Arsenal interested in Elche keeper Caballero
February 25, 2008
Transfer reports are out and Arsenal are said to be considering a bid for Elche goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero.
It is reported that the Argentine goalkeeper caught the eye of an Arsenal scout in action against Real Sociedad. It is reported that the Gunners representative was at the game to check on Fran Merida, who is playing on-loan at Real, and came away very impressed by Caballero.
It is believed that the young shot-stopper is inside the final 18 months of his existing contract, which carries a £4 million buyout clause.
BIO
Full name: Wilfredo Daniel Caballero
Date of birth: September 28, 1981
Place of birth: Santa Elena, Argentina
Height: 1.86 cm
Playing position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Elche CF
Number: 1
Previous Clubs
2001–2004: Boca Juniors
2004: Elche CF
Popularity: 1% [?]
Man Utd battle Barcelona for Philipp Lahm
February 25, 2008
Sensational news are out that English champions Manchester United and Spanish giants Barcelona are going head-to-head for Bayern Munich fullback Philipp Lahm.
Media reports says that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing on offer around the region of £8.5 million for the Germany international and has reportedly opened a transfer battle with Barca for the defender’s services.
With former Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves now at Old Trafford, Ferguson is banking on Lahm to follow his ex-teammate to United in the summer.
Lahm is seen as the best replacement for United fullback Gary Neville and although Lahm is right-footed, and while he played as a right wing-back as a youth, today he is almost exclusively played as a left wing-back. The reason for this is partly because good left-footed wing-backs are rare in German football, and his signature move (running with the ball from the left flank and then dribbling towards the centre over his strong right foot) is so effective that putting Lahm onto the “correct” side would rob him of his best offensive weapon.
I’m sure United would benefit from this versitile player and i’m sure Lahm would add a new dimension to an already dinamic United squad.
BIO
Full name: Philipp Lahm
Date of birth: November 11, 1983
Place of birth: Munich, Germany
Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position: Left-back / Right-back
Current club: Bayern Munich
Number: 21
Popularity: 2% [?]
Milan targets Benzema and Drogba to replace Ronaldo
February 23, 2008
Sensational news are out that AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani had admitted that they need to sign a new striker following Ronaldo’s horrific injury.
Galliani also said that he will not talk about AC Milan’s transfer policy until May or June, but with Ronaldo out of action Galliani insists that the clud do need a fourth striker to join Alberto Gilardino, Alexandre Pato and Pippo Inzaghi.
The vice-president also went on to say that all the big clubs need four strikers and that it is better to have an abundance of options than too few. Inter have a similar problem with Hernan Crespo not getting much space, but there is no alternative at this level.
Several star players are being targeted including Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor, former AC Milan star Andriy Shevchenko and Lyon starlet Karim Benzema but Galliani refused to comment on which player that the club really want. Galliani only said that all the players mentioned would definitely fit the bill.
BIO
Full name: Karim Benzema
Date of birth: December 19, 1987
Place of birth: Lyon, France
Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position: Striker
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Number: 10
Popularity: 2% [?]
Messi insists he will never join Real Madrid
February 23, 2008
Barcelona star and Argentine international midfielder Lionel Messi has ruled out ever playing for Real Madrid.
Messi, who was named the Spanish Liga’s best South American this week, said that he will not ever play for Real Madrid and that he want to stay with Barcelona for as long as possible.
Messi also added that he still have a lot to improve in his game. The young midfielder also added that he knows that he need to dribble less and use his vision more and strongly believes that it would benefit Barcelona more and also help him to become a better player.
Lionel Messi was born in Santa Fe Province on 24 June 1987. At the age of five, he started playing football for Grandoli, a club coached by his father. In 1995, Messi switched to Newell’s Old Boys and at the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.River Plate showed interest in Messi’s progress, but did not have enough money to pay for the treatment of the illness that cost over £500 a month, as Argentina’s economy was collapsing.
Carles Rexach, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, was made aware of Messi’s talent, and Barcelona signed him after watching him play and offered to pay for the medical bills if he was willing to move to start a new life in Spain. His family moved with the young player to Europe and he starred in the club’s youth teams.
Messi made his unofficial debut for the first team against FC Porto on 16 November 2003. Less than a year later he made his official debut against Espanyol on 16 October 2004, becoming the third-youngest player ever to play for FC Barcelona and youngest club player who played in La Liga (a record broken by team mate Bojan Krki? in September 2007).
When he scored his first senior goal for the club against Albacete Balompié on 1 May 2005, Messi was 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old, becoming the youngest to ever score in a La Liga game for FC Barcelona until 2007 when Bojan Krki? broke this record, a goal assisted by Messi.
BIO
Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Date of birth: June 24, 1987
Place of birth: Rosario, Argentina
Height: 1.69 m (5 ft 6+1?2 in)
Playing position: Right Winger
Current club: Barcelona
Number: 19
Popularity: 2% [?]
Chelsea FC rejects Ronaldinho
February 23, 2008
Reports are out that Chelsea FC chairman Bruce Buck has said that Chelsea will not try to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho at the end of the season.
Brazilian international Ronaldinho has endured a disappointing campaign with Barca and, after being left out on the bench several times by coach Frank Rijkaard, it was suggested the Brazilian was keen to leave the Nou Camp in order to secure a more starting role in a different club.
Chelsea are reportedly one of the few clubs in the world who could afford to sign the former World Player of the Year and chairman Bruce Buck admitted they had considered making a bid but decided to look elsewhere for new signings instead of the Brazilian superstar.
Buck also told the media that he does not see it being likely that Ronaldinho will be at Stamford Bridge next year and also added that there had been rumours and discussions about a move for Ronaldinho but he don’t see it happening.
Meanwhile, Buck is convinced Frank Lampard will agree a new contract with the Blues despite negotiations being put on hold. Bcuk also said that he’d like to delay discussions until the summer, but he is optimistic that we’ll be able to sort something out with Frank Lampard. Buck also went on to say that Lampard is a wonderful player and a superb guy and we’d like to see him for the long-term at Chelsea football club.
Popularity: 2% [?]
