Posts Tagged ‘Football Transfer Rumours’

Cesc Fabregas Leaves His Arsenal Future In Doubt


After a fresh wave of speculation linking him with a summer move to Barcelona, Arsenal captain ‘Cesc Fabregas has muddied the waters regarding his Emirates future, by admitting that he wants a decision to be made one-way-or-the-other before the World Cup begins in June.

Whilst he has openly admitted his desire to rejoin Barca at some point during his career, Fabregas has, up until now,  firmly spurned the advances of his boyhood club and seen his desire to remain in north London cited on several occasions.

However, new quotes circulating in the press today seem that the Spanish midfielder may have undergone somewhat of a sea change;

“I want to make a decision about my future before the World Cup. It’s impossible to perform at a tournament such as the World Cup if you’re not fully focused on the sporting aspects of the game. It does not benefit anyone.”

“If I ever leave Arsenal it will be to play for Barcelona. I would like to go, whether they want me or not is another matter. I am 23 years old and I have a long career in front of me. I’ve never hidden the fact that playing for Barcelona is a dream that I would like to fulfil.”

Fabregas then went on to insist that he doesn’t intend on quitting Arsenal just yet – at least not before the final round of Spanish league fixtures are played and the title-race decided;

“I’m very happy at Arsenal. I’m in no hurry to leave the club. Barcelona are still playing for the Liga title and I’m still an Arsenal player. It would be a lack of respect to discuss a transfer now.”

All in all, and when taken in isolation, these quotes show a definite weakening in Fabregas’ stance regarding his short-term future. The Gunner’s skipper has stated on many occasions his frustration at Arsenal’s lack of silverware over the last few campaigns, and his manager’s reluctance to spend big in the pursuit thereof.

Arsene Wenger has, however, promised to break type and bring in some proven talent to the club over the summer.

So the question remains, will these (let’s face it) hypothetical signings be enough to convince Fabregas that Arsenal are ready to realistically challenge for honours on at least one front next term?

Or, after a good couple of years of attempting to quell the Spaniard’s unease, will it be a question of too little too late on the Gunner’s part?

Cesc Fabregas Leaves His Arsenal Future In Doubt” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Arsene Wenger Vows To Strengthen ‘Average’ Arsenal Defense


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed to bolster his defensive ranks over the summer hiatus, after admitting that his side have been guilty of some ‘average’ defensive performances last year.

Former Ajax centre-back Thomas Vermaelen has proven to be a shrewd acquisition on Wenger’s part, but sporadic injuries have marred an otherwise impressive debut season in the Premier League for the Belgian.

Vermaelen’s usual defensive partner, William Gallas, looks set to leave the Emirates in the near-distant future as his ongoing contract dispute rumbles to an almost-inevitable conclusion, and the poor form of Mikael Silvestre coupled with a long-term knee injury to Johan Djourou has meant that Wenger has had to increasingly rely on the aging legs of 35-year-old Sol Campbell in the heart of his defense as last season wore on.

As reliable as Campbell has been since his shock return to the Gunners, Wenger has still confirmed that he wishes to add at least one more defensive player to his ranks if they are to realistically contend for silverware next season;

“If you divide the season into two – going forward we have done very well but defensively we have been average.”

“When you concede 40 goals you don’t win the championship and I want to rectify that. My transfer policy this summer will be to keep our strengths going forward, add one player, and add more defensive strength to our team.”

“When you’re as close to a trophy and you don’t do it, it’s disappointing but overall if you look back over the season, I am proud of our attitude and spirit.”

“Unfortunately we got injuries in the final sprint of the season. This season has shown that we have quality, spirit and we have also discovered players who have made massive improvements so there is a very strong basis to do extremely well.”

“Not a lot is needed when you come as close as we did this year having lost the big games. I think we have a massive chance to come back and win it. Let’s be consistent, come back next year and be even stronger.”

Wenger is reportedly set to receive a £30-45 million war chest to strengthen his squad following the club’s positive financial postings last season, and Fulham’s Brede Hangeland, Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic and Bolton’s Gary Cahill are but a few of the names thought to be on the Frenchman’s summer wishlist.

Arsene Wenger Vows To Strengthen ‘Average’ Arsenal Defense” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



January 2010 Ligue 1 Transfers


You’ll find the latest Ligue 1 Transfers (January 2010) listed here. Archives for older transfer seasons are at the end of this page. For the latest transfer rumours and transfer lists for other leagues, see our transfer news column.

If you find a transfer not listed here let us know and we’ll add it.


