Tag Archives: wishlist

Swansea City"s Michu promised Spain cap by Vicente del Bosque

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Free-scoring Swansea star Michu promised Spain call-up for February friendly

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UPDATED:

15:51 GMT, 24 December 2012

Swansea City sensation Michu has been rewarded for his remarkable Premier League form with a promise of a Spain cap in February.

Vicente del Bosque, the manager of the European and world champions, has confirmed that the 26-year-old will make his debut for Spain in their February 6 friendly against Uruguay in Doha.

International pedigree: Michu will be called into the Spain squad next year

International pedigree: Michu will be called into the Spain squad next year

The forward will be joined in the Spain
squad by Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas, who is understood to be on
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup’s January wishlist.

'Iago Aspas and Michu will appear (against Uruguay),' Del Bosque told Spanish television.

Michu has been prolific since Laudrup snapped him up for a bargain 2.2million from Rayo Vallecano in the summer.

He went to the top of the Barclays Premier League scoring charts on Sunday after scoring the equaliser against Manchester United in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

It was his 13th League strike in 18 games this season – 14 in 21 games in all competitions – with most coming from an advanced midfield position, rather than as an outright striker.

Aspas, meanwhile, has impressed in La Liga this season, scoring six goals in 17 games. He is rated at 8m.

Leeds target Southampton striker Rickie Lambert

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Leeds ready to splash the cash on Southampton striker Lambert

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UPDATED:

23:20 GMT, 22 December 2012

Rickie Lambert is the surprise name on Neil Warnock's wishlist for Leeds following the club's takeover by Dubai-based group GFH.

Warnock hopes to sign six players in January after GFH completed a reported 17million purchase from Ken Bates on Friday.

Target: Southampton striker Rickie Lambert

Target: Southampton striker Rickie Lambert

Signing strikers is Warnock's priority, with Southampton's Lambert and Brighton's Craig Mackail-Smith lined up as targets.

Lambert, 30, started the season on the Southampton bench but has scored six Premier League goals this season. However, he may be allowed to leave if the club sign other players.

Lambert has scored more than a goal every two games for Southampton and got his first chance to play in the Premier League this season after years in the lower reaches with Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport, Bristol Rovers and Rochdale.

However, the ambitions of Leeds may tempt him.

Mackail-Smith would cost Warnock around 1.5m.

Roberto Mancini may quit Manchester City over lack of signings

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Raging Mancini may quit champions City over lack of summer signings

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UPDATED:

22:06 GMT, 25 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Roberto Mancini could quit as Manchester City boss inside a year if he doesn’t receive the backing he requires.

Sportsmail understands he is unlikely to see out his recently-signed contract if he continues to be left high and dry over new signings.

A source close to Mancini said: ‘He has three targets before the window closes — Daniele De Rossi, Maicon and Stevan Jovetic.

Furious: Roberto Mancini (left) is not happy with City's transfer policy

Furious: Roberto Mancini (left) is not happy with City's transfer policy

Lone signing: Jack Rodwell (left) is the only player to have joined City

Lone signing: Jack Rodwell (left) is the only player to have joined City

'We will see what happens in the next few days. He feels there is no one at the club doing the transfer dealing for him and he has been left with just 19 players for the new season. He is angry, as you can imagine.

‘He is ambitious, he has just won the Premier League and wants to win the Champions League. But he can’t do that without the right support.

Target: Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is wanted by City

Target: Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is wanted by City

England bound Inter Milan's Maicon (right) is also on City's wishlist

England bound Inter Milan's Maicon (right) is also on City's wishlist

‘He isn’t about to walk out on City but if nothing else happens before the transfer window closes this could be his last season at City. I wouldn’t rule out a move elsewhere next season.’

There is still tension between Mancini and City chief executive Brian Marwood.

The Italian will want to see some of his targets realised in the next five days if he is to be pacified.

Manchester City ready to launch 20m move for Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi

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Manchester City ready to launch 20m move for Roma midfielder De Rossi

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UPDATED:

22:02 GMT, 3 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Manchester City are poised to firm up interest in Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi with a 20million offer.

The Italy star, 29, has been on Roberto Mancini's wishlist for 18 months and only signed a five-year contract in February.

Target: Daniele De Rossi

Target: Daniele De Rossi

Sunderland remain hopeful of signing City striker John Guidetti for a loan fee of 1.5m.

Wolves defender Christophe Berra has asked to leave the club.

Manager Stale Solbakken says the 27-year-old has been placed on the transfer list.

Wolves remain keen on Manchester City defender Stefan Savic on loan.

