Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in signing Sol Campbell on a free transfer.
Campbell, who is out of contract after the conclusion of the short-term deal which took him back to Arsenal in January, has held talks with both the Black Cats and Celtic over his next career move.
Sunderland are on the lookout for experience down the spine of their team after agreeing to sell club captain Lorik Cana to Galatasaray on Thursday.
"I have known Sol Campbell for a lot of years and it was nice to see him," Bruce told the Sunderland Echo.
"We had a catch-up to see what his ideas are and what he is up to.
"It was pretty positive stuff and we will see what happens."
Meanwhile, Bruce has also revealed that a potential move for Schalke and Germany defender Heiko Westermann has not been totally abandoned.
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"I've a number of irons in the fire," Bruce continued."The situation with Westermann was complicated because the boy got injured at the end of last season.
"But there is still interest there. We have made a bid but that hasn't come to anything at the moment."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The transfer window is obviously an integral part of any football season. It can make or break a player, a manager or even a whole team. In the summer months, build up to the new season starts as soon as the old one finishes with fans around the world anxious to forget any disappointments and look forward to better times with renewed optimism. However, it isn’t long before this optimism turns to over-excitement, and then to anxious waiting, which finally turns to impatience, all stemming from the many positive and negative factors which the transfer window brings. It’s probably the most schizophrenic period for any football fan as it contains the power to both delight and despair, in equal measures. In view of the love/hate relationship we have with this period I bring you the 10 best and worst aspects of it. You’ll hate it/love it!
Click on the football transfers image below to browse the ten aspects!
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Compiled by Jimmy Areabi
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Forgive me if I’ve missed something, but it would seem recently that the whole of the football hierarchy has gone completely mad. Let me tell you what I know, and please correct me if I’m wrong: Chelsea’s Ashley Cole shoots someone, but is ‘highly unlikely to face any further action’. Wayne Rooney lands a blatant elbow in the face of an opposing player but we should all just forget about it because it was a ‘simple coming together’. On the other hand, we are being told to sharpen our pitch-forks in the hunt for the real ‘bad-men’ of the game – Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. What did they do wrong? Well, the worst offence in sport of all of course, they called somebody a bad name. Dear, oh dear…
Yes, I know, we should all be respecting the referee and other participants of this most civilised of games. But when did we all become so soft? I’m not condoning what either Ferguson or Wenger have recently been saying, and to be honest, I too am tiring of hearing their constant moaning. Let’s be honest, Arsenal were outclassed by Barcelona, that’s the be-all and end-all and Manchester United were nowhere near good enough to take anything away from the games at Chelsea or Liverpool. Anyway, that’s another debate. My point is, hasn’t anyone ever heard of the phrase, ‘sticks and stones’? It would appear not.
This argument is all relative, of course. Compare what is going to happen to the United and Arsenal managers, compared to what has happened to Rooney and Cole. It’s ridiculous. Samir Nasri has recently become another victim of these double standards, as he also called the official in Barcelona a naughty word. Nasty Nasri!
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Let me put it into context. Ashley Cole has been given a slap on the wrist and probably will have to do some fake PR stunt for shooting work placement student, Tom Cowan, with an air rifle. Nine years ago at Sunderland, John Oster ended the career of a young full-back, Mark Maley, by shooting him in the eye with the very same type of weapon. Both have claimed they didn’t know it was loaded. Well, that’s okay, then! The Chelsea star should be thanking his lucky stars his victim wasn’t more seriously hurt and isn’t now milking the incident for every penny he can get his hands on. The shooting has been taken out of the FA’s hands somewhat by the Police. But now they have decided they can’t be bothered with the scrutiny charging a famous footballer brings, surely now the game’s governing body should stand up and make a point of such idiotic behaviour? Or are they just waiting for Cole to call him a pudding before they take action?
It all stinks of double standards. We could even go further and look at the hype surrounding the mess of the Old Firm at the moment. Am I the only one thinking the Scottish government have more important things to discuss other than how to get Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist to make ‘friends, make friends never, ever, break friends‘? Apparently they’ve been meeting because the clash of the SPL’s two biggest sides brings about increased levels of domestic violence, but experts have proved this wrong and labelled the powers that be ‘lazy’ for laying the blame at football’s door.
