Spurs Succeed In Gilberto Capture

Gilberto had been pressuring for a sale ever since it was clear that Hertha would not meet his demands for a bumper £7.5million renewal to his expiring contract.



Despite there being less than six months to go on his deal, Spurs were reported to have offered £1.2million for the player to avoid losing him to a rival bidder once he were to become officially avaialble on a Bosman.

The 31-year-old had been sweating on whether the two sides would be able to reach an agreement on a deal by the time the transfer window closes next Thursday, as the German capital club had shown themselves to be be reluctant to let him go.

Now it would appear that he has gotten his dream move to the Premiership.

The Brazilian has flown into London to undergo a medical, with Hertha trainer Lucien Favre confirming that permission has been granted to Spurs to hold talks with the player.

Initial reports suggested that he would be signing a pre-contract in order for him to join in time for next season, but, it now appears almost that the 31-year-old will join in January itself.

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos will have been delighted by the latest developments, as he is currently short of options at left-back, with Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto both out with long-term injuries.

Hajnal Set For Dortmund Switch

Hajnal, who only joined newly promoted Karlsruhe this summer from Kaiserslautern, has been in impressive form this season and has been attracting the attention of BVB for a number of weeks.

KSC find themselves in the heady heights of sixth place and the midfielder has been a significant contributor to that success with five goals and six assists.

Karlsruhe manager Rolf Dohmen has announced that Dortmund have made an offer the club and player cannot refuse and that Hajnal will be leaving the Wildparkstadion.

The Hungarian international’s contract, which runs to 2010, contains a clause which allows him to leave for a fee of €1.3 million.

Dortmund have now invoked that clause, so fans at the Signal-Iduna Park can look forward to seeing the skills of the talented Hungarian next season.

Corradi Set For Lazio Return?

They are one of the most active clubs on the transfer market, but Lazio still haven't actually signed any new players yet. The next few days could be decisive on that front. Claudio Lotito's club are evaluating new possibilities in all roles.

The priority is still getting a new goalkeeper. It seems that within 48 hours the club will receive the matrimonial papers from Argentina which would allow Oscar Carrizo to obtain his EEC passport and play for the club.

A new name is being followed for the midfield. Well, not quite entirely new, because Leandro Somoza has been tracked by the Lazio transfer experts since last summer. A physically strong Argentinean, he is currently on loan to Betis, although Villarreal still own him.

Finally, for the attack a surprising return may be on the cards: that of Bernardo Corradi, who will most likely get less playing time at Parma after Cristiano Lucarelli's arrival.

The club may well decide to allow him to leave, considering also striker Igor Budan's imminent return from injury, and Corradi's considerable salary. The Manchester City-owned striker himself is already known to favor a return to the Biancocelesti.

QPR Beat Leeds To Delaney's Signature, Land Postma

Queen's Park Rangers could have Damien Delaney in defence on Saturday against Barnsley after completing his signing from Hull City for £1.2million.

Rangers successfully fought off competition from Leeds United to take 26-year-old Delaney to Loftus Road on a three-year deal.

And the big-spending West London club also look certain to complete the signing of Dutch goalkeeper Stefan Postma.

The Dutch FA have solved a contractual dispute between Postma, 31, and his club ADO Den Haag, which means the former Aston Villa and Wolves keeper is free to join QPR.

The QPR manager, Luigi De Canio (pictured), is still confident of signing Spurs winger Wayne Routledge for £1.8million.

If that deal comes off, Rangers will have made ten January signings so far.

Alves Stays - Heerenveen

Brazilian striker Afonso Alves was presumed to have signed for AZ for a record £12million a week ago - but reneged on his agreement, according to the Dutch Eredivisie club.

English Premier League clubs Middlesbrough and Manchester City have both been linked with Alves, but the Brazilian's immediate future will now be decided with the help of arbitration.

"We are not signing his release, because we believe there's no binding contract between AZ and Alves", said Heerenveen chairman Yme Kuiper.

"Alves signed a document that required a written consent by sc Heerenveen given before the January 5 deadline. Since this consent never was given, the contract is void," added Kuiper.

