Transfer Gossip and Opinion

Transfers News And Views: 28-08-2008

Chelsea are confident on Robinho, while the PFA enter the James Milner debate...

CHELSEA CONFIDENT ON ROBINHO
Who? - Robinho
Where is he? - Real Madrid
Who is he linked with? - Chelsea
Chelsea are confident of signing Robinho, but chief executive Peter Kenyon believes their pursuit of the Real Madrid star will 'go to the wire'. Kenyon has spoken of his belief that the £30million-rated Brazil international will be a Blues player before the transfer window closes on Monday following a pursuit that has stretched back to the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as the club's new manager on July 1. Scolari earmarked Robinho and Deco as players he wished to sign and the former Portugal coach is close to welcoming both players to Stamford Bridge following the previous acquisition of the latter. Real Madrid insist they have not given up hope of keeping Robinho in Spain, but Kenyon is confident of completing a deal for the 24-year-old forward. He said: "We are ever confident that it will get done, but we have always said it will go to the wire. We will keep moving it on and we hope that he will be joining us here at Chelsea. There were two players Luiz Felipe Scolari identified. One was Deco and one was Robinho and we have already seen the impact Deco has made on the Premier League. What we're doing is supporting Scolari in terms of how he wants to change the style and therefore we're very comfortable it will turn out to be a good investment. The manager is absolutely confident of the player's ability and that his mentality will fit in with Chelsea. He is different to what we had and I think it will be exciting for all Chelsea fans and the Premier League."

PFA HIT BACK IN MILNER DEBATE
Who? - James Milner
Where is he? - Newcastle United
Who is he linked with? - The exit door
The Professional Footballers' Association has hit back at Newcastle United's criticism of their unsettled midfielder James Milner. The Magpies spoke of their disappointment on Wednesday that the 22-year-old midfielder had submitted a transfer request just 12 months after signing a long-term contract. However, the PFA who represent Milner claim the criticism is unwarranted as the England Under-21 international had kept his position at the club and contract situation private over a period of time. Milner has been linked with moves to both Aston Villa and Liverpool this summer. "The PFA, who represent James Milner, are disappointed that information regarding his request for a move, and the circumstances surrounding it, have come to the public's attention, and we feel we have no option but to respond," deputy chief executive Mick McGuire told the association's official website. "The facts are that James' transfer request was actually handed in on Wednesday, August 20, at which point it was asked by Newcastle to keep the matter private. The request was given because the player was looking for an improvement on his contract that reflected his development and his value to the club. To clarify the situation, James did sign a contract 12 months ago. However, this agreement was reached with the club nearly 12 months previous at the point at which Newcastle had agreed to sell James to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day 2006 before cancelling the agreement at the 11th hour. Since then he has played over 80 games for Newcastle. All James wanted was a deal that reflected his development and that was in line with Newcastle's transfer valuation of him."

EVERTON AGREE CASTILLO DEAL
Who? - Segundo Castillo
Where is he? - Red Star Belgrade
Who is he linked with? - Everton
Everton have agreed a deal with Red Star Belgrade to sign Ecuador international Segundo Castillo. The 26-year-old midfielder will officially join the Toffees subject to passing a medical and the club acquiring a work permit. Castillo has won 33 international caps for Ecuador and was a member of their 2006 World Cup squad which faced England in Germany. "He is primarily a defensive midfield player but he has a willingness to join in the attack when the opportunity arises," read a club statement. His arrival follows the signing of Denmark international defender Lars Jacobsen earlier in the week. Speaking over the weekend, Toffees boss David Moyes revealed his frustration that he had been unable to add to his squad during the summer. "There is no way we will be able to survive at our current level if it continues like this," he warned. "It will be impossible to have any improvement this season if we do not improve the numbers greatly. We cannot sustain what we did last season, finishing fifth and having a good European run. We could not really sustain it when we were short of players from January onwards last season. Now we are more players short than then, so if we are in a worse position there is no way we can achieve again what we did last season."

SOUTHGATE: MIDO WILL STAY
Who? - Mido
Where is he? - Middlesbrough
Who is he linked with? - Wigan
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists Mido will remain at the Riverside Stadium despite reported interest from Wigan Athletic. The 25-year-old Egypt striker has scored three goals in his first three games this year following his return from long-term injury last season. Mido has started both of Boro's Premier League games this term on the bench which has led to reports that the former Spurs striker is unhappy on Teesside. However, Southgate is confident the nomadic striker, who started just eight league games during an injury-ravaged first season with the club, will remain in the north east. "Mido enjoys it here," he said. "The only thing he wants is to play football and he wants to be first choice, but he's also aware no club can guarantee him that. The reason he joined is he believes in what we're trying to do here and I think he can still play a big part in that. He's a big crowd favourite despite all the difficulties he had last season. He's a good player and we want those here. He's a talent and you want all your players to fulfil their talent. It's time he had a more settled period in his career and was at a club for a bit longer."

BROWN: WE NEED MORE STRIKERS
Who? - Strikers
Where are they? - Various
Who are they linked with? - Hull City
Hull City boss Phil Brown has revealed Tuesday's Carling Cup exit to Swansea City has highlighted the need to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes. The Tigers slipped to a 2-1 second round defeat at the hands of Championship opposition and Brown was unhappy with his side's lack of cutting edge. Marlon King has already joined the Premier League newcomers this summer on loan from Wigan Athletic. However, a move for former loan star Fraizer Campbell has stalled as the youngster is now part of the first team at Manchester United. "The defeat highlighted our need for a lot more strength in depth, and hopefully that will come before September 1," revealed Brown. "We don't want to get past the deadline having not signed anyone and then get sucked into a fight at the wrong end of the table."

CITY CLOSE ON ZABALETA
Who? - Pablo Zabaleta
Where is he? - Espanyol
Who is he linked with? - Manchester City
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Espanyol's Pablo Zabaleta, according to reports in Spain. The £5million-rated right-back or defensive midfielder is believed to be in talks with City officials and is expected to join the club ahead of Monday's transfer deadline. The 23-year-old has won a handful of caps for Argentina and was part of their gold medal winning squad at the Beijing Olympics. Zabaleta has also been linked with a move to Juventus this summer following three seasons with Espanyol. Meanwhile, City boss Mark Hughes remains hopeful of landing Shaun Wright-Phillips in a £9million deal with Chelsea. "We're obviously keen to bring him to the club if we can," he revealed. "It is a possibility. We're very hopeful. If it doesn't happen it won't be for want of trying." However, Hughes appears to have ended his interest in Craig Bellamy after the striker's current club, West Ham United, warned City off making a firm bid for the Wales international.

CELTIC IN FOR BROWN
Who? - James Brown
Where is he? - Hartlepool United
Who is he linked with? - Celtic
Hartlepool United manager Danny Wilson has admitted that he may struggle to keep hold of striker James Brown amid speculation linking him with a move to Celtic. Gordon Strachan was in the crowd as United beat West Brom in the second round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, and despite the player recently signing a new contract, Wilson knows the interest is unlikely to wane. "He has been linked to people, he will be and I'm sure he will be linked again these coming months under contract or not," he said. "It doesn't make any difference nowadays if you are under a long contract or short contract - people have to buy him anyway. All he has got to do is maintain that he plays well every week and everybody benefits, him included as well as us."

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