Question:

Chelsea Reveal Interest In Batistuta
05/22/2003. Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has revealed an Interested in signing Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta.
The 34-year-old legend seems to have been offered to the Blues, who would be able to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.
Batistuta was loaned out to Inter Milan by Roma earlier this season, but has failed to capture anything close to resembling his best form.
Qatar based Al Arabi have recently been strongly linked with signing Batistuta, although the player has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premiership before he ends his career.
A move to Chelsea could suit Batistuta, as the London club are in the Champions League and coached by Ranieri, who was in charge of his old club Fiorentina between 1994 and 1997.
Ranieri said: "We need players with more experience so we can do better in the Champions League.
"I also think he could be a success in the Premiership, despite his age, because football is so attacking in England.
"We are preparing various signings for next season but within the confines of what we can afford. Some are very advanced. Batistuta has been offered to us but the deal is not done yet.
"I know South American players well and I do not think that if Batistuta came here it would be just to earn more money."

Answer:


Chelsea Reveal Interest In Batistuta
05/22/2003. Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has revealed an Interested in signing Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta.
The 34-year-old legend seems to have been offered to the Blues, who would be able to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.
Batistuta was loaned out to Inter Milan by Roma earlier this season, but has failed to capture anything close to resembling his best form.
Qatar based Al Arabi have recently been strongly linked with signing Batistuta, although the player has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premiership before he ends his career.
A move to Chelsea could suit Batistuta, as the London club are in the Champions League and coached by Ranieri, who was in charge of his old club Fiorentina between 1994 and 1997.
Ranieri said: "We need players with more experience so we can do better in the Champions League.
"I also think he could be a success in the Premiership, despite his age, because football is so attacking in England.
"We are preparing various signings for next season but within the confines of what we can afford. Some are very advanced. Batistuta has been offered to us but the deal is not done yet.
"I know South American players well and I do not think that if Batistuta came here it would be just to earn more money."

Answer:


Maccabi Haifa Buy Dante Lopez
05/22/2003. Reports in Italy and in Israel have stated that Maccabi Haifa have bought Cerro Porteno striker, Dante Lopez. The 19-year-old is excepted to sign a contract for 4 years at the club.
The Paraguayan under 21 international player can play as a striker or attacking midfielder. Lopez was also once linked with Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Maccabi Haifa's officials refused to say that he has signed for the club but Cerro Porteno president, Carlos Susa Jublanos said: "I can confirm that Dante Lopez was sold to an Israeli team."

Answer:


Chelsea To Sign Up Macho
05/22/2003. Chelsea are to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jurgen Macho on a free transfer.
The Austrian is to be released when his contract expires at the end of June, when he will sign a two year contract with the Blues.
Macho emerged as a hero midway through the season after performing heroics in Sunderland's goal following injuries to Thomas Myhre and Thomas Sorensen. He was previously on the transfer list, but went on to make 24 appearances for the Black Cats.
However, despite his form he slipped back to third choice once the more established keepers returned from injury.
His agent, Frank Schreier, said: "He knows he will not be No.1 at Chelsea but if he can play 15 to 20 matches, that would be OK for now.
"He wants regular football. He loves the Premiership and wants to stay there, if possible. Chelsea are a great club."
Chelsea are in need of cover from Carlo Cudicini after Mark Bosnich's acrimonious exit and the imminent departure of the ageing Ed De Goey.

Answer:


Aston Villa And Leeds In Battle To Sign McCann
05/22/2003. Leeds and Aston Villa are understood to be the frontrunners to sign Gavin McCann from Sunderland.
The £2.5m midfielder is widely expected to leave the Black Cats following their relegation from the Premiership.
Former Sunderland boss Peter Reid is said to be keen on making the player his first signing as Leeds manager, although he now faces competition from former Elland Road chief David O'Leary, who was appointed Villa's boss earlier this week.

Answer:


Zamora's Agent Confirms Spurs' Interest
05/22/2003. Bobby Zamora's agent has confirmed that Tottenham are interested in signing the Brighton striker.
Spurs were said to be on the verge of offering £2.5m for the 22-year-old earlier this week, although Zamora's representative Phil Smith has denied a bid has been placed.
Zamora was unable to prevent Brighton from being relegated from the first division this season and the Seagulls are likely to have to cash in on their star player.
Smith said: "There's no point denying Spurs are interested.
"Glenn Hoddle's been to see him play on a number of occasions but it hasn't progressed at this stage.
"No offers have gone in yet so we'll see if a big club comes forward and puts an offer in.
"There is interest so now we have to gauge the level of interest and see if it amounts to anything.
"To be totally honest, the top and tail of it is that it will have to be a Premiership club to put together the kind of deal that will take him out of Brighton."

Answer:


Perugia Want Gaddafi Son
05/22/2003. Perugia president Luciano Gaucci says that he is interested in signing the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He will meet Al-Saadi Gaddafi -who plays for, and also owns, Tripoli-based club Al-Ittihad- this week to discuss a transfer.
"This is not a publicity stunt or about money," Gaucci was quoted as saying in the Gazzetta dello Sport. "This is about football, full stop. I'm convinced he could make the grade in Italy."
Gaddafi is also a shareholder of Juventus.

