Official Transfer Thread

[Different Cloud]

Rangers are in negotiations to bring Monaco defender Julien Rodriguez to Ibrox on a year-long loan deal, BBC Scotland understands.

Manager Alex McLeish has admitted he is still in the market for a central defender after Sotirios Kyrgiakos turned down the club's offer.

Rodriguez has two years left on his deal with the French club.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has been in Monaco trying to tie up the deal to sign the 27-year-old.

[FLiam]

Wenger wants to sign Viera, the Urugray number 1.

I hope he does, I have heard that he is very good, and he is only 22 so maybe he can be a long term goalkeeper for us.

And he also ruled us out of the running for Owen, saying we don't need a striker, which makes me think that he wanted Baptista to replace Vieira. But never mind.

Yeh, and Baptista completed his move to Madrid, bastard.

[Whisper]

I would love to see Owen in a United shirt and, while i've slated the guy on occasions, he proved last season that he's still got it. Also, if we did sign him surely Fergie would have to revert back to 4-4-2? Because i'm sure Owen wouldn't come just to sit on the bench and we saw last season that he wont leave Ruud out.

Edited August 1, 2005 by Whisper in the Wind

[Guest Pirate Chasin' Booty]

And he also ruled us out of the running for Owen, saying we don't need a striker, which makes me think that he wanted Baptista to replace Vieira. But never mind.

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Edited August 1, 2005 by muddatrucker

[AJ]

Funniest thing I'll hear today: Graeme Souness would like to bring Michael Owen to Newcastle.

"Viduka, Anelka and Owen are all top strikers," commented Souness. "That's not my opinion - the facts speak for themselves.

I dunno, I wouldn't put Viduka and Owen in the same category. Anelka is somewhere in the middle.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Spurs are gonna unveil Davids tomorrow according to talkSPORT radio on a one year contract.

Apparantly Souness said that "Owen is the sort of player Newcastle needs".

No kidding.

[public enemy]

Manchester United have loaned they're Reserves skipper, David Jones to Preston for a year. Jones looked great all last season for the reserves and showed good promise in the holding midfield role in the pre-season tour. Jones could have gotten a real chance this season with only Keane, Smith and perhaps Phill Neville above him in the pecking order for a first-team spot. With Kleberson also looking to be on his way out we could do with an extra midfielder now more than ever.

There's also apparently been no contact with Bayern over the sale of Ballack as of yet. The two clubs shared the same hotel while on they're respective far-east tours and talks were held between both managers with the transfer of Ballack reportedly not on the agenda.

[Summers]

United agree Ballack deal for 2006

Daniel Taylor

Tuesday August 2, 2005

The Guardian

Manchester United have put in place a deal that will see Michael Ballack add his considerable presence to the Premiership and replace Roy Keane as the leader of their midfield - but not until the start of the 2006-07 season.

Ballack wants to leave Bayern Munich after one final season in the Bundesliga and the preliminary details of a free transfer have been provisionally agreed for him to sign a pre-contract agreement at Old Trafford next January.

Article continues

The arrival of Germany's outstanding captain would represent a significant coup for Sir Alex Ferguson, who described Keane as "irreplaceable" at the weekend but may have to reconsider if he secures the services of a midfielder whose career incorporates 57 international caps plus 61 goals in 206 Bundesliga matches.

United believe they have a gentleman's agreement in place and, although that involves an element of risk, Ferguson and his chief executive David Gill have received firm assurances that Old Trafford is Ballack's preferred destination.

United can cite two reasons for not trying to bring Ballack to England a year earlier. The first is that Ferguson still believes Keane can be a dominant presence for one more season and that, despite their recent altercation about pre-season training arrangements, he does not go along with the tide of feeling that Keane can no longer hold his own at the highest level.

Of greater significance to the Glazer family, however, is the fact that Ballack will be a free agent this time next year whereas it would require a bid of around £8m, if not more, to tempt Bayern to sell their most inspirational player now rather than losing him for nothing in 12 months' time.

Since taking over at Old Trafford the Glazers have made it clear that there is money available for new signings but they do not like the idea of spending so much on a player so close to the end of his contract.

