Tag Archives: wanted

Aston Villa keep tabs on Heerenveen"s prolific hitman Finnbogason as Bent nears exit

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Aston Villa keep tabs on Heerenveen's prolific hitman Finnbogason as Bent nears exit

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UPDATED:

22:40 GMT, 12 December 2012

Aston Villa are monitoring the impressive form of Heerenveen striker Alfred Finnbogason.

Manager Paul Lambert has been alerted to the performances of the Iceland forward, 23, who has scored 12 goals in 14 Eredivisie games this season.

A wanted man: Alfred Finnbogason is attracting the attentions of Aston Villa

A wanted man: Alfred Finnbogason is attracting the attentions of Aston Villa

Finnbogason only joined Heerenveen from Belgian side Lokeren for a bargain 1million in the summer but has blossomed under the tutelage of their coach, Holland strike legend Marco van Basten.

Heerenveen have a good record for developing strikers to sell on at a profit and may be willing to listen to offers.

Days are numbered: Darren Bent's unhappy Aston Villa stint is drawing to a close

Days are numbered: Darren Bent's unhappy Aston Villa stint is drawing to a close

Lambert needs more options with Darren Bent likely to leave in January once his hamstring injury clears up.

Villa have also shown interest in Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas but he is considered too expensive. Swansea and Arsenal have also enquired.

Didier Drogba lobbies Wilfried Zaha to choose Ivory Coast over England

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Drogba bids to persuade Palace starlet Zaha to choose Ivory Coast over England

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UPDATED:

23:00 GMT, 7 November 2012

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba made a personal phone call to England Under 21 winger Wilfried Zaha to try to persuade him to play for his native country in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Crystal Palace winger, who is 20 on Saturday, is wanted to represent the Ivory Coast in the tournament in South Africa next January.

He will be named in Stuart Pearce's England Under 21 squad for the clash with Northern Ireland at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, but FIFA rules mean he is still eligible to represent the country he was born in.

Wanted man: Drogba will lobby Zaha to play for ivory Coast

Wanted man: Drogba will lobby Zaha to play for ivory Coast

Danny Cipriani will come good, says Bryan Redpath

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Rob Wildman's gainline: Classy Cipriani will come good, says Redpath

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 9 September 2012

Sale director of rugby Bryan Redpath is determined to give Danny Cipriani plenty of time to become a force in the Premiership again.

The fly-half was substituted 60 minutes into his debut for Sale, having kicked four penalties in the 23-16 defeat by Saracens.

He said: ‘You can see he needs some more time with the players around him. He is a threat. He’s a pretty talented rugby player and the more he plays the better he will get.’

On the rise: Danny Cipriani will come good, says Bryan Redpath

On the rise: Danny Cipriani will come good, says Bryan Redpath

Wilko's wanted

Jonny Wilkinson may have lasted only 20 minutes in Toulon’s latest win but the England World Cup winner is still a wanted man.

Lions coach Warren Gatland has said Wilkinson, who has not played internationally since last year’s World Cup, is in contention for the tour to Australia next June. ‘There is a clean slate for everyone. He’s still a fine player and he’s only 33,’ he said.

Fitness race

Australia captain Will Genia faces a race to be fully fit for the Lions tour after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in the 26-19 win over South Africa. The scrum-half is not expected to play for at least six months.

In danger: Will Genia (right) might miss out

In danger: Will Genia (right) might miss out

Coach of the week

Nigel Davies, the new Gloucester coach, following his team’s first away win in the Premiership since last February, a 40-31 victory at London Irish. Fly-half Freddie Burns kicked 25 points.

Player of the week

Bath's Kyle Eastmond for weaving through seven Wasps defenders to score his first Premiership try. ‘We haven’t scratched the surface with Kyle yet,’ said coach Brad Davis after the 30-23 win.

Craig Kopczak quits Bradford Bulls

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Kopczak quits Bradford on eve of Catalan clash with prop set for legal showdown with Bulls

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UPDATED:

12:07 GMT, 8 September 2012

Craig Kopczak is set for a legal showdown with Bradford after quitting the Super League club on the eve of Saturday's game against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan.

The 22-year-old prop made himself unavailable for the last match of the regular season after terminating his contract.

Kopczak, who was on Friday named in Wales' squad for the end-of-season triangular tournament involving England and France, is under contract to Bradford until the end of 2013 but opted to resign when the club's takeover went through last weekend.

The player's agent, Martin Shuttleworth, confirmed Kopczak had taken legal advice, drawing on legislation used in the recent Rangers case, namely the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations 2006 (TUPE).