There are some real issues that need sorting in football, and I for one am bored of the FA wasting their time making an example of the big names just because they have been found guilty of being ‘disrespectful’. If that is the buzz word of the season, let me ask another question: is diving not disrespectful to your opponent? Isn’t cheaply elbowing someone, or lunging in with an intentional two-footed challenge also not slightly disrespectful? By all means, if these issues are all sorted, then move on to finding out who called who a name first and then show us highlights of Wenger and Ferguson shouting “but he started it!” at each other. It might actually interest and amuse me then.
For the time being though, maybe it’s time the FA had a quick glance in the mirror before they charge Fergie and co with another bout of ‘improper conduct’. The only thing that is ‘improper’ is they insist on tackling an issue which isn’t really a priority. Managers like Wenger and Ferguson do need to grow up a little and accept that they are not going to win every game, but I’m getting bored of seeing them get in trouble for showing a little passion for the game. Mind you, if they want to escape further punishment, maybe they should just shoot the ref after a game if they aren’t happy. Sticks and stones, and all that…
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Want to help me putting the FA to rights? Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@joino
As with previous tournaments it was left to a Spurs player to bail the country out with a decisive strike; Jermain Defoe dispelled this Heskey and England striking myth, whilst almost certainly guaranteeing a starting place against the Germans. On the home front there hasn’t been much to report, although Harry has once again declared his hopes of snapping up Joe Cole.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Tottenham blogs which has included…Why Michael Dawson is the better option for England; Spurs have ensured the PL worm has turned and why Harry should not contemplate deal for the ‘Beast’.
Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.
Defoe debunks this England myth
World class striker will go a long way in seeing Tottenham succeed
Michael Dawson is surely the better option…isn’t he?
Have Spurs ensured the PL worm has started to turn?
Liverpool fans should look to Spurs as appearences can be deceiving
Should Harry be contemplating a Brazilian?
Is Tasci deal a luxury Tottenham could do without?
The Top TEN Premier League ‘dirtiest’ players
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Best of Web
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An explosion of glory – Dear Mr Levy
Flashback: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
Champions League Qualifying Round – How It All Works for Spurs – Triffic Tottenham
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Who Needs Cole When We Can Upgrade to a Honda? – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
Champions League Fixture Build-Up – Dear Mr Levy
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Click image below to see a gallery of the SPANISH babes at the World Cup:
Fulham booked their spot in the Championship playoff final with a 2-0 win over Derby County in the second leg of their semi-final on Monday night.
Derby took a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their last-four tie, but goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Denis Odoi at Craven Cottage saw the capital outfit record a 2-1 aggregate success.
Sessegnon’s goal and indeed performance took a lot of the attention once again, but there is no question that Tom Cairney’s display in the middle of the park was a key contributor in the Cottagers advancing to the final.
Cairney has been strongly linked with a move away from Fulham, with Newcastle United and Leicester City among the Premier League clubs believed to be interested.
Both would have been watching the 27-year-old closely on Monday night, and it proved to be another fine performance from the midfielder.
Cairney, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, managed two shots and three dribbles during his time on the field, but it was his use of the ball that made the biggest impression on the night.
Indeed, a pass success rate of 93%, coupled with 87 accurate passes and 108 touches are very impressive numbers for a central midfielder in a match of such magnitude.
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Derby did not make it easy for Cairney to find space, but the former Leeds United youngster was so calm in possession, and a lot of Fulham’s good work went through the midfielder.
Fulham will now be bidding to win the Championship playoff final, and they will surely need to secure Premier League promotion this season to stand any chance of keeping one of the most talented players outside of the top flight.
The January transfer window is upon us and for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, it’s a chance to refresh an already talented squad with some new talent, while also shipping out a few players surplus to requirement.
While the Hoops may not be quite hitting the heights of last term, they’re still in a dominant position in Scottish football and have plenty of resources to improve even further after banking another season’s worth of UEFA Champions League cash.
However, Brendan Rodgers has spoken at length previously about his desire not to have too bloated a squad and so moving on players currently not getting a game will be seen as just as important before January comes to a close.
Who should the Hoops be saying goodbye to this month?
