Babel is a huge talent and is only 20. He is a winger and also a very good scorer. If Villa use wingers, he would be a great buy, although I think he suits Serie A much better.

Carew/Sutton as our big guys, so he doesn't have a place.

I'd rather spend £15m on Sneidjer, I don't want Babel at all.

He is probably going to Arsenal anyway:

If I get the chance one day to train with Arsene Wenger it would be a dream. From when I was young I supported Arsenal. I liked the style, the ambience, how they show themselves on the field - everything

Though Arsenal seem pretty cautious about buying young players for now.

Babel's too old for Arsenal. He'd probably bring their average age out of the teens.

And on a serious note, I KNOW that Wenger is watching this guy.

Thanks, I finally found something concerning boyth Milan and Arsenal, and if Henry left Arsenal and I still had his "this is my final contract" thing there...

Not as far as I know.
He recently wrote a column in the Arsenal magazine about the CL and other stuff, thats where I found the quote.
It's just a part of what he said about Milan, though.
I considered posting it, but I decided not to push it too far.

Thaksin aims to surpass United

The former Thailand Prime Minister has agreed an £81.6million deal with the City board to buy the Premier League club.

Having seen United dominate the Far East market, Shinawatra wants City to be in a position to compete with their neighbours.

"The Asian people, especially in Thailand and China, they like football very much," Shinawatra told Sky Sports News.

"They watch almost every Premier League match that is telecast live and my takeover will mean even more for the Asians to be watching more of the teams, especially Manchester City.

"We have a Chinese player in Sun Jihai in the team and Manchester City has to do more marketing in Asia, which in the past we have done very little.

"That is what my plan is going to be."

Regarding the prospects of being as popular as the reigning champions, Shinawatra added: "Yes (we can be as popular), in Asia especially.

"I think many Asian people know the club very well, but we still need to do more on the marketing and also the academy.

"I would like to set up an academy in different regions of the world, starting in Asia. I'd like an academy in China, an academy in Thailand or an academy in the Middle East."

BTW Birmingham bought striker Garry O'Connor from Lokomotiv Moscow

He's decent for Scotland, but he hasn't been at all good in Scotland or Russia, I don't see him coping in the EPL.

You will change your mind after he would trash Villa in the derby   Go Blues!!! 

If he's not a giant he won't fit in there, all they do is play long balls upto their big front men, they have no style. 

Next year we'll show some style   Villa who?

Watch this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7TKU9vj4wBE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VOlkkHmB7eE - Best own goal ever

We beat them in the most recent home game and away game, something we'll repeat this season. 

Dream on. There is only City in Birmingham!! 

Sven-Goran Eriksson is close to agreeing to take over as Manchester City manager, BBC Sport understands.

The 59-year-old former England coach is considering an offer from City's prospective new owner, former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

And a report in the Manchester Evening News also claims Eriksson will be unveiled at Eastlands early next week.

Manchester City had identified three other bosses had Eriksson declined Thaksin's offer.

It is understood the alternatives to Eriksson were Sevilla's Juande Ramos, former Porto and AZ Alkmaar coach Co Adriaanse and Blackburn's Mark Hughes
BBC

With a new owner and top manager Man City are moving in the right direction.

Eriksson at City? Bahahahaha. The red half of Manchester must be dancing.

Are you really English!?? 

Arrivederci Henry

Big loss for the Premiership, a coup for Barca and La Liga

I'm not bothered, I'm going to get to see Torres on the opening day of next season. 

Blues close on Alex the Duck
24 Jun 2007

Brazilian sensation Alexandre Pato is understood to be on the verge of joining Chelsea.

Chelsea have been fairly quiet in the transfer market this summer but reports suggest they could tie up an £18million move for Pato in the next few days.

The 17-year-old - nicknamed Alex the Duck - has produced some sparkling performances for Internacional in recent months and is tipped to become the next big thing in Brazil.

The likes of Benfica and Milan have been linked with Pato but Chelsea are keen to snap him up quickly.

They were initially expected to watch Pato in action at the upcoming Under 20 World Cup before deciding whether to bring him in.

But Chelsea also fear he could attract more interest with a good showing at the youth competition in Canada, and Pato's agent claims a move is imminent.

"A deal is almost done," Gilmat Veloz said in the News of the World.

Reports claim Chelsea have agreed to let Pato stay with Internacional until the end of the Brazilian season in December.


skysports

Carlos Tevez admits he is 'excited' by the possibility of interest from Arsenal.

The striker is considering his future, with West Ham United hoping to hang on to the Argentine after his influential end to last season.

He has been linked with Real Madrid and Internazionale, and has also suggested he is looking to join a big club over the summer.

Rumours have now claimed that Arsenal could move for Tevez following the departure of captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona.

Tevez, who is on Copa America duty with Argentina, concedes he would relish the chance of a move to Emirates Stadium as he is keen to stay in the Premier League.

"I know people are now talking about Arsenal and obviously that is something I am excited about," said Tevez in the Sun.