Answer:


Inter Back In For Kily
05/23/2003. Inter are one again interested in signing Kily Gonzalez, a player they were strongly linked with last summer.
The Argentine looks destined to leave Valencia this summer, with the club keen to get his £1.5 million-a-season wages off their payroll.
He has also fallen out with coach Rafa Benitez in the past, while this season has been a major disappointment due to injury.

Answer:


Everton Finally Complete Yobo Signing
05/23/2003. Everton have finally completed the signing of Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo.
Yobo has spent this season on loan at Goodison Park from Marseille, but has now signed a four-year contract with the Toffees.
Everton had reached an aggreement with Marseille at the turn of the year, but a dispute between the player and the French club delayed the completion of the move.
Yobo has cost Everton £4.5m, of which £1m has already been paid by David Moyes' side.
"Joseph Yobo has now reached an agreement with Marseille and we expect the deal to be sealed within 24 hours. "He is now our player," Everton chief executive Micheal Dunford told the club's official website.

Answer:


West Ham Aim To Keep Homegrown Quartet
05/23/2003. West Ham have revealed that they are aiming to keep homegrown quartet Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson.
Cole and Defoe have been strongly linked with moves away from the Hammers following their relegation from the Premiership.
However, Trevor Brooking, who acted as caretaker manager for the final three matches of the season, insists the club are aiming to keep all four players.
The loss of Premiership revenue will certainly require West Ham to sell a number of their first team players. The likes of David James, Trevor Sinclair and Freddie Kanoute are now more likely to leaving Upton Park.
Brooking said: "All the academy players are the ones the fans would like us to keep, with young Glen Johnson coming through, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe, and Joe - the quartet are ones we would like to retain if we are going to bounce back, but we will have to see how the summer progresses."
The club have already released Lee Bowyer and Paolo Di Canio, while they have also rejected a transfer request from Defoe in what promises to be a frantic summer of transfer activity at the club.

Answer:


Berger Set For Leeds Move
05/23/2003. Patrick Berger is understood to have sealed a move to Leeds United, which could pave the way for Harry Kewell to be sold.
The Czech Republic winger is available on a free transfer after his contract with Liverpool expired. His agent has confirmed that he has struck a deal with a Premiership club, which is widely believed to be Leeds.
Pavel Paska told the Czech daily Sport: "We're waiting for final negotiations with bosses of a Premiership club. But we've agreed we won't say which one just yet."
The 29-year-old has rarely featured in the last two seasons due to a string of injuries, although became a fans favourite at Anfield during his seven years at the club.

Answer:


Bowyer Completes Newcastle Move
05/23/2003. Newcastle have completed the signing of Lee Bowyer on a free transfer, after the midfielder signed a four-year contract with the Magpies.
The former Leeds United player was available on a free transfer after he was released from West Ham United following a short spell at Upton Park.
Newcastle had been tipped to sign the 26-year-old earlier this week, but a number of other clubs were said to be interested in the player, which prompted chairman Freddie Shephard to move quickly.
Bowyer links up with former Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate, who moved from Elland Road in January.
A Newcastle spokesman confirmed: "Freddy Shepherd and Sir Bobby Robson met with the player yesterday to finalise matters.
"They are confident that Lee will be an asset to Newcastle United.
"The club is moving forward to a new era with confidence as it continues to build on its recent successes in the transfer market, developing a talented array of players within its squad."

Answer:


Sunderland Hand Bjorklund Free Transfer
05/23/2003. Sunderland have handed Joachim Bjorklund a free transfer as Mick McCarthy continues his rebuilding at the Stadium of Light.
The Swedish international was signed by Peter Reid for £1.5m from Valencia less than 18 months ago, but is to be allowed to leave for nothing as the club try to slash their wage bill following their relegation.
The Black Cats have already told high profile players Emerson Thome, Phil Babb and Thomas Myhre that they can leave for nothing, while Jurgen Macho has agreed to join Chelsea when his contract expires.

Answer:


The Rumour Mill: Anyone want an England striker?
The Sunderland idol wants out of his relegated clubs but where will he go? Phillips himself is said to want to play in the Premiership – but whether the Premiership clubs want him is difficult to say. We look at the likely candidates to snap up the goal-getter.
Tottenham: The link between Spurs and Phillips is as old as Teddy Sheringham. The fact that Phillips is a London boy adds weight to the rumour. And to the untrained eye, the rumour becomes a certainty when remembered that Tottenham desperately need a forward having dumped the aforementioned Sheri, along with Rebrov and Ferdinand. However, think again. Spurs are said to be following Brighton hot-shot, Bobby Zamora and he seems their first choice target.
Middlesbrough: The Boro need a regular forward to blast them from mid table anonymity into top six contenders. Considering that Kevin Phillips won't have to move house, the transfer would be a smooth affair for both parties. Chairman, Steve Gibson, has an open cheque book policy – so the rumour has legs. Only one leg mind you, which is why this rumour won't run. Boro have a pyramid full of strikers in Maccarone, Job, Nemeth, Ricketts, Christie and Whelan. There are only so many forwards McClaren can play.
Southampton: The Saints already have a goal-machine in James Beattie and Gordon Strachan may be attracted by the possibility of pairing the former Blackburn striker with Phillips. A Beattie – Phillips axis looks impressive on paper – but would it work? I reckon so. Phillips was at his most dangerous alongside beanpole Irishman, Niall Quinn. Beattie is particularly menacing in aerial combat, whilst Phillips has the alertness to snaffle up knock downs. Southampton do need a striker, Brett Ormerod, has not done enough to prove Premiership calibre and Marian Pahars is struggling to detach himself from the Saint's treatment table.