These are the THREE players who don’t have a future at Celtic Park…
Erik Sviatchenko
Erik Sviatchenko initially looked like a smashing signing for the Hoops, when he joined from FC Midtjylland in January 2016. Initially one of the few decent performers in the second half of Ronny Deila’s last season, he was also a firm fixture in the Celtic side when Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club.
For the past 12 months though he’s struggled not just with injuries but also form when available and has made just two appearances for the Hoops all season.
Having been fit to play for a number of weeks now without being selected, there seems to be little scope for him to return to the starting eleven and become a reliable defender and so moving him on seems like the best option for all concerned.
Still just 26 years old and with caps for Denmark, he’d likely have some resale value, which could be the difference between Celtic signing a quality player and not before the end of the transfer window.
Cristian Gamboa
Cristian Gamboa is another player in Brendan Rodgers’ squad that has made just two appearances this season and appears to be struggling to find a future at Celtic Park.
The Costa Rican international has never been a first pick at the Hoops, with the experienced and popular Mikael Lustig holding down his first team place consistently, even through patches of a poor form.
He’s only made 23 appearances in total since joining from West Brom in 2016 and with 18 months left of his contract, now would be the right time to realise any transfer value in the player.
Rodgers has cover for Lustig in the form of youngster Anthony Ralston and arguably needs to bring in another right-back to compete for first team places. Gamboa isn’t and will likely never be that player.
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Liam Henderson
Liam Henderson has had an interesting career to this point, winning trophies with three clubs in two countries despite being still just 21 years of age.
However, his career has stalled at Celtic, failing to make a single start for Brendan Rodgers this season and appearing just once from the substitute’s bench.
A talented and packed Hoops midfield has meant the youngster has been frozen out of regular football and a once promising player at Celtic Park now looks like having to move elsewhere to reach his potential. There are five or six players ahead of him in the pecking order and he’s shown little sign of breaking that pack.
There is undoubtedly talent there, but perhaps not at the level Celtic require.
It has been a quiet summer on the transfer front for new man David Moyes at Manchester United. He has often been seen flirting with the possibility of a big name capture for the Premier League club, but as yet nothing appears to have materialised. By contrast, reports have been rife linking star forward Wayne Rooney with a potential move away from Old Trafford.
Is Moyes’ reluctance to sell borne out of a fear of an inevitable PR storm?
The Scot is definitely learning things the hard way on the transfer front. Used to a shoe-string budget under Bill Kenright at Everton, the abundance of riches at United must now have come as something as a shock.
He has been stung by a series of transfer snubs and poorly handled approaches that have undermined his managerial credibility already. Yes it is incredibly early to start criticising his regime, but the reality is time doesn’t stop for Moyes here and this summer has already been fraught with disappointment.
His suggestions that he would let Baines and Fellaini go if he was still Everton manager shows that the Scot has a lot to learn:
“I definitely do but I also know that if I’d been Everton manager and Sir Alex had come asking for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, I’d have found it very difficult to keep them because I always felt the right thing to do was what was right for the players.”
This was coupled with a derisory offer that was quickly laughed off by the ‘toffees’, a bid that was unlikely to secure one of their stars and clearly not two of them.
United fans have been showered by sponsorship announcements this summer, but left totally bereft of news regarding player acquisitions.
So was Moyes’ insistence on holding onto Wayne Rooney simply a means to retaining some of his credibility this summer?
The loss of Wayne Rooney to a Premier League rival would have been a fans worst nightmare. Whatever you think about Rooney, his goal scoring record at United speaks for itself and a few more years at the club and he is fast on the way to achieving something close to legendary status.
Mourinho has already blamed Moyes for the spiralling transfer debacle saying:
“We are trying to get a player that the manager told ‘you will be a second option’. We are not going for (Robin) van Persie.”
Clearly the blame for the loss of Rooney would fall most heavily on Moyes, something that he just cannot afford to bear at this current moment.
Gary Neville shared a similar view reflecting on Monday Night’s performance, having the following to say to Sky:
“Clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United have got to be strong. If they don’t stand strong then we’re done, finished and we might as well all pack in. I don’t think they’re going to sell Wayne Rooney in this next week because it will make them look weak – and they’re not weak.”
