Domenech Hammers Faubert

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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