It is a calculated gamble on United's part that leaves them vulnerable to Bayern trying to persuade Ballack to sign a new contract. The midfielder, who will be 29 in September, is so highly regarded at the Olympiastadion it is inconceivable that Bayern's management will not make a concerted attempt to keep him at the club.

Alternatively, several of Europe's other leading clubs may attempt to gazump United in the five months before an official announcement can be made. Although Ballack is described as having made up his mind, he has not signed a contract or made any legal agreements that cannot be broken.

Ferguson, however, believes it is a risk worth taking, not least because it frees up money to be spent elsewhere on the team.

So far this summer United have signed the Holland international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from Fulham, the South Korean international winger Park Ji-sung from PSV Eindhoven and a reserve goalkeeper, Ben Foster, from Stoke City. There also remains the distinct possibility they could add Michael Owen to that list.

Ferguson hinted that there may be another deal before the transfer window closes on August 31. "You never know," he said. "It's a possibility. We are searching our minds but identification is no sweet thing."

Interesting.

[public enemy]

I read parts of that earlier, seems interesting enough if it is indeed more than speculation. If it is to be true, it's a good move on our part.

While we're arguably taking a huge risk, Ballack can still offer quite a lot to any team and even if he is only used as a temporary solution, it'll be a solution nonetheless to the inevitable exit of the 'irreplacable' Roy Keane.

[Thomas]

Owen for Everton!

Cam aaaaaan.

[therockbox]

Liverpool forward Anthony Le Tallec has joined Sunderland on loan for a year.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has struggled to establish himself at Anfield since moving to the club in 2002.

"At Liverpool it is very difficult to play every week, the coach Rafael Benitez told me that," Le Tallec told the Sunderland website.

Liverpool have also loaned out defender Carl Medjani to French first division side Metz for the 2005/06 season.

Last season Medjani, captain of France's Under-21 team, was on loan with French club Lorient.

The defender signed for Liverpool from Saint Etienne in 2003.

[lazy_arse]

Liverpool forward Anthony Le Tallec has joined Sunderland on loan for a year.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has struggled to establish himself at Anfield since moving to the club in 2002.

"At Liverpool it is very difficult to play every week, the coach Rafael Benitez told me that," Le Tallec told the Sunderland website.

Liverpool have also loaned out defender Carl Medjani to French first division side Metz for the 2005/06 season.

Last season Medjani, captain of France's Under-21 team, was on loan with French club Lorient.

The defender signed for Liverpool from Saint Etienne in 2003.

This could mean Baros is staying - or there's the possibility we may move for Owen.

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[therockbox]

Why snigger at Peter Crouch? He's got more of a chance of getting in the England team for next years World Cup than the likes of Defoe or Andy Johnson.

And you need four quality strikers. Morientes, Cisse and Crouch are three. Mellor's OK, but can't really be relied upon. Pongolle's the same, he's shown signs of being "the next Henry" (his turn against Arsenal that completely fucked Vieira over springs to mind), but, again, can't be relied upon.

Edited August 2, 2005 by The Rock Box

[fineintent]

Defoe is ahead of Crouch in the pecking order, but I still think Crouch is good - I would have liked him at Spurs to play with Defoe.

[lazy_arse]

But as fourth strikers Mellor and Pongolle are alright. It would need for two of the other three to be injured or something to allow them to play so I couldn't see them making more than ten appearances for you.

[botchedpiledriver]

Mellor needs to be sent somewhere on-loan for a season. Preferably Aston Villa.

[therockbox]

But as fourth strikers Mellor and Pongolle are alright. It would need for two of the other three to be injured or something to allow them to play so I couldn't see them making more than ten appearances for you.

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[FLiam]

Do Liverpool fans actually rate Neil Mellor highly?

I know he scored that goal against us but he really hasn't ever impressed me. He is very slow and seems very lazy when I watch him play. You should just flog him in my opinion. He doesn't look Premiership quality.

[lazy_arse]

Davids deal completed

[botchedpiledriver]

Do Liverpool fans actually rate Neil Mellor highly?

I know he scored that goal against us but he really hasn't ever impressed me. He is very slow and seems very lazy when I watch him play. You should just flog him in my opinion. He doesn't look Premiership quality.

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