Blackburn want West Brom striker Simon Cox

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Kean in the market again as Blackburn boss eyes move for West Brom striker Cox

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UPDATED:

09:13 GMT, 16 July 2012

Steve Kean is continuing his preparations for an assault on a swift return to the Barclays Premier League with a move for West Brom striker Simon Cox.

The Blackburn boss has already snapped up Leon Best and Nuno Gomes and is ready to bolster his attacking options with the 3.5million rated striker on his wishlist.

Simon says: Cox is in talks with Blackburn over a move to Ewood Park

Simon says: Cox is in talks with Blackburn over a move to Ewood Park

Cox has also been linked with Reading, Southampton and Birmingham, and started only seven league games last term.

According to Sky Sports, the Republic of Ireland international is ready to quit the Hawthorns and could drop down to the Championship in a bid to revive his stalling career.

Cook joined the Baggies for 1.5m in July 2009 but has netted only 10 Premier League goals and has fallen behind Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long in the pecking order.

Manchester City ponder selling Aleksandar Kolarov wanted at Juventus and Inter Milan

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City ponder cash deal for Kolarov with Inter and Juve waiting in wings

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UPDATED:

11:12 GMT, 13 June 2012

Aleksandar Kolarov is being lined up for a return to Italy with either Juventus or Inter Milan.

The defender joined Manchester City from Lazio in 2010 and helped the Blues to the Barclays Premier League title last season.

But City could look to recoup some of the 18million spent on the 26-year-old in order to finance the pursuit of other stars.

Season over: Aleksandar Kolarov (left) in action for Serbia last month

Season over: Aleksandar Kolarov (left) in action for Serbia last month

Inter are in pole position to land
the Serbia left-back as they are prepared to part with hard cash while
Juve favour a loan move, according to The Sun.

And City could use the money to help fund a move for Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller.

Big-money buy: Left-back Kolarov (right) joined City from Lazio in 2010

Big-money buy: Left-back Kolarov (right) joined City from Lazio in 2010

AC Milan defender Thiago Silva is also on City's wishlist, but the Brazilian won't come cheap with the Rossoneri asking for over 30m.

Kolarov has found playing time limited at City with boss Roberto Mancini rotating him with Gael Clichy on the left side of the defence. Kolarov made just 12 starts in the league all season.

Michael Laudrup favourite for Swansea job

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Laudrup favourite for Swansea role after Jones switch fails to materialise

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UPDATED:

00:44 GMT, 9 June 2012

Michael Laudrup is the new frontrunner for the Swansea City manager's post.

The former Real Mallorca boss has been in contention for the position since Brendan Rodgers left for Liverpool but, contrary to reports, was ranked below Wigan No 2 Graeme Jones on the Swansea wishlist.

However, with hopes of persuading Jones fading, a move for Laudrup is expected.

Swan song: Laudrup is favourite to land role with Welsh side

Swan song: Laudrup is favourite to land role with Welsh side

Brendan Rodgers wants to sign Gylfi Sigurdsson and Clint Dempsey

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Rodgers plans to make Dempsey and Sigurdsson his first Liverpool signings

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UPDATED:

09:57 GMT, 3 June 2012

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has put Gylfi Sigurdsson
and Clint Dempsey at the top of his transfer wishlist.

Rodgers has vowed to strengthen his Anfield squad as he looks to introduce the passing brand of football that served him so well at Swansea.

He hopes to steal Sigurdsson from under his former club's nose, and poach Dempsey from Fulham.

Wanted: Clint Dempsey (right) is expected to leave Fulham this summer

Wanted: Clint Dempsey (right) is expected to leave Fulham this summer

Icelander Sigurdsson has already agreed a 6.8million deal with the Welsh club but could yet move to Liverpool instead.

Rodgers said: 'I said when I had
the chat with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, when I told him that I was going to
Liverpool, that Gylfi came to Swansea because I was there as manager.

'I felt after six months that we needed a goal-scoring
midfield player.

'His record is fantastic and I said to him, “I think this is
the club for you”.

'I pushed the club to make an agreement and they’ve done
that in terms of the fee and the salary.

Decision time: Gylfi Sigurdsson (left) may opt for Liverpool rather than Swansea

Decision time: Gylfi Sigurdsson (left) may opt for Liverpool rather than Swansea

'I said to Huw, “I’m not going to do anything untoward –
this is the guy you want.”

'But ultimately, it’s down to Gylfi. My only thing is that,
if he comes on to the market, I will have to be interested.

'His initial chat has to be, I’m sure, with Swansea, because
he had a good period there and did very well.

'The agreement is there now for him to come out of Germany.