Lyon Accept Fred Offers

Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas told L’equipe that ‘Les Gones’ had received bids from Paris Saint-Germain, Portsmouth and Tottenham for the 24 year old.

Portsmouth have reportedly made a €12 million bid, while Juande Ramos’ Spurs have tabled a bid of €15 million.

French club PSG have made a €10 million approach for the Brazilian as thy look to rescue a highly disappointing season.

Aulas has revealed that Fred will have the choice of which of the clubs he wishes to join.

“We have accepted these offers. It’s up to Fred to decide” said the Lyon President.

Frederico Chaves Guedes has scored 25 goals in 55 appearances since he joined Lyon back in 2005. He has 9 caps for the Brazilian national team and has scored 5 goals.

Manchester City Seal Akram Signing

Iraqi midfielder Nashat Akram has done emough while training with Manchester City this week to earn himself a contract with the Premier League club.

He will now join Sven-Goran Eriksson's side after finalising terms with his previous club, Al Ain, in Abu Dhabi, and when a work permit is issued.

"I've signed a contract with Manchester City for two years and a half after finishing the medical tests," Akram told Middle Eastern television channel MBC.

"The financial terms are good although I don't prefer to talk in such matters.

"The negotiations with Manchester City started a long time ago and these negotiations were enclosed until we had a successful agreement.

City manager Eriksson, had earlier said the 23-year-old, who was a key figure in Iraq's AFC Asian Cup triumph last year, had impressed him during the initial week-long trial.

"He's a very good football player, he will need to get used to the style of English football but he's a very elegant player and in the Asian Cup he was one of the very best in the tournament," Eriksson told City's website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

"We need to fix the work permits but I don't think that will be a problem.

"He can do a little bit of everything in both attack and defence. I think he is one for the future ... he's good. He's a technically correct player."

Akram, who was nominated for the 2007 AFC Asian Player of the Year award, is in line to become the first Iraqi to play in a top European league since the 1950s.

Wigan Linked With Newcastle Full-Back Carr

Stephen Carr, the 31-year-old Newcastle and Ireland international, could be heading for the JJB Stadium.

Carr is out of contract in the summer and Newcastle may decide to cash in on him during the cuurent transfer window.

The former Tottenham Hotspur full-back is also being linked with Birmingham City.

Whether the managerial change at St James' Park will influence Carr one way or the other remains to be seen.

Balde Wants Bolton Deal Done Quickly

Bobo Balde wants to join Premier League side Bolton Wanderers and is hoping that the two clubs can reach an agreement during January.

The Celtic star, who is 32, has been identified by Bolton as a player who can help solidify their wobbly defence.

The Trotters are said to have lined up the centre-back as one of the players Gary Megson would like to bring in this month.

They are hoping to clinch a deal for the Guinea international before the start of the African Cup of Nations in 10 days' time.

Talks between the clubs are ongoing and Balde told The Sun: "If the clubs reach an agreement I will go to Bolton. Celtic know my position and I'm only waiting for news.

"I want my future to be resolved in the next few days."

Frankfurt After Cacau And Mantzios

Eintracht need a partner to join new signing Martin Fenin up front and the latest object of their desires appears to be VfB’s Cacau.

“I can’t confirm anything” said Frankfurt press spokesman Carsten Knoop. “At the moment we are being linked with lots of names. The latest was Peruvian Fano Espinoza, with whom we haven’t made any contact.

“The fact is that our manager Heribert Bruchhagen is with us at the training camp, so is therefore not negotiating with Cacau” he explained.

Cacau however has not travelled with Stuttgart to their training camp because he is recovering from a shoulder operation in Germany.

The 26 year old Brazilian has scored 44 Bundesliga goals in 156 appearances with both Nürnberg and Stuttgart.

Another name being strongly linked to the Adler is that of Evangelos Mantzios from Panathinaikos.

The 24 year old Greek is a more concrete transfer target for trainer Friedhelm Funkel.

“We have an interest in him, that is true” the trainer admitted.