Last Updated: 2 February 2010

AS Monaco

In: Ouwo Moussa Maazou (loan, CSKA Moscow)

Out: Serge Gakpe (loan, Tours)

AS Nancy Lorraine

In:

Out:

Auxerre

In:

Out: Kevin Lejuene (loan, Nantes), Moussa Narry (loan, Le Mans)

Bordeaux

In:

Out: Paul Lasne (loan, Chateauroux)

Boulogne

In: Mustapha Yatabare (undisclosed, Clermont), Habid Bellaid (loan, Eintracht Frankfurt), Juan Gonzalo Lorca (400k, Colo-Colo), Olivier Kapo (loan, Wigan Athletic)

Out:

Grenoble

In:

Out: Laurent Macquet (free, Vannes)

Le Mans

In: Almen Abdi (free, FC Zurich), Henri Bedimo (undisclosed, Chateauroux), Idir Ouali (free, Mouscron), Moussa Narry (loan, Auxerre)

Out: Alphousseyni Keita (loan, Nimes)

Lens

In:

Out: Fabien Laurenti (loan, Brest), Stephen Joseph-Monrose (loan, Chateauroux), Geoffrey Doumeng (loan, Tours), Issam El Adoua (loan, Nantes)

Lille

In: Ricardo Costa (undisclosed, VfL Wolfsburg)

Out:

Lorient

In:

Out:

Lyon

In: Dejan Lovren (10m, Dinamo Zagreb)

Out:

Marseille

In:

Out: Garry Bocaly (loan, Montpellier)

Montpellier

In: Garry Bocaly (loan, Marseille), Olivier Giroud (undisclosed, Tours)

Out: Nasser Ouadah (loan, Chateauroux), Olivier Giroud (loan, Tours)

Nice

In: Didier Digard (loan, Middlesbrough), Renato Civelli (loan, San Lorenzo)

Out:

Paris Saint-Germain

In: Lucien Owona (undisclosed, Les Astres)

Out: Loris Arnaud (loan, Clermont), Albert Baning (loan, Strasbourg)

Sochaux

In: Ideye Aide Brown (4m, Neuchatel Xamax)

Out:

St. Etienne

In:

Out: David Gigliotti (free, Le Havre), Amine Linganzi (free, Blackburn Rovers), Ilan (free, West Ham United)

Stade Rennes

In:

Out: Kevin Bru (free, Dijon)

Toulouse

In: Kazim Kazim (loan, Fenerbahce)

Out:

Valenciennes

In: Angoua Benjamin (undisclosed, Budapest Honved)

Out: Mody Traore (loan, AC Ajaccio)


Ligue 1 Transfer Archives:

Summer 2008
January 2009
Summer 2009

Back to French Ligue 1 Transfers | Football Transfer Lists

January 2010 Ligue 1 Transfers” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Man City Close To Completing £11m Jerome Boateng Deal


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that his side are within striking distance of wrapping up an £11 million deal for 21-year-old Hamburg defender Jerome Boateng.

The German international – who is one of the Bundesliga’s hottest properties – has found himself squarely in City’s sights for the past six months or so, and is now expected to complete his protracted move to Eastlands within the next few weeks.

Speaking to The Manchester Evening News, Mancini said;

“We are quite close to signing him, Boateng is a good player, a young player and strong. He plays for the national team and there is a good chance to get him.

He can play three different positions; central defence, right full-back or in midfield. If we find a player like that it is better for us.”

The Italian coach will hope that the signing of Boateng will go some way towards shoring up a defense that has shipped more goals than any other inside the top seven of the Premier League this season.

Man City Close To Completing £11m Jerome Boateng Deal” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



Marouane Chamakh Is ‘Counting The Days’ Until Arsenal Switch


Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has all but confirmed he is to join Arsenal at the end of the season by admitting he is now ‘counting the days’ until he makes the switch from Aquitaine to north London.

The Moroccan international has been a long-term target for the Gunners, and almost joined in the summer of 2009, but chose instead to see out the final year of his contract at Les Girondins, leaving him quite literally free to join Arsenal the following year.

Speaking to L’Equipe magazine, Chamakh has spoken of his eagerness to complete his long-awaited Emirates move;

“I count the days, 11 short days. As time passes, it feels weird. I feel many emotions.

I am delighted to join the English football atmosphere, it is something amazing. I love Arsenal’s game. I know I will have to adapt but I know the short passing game.

In February, I made my decision. A departure clause (in a potential new Bordeaux contract) was not logical after refusing Arsenal last summer.”

The 26-year-old forward has enjoyed another impressive season with Bordeaux – tallying 15 goals along the way – but admits that he is desperate for a new challenge;

“For my last matches with Bordeaux I can feel a lot of emotion, but I am leaving for a new challenge, at Bordeaux I was the club’s child. In London, I won’t be a kid anymore. I have grown, I have things to prove and I am motivated to achieve it.

He also went on to confirm that he rejected several other (possibly more lucrative) offers from a clutch of rival clubs in order to join Arsenal;

“There were approaches from Liverpool, Tottenham and offers of madness from Russia which were much greater than those from England, but I was focused on playing in the Premier League.”

Chamakh is believed to be joining Arsenal on a £50,000-a-week deal that will see him contracted to the club until 2013.

Marouane Chamakh Is ‘Counting The Days’ Until Arsenal Switch” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.