Transfer news and Rumours: 2009-10

Dogbert

In the other news, Barca is giving a blow to chelsea's transfers, by giving a statement, indicating, they are interested in Zhirkov.

Source

Despite Chelsea making approaches for the player, Zhirkov recently stated that he wants to be more than just a squad player, which could disrupt the Blues plans to sign the Russian star.

Zhirkov was also full of praise for the Catalan side in the days before their Champions League final clash with Manchester United.

Nevertheless, Chelsea are still the favourites to sign the midfielder, and are said to be preparing a £18.6million offer for the player.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola has identified five areas where he wants to improve his treble-winning side, with Zhirkov potentially serving as a two-in-one, able to cover for Eric Abidal at left-back, as well as providing a threat on the left-wing.

Guus Hiddink, Zhirkov's manager in the Russia national team, and former Chelsea manager, avoided questions about Zhirkov's future at a recent press conference, but hinted that his players would benefit from playing abroad.

Hiddink also said that he would continue to informally advise Chelsea, and said he has already had a discussion with new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on a number of issues.

On the issue of Zhirkov's future Hiddink remained tight-lipped though, stating: "Let me not comment on it. I am here to deal with the affairs of the Russian national team.

"I've kept a good relationship with Chelsea. As for Yuri, I called him up for Russia, I am their head coach, and as for anything else except the national team - such as Chelsea or CSKA - it is not my intention to comment."

C.Ronaldo

Arsenal looking close for Vermaelen

Source: Football News, Results, Fixtures and Live Football Scores
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a fee with Ajax to sign centre-half Thomas Vermaelen.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to strengthen his defensive options this summer, and the Belgium international is at the top of his list.

Representatives from the two clubs apparently met on Wednesday to strike a deal, but discussions over personal terms have held up the move.

Vermalen's agent, Soren Lerby, has been in negotiations with Arsenal, but so far the two parties have failed to reach an agreement on wages.

Wenger is also hoping to snap up Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko this summer.

C.Ronaldo

Mascherano's agent admitts his link with Barcelona!

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano would be interested in summer move to Barcelona

said agent Walter Tamer

The Argentina international has been linked with a departure from Anfield following suggestions of financial difficulties at the Merseyside club.

The defensive midfielder recently spoke of his desire to win the Premier League with the Reds, but that has no stopped his agent from suggesting his client would be keen on a move to the Camp Nou.

"If a club like Barcelona want to bring you into their ranks after having completed such a brilliant season, obviously as a player, you are going to say, 'Yes, I want to play there,'"

"It is an honour for Javier that a club like Barca pay such close attention to him, especially after the incredible season they had.

"I believe that a transfer would be feasible. If Barca really want him, he will sign for them.

"I have spoken with (sporting director) Txiki Begiristain before, but we have not been in contact for a while now.

"To have something concrete, we have to talk to Liverpool first to know what their options are for Javier to leave and then talk to Barcelona to find out their level of interest."

said agent Walter Tamer

prongs

^ Somehow I think it will be a great move, because Mascherano's play somehow supports Barcelona style of play !!

Kimi

Kaka becomes a galactico

"I can officially say I'm a Real Madrid player. My professional link with AC Milan finishes now, but my sentimental link will never end," Kaka said.

Now another chance came up and AC Milan is in a big crisis (financially). For me, the sporting project (at Madrid) is interesting and will be an important boost to continue my career in the highest level."

"I wanted to stay on at Milan, but the world (financial) crisis affected a lot of clubs, especially those like Milan which are businesses," he continued.

"So then, I spoke with the Milan directors and we reached the conclusion that the best thing for everybody would be to sell."

Kaka also revealed that new Real president Florentino Perez has been busy "making contact" with potential targets as he looks to revive his 'Galacticos' project.

In Perez's previous stint with the club, he oversaw the acquisitions of global stars of Luis Figo, Ronaldo and David Beckham, as well as Zidane.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Franck Ribery have also been linked to the Spanish capital club since Perez's unopposed election signalled the return of their vast spending.

They have historic players there already, such as Raul or (Iker) Casillas. Real Madrid will be an important challenge for me. We`re going to win many titles again."

This will be a tough season at Real Madrid, after all that Messi conquered with Barcelona," he said.

I`ve been weighing up the offer from Real Madrid a lot. It`s an important project for me to continue growing in my career. I`m not going to Real Madrid for money, as I had other offers. But I knew I would only leave Milan to play for Real Madrid.

Kimi

As Real Madrid reportedly break their own world transfer record with the signing of Kaka espnstar.com looks at five of the biggest deals in football history.

1. Zinedine Zidane, £46.7million move from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001

Following the controversial arrival of Luis Figo in the Spanish capital a year before, Real president Florentino Perez continued his now infamous Galacticos project with the capture of the then FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane from Italian giants Juventus for a fee that stood as the world record until Kaka's deal.

2. Luis Figo, £37million, Barca to Real 2000

Perez was elected Real president in the summer of 2000 on the back of his promise to do the unthinkable and bring the star player from arch-rivals Barcelona to the Bernabeu. Upon appointment he was true to his word, breaking the world transfer record by signing Luis Figo for £37million.

3. Hernan Crespo, £35.7million Parma to Lazio 2000

In the summer of 2000 Sven-Goran Eriksson's Lazio were Serie A champions and flush with cash following the sale of Christian Vieri to Inter Milan a year before for a then world-record fee. They spent £35.7million of their money on Parma's Hernan Crespo, who finished top scorer in the league in his first season in Rome but was unable to help the club defend their Scudetto and also left for Inter in 2002.

4. Robinho, £32.5million, Real Madrid to Manchester City 2008

Having been taken over by the super-rich Abu Dhabi investment group on the final day of the 2008 summer transfer window, the new owners of Manchester City made a signal of their intent by beating Chelsea to the signing of unsettled Brazilian star Robinho from Real Madrid in a Premier League record deal worth £32.5million

5. Gianluigi Buffon, £32million Parma to Juventus 2001

With Parma selling off all their best players Italian giants Juventus pipped Roma to the signing of Azzurri stopper Gianluigi Buffon for £32million - a figure which remains a world record sum for a goalkeeper.