“Talks and contract negotiations are underway, but it could take a while.

“We are under no time pressure so will take our time” he added.

Fiorentina: Mutu And Frey Here To Stay

Both players have consistently been the subject of departure rumours as a result of their stellar performances this season, but Viola director of sport Pantaleo Corvino insists that they are not even beginning to consider parting with their crown jewels.

“We have given these players long-term contracts because we believed in them more than anyone else and before anyone else,” he said. “Now that we have put pen to paper, we have the pleasure of keeping them for a very long time.”

When questioned about the persistence of the inquiries of other clubs, Corvino added: “We too knock on the doors of other clubs for their great players, but then they always say no.

”Everyone tries. I don’t know if they did so for our players, but the transfer market is a game in which everybody attempts to get the best pieces for themselves.”

Finally, the Fiorentina director made a brief and some would feel reassuring comment on the constant speculation surrounding star defender Tomas Ujfalusi, as well as the contract status of Christian Vieri and Fabio Liverani.

“We have a few situations with Vieri, Ujfalusi and Liverani that we will try to face and resolve at the right time,” he concluded.

Everton Snub Birmingham's McFadden Offer

New Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is a long-time admirer of McFadden and is looking to add some fire-power to the Midlands side.

The forward was highly influential for Scotland during their recent effort to qualify for the European Championships finals, and former international boss McLeish is looking to renew his acqaintance with the player.

SkySports have reported that a £2.5 million bid has been lodged by the Blues, but Everton are not keen on letting the player go.

Celtic had an earlier loan bid for McFadden turned down and it now seems there are other suitors south of the border.

The 24 year old has not been a regular starter this season, but has impressed whenever called upon.

He has made 12 appearances scoring 5 goals in the process.

Everton Snub Birmingham's McFadden Offer

New Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is a long-time admirer of McFadden and is looking to add some fire-power to the Midlands side.

The forward was highly influential for Scotland during their recent effort to qualify for the European Championships finals, and former international boss McLeish is looking to renew his acqaintance with the player.

SkySports have reported that a £2.5 million bid has been lodged by the Blues, but Everton are not keen on letting the player go.

Celtic had an earlier loan bid for McFadden turned down and it now seems there are other suitors south of the border.

The 24 year old has not been a regular starter this season, but has impressed whenever called upon.

He has made 12 appearances scoring 5 goals in the process.

We Hope To Sign Messi Or Ronaldinho – Napoli

Messi & Ronaldinho

During the 1980s Napoli were the pride of the South. A country dominated by the powerful, industrial, and sometimes racist north, southern teams historically never stood a chance of competing with the likes of Juventus, Inter and Milan.

This changed with Napoli, as led by the legendary Diego Maradona, they roared to the Scudetto in 1987 and 1990.

Since the time of the little Argentine, the Partenopei have endured a fall from grace, yo-yoing between the top divisions, going bankrupt, and never looking like challenging for the top honours again.

However film-producer and new-president Aurelio De Laurentiis has recently re-founded the club and with the club in seventh position on their return to Serie A this season there are high hopes that the glory days of the 1980s may return.

“The club has a project,” Marino told Radio Marte.

“In the future, who knows, maybe one day the President will sign Messi or Ronaldinho.

“I am telling all Neapolitans – De Laurentiis sooner or later will realise your dreams.”

Milan

This Sunday the Azzurri travel to San Siro to face Milan, and Marino remembers the classic matches in the 80s between Maradona’s Napoli and the Milan of Van Basten, Rijkaard and Gullit.

“It will be a difficult and fascinating game, in which Pato, a player of whom great things have been said about, will make his debut,” Marino explained.
“I remember with pleasure the battles that Maradona had with them in the 80s for the title.”

Premiership Big Guns Tempt Laursen

The Danish defender has been on top form in recent weeks scoring five goals in the process and gaining special praise from manager Martin O'Neill.

The ex-Milan man has become a firm favourite with the Villa Park faithful but it remains uncertain whether a new deal will be offered.

Laursen has stated his desire to remain at the Midlands club if the contract is acceptable to him.