'I said to Huw if I speak to the kid, I’ll tell him to make
sure he comes down to speak to the new manager – whoever that is.

New man: Brendan Rodgers has taken over at Liverpool

New man: Brendan Rodgers has taken over at Liverpool

'And if he’s not comfortable with that, he’s then in the
marketplace – and then I have to look at him.'

Meanwhile, the highly-rated Dempsey, 29 – who scored 21
times for Fulham last season – has only one year remaining on his contract and
the American forward is set to quit Craven Cottage.

He is also a target for Arsenal and could be available for just 4m.

Chelsea line-up 50m Radamel Falcao to replace Didier Drogba

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Chelsea line-up 50m Falcao to replace outgoing star Drogba

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UPDATED:

22:28 GMT, 21 May 2012

Chelsea are ready to put 50million-rated Radamel Falcao at the top of their wishlist to replace Didier Drogba when the club finalise their transfer plans in the coming days.

The European champions have already held a series of technical-based forward planning meetings designed to shape next season's footballing operation.

Those discussions were put on the back-burner as the club focused on the Champions League and FA Cup finals.

On the move Chelsea are keen on Radamel Falcao

On the move Chelsea are keen on Radamel Falcao

But with both trophies secured, the Chelsea hierarchy will restart the task of planning for next season this week.

And the issue of who will replace Drogba – who has agreed to join Chinese club Shanghai Shenua – is towards the top of the club's priorities.

As it stands the Atletico Madrid striker Falcao, Napoli centre-forward Edinson Cavani and Real Madrid goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain feature on the list of potential replacements for the Ivorian.

Sportsmail understands Falcao has now edged to the top of the club's striker wishlist.

Chelsea remain unconvinced former manager Jose Mourinho would agree to selling Higuain, who scored 26 goals for the La Liga champions last season.

Ready to go: Didier Drogba looks set to leave Chelsea this summer

Ready to go: Didier Drogba looks set to leave Chelsea this summer

And it is understood while confirming their interest in Cavani, Chelsea have been non-committal over whether they will stump up the 35million Napoli want for the Uruguay striker during initial talks with the player's representatives.

It has also been indicated to Chelsea that Cavani – who is also on Manchester City's radar – would also look for a deal worth in the region of 150,000-per-week.

Axed manager Andre Villas-Boas initiated Chelsea's interest in Falcao following his arrival last summer.

The pair worked together at Porto before leaving Portugal for new club's ahead of last season.

Impressive in front of goal: Falcao scored 36 goals for Atletico Madrid

Impressive in front of goal: Falcao scored 36 goals for Atletico Madrid

And Falcao, a Colombia international, has continued his prolific goalscoring form in Spain, bagging 36 goals in his first season at Atletico.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have held advanced talks with Porto over their interest in attacker Hulk, who is keen to join the Stamford Bridge club.

The Blues have also joined the race to sign Lille forward Eden Hazard and are interested in Newcastle's Cheick Tiote.

If Chelsea's swoop Falcao proves successful then he is likely to join Fernando Torres in a new-look strike force next season.

Despite voicing concerns over his stuttering first full season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea sources insists they still expect the 50million-man to remain at the club next season.

Real Madrid want Alex Song and Thomas Vermaelen

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Song and Vermaelen top Mourinho's wishlist as Real plot summer swoop

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UPDATED:

08:13 GMT, 4 May 2012

Real Madrid are plotting a double raid on Arsenal with summer bids for Alex Song and Thomas Vermaelen.

Having secured the La Liga title on Wednesday, Jose Mourinho has turned his attentions to next season and sees Song as the ideal midfield general.

Vermaelen has also emerged as a target for the Spanish giants.

Wanted man: Alex Song (right) is a target for Real Madrid

Wanted man: Alex Song (right) is a target for Real Madrid

Mourinho has identified his midfield as requiring surgery and is also tracking Rennes' Yann M'Vila.

The Frenchman has also been heavily linked with Arsenal with the Gunners making an approach last summer. Boss Arsene Wenger is expected to make a bid at the end of the season.

He will be reluctant to part with Song who has established himself as they key ball-winner in the Arsenal side. Vermaelen has also impressed, forming a solid partnership with Laurent Koscielny in the heart of the Gunners defence.

On the move Thomas Vermaelen (right) is also on Jose Mourinho's radar

On the move Thomas Vermaelen (right) is also on Jose Mourinho's radar

Wenger will also have to fend off interest from Real in his star striker Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman has been in scintillating form this season, scoring a staggering 39 goals.

He is also wanted by Manchester City who are reportedly not willing to pay more than 15milion given that Van Persie's contract expires next summer.