English Barclays Premiership 2007/2008

Scholes: I stopped enjoying it

2007-07-23T01:18:00.001+07:00

Paul Scholes has revealed he retired from international football because he 'stopped enjoying it'.

The Manchester United midfielder quit the England fold in 2004 and he has now admitted the reasons behind hanging up his international boots.

"I'd stopped enjoying it," Scholes told the News of the World.

"Maybe it was just because I wasn't playing very well.

"I like being at home and there was an awful lot of time away from my family."

Scholes, who has 66 England caps to his name, produced rejuvenated form last season as he helped guide United to the Premier League title.

However, the 32-year-old has ruled out an England comeback, despite rumours pushing for his return.

"Quitting international football has helped me quite a bit," Scholes added.

"It's always nice to have a 10-day break in international week after so many games.

"I feel better for deciding. I'd like to think I can play longer than if I was playing for England.

"I have been lucky to not have too many serious injuries so I hope I can carry on like that."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter Fraser - Created on 22 Jul 2007

Southgate has Yak faith

2007-07-23T01:16:00.001+07:00

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate remains confident that he will be able to call on Yakubu Aiyegbeni's services next season.

The Nigerian is understood to be unsettled on Teesside, but as yet no club have made a suitable approach to Boro.

The likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City, Portsmouth and West Ham are all thought to be keeping tabs on the situation - but Yakubu has started pre-season with Boro and Southgate wants it to stay that way.

"Yakubu is still part of my plans, absolutely," said Southgate.

"He has been with us in Austria and worked very hard with everybody else.

"I read the speculation the same as everybody else but we have had no contact from any other club.

"Whether people are trying to unsettle the player I don't know, but he seems very happy to be back with us having reported back from Nigeria and we are looking to him as being a big part of our team."

Meanwhile, former Hartlepool boss Martin Scott has been appointed Boro's new Under-18 coach.

"I’m really excited about the chance to work with Boro’s excellent young players," said Scott.

"The quality of players here is excellent and hopefully I can use my experience to help them."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 21 Jul 2007

Swede explains Wigan exit

2007-07-23T01:15:00.001+07:00

Andreas Johansson admits the desire to play regularly prompted his departure from Wigan Athletic.

The Swedish midfielder has signed a three-year deal with AaB Aalborg in Denmark after a frustrating spell at The JJB Stadium.

During his two-and-a-half years with the club, Johansson was never able to establish himself in the team and started just four Premier League games last season.

Johansson concedes he enjoyed his stint in England, but needed to move on in order to play more often.

"I would have liked to have played more games and that's the only reason I want to move on," said Johansson in the Manchester Evening News.

"I've enjoyed my experience here and being involved in the incredible Wigan story."

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings had no complaints with Johansson's attitude and accepts it was 'frustrating' for AaB's new recruit.

Hutchings said: "Andreas worked tirelessly to get into the first team.

"Unfortunately he has never truly found a regular place, but not for the lack of trying.

"It's probably been frustrating for him, but he has never shown anything other than total professionalism.

"He's never complained, always had a smile on his face around the training ground, and I wish him all the best because he's been a pleasure to have around the place."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 21 Jul 2007

Fergie hopeful on Tevez

2007-07-19T01:19:00.000+07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson remains hopeful Carlos Tevez will secure his summer move to Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been locked in talks for the Argentine star with Tevez set to undergo an Old Trafford medical later this week.

The deal has dragged on due to Tevez's contractual situation with United growing increasingly frustrated at the complexity of the transfer.

However, speaking after United's 2-2 draw with Urawa Red Diamonds, the Ferguson remains hopeful Tevez will begin the new season a Red.

"I hope Carlos Tevez arrives....things are bowling along," Ferguson told MUTV.

Second-half goals from Darren Fletcher and Cristiano Ronaldo turned around a one-goal deficit and Ferguson was not too down about drawing their Far East opener.

"We tired a bit in the second half," he added. "Understandable really with the long journey yesterday - 14, 15 hours travel and they found it difficult to sleep on the first night.