Quitting: Kopczak (centre) has left the Bradford Bulls

Quitting: Kopczak (centre) has left the Bradford Bulls

In a statement, Shuttleworth said: 'Craig was notified by the joint administrators by letter dated September 3, 2012 that his playing contract had transferred with effect from August 31, 2012 to OK Bulls Ltd.

'He then served notice on the administrators that he objects to the transfer of his employment under the relevant TUPE legislation.

'The net effect of having served the notice is that he is deemed to have resigned with effect from August 31, 2012 and his employment with the club is automatically terminated.'

It is thought the highly-rated Kopczak is on the wanted list of several clubs, with Wigan and Huddersfield understood to be among the front-runners.

Bradford's acting chief executive Gary Tasker believes Kopczak has been approached by rival Super League clubs, contrary to a gentleman's agreement not to do so, and says the matter has been put into the hands of the club's solicitor.

'I'm bitterly disappointed that the player has taken advice which has resulted in him leaving the group at this late stage of the season,' Tasker told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

'The major disappointment in this episode is that a young player on a good contract doesn't normally terminate it unless he is being offered better terms elsewhere.

'At a meeting of Super League clubs several weeks ago, the clubs agreed unanimously that they would not approach Bradford's contracted players.

'It would appear that a club has broken ranks and made the player a better offer. It's now in the hands of our legal advisors to resolve it.'

The Rugby Football League are expected to ratify the takeover by local restaurant owner Omar Khan early next week and will then decide on the process for determining whether the Bulls can stay in Super League.

Theo Walcott is not leaving Arsenal, says Arsene Wenger

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No go Theo! Wenger says Walcott will not leave before transfer window closes

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UPDATED:

12:35 GMT, 30 August 2012

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has vehemently denied that winger Theo Walcott will be leaving the Gunners before the transfer window closes on Friday.

Wenger bought Arsenal more time in their attempts to sign Walcott to a new contract during a meeting at the club's training ground, where Walcott told his boss he does not want to leave and still views his long-term future at the club.

The 23-year-old also made it clear he wants a better contract than the five-year, 75,000-per-week deal currently on offer.

Staying put: Walcott will not be leaving Arsenal any time soon

Staying put: Walcott will not be leaving Arsenal any time soon

But
both parties have decided Walcott will not be sold before Friday’s
transfer deadline — ending speculation over his immediate future.

Liverpool,
whose interest in Walcott was revealed by Sportsmail, have
contacted Arsenal about the England forward. But sources say Walcott is
not interested in a switch to Anfield.

Wanted man: Walcott was linked with a move to Liverpool

Wanted man: Walcott was linked with a move to Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers will target Daniel Sturridge if Andy Carroll leaves Liverpool

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Rodgers to target Sturridge if Carroll completes move away from Anfield

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UPDATED:

22:08 GMT, 24 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Brendan Rodgers is considering a move for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge should Andy Carroll leave over the next few days.

Newcastle and West Ham remain interested in Carroll with Newcastle making a 12million offer.

That is 8m short of Liverpool’s asking price while West Ham can only afford a loan.

Transfer targets: Rodgers is planning move for Strurridge is Carroll leaves

Transfer targets: Rodgers is planning move for Strurridge is Carroll leaves

Liverpool will need around 20m for
Chelsea to consider allowing Sturridge to go, although the player is
interested with his chances increasingly limited at Stamford Bridge.

With Fulham’s Clint Dempsey also on his wanted list, Rodgers knows he will have his work cut out to raise funds.

Jay Spearing is destined for Bolton but they have yet to find buyers for Charlie Adam or Jordan Henderson.

Wanted man: Sturridge is a target for the Liverpool boss

Wanted man: Sturridge is a target for the Liverpool boss

Everton want Wolves duo Kevin Doyle and Stephen Ward

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Everton prepare double swoop for Wolves duo Doyle and Ward

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UPDATED:

07:25 GMT, 23 August 2012

Kevin Doyle is firmly back on Everton’s radar – along with left back Stephen Ward.

Everton manager David Moyes was at Molineux on Tuesday night to see Doyle and Ward help Wolves to a 3-1 win over Barnsley.

Moyes has long admired Doyle’s unstinting work-rate and had a bid for his services last January rejected.

Wanted: Kevin Doyle (left) is a target for Everton boss David Moyes

Wanted: Kevin Doyle (left) is a target for Everton boss David Moyes

Everton
are one of four Premier League clubs — Reading are another — tracking
Doyle, who signed a contract extension last September which runs until
2015.

Doyle is not rocking the boat but his
fellow Ireland man Stephen Hunt appears to be close to the exit door
after he was unable to make the bench on Tuesday night.