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Birmingham Enquire About David Dunn
05/23/2003. Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in Blackburn's David Dunn.
The former England U-21 star is likely to be sold by Rovers after rejected a new contract earlier this week.
Birmingham are set to offer Graeme Souness a club record £5.5m for one of his brightest talents, which they are likely to accept.
The 23-year-old fell out with Souness midway through the season, but returned to form to help Blackburn to qualify for the Uefa Cup.
Chelsea are said to be interested in the attacking midfielder having missed out on Lee Bowyer to Newcastle United.
"Yes, David Dunn is one we are looking at," Bruce confirmed to the the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
"He fits the bill in that he's a talented and exciting player and he's young, too, which is typical of what we want.
"I'm a great admirer of his and we have made an enquiry about him."

Answer:


Batistuta Between Fiorentina And Chelsea
05/23/2003. Where is Omar Gabriel Batistuta going to play in the 2003/2004 season? At the moment, his future is uncertain: the Argentinean striker is willing to play for two more seasons, possibly at a high level, but not necessarily: in fact, there's a slim chance that Bati will spend the last part of his glorious career with the most important club of his life.
During last Monday's friendly match between the old Fiorentina champions and the new team who just got promoted from the Serie C2, the fans continuously cheered at him, showing that their love is still alive.
At the end of the match, Batistuta had a chat with shoe tycoon and club's owner Diego Dalla Valle, expressing his will to wear the Viola jersey, even in the Serie C1. However, this dream will hardly come true: Bati's wage would just be way too high for the standards of the third Italian division.
Sources say that on Monday Bati had a phone talk with current Chelsea manager and former Fiorentina coach Claudio Ranieri. If the player and the club will reach an agreement, there's a big chance that Batistuta will spend the last two seasons of his career at Stamford Bridge.

Answer:

hmmm... wat about man utd signing the goalkeeper news?

Answer:


Manchester United Pursue Another American With Friedel Off Limits
05/22/2003. With Blackburn publicly stating American international Brad Friedel is not for sale, Manchester United appear keen on Friedel's compatriot Tim Howard of the MetroStars.
The 23-year old 'keeper is the heir-apparent to the throne ruled so well by Friedel and Tottenham 'keeper Kasey Keller for the past five years.
A bid in the range of $1.5 to $2 million US dollars has been reported but Major League Soccer, who own Howard's contract, have been mum on any specifics.
Howard would circumvent the non-EU status that plagues many American natives because he can obtain a Hungarian passport from his mother's side.

Answer:


Bruce Ready To Commit Future To Birmingham
05/26/2003. Birmingham City's manager Steve Bruce is set to sign a new contract with the club that will keep him at St Andrew's for five more years.
Bruce was offered the new deal at a board meeting at the end of the season.
And although he has not yet signed the contract, he announced on his return from a break in Dubai with his staff that he now intended to put pen to paper.
"We talked about a new contract during the meeting, which was pleasing," Bruce told the Birmingham Evening Mail.
"We agreed everything in principle and I can't see there being any problems. It's just a question of tying up the loose ends which, hopefully, will be soon.
"I think people know how I feel about this club and the fact that I've been looking for some security for me and my staff.
"I've not wanted to go anywhere else and I'm pleased we've sorted something out."'
Birmingham finished in a highly creditable 13th place in the first ever season in the Premiership, and Bruce won plaudits for his management of the Blues – particularly for his additions to the squad during January's transfer window, at a time when Birmingham looked to be heading for a relegation battle.

Answer:


Sensi Again Speaks Of Roma's Transfer Plans
05/26/2003. AS Roma president Franco Sensi has once again spoken out about the club's transfer plans.
"We will make four signings," he said. "In fact we've already completed two in Olivier Dacourt and Brazilian winger Mancini who is at Venezia.
"We will then buy either Nicola Legrottaglie or Cribari for the defence. While in attack we want Mido, the Ajax man who is currently at Celta Vigo on loan."
Legrottaglie has had a fine season for Chievo, while Cribari plies his trade with Empoli.
Meanwhile, Sensi also hinted that the future of coach Fabio Capello is not certain.

Answer:


Walem Joins Torino
05/26/2003. Former Parma and Udinese midfielder Johan Walem has signed a two-year contract with Torino.
"I'm starting a new life as I am returning to Italy to play in Serie B which is a new experience for me," said the Belgian who joins from Standard Liege.
"I didn't want to really leave but I didn't have too much of a choice or a say in the situation."