"They've applied themselves very well I think, and played some good football at times. We managed to give a few of them a good run-out tonight so we're happy with that."

Buck: No rush on contracts

2007-07-18T18:45:00.002+07:00

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says the club are in no rush to sort out the futures of John Terry and Frank Lampard.

The England duo have yet to agree new deals at Stamford Bridge with contract talks stalling between all parties.

It has been feared that the highly-influential pair could leave the club if they do not get the right offers with a number of top clubs keeping tabs on the duo's situation.

Buck is remaining calm about the futures of the duo as they both have two years to run on their current contracts.

"I'm hopeful we will be able to sort all these contracts out but it's not something where there are negotiations every day," said Buck.

"I don't see there's a great rush but I do think they should be done properly.

"When there's approximately two years to go you want to think about re-signing the players, assuming you want to keep them because it preserves their transfer values.

"But I don't think you have to sign them when it's exactly two years.

"Sure we would like to get them done but there's no deadline and there doesn't need to be."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Mido set for Blues move

2007-07-18T18:45:00.001+07:00

Tottenham Hotspur striker Mido claims he has agreed a transfer to Birmingham City.

The Egyptian has struggled to make an impact at White Hart Lane since securing a permanent move from Roma last summer.

He has been linked with Fulham and Portsmouth, although Mido recently denied he had settled on a switch to Craven Cottage.

The 24-year-old now seems set to link up with Premier League new boys Birmingham after revealing talks have taken place.

Mido expects to move to St Andrews on an initial loan deal, which will become permanent, if Blues survive in the top flight.

"Both sides have agreed terms," Mido told FilGoal.com.

"I will move on a one-year loan deal to Birmingham worth £1million and at the end they could buy my contract for £5million, if the club survives in the Premier League.

"Birmingham's offer is the best I had received, especially that I chose to stay in England."

Blues boss Steve Bruce is also interested in Spurs midfielder Hossam Ghaly, and Mido would be happy to see his fellow Egyptian join him in the Midlands.

He added: "I would love to have him (Ghaly) with me in the same team."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Jose hopes for same Drogba

2007-07-18T18:42:00.000+07:00

Jose Mourinho expects Didier Drogba to maintain his form next season, despite the striker again raising doubts about his Chelsea future.

The Ivory Coast international finished last season as the top scorer in the Premier League and rattled in 33 goals in all competitions.

According to Mourinho, Drogba has been looking sharp in pre-season training in California and the Chelsea boss is looking forward to seeing the hit-man back in action.

"When we remember last season, he was top scorer in the country and one of the best players also in the Champions League," said Mourinho.

"When I see him in training he looks so sharp and with only one week of work. His quality looks even better than last season.

"I think we will have the same Didier as last season. That, for us, is fantastic. As a striker and a team player it's difficult to find better."

But Drogba has again suggested that he could leave Stamford Bridge, if a suitably lucrative offer lands on the table.

"For now things are still fuzzy, not clear," Drogba told the Sun. "Yet any good offer could tip the scale in another team's favour.

"I have heard there are offers from Porto, Barca and the rest. But I've not made up my mind.

"There is no season I don't have many offers. I would love to stay in England. I want to improve on last season's performance.

"But any strong economic pull can make me change my mind. If I feel I'm not being take care of, I quit."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Johansson leaves Wigan

2007-07-18T18:40:00.000+07:00

Andreas Johansson has left Wigan Athletic to sign a three-year contract with AaB Aalborg.

The Swedish midfielder failed to have a significant impact at the JJB Stadium following his £450,000 move from Djurgardens in January 2005.

He started just four games in the Premier League last season and made 40 appearances in total during his time with The Latics.

New Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has allowed Johansson to return to Scandinavia after a deal was struck with AaB.

The Danish club are delighted with the transfer after admitting to a lengthy pursuit of the 29-year-old.

"We have been wanting to sign Andreas Johansson for two years now and all the time he has been our top priority when it came to reinforcing our attacking midfield," sporting director Lynge Jakobsen told the club's official website.