"I’m feeling really well with Villa and would be open to extend with them if the terms are right" he told The Birmingham Mail.

But the delay in Villa offering the 30 year old a new deal has alerted both Tottenham and Newcastle.

"I’ve read in the press that those two clubs would be interested in me.

"I don’t know if they have spoken to Aston Villa, I haven’t heard anything, but it’s two big clubs and it’s certainly something that would interest me" he added

Robert Looks To Repay Rams Faith

The ex-Paris St.Germain, Newcastle and Portsmouth winger is hopeful that his eperience will help Derby in their battle to avoid the drop, while at the same time sticking two fingers up at the sides who rejected him earlier in the season.

"I am delighted to be able to play football again," Robert said. "You are going to hear about me in the five next months.

"Anyway I have enjoyed this trial at Derby because I have trained with players I know. It was very nice. Besides there is a very good manager. Now I hope that it is going to be OK.

"The last six months have been difficult. The good news is that the coach wants me and trusts me. I can tell you that I will work hard for him.

"He told me he will play me on the left wing, like I did during my Newcastle years. He wants to take advantage of my left foot for crosses and free kicks.

"I think I am capable of giving a hand. Everything is alright physically because I did a preparation camp in Southern France.

"But I will need minutes on the pitch to recover my best level. I feel mentally ready. I will play my first game at the weekend against Wigan. It is a very important game for both teams.

"I had no contacts in France, everybody thinks I am finished. It is up to me to close the mouths and to show them that they made a mistake."

Waigo Race Set To Intensify

Waigo has been largely disappointing for the Grifoni in this first part of the season and has not made many starts for the team in their 17 league games this term..

Catania are the latest club to be linked with the Senegalese forward as they continue their search for a quick and agile forward who can add some strength to their attack.

However, Catania will need to beat the competition of clubs like Cesena and Siena who have also requested the player on loan until the end of the season and seem to have a slight advantage over the Sicilian side for the services of the 23-year-old player.

Bayern Tracking Netinho

Artur Pereira Neto, known as Netinho, has reportedly been recommended to the Bavarian giants by scout and former star striker Giovane Elber, who now works for the club.

The 23 year old attacking midfielder has impressed on his return to Atlético Paranaense after a spell on loan at Nautico. He began his career at Gremio.

Should Bayern make a move for the youngster he would join fellow countryman Breno as a winter signing for the Bavarians.

Cottbus In For Müller

The midfielder’s contract at the Olympiastadion expires in the summer and Cottbus are looking into the players’ availability.

“We would like to take the lad, and are already in agreement with him. Now we are waiting for the right signal from Hertha” revealed Energie manager Steffen Heidrich.

The 23 year old has not travelled with Hertha to their training headquarters in Tenerife, raising speculation that a move is near.

Cottbus would like to take the player on a free transfer, while Hertha are holding out for a transfer fee.

Müller suffered a serious shin injury while on duty for the German U-21 side in November 2004 and only made his return to the first team last season.

Under Lucien Favre however, he has only made one appearance, so would dearly love to move to Cottbus for more regular football.

Juve, Roma & Viola Target Vargas Leaving In The Summer – Agent

The Catania star has probably been the best-left back in Serie A so far this season, and he has been a complete revelation since moving to Italy from Colon de Santa Fe in 2006.


The 24-year-old has attracted the interest of a host of top European clubs, including Juventus, Roma, Liverpool and Fiorentina.


“For me personally, I have not heard anything from Fiorentina,” Delgato told Firenzeviola.it.


“Although I cannot possibly know if they have spoken directly with Catania.”


Vargas’ brilliant and skilful raids down the left flank has led to speculation that he could leave his current club this month, however Delgato believes that a move won’t tale place until the summer.


“My client has a contract until 2010. In Catania he feels good but after two seasons it will be time for a change, so I think in the summer he will leave the Sicilian club,” Delgato explained.


“It will be difficult however for a transfer to take place as early as the winter market.”


Vargas has won 15 caps for the Peruvian national team, scoring two goals, including the equaliser against Brazil in the recent 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw.