investigate the matter, with its findings to be published in the coming days.