"We have signed a player of an extremely high standard, but we are still looking for more new players."

Johansson's arrival at AaB will compensate for the loss of Rasmus Wurtz after he signed for Danish champions FC Copenhagen.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007

New deal for Derby starlet

2007-07-18T18:35:00.000+07:00

Teenage defender Lewin Nyatanga has agreed a new four-year contract with Derby County.

Nyatanga had just 12 months remaining on his previous deal, but is now tied to Pride Park until 2011.

The Wales international made 10 appearances for Derby last season, and also undertook loan spells at Sunderland and Barnsley.

Rams boss Billy Davies is delighted that the 18-year-old has pledged to stay with the Premier League new boys for the long term.

But, with Derby now playing in the top flight, Davies admits he is likely to send Nyatanga out on loan for the opening months of the campaign.

"We are delighted Lewin has signed because he is a young player with great potential, who is still learning the game," Davies told the Derby Evening Telegraph.

"He has made great strides for Wales on the international stage and has plenty of good experienced defenders in the Derby squad to learn from.

"I will sit down and look at the situation, but it may be that between now and the next transfer window we will look to give Lewin some more experience of first-team football by putting him out on loan and then bringing him back in."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Cole happy for life in the wings

2007-07-18T18:31:00.000+07:00

Joe Cole believes plans to revert to the tried and tested will help Chelsea in their bid to regain the Premier League title.

Stamford Bridge manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he is to return to the 4-3-3 formation that served the former champions so well in their two Premier League title-winning seasons, prior to surrendering the crown to Manchester United.

Chelsea had favoured the formation, which saw two advanced wingers supporting a lone striker, in previous campaigns and Cole believes that it was only injury problems to vital players that enforced last season's strategic reshuffle to a diamond formation.

The 25-year-old missed the majority of the last campaign through medial knee ligament damage and a fractured foot, and he was joined on the long-term injured list by fellow wingers Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

However, having recovered fitness along with Robben and Wright-Phillips, Cole is now optimistic ahead of the new season.

"I think the 4-3-3 formation is our best formation," Cole told the Daily Star.

"I feel it's much better than playing the diamond formation but our hands were tied last season.

"I think the manager would have played 4-3-3 last season, but with so many injuries he had fewer options."

Mourinho has also added Florent Malouda, in a £13.5million move from Lyon, to the Chelsea squad and Cole sees the French winger as a welcome arrival.

"This year the squad is stronger, we are quietly confident, and Malouda has looked good," said Cole.

"He got himself a goal in his first game against Club America, looks a quality player and has great pedigree.

"Maybe as we've got four, maybe five, wingers we've got strength in depth and options now.

"I think the squad is as strong now as at anytime that I've been at Chelsea."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter Fraser - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Domenech Hammers Faubert

2007-07-18T11:43:00.000+07:00

France coach Raymond Domenech has blasted Julien Faubert's move to West Ham.

Faubert left Bordeaux for West Ham earlier this month after The Hammers beat Rangers to the midfielder's signature.

Domenech has expressed his disappointment at Faubert's decision to move to Upton Park, hinting the 23-year-old has damaged his international ambitions by switching to Alan Curbishley's side.

Faubert has made one appearance for France, but Domenech believes he could struggle to add to his tally after opting to join West Ham.

"I can't understand Faubert's decision. When my players phone me to tell me they are moving clubs, I tell them it is okay if they are joining one of the top four in England, Germany, Italy or Spain," Domenech is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"But it is unspeakably stupid to join a club outside of those few, apart from the financial point of view.

"It is a great pity when you are on the brink of the French national team.

"I struggle to understand why he has done it."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Crouch reveals Rafa talks

2007-07-18T11:29:00.000+07:00

Liverpool star Peter Crouch has revealed he had talks with Rafa Benitez to receive assurances about his future.

Crouch's future at Liverpool has been the subject of conjecture for some time with a number of clubs being linked with a move for the giant forward.

The England international met with Benitez at the end of last season to discuss his long-term future and he was assured he was a part of the Spaniard's plans at Anfield, much to the relief of Crouch.

"A lot of the lads went to see the manager at the end of the season," Crouch told the Daily Express. "I was no different.

"There had been speculation and I was tentative about going in to see him.

"I did not want to leave, but if he has said I had to then I would.

"But he was sort of taken aback that I was even asking really and said 'Of course you're in my plans'.

"That was good to hear because it meant it wasn't even an issue for him."

Crouch is looking forward to the forthcoming season and is hoping to continue his steady improvement at Anfield.

"I thought I did well at the end of my first year, and it was then a case of, can he prove it over the course of a whole season?

"Hopefully, I did that last year and now I'd like to kick on to another level."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Allardyce cools Barzagli talk

2007-07-18T11:28:00.001+07:00

Sam Allardyce admits Andrea Barzagli would not be a priority signing for Newcastle United and remains hopeful Obafemi Martins will stay at St James' Park.

Palermo defender Barzagli has been linked with a move to the Magpies as Allardyce looks to reinforce a leaky back-line.

But whilst acknowledging an interest in the Italy international, Allardyce concedes he initially needs players with Premier League experience.

"Overall this is a talented squad, but we must find some big, strong, experienced, quality defenders, preferably ones who have played in this country," said Allardyce.

"Barzagli is a very good player, but first and foremost I need one or two who know what English football's all about."

In addition to strengthening his squad, Allardyce is also aiming to ensure that none of his key players leave the club.

Martins has been linked with a move to Arsenal and reportedly wants to activate a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for a set sum.

But Allardyce has been assured the rumours are unfounded, although he concedes there is a chance the Nigerian striker could leave.

The Magpies manager added: "I have not spoken to Oba himself, only his representatives, who assure me there is nothing in it.

"But while the window is open, and when somebody has a get-out clause like he does, there is always a chance you might lose him.

"You hope that is not going to be the case, but you have to just keep your fingers crossed and hope it does not happen."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007

City trying for Petrov

2007-07-18T11:26:00.001+07:00

Skysports.com understands that Manchester City are locked in talks over Martin Petrov.

The Bulgaria international has emerged as one of Sven Goran Eriksson's main targets.

The Swede is eyeing up to a dozen signings before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

It is believed that talks are now ongoing over a move for Petrov, but City are confident they can strike a deal with Atletico Madrid.

Petrov missed most of last season with knee ligament damage, but he made a successful comeback late in the campaign.

Petrov was linked with a move to Tottenham earlier in the summer and it seems he may be surplus to requirements at the Vicente Calderon, although Atletico will want to recoup the £6.5million they paid Wolfsburg for him in 2005.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Tevez wants quick solution

2007-07-18T11:24:00.000+07:00

Carlos Tevez has called for a quick resolution to his proposed transfer to Manchester United.

The Premier League champions have confirmed talks are ongoing in an effort to sign Tevez from West Ham United.

The Argentinian is due to undergo a medical at Old Trafford later this week and United hope to wrap up a deal for the striker within the next seven days.

But Tevez's contractual situation remains a stumbling block, regarding who will be entitled to any transfer fee.

Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian owns the player's economic rights, but the Premier League believe West Ham should be entitled to the bulk of any payment.

With the matter dragging on, the former Corinthians ace has added his voice to the desire for a speedy resolution.

"I want a solution very quickly on this subject," Tevez is quoted in the Daily Mirror.

"My desire is to play for Manchester United, but I also want a positive exit from West Ham because the club was good to me in the year when I played in England.

"I find the controversy about my transfer very strange, but I hope it will be resolved in the next few days."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Blues confirm Bridge blow

2007-07-18T01:49:00.001+07:00

Chelsea have confirmed Wayne Bridge has undergone surgery on his troublesome hip injury.

Bridge looks certain to miss the start of the new season next month after being forced to go under the knife.