"It's another big club and the good thing is I wouldn't have to move out of London.

"I also already know English football and I like it.

"Arsenal's style is more technical than physical, so I could fit in no problem.

"My transfer is being talked about a lot. It's beautiful to be wanted by various clubs."

Sky Sports

Mourinho's Chelsea grip loosened by Grant role

Avram Grant has been appointed Chelsea's new sporting director, according to sources at the Premiership club.

The move, which is expected to be officially announced after 1 July, is a further sign of the tenuous grip that manager Jose Mourinho has on his own job. Crucially Grant will be given wide-ranging powers - including involvement in coaching, signing players and their recruitment.

Mourinho will not walk out, as he threatened to do when Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich first proposed employing Grant back in January as a means of improving the club's fortunes and getting more out of misfiring striker Andrei Shevchenko in particular. However, it will be fascinating to see how Mourinho copes with the new structure.

Grant will leave his current post as technical director of Portsmouth. It is understood that Grant, who had never previously worked outside Israel, has agreed a two-year contract.

The appointment of the 51-year-old is part of a significant reduction in Mourinho's influence at Chelsea which was prompted by the row between manager and owner last season. The role Grant will take is remarkable. It effectively recognises him as a good coach, a good judge of player and a confidant to Abramovich - something that will irk Mourinho.

Grant is said to be an urbane, charming character and has also build a strong bond with Frank Arnesen who has endured a difficult relationship with Mourinho since his own appointment as Chelsea's head of scouting and youth development. Grant was first introduced to Abramovich three years ago by the agent Pini Zahavi. He was then the coach of the Israeli national team and has since managed to get the ear of the Russian billionaire.

Abramovich has been planning for some time to change the way Chelsea is run having grown tired of Mourinho's antics and also puzzled as to why a manager at a football club traditionally holds so much power. He wants the power to be spread between a number of senior figures and coaches.

Quite how this will work in practice remains to be seen especially with a fiery character such as Mourinho, who has threatened to walk out in the past if there was any interference with his backroom staff. At one stage it was suggested that Mourinho should sack one of his assistants, Steve Clarke, to make room for Grant.

Mourinho was eventually willing to compromise once it transpired that Abramovich was contemplating sacking him in any case. Abramovich has since made clear that Mourinho must accept Grant if he wants to remain while Arnesen has also been given even greater control over player recruitment.

As part of that role the Dane was in Groningen on Saturday to watch the final of the Under-21s European Championship between the Netherlands and Serbia. It is understood that Arnesen was primarily watching the Serbian midfielder Bosko Jankovic.

Arnesen was accompanied by the Chelsea scout Hans Gillhaus and the pair were said to be impressed with the 23-year-old's performance even if Serbia were beaten. Jankovic, who plays for Real Mallorca, has enjoyed a fine tournament.

Arnesen will now travel to the Under-20 World Cup in Canada where he will monitor the Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, whose club Internacional are planning to cash in on the 17-year-old. Chelsea are also continuing to monitor developments with Lyon winger Florent Malouda.

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/pr...icle2710693.ece

Interesting snippet in the Italian press tonight (it's been reported in a couple of places). Apparently, Arsenal are very interested in Roma's Aquilani. And Roma is saying in no uncertain terms that he's NOT for sale.

I actually think its the other way around.
He's a good player, but not the player we need.

Well... it's modern... but I like the classic style much more...

Anyways. I hope it collapses the day after it's built... I don't want anyone dead, don't worry, just that sh!t down!

SISSOKO SIGNS NEW ANFIELD DEAL



Momo Sissoko has become the latest player to pledge his future to the Reds after signing a new four-year deal.

The Mali international had been linked with a summer move away from Liverpool but the player himself has denied he ever considered leaving Anfield.

After putting pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at the club until at least 2011 Sissoko told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was never in my thoughts to leave Liverpool.

"I read about the speculation linking me with other clubs but I am already at a big big club and it's an honour for me to be able to call myself a Liverpool player.

"I feel fresh and can't wait for the new season to start. I am injury-free and although I know I'll face a battle for a place in the team as we have so many great midfielders I'm prepared to fight for a position.

"It obviously gave me a huge boost to my confidence that the manager believes in me and wanted me to stay at the club. Now I want to repay him on the pitch."

Just look at Rafa's goatee.       

Bad boy. 

Sky Sports News understands Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a fee to sign Darren Bent from Charlton Athletic.

Bent has been strongly tipped to move to White Hart Lane after Charlton's relegation from the Premier League last season.

West Ham United matched the Addicks' valuation of the striker earlier this month, only for the England international to reject a move to Upton Park.

Reports have persisted in recent days that Spurs have been closing in on the signing of the former Ipswich Town marksman.

According to Sky Sports News, Bent is now expected to undergo a medical on Friday before agreeing personal terms with Spurs.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney told Sky Sports News earlier in the week that no other clubs had yet come up with an offer to match the asking price for the 23-year-old.

But it now appears that Spurs have met Charlton's demands, with previous reports suggesting West Ham had offered in the region of £17million.

