Jules
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Registered: 26th Nov 04
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Status: Happy
User status: Offline
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ARSENAL DEMAND £25M FOR COLE
Arsenal have reportedly demanded £25m for Ashley Cole after rejecting Chelski's opening bid of £16m for their want-away left-back.
After almost two years of speculation, it is understood that the two clubs finally opened talks on Monday. While Chelski's offer matches the fee stipulated in the escape clause added to Cole's contract last April, Arsenal informed their London rivals that they value the England full-back at £25m.
With talks underway, however, it remains just a matter of time before Cole completes his controversial move to west London. Despite public claims to the contrary, Arsenal are resigned to his departure following his public fall-out with the club following the 'tapping-up' furore last year.
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted last week that he was searching for a defender capable of playing at both centre-half and left-back. Chelski's William Gallas fits the bill, but, according to The Sun, Jose Mourinho is adamant that the Frenchman will not be sold in part-exchange for Cole. Wenger, meanwhile, has rejected Chelski's attempts to use Shaun Wright-Phillips as a makeweight in the move.
The Blues are therefore likely to spend in the region of £20m on Cole, stretching their summer spending beyond the £50m mark in transfer fees alone, leaving the Gunners with a severe defensive headache ahead of the new campaign.
The injury-plagued Gael Clichy is once again on the sidelines and isn't expected to return before September. Lauren would be another option but his return is scheduled for October. Despite returning to his favoured position of midfield in Arsenal's pre-season friendlies this month, Mathieu Flamini is the current favourite to replace Cole.
As for the England full-back himself, Chelski are set to bring negotiations over his personal terms to a swift conclusion by offering Mr Tweedy a £90,000-a-week wage – a three-fold increase in his salary in less than a year.
RUUD BACK...BUT STILL OFF
The Dutchman was back in training at Carrington like a good boy on Monday morning, but he is not expected to be there for long, with the Daily Mirror claiming that a £13.5m move to Bayern Munich will be sealed within days. The Germans moved into pole position after Real Madrid refused to budge from their original £10m offer.
But ManYoo's money will not be going on Fernando Torres as Atletico Madrid are standing firm on their £40m-plus valuation and the Spanish striker is said to fancy yet another season at his boyhood club.
PENNANT HEADING FOR LIVERPOOL
Birmingham bad boy Jermaine Pennant will join Liverpool in a £6m deal after the Anfield club doubled their original offer for one the game's nice guys. He's sure to get on well with his fellow new signing Craig Bellamy. Anyone fancy going to that Christmas party?
Meanwhile; Xabi Alonso has made it clear that he has no interest in leaving the club despite the interest of Real Madrid. But goalkeeper Scott Carson does look set to leave - for Portsmouth on loan, while Salif Diao is on trial at Charlton with a view to a switch.
POMPEY KEEP TRYING TO SPEND
Harry Redknapp is certainly having a good crack at trying to spend Sacha Gaydamak's money, with Argentine defender Juan Pablo Sorin on his wanted list. The defender is also on the wanted lists of Bolton and Inter Milan though.
'Arry is also casting an eye over to Chelsea's utility man Geremi, says The Times, while they are also willing to pay £4m to Manchester City for Sylvain Distin after missing out on Sol Campbell and Curtis Davies.
AND THE REST
West Ham are close to agreeing a £750,000 deal for Colchester's England under-20 defender Greg Halford...Blackburn have taken Chilean free agent midfielder Jorge Acuna on trial...Reading are ready to join the race to sign Fulham contract rebel Steed Malbranque...Julio Arca is close to agreeing a £2m move from Sunderland to Middlesbrough...Barnsley hope to land Sheffield United striker Geoff Horsfield on a season-long loan...Former Newcastle defender Robbie Elliott is to join Leeds on a free transfer...Middlesbrough will make a £2.5m move for Blackburn winger Brett Emerton but West Ham and Fulham also want him...West Ham boss Alan Pardew is lining up a bid for Newcastle winger James Milner.
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Cosmo
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Registered: 29th Mar 01
Location: Im the real one!
User status: Offline
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He's always had great games against us in the past, could be another good buy for the right price.
Still...I wouldnt listen to F365, not the most reliable source!
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