The England international had been struggling with the problem in training and after seeing a specialist it was decided to send him for surgery to correct the injury

Chelsea club doctor Alex Nieper confirmed Bridge could be sidelined for up to three months with the problem.

"Wayne Bridge has been struggling with a right hip problem for the last few weeks," Nieper told Chelsea TV.

"We decided while we were out here for him to see a world-renowned hip surgeon who agreed he did need hip surgery due to a cartilage defect.

"The operation was carried out this week and a piece of bone was removed which was the source of the problem. Wayne is not on crutches and should be back in two to three months."

With Ashley Cole also still recovering from injury, it means summer signing Tal Ben Haim is likely to deputise at left-back for the first few weeks of the season.

Meanwhile, there is better news on Michael Ballack who should be fit for the big kick-off.

Ballack has missed Chelsea's tour of America after undergoing an ankle operation.

The German is making good progress in his recovery and Nieper is confident he will be available for the opening weekend of the season.

"Michael is recovering from a second ankle operation and he went back to Germany to see the surgeon who is happy with the wound," added Nieper.

"Michael is back in London, getting his stitches removed and this week he is starting running again so fingers crossed, he will be set for the first Premier League match."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Jul 2007

Black Cats land Richardson

2007-07-18T01:48:00.001+07:00

Sunderland have snapped up Kieran Richardson from Manchester United.

A fee has not been disclosed for the versatile midfielder but it is believed to be in the region of £5.5million.

Manchester City were also linked with Richardson but Black Cats boss Roy Keane has won the race for his signature after striking a deal with his former club.

Richardson has signed a four-year deal and is relishing the prospect of playing at The Stadium of Light.

"It's an exciting move for me," the 22-year-old told Sunderland's official website.

"I know all about Roy Keane and I'm looking forward to playing for his team.

"Sunderland are a big club and it's a massive move for me."

Keane added: "I'm delighted that we've been able to bring Kieran to Sunderland.

"He's ready for a fresh challenge and hopefully Sunderland will provide that for him."

Richardson is Keane's fourth summer signing following Greg Halford, Russell Anderson and Michael Chopra.

He could make his debut in Wednesday's friendly against Darlington.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Royals move for River ace

2007-07-18T01:47:00.001+07:00

River Plate have revealed that Reading are keen on signing their central defender Danilo Gerlo.

Reading and River Plate are both currently in South Korea for the Peace Cup, and they faced each other last week.

Now River have revealed that Reading have made contact over Gerlo.

The 28-year-old impressed Reading's management during River's 1-0 win over The Royals and the South American giants have revealed that chairman John Madejski has made an approach.

"In the last weeks we had several offers for Gerlo from different European countries but none of them satisfied the player," revealed River board member Hernan Cordoba.

"We received offers from Austria, Israel, Switzerland and Greece but we didn't accept any of them because he said that for leaving River he had to receive a proposal from Spain, Italy or England.

"Now that Reading is interested in Gerlo, he has said that we could start negotiations because he is interested in playing for that team.

"He knows that the main player of the team is Kevin Doyle and he gets paid $1.5 million (£750,000) per-year so he is not going to get paid the same but he could be offered a contract that will surely be more than what he gets paid at River and in addition to that he would be playing in one of the leagues that he is interested in."

Fellow River Plate board member Jose Besteiro added that talks with Madejski had taken place.

"We will start conversations as the player would like to have the chance of playing in England because he would improve as a professional," Besteiro revealed.

"In River he hasn't a place for sure as there are other central defenders as Cristian Nasuti and Federico Lussenhof."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Patricio Figueroa - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Yeung has faith in Bruce

2007-07-18T01:21:00.000+07:00

Birmingham's new majority shareholder Carson Yeung says he is a big fan of manager Steve Bruce.

The Hong Kong-based businessman has just taken a 29.9 per cent holding in the St Andrews club with the aim of eventually owning the whole of the club.

Yeung has now revealed that he has invested purely for the love of the sport, and that he wants Steve Bruce to take the club into Europe.