If the North London club finalise a swoop for Bent, it would provide Martin Jol with an enviable forward line for next season, which also comprises Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe.

So it looks like both Keane and Defoe will leave, both stated many times last season they either play or leave, both will now be on the bench.

It's a long season. There is enough playing time for everyone. If you want to be in a top team you gotta accept that you not gonna play every time. Spurs isn't stupid to sell both Kean and Defoe. Thre is rotation and injuries. Look how many strikers Inter have

Opta Audit: Darren Bent

It seems increasingly likely that Darren Bent will opt to make the short move across the River Thames from Charlton Athletic to Tottenham this summer. The England forward has already attracted a firm bid from West Ham United but chose to decline the offer. The chance to move to Martin Jol's top five outfit seems to tempt the former Ipswich man a little more, however.

This Opta audit compares Bent's performances for the Addicks last season with those of the three main Tottenham forwards in 2006/07, and the results are interesting.

Firstly, looking at goals and the regularity of them, it is apparent that Robbie Keane was the main man last season. The Irish striker scored a goal every 150 minutes on average, making him far more predatory than Bent or Dimitar Berbatov. In their defence, however, the latter pair played much more often and both were the undoubted fulcrum in their respective side's attack. Furthermore, Bent outscored all of the Spurs strikers in 2006-07, despite playing for a side that finished second bottom.

Player Goals Mins per goal
Robbie Keane 11 150.1
Jermain Defoe 10 192.8
Darren Bent 13 220.5
Dimitar Berbatov 12 226.4


Berbatov gained a fearsome reputation in his first season in English football and much of that was due to the decisive impact he made on games. As seen in the table below, the Bulgarian scored four match-winning goals last season, one more than Keane and Bent managed.

Player Winning goals
Dimitar Berbatov 4
Robbie Keane 3
Darren Bent 3
Jermain Defoe 2


When it came to chances, Bent took exactly one in five last campaign, an excellent return. The only striker at Tottenham to better that was Keane who converted a superb 29% of his opportunities, truly a great return from the Irishman. Jermain Defoe, rumoured to be leaving Spurs if Bent arrives, had the poorest goals-to-shots ratio of the four players in this study.

Player Chance Conversion
Robbie Keane 29%
Darren Bent 20%
Dimitar Berbatov 15%
Jermain Defoe 14%


Finally we look at creativity, where Berbatov was peerless, having created nine goals for Spurs, including four for Defoe and two for Keane. Bent managed only one for Charlton but the Addicks were virtually a one-man team in 2006-07 with the onus on Bent to score the goals, not create them.

Player Goal Assists
Dimitar Berbatov 9
Robbie Keane 2
Darren Bent 1
Jermain Defoe 0


In conclusion, it seems clear that Darren Bent would be a quality addition to the Tottenham squad, though it seems infeasible that Spurs could also keep Berbatov, Keane and Defoe on the roster. If Bent does sign then it seems likely that his England colleague Defoe could be set for an exit.

Liverpool close to landing Torres
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Fernando Torres
Torres scored 14 goals last season for Atletico
Liverpool are on the brink of landing Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres in a club record £27m deal.

BBC Sport understands negotiations are almost complete for the 23-year-old Spain striker and boss Rafa Benitez is confident he has got his top target.

Atletico Madrid want Liverpool's Luis Garcia, but that move is independent of the Torres transfer.

Torres is currently on holiday until early July, but Benitez remains hopeful of having a deal in place by then.

Atletico are reluctant to sell, but Torres is believed to be keen to link up with Benitez.

Benitez wants to land Torres to provide a spearhead for an assault on the title - and also allow new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to demonstrate their own financial commitment to his plans.


606: DEBATE
Your views on Liverpool's attempt to sign Torres

Torres has been consistently linked with a move to England, particularly with Arsenal and Chelsea, but Liverpool are now set to win the race.

If he signs, he will join fellow countrymen Garcia, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso, as well as boss Benitez.

Atletico had earlier played down Liverpool's interest, with president Cerezo saying: "We've had no offer from Liverpool for Torres. He's on his holiday and resting.

"I repeat that there has been nothing about Torres from any team. We're now working to create a good team for the coming year."

However, Gil Marin, Atletico's major shareholder insisted that Torres is not irreplaceable.

"Nobody is indispensable. No player by himself, very good though he is, is able to make a team achieve its aims," Gil Marin said on Punto Radio.

"We have spoken to him and told him we would like him to stay. It is normal that he has doubts. It is normal that the offers and everything surrounding them has made him think."

Torres, 23, scored 14 league goals in 36 starts this season as Atletico finished seventh in La Liga.

The Spain international's Atletico contract runs until 2009.

Torres came up though the youth ranks at Atletico and has been their leading scorer in each of the last five seasons.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6239286.stm

Same on The Guardian: http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2114541,00.html

kurt, m1ke, Brilliant, English crew, etc: are these sources reliable?

40M/euros for F.Torres is huge.  I thought Liverpool would send Garcia back or so but never the buy-out clause.