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In what has been a summer of intense transfer frustration for United, surely losing Rooney to a divisional rival would have not only made Moyes look weak but the club as a whole as well. This is something that an institution like Manchester United just will not let happen.
It may not seem desperate yet, but the coming weak could prove to be crucial for the success of Moyes’ tenure at United. The club have the same squad that won them the title last year, but for someone carving out a new era at the club this simply isn’t enough.
The need for a marquee signing is more a political statement now than it is a footballing one for Moyes. Whilst retaining Wayne Rooney saved his dignity in the short-term, the capture of a world-class name is paramount for Moyes’ reputation going forward.
Mesut Ozil was already a name touted, but today he has reasserted his desire to stay at Madrid. Who is next on the agenda for Moyes and United now? Whoever it is, Moyes definitely needs to firmly stamp his mark on playing personnel before the window shuts or the pressure on him will only ramp up.
Who should United make their marquee summer signing this week?
Clint Dempsey has spoken of his relief at moving to Tottenham but said he is “disappointed” over his treatment at fellow London-based club Fulham.
The American striker had been expected to move to Liverpool on the final day of the transfer window, only for Spurs to seal a £6m deal. The 29-year-old expressed his feelings on matters in an interview with The Guardian:
“I’m very relieved and looking forward to getting back to playing. I think the team is a perfect fit. They qualified for a place last season for the Champions League but missed out on a technicality. But it’s still in London. My family doesn’t have to move far. My daughter, she can go to another international school and be on the same curriculum. It couldn’t have worked out any better in that regard.”
Dempsey led Fulham with 23 goals last season and has long spoken of his desire to play at the highest level – the Champions League. Tottenham finished fourth in the Premier League but missed out on getting into the competition after Chelsea won the title and the last qualifying spot.
“I’m disappointed in the way I was portrayed in the end with Fulham. I always wanted to play at the highest level possible. That was never a secret. That’s something I always said. It would be a dream of mine to play Champions League and you want to play on the best team possible to try to get there. That’s definitely a team with a lot of quality in it but now it’s all about the team that I’m with.”
The saga started over the summer, when Dempsey was linked with Liverpool with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers inquiring about his availability. The Fulham manager, Martin Jol, said Dempsey had refused to play for the club, one of the salvos from both parties that led to Dempsey tweeting that there were two sides to the story. Dempsey said he was simply relieved to look ahead.
“There were some things that were said that weren’t true. That’s in the past. It’s about looking towards the future. I’m looking forward to playing with Tottenham. It’s a great team, a great club.”
As reported by The Sun, Callum McGregor has emerged as a summer transfer target for two English Premier League sides.
What’s the story?
McGregor has emerged as one of the most important players at the Hoops in recent years, rising from bit part fringe player to a trusted member of Brendan Rodgers squad.
Inevitable then that he would be linked with a move away from Glasgow ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Sun report he is a £10m target for both Bournemouth and Watford this summer.
The paper reckon Cherries boss Eddie Howe is a big fan while the Hornets have been scouting him through former Hoops striker Tommy Johnson.
With three years left on his contract at Celtic Park though, is he likely to be leaving his boyhood heroes anytime soon?
Will he move to the Premier League?
With 11 goals and eight assists this season, McGregor has played a massive part in securing the club’s seventh successive Scottish Premiership title.
With competition for midfield fierce at the Hoops, the Scotland international holds his own with regular starts and appearances, showing huge improvement under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers over the last two seasons.
Fair to say then that he’s likely good enough to play Premier League football for a lower to mid-table side and at the age of 24, has plenty of room to improve even further.
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The problem for buying clubs is that he seems immensely happy at the Hoops, who in turn appear hugely pleased with his progress too. It’s important for the club to keep a Scottish core to their side and McGregor is likely to be a central part of that for years to come, especially with players like Scott Brown at the tail-end of their careers.
This summer seems far too early to entertain a move away and we’re likely to see the hard-working player stay at the club for now.
Earlier this week, Inter Milan agreed a £25million deal for Monaco midfielder Geoffery Kondogbia, as confirmed by BBC Sport, which should be of huge disappointment to Arsenal fans.
The Gunners midfield is calling out for a physical, defensive presence and the 6 foot 2 France international seemed like the perfect candidate through his strength, height and positional awareness.