"Money for me is not important, I love soccer," Yeung told Sky Sports News.

Yeung insisted that he was looking forward to working with Bruce.

When asked whether Bruce would continue as manager, he stated: "Of course.

"I didn't know him but I saw him on the TV, but I have confidence in Steve, he is a good manager."

Yeung has big ideas for Birmingham and wants them to compete for a UEFA Champions League place.

"I want them to be an international team, maybe to be in the Champions League in the future," he said.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Harewood in Villa talks

2007-07-18T01:16:00.000+07:00

Skysports.com can confirm Aston Villa are in talks with Marlon Harewood over a possible move to Villa Park.

Villa are hoping to beat Wigan to the striker's signature after both clubs agreed a fee with West Ham for Harewood.

Harewood has been allowed to leave Upton Park as he does not figure in Alan Curbishley's long-term plans.

Wigan held talks with Harewood over the weekend over a possible switch to the JJB Stadium, but Villa have made a last-ditch bid to lure him to the Midlands.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen to bolster his attacking options and he is thought to be a big fan of Harewood.

Harewood's representative, Mick McGuire, confirmed Villa were in talks with the former Nottingham Forest man about a move.

"We are currently in talks with Aston Villa after they agreed a fee with West Ham," McGuire told skysports.com.

"If the talks go well he will then undergo a medical as normal.

"As we know Wigan have made a bid for Marlon and talked to him also.

"Now it is down to Marlon to make a decision on where he goes."

O'Neill confirmed Villa were given permission to talk to Harewood.

"We've been given the go-ahead to speak to the player and we'll take it from there," O'Neill told the club's official website.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Hill-Wood hopeful over Wenger

2007-07-17T15:55:00.000+07:00

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed he has held talks with Arsene Wenger about his future.

Wenger's long-term future has been the subject of speculation all summer with the Frenchman yet to agree a new deal.

Arsenal are keen to tie down Wenger to a new long-term deal as he has just over 12 months to run on his current contract.

Wenger had been mentioned as a possible target for Real Madrid before Bernd Schuster was appointed at El Santiago Bernabeu.

Hill-Wood remains confident that Wenger will pledge his future to Arsenal by signing a new deal.

"We had a fairly lengthy conversation recently and that went very well," Hill-Wood told the club's official website.

"Hopefully, in the not too distant future we'll have something positive to say about it.

"I'm confident he'll stay. I very much hope he will. It's very important. He's done a marvellous job here. He looks pretty fit to me and I think he enjoys himself still. He's got a good job and I'm hoping he'll stay with us."

Hill-Wood is also optimistic that Arsenal can enjoy a successful campaign this coming season despite the loss of Thierry Henry.

"If you tune into the media, you would believe it's been a difficult summer but I think people have not really looked behind what's happened," added Hill-Wood.

"I'm very relaxed. I think we've got a very good squad and we've added a few players, most of them not names people have heard of before.

"But that's very much Arsene Wenger's style. People hadn't really heard of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira or Cesc Fabregas before they arrived.

"I believe we've never been in a better position. I think the team are absolutely first class.

"They are a young side but they're a year older now so they're going to be that much better."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 16 Jul 2007

United braced for Heinze exit

2007-07-17T15:13:00.000+07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Gabriel Heinze wants to leave Manchester United.

Heinze has been linked with a summer move after losing his regular left-back slot to Patrice Evra last season.

The Argentinian has been courted by Liverpool, Newcastle United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, although Ferguson has yet to receive a firm bid.

However, the Red Devils manager acknowledged that Heinze is hoping to secure a transfer before the start of the season.

"Gaby's agent has advised us that he wants to move on," said Ferguson.

"I am not too sure about that and we do not have a concrete offer from any particular club.

"But there is some momentum regarding the player's next move in terms of through his agent, even if nothing is close at this moment in time."

Heinze joined United from Paris Saint Germain in a £6.9million deal three years ago and has made 83 appearances for the club, having missed the bulk of the 2005/06 season through injury.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has also confirmed that Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be back in training prior to the opening game of the season.