Moving on Shane Long is attracting the attention of Tottenham

Moving on Shane Long is attracting the attention of Tottenham

A cluster of Premier League clubs, including Fulham, are tracking the 31-year-old.

Ireland striker Shane Long, 25, who is highly-regarded at West Bromwich Albion, is also on the wanted list of Tottenham.

PSG enter race for Robin van Persie

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Mega-rich PSG join Manchester City in the race for unsettled Van Persie

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UPDATED:

22:40 GMT, 28 June 2012

Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to rival Manchester City for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

Club director Leonardo has made tentative enquiries as to the Holland international’s availability this summer.

Will he sign Arsenal are desperate for Robin van Persie to pen a new deal, but face a challenge from Manchester City - and PSG

Will he sign Arsenal are desperate for Robin van Persie to pen a new deal, but face a challenge from Manchester City – and PSG

The Ligue 1 club were initially told the Gunners had no intention of selling their skipper, but the ongoing uncertainty over Van Persie’s future has led to PSG rekindling their interest.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti knows all about the 29-year-old from his days at Chelsea and is keen to bring the striker to France.

French fancy: Would Van Persie (right) be swayed by a move to Paris

French fancy: Would Van Persie (right) be swayed by a move to Paris

PSG – who are financially driven by mega-rich Qatari Investment Authority – have the funds to compete with big-spending City.

But Van Persie has made it clear he will only leave Arsenal to join a title-challenging club in a major European league. Manchester City are preparing a formal 20million offer for the striker.

Familiar face: Carlo Ancelotti knows Van Persie well after his two-year stint at Chelsea

Familiar face: Carlo Ancelotti knows Van Persie well after his two-year stint at Chelsea

Van Persie – who has a year left on his contract – is stalling on a new three-year deal worth 130,000-per-week – plus a 5million bonus.

Earlier this week, City boss Roberto Mancini – a long-term admirer of the Dutchman – was coy when asked about Van Persie, who has a year left to
run on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

'Van Persie is an Arsenal player, I won't say anything,' he explained.

Prize asset: Arsene Wenger would dearly love to hold on to Van Persie

Prize asset: Arsene Wenger would dearly love to hold on to Van Persie

Van Persie is also on the wanted list of Italian giants Juventus as well as Barcelona in Spain and has been offered a new deal at the Emirates.

City,
though, have the power to offer the 28-year-old in excess of 200,000 a
week as well as the chance to win the Barclays Premier League.

If City are to push a deal through they will need to offload one of
their other high earners such as Emmanuel Adebayor or Carlos Tevez.

Salomon Rondon wanted by Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs

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Liverpool and Spurs join Chelsea in race for Malaga's 20m-rated Rondon

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UPDATED:

12:14 GMT, 23 June 2012

A wanted man: Rondon is being eyed by a raft of European clubs

A wanted man: Rondon is being eyed by a raft of European clubs

Liverpool and Tottenham have joined Chelsea in the race for Malaga's 20m-rated striker Salomon Rondon, according to the player's agent.

The 22-year-old Venezuelan international fired 11 goals last season as the La Laiga outfit secured qualification for the Champions League.

And Pablo Martinez confirmed several approaches from the Premier League for his client,according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

However, with strong interest from Germany, Rondon will not leave southern Spain on the cheap, with mega-rich Malaga playing hardball over the transfer fee of a player they bought for 2.8m from Las Palmas in 2012.

Arsenal braced for Manchester City bid for Robin van Persie

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Arsenal braced for Manchester City bid for unsettled Van Persie

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UPDATED:

22:17 GMT, 22 June 2012

Manchester City will step up their pursuit of Arsenal's Robin van Persie now that Holland are out of Euro 2012.

Despite Arsenal's reluctance to lose
yet another player to City, it is understood that coach Roberto Mancini
is still determined to land the Dutch international.

On his way: Will Robin van Persie soon be waving goodbye to Arsenal

On his way: Will Robin van Persie soon be waving goodbye to Arsenal

There has been no approach made to Arsenal yet by City but that now seems inevitable in the coming days and weeks.

Van Persie is also on the wanted list of Italian giants Juventus as well as Barcelona in Spain.

Disappointment: Van Persie failed to fire at Euro 2012

Disappointment: Van Persie failed to fire at Euro 2012

With one year left on his contract at Arsenal, Van Persie has been offered a new deal at the Emirates. City, though, have the power to offer the 28-year-old in excess of 200,000 a week as well as the chance to win the Barclays Premier League.

If City are to push a deal through they will need to offload one of their other high earners such as Emmanuel Adebayor or Carlos Tevez.