Louis Saha, though, is likely to sit out the match with Reading on 12th August as he is not due to return to training until the middle of next month.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Giggs to fight for United place

2007-07-17T15:10:00.000+07:00

Ryan Giggs has declared he is prepared to fight for his place at Manchester United in the face of increasing squad competition.

The champions have spent big during the summer as they look to bolster a side that is capable of defending their Premier League crown.

Sir Alex Ferguson has brought in Nani and Anderson, which will heighten competition for attacking midfield roles, but Giggs says he would not have been dropping his performance levels regardless of any new Old Trafford arrivals.

"The Premier League gets tougher every year and Manchester United cannot afford to stand still," said Giggs, who is currently 43 behind Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 759 United appearances.

"Whether the manager signed anyone or not, the challenge is still there.

"You have to perform to your best, otherwise you won't play. That goes for everyone.

"We are all hopeful of being in the team but the only way to achieve that is by doing well."

United won their title, the ninth in Giggs' time at the club, in eye-catching attacking style and the Welshman is hopeful that the new editions to the squad will see standards improve.

"The players we have signed in forward positions particularly are young and can make a contribution now and in the future," said Giggs.

"Last year, we showed what a great attacking team we were and now we have these additional options, hopefully we can improve even more."

United are currently on a four-match tour of Asia and, in the absence of the injured Gary Neville, Giggs is set to lead his side in the tour opener against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama on Tuesday.

Owen Hargreaves did not take a full part in United's first training session of the tour due to a minor injury and is a possible doubt for the Urawa fixture, while Ferguson has also confirmed that Nani is unlikely to feature.

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter Fraser - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Yeung buys Blues stake

2007-07-17T15:09:00.002+07:00

Carson Yeung has completed a deal to become Birmingham's biggest shareholder.

The Hong Kong businessman has purchased 29.9 per cent of the club's shares from directors David and Ralph Gold, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and Roger Bannister.

Yeung had paid a non-refundable deposit of £1.09m on 27th June in anticipation of the deal.

The deal, worth almost £15million, leaves the Golds and Sullivan with 23.22 per cent each, while Brady and Bannister also retain small holdings.

Yeung does not yet have full control but talks between his company Grandtop International Holdings Limited (GHIL) and the club are still ongoing.

He only has to increase his holding to 30 per cent to trigger a full takeover bid.

"I don't have any politics and I only want to buy for interest because I love football. I will not let the Birmingham fans down and disappoint them," Yeung told the Daily Mirror.

"The Premiership is the best league in the world and most countries focus on it - especially in China and Hong Kong.

"We have a great market in China and David Gold and David Sullivan have accepted our plan.

"As soon as we can I would like to own the whole club.

"We can buy some good players in January but maybe by then we might already be in a healthy position so we will wait and see."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 16 Jul 2007

Sven working on signings

2007-07-17T15:09:00.001+07:00

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has revealed the club are working hard to bring in new players.

Eriksson has already been busy in the transfer market bringing in Rolando Bianchi and Gelson Fernandes since arriving at Eastlands.

The Swede accepts the squad needs strengthening if they are to enjoy a successful campaign for the forthcoming season.

"Our captain said it is an interesting time at the club with a new owner," Eriksson told Sky Sports News.

"The club have a target - they want to be stronger, they want to fight much higher up in the table and I am very pleased that I am here.

"Let's see what is happening in the next few weeks in the transfer market.

"Things will happen I am sure about that and I look forward to this and hopefully it will be very good. That's a target we have to work for."

Eriksson was remaining coy on his targets, with Atletico Madrid winger Martin Petrov the latest player to be linked with a move to City

"I think during the last few weeks we have been linked to 50 or 60 footballers around the world," added Eriksson. "It is good, it is interesting.

"I promise you we are working very hard within the club and myself, of course, to try to strengthen the squad.

"We need to do that, we have to do that."

Source : www.skysports.com
By Peter ORourke - Created on 16 Jul 2007