Adding physicality to the engine room should still be one of Arsene Wenger’s leading priorities in the transfer market this summer, however, with it’s current lack of seemingly one of the biggest differences between the north London outfit and Premier League title holders Chelsea.
So being the ever-helpful bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve listed the FIVE midfielders the Emirates gaffer MUST target during the transfer window if the Gunners are to claim the English crown in the coming campaign.
Would signing one of these FIVE bring Arsenal closer to claiming next season’s Premier League title?
MORGAN SCHNIEDERLIN
He’s the go-to suggestion with good reason; through his mixture of height, strength, defensive awareness and consistency on the ball, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin seems like the perfect remedy to Arsenal’s deficiencies in midfield.
And with the exception of Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic, there hasn’t been a more consistent enforcer in the Premier League over the last three campaigns, with the France international amassing a rather incredible 274 tackles and 270 interceptions in 95 top flight outings. That equates to 5.7 ball-winning actions per match.
The 6 foot 2 former Strasburg youngster is also tidy in possession, however, this term averaging the most passes per match – with a completion rate of 89% – of any player in the Southampton squad, suggesting he won’t look too out of place in a Gunners midfield that passes teams to death on a regular basis.
After almost forcing his way out of St. Mary’s last summer, Schneiderlin is near-certain to leave the south coast in the current transfer window. The Saints allegedly value him at £25million – but according to The Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger is reluctant to pay up.
WILLIAM CARVALHO
Arsenal have already launched a £28.5million bid for William Carvalho according to The Sun and it’s not hard to see why.
The Portugal international is rated as one of the most promising holding midfielders in Europe, measuring in at 6 foot 2, weighing in excess of 14 stone and famed for his simple-yet-effective playbreaking style.
The Sporting Lisbon star was a pivotal performer as the Portugal U21’s recorded a 1-0 victory over the Junior Lions at the European Championship last week and he’s clearly well above that level. He impressed in the Champions League earlier this season too, averaging 2.2 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.8 successful aerial duels per match from six outings.
In terms of physicality, he represents exactly what the Gunners currently lack at the base of midfield. But if there’s one notable criticism, it’s that the 23 year-old limited technical ability could see him struggle in a Gunners side enthused by a tiki-taka philosophy.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
Grzegorz Krychowiak is already a notable fixture on the Arsenal radar with Arsene Wenger allegedly viewing him as a cheaper alternative to Morgan Schneiderlin.
The Poland international has been in sensational form since joining Sevilla from Reims via a €4.5million deal last summer, going on to average 3.3 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2.1 clearances and 3.4 successful aerial duels per match in La Liga in addition to helping Los Rojiblancos claim a second consecutive Europa League title.
He’s an old-fashioned screener – almost a third centre-back in front of the back four through his defensive qualities and physicality – and should plug up those gaps on the counter-attack that continually plagued Arsenal at the start of last season.
Krychowiak’s untested in the Premier League and the Champions League, but the rapidity in which the 25 year-old has upped his game for Sevilla suggests he could well adapt to the standards at Arsenal with relative ease.
His release clause is reported to stand at £23.5million.
Arturo Vidal
Due to the sudden rise of Francis Coquelin, the physical addition to Arsenal’s engine room doesn’t necessarily have to be a holding player. Juventus star Arturo Vidal – a classic goalscoring box-to-box – would also add some much-needed athleticism to the north London outfit’s midfield.
He’s emerged as one of the most complete centre-mids in world football since joining the Old Lady from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2011, boasting power, pace, goals and that uniquely South American blend of trickery and tenacity.
Last season he bagged seven goals and four assists in 28 Serie A appearances whilst averaging 3.1 tackles per match and the Chile international has brought that form to the Copa America – barring his drink-driving scandal – claiming three strikes in three outings.
After winning four consecutive Serie A titles with Juve and reaching the 2015 Champions League final, the 28 year-old might be ready for a new challenge ahead of next season. Incidentally, he’s now into the final two terms of his Turin contract.
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Earlier this month, however, club director Giuseppe Marotta claimed he expects Real Madrid to launch a bid for the former Colo-Colo youngster.
JAVI MARTINEZ
I’ve argued it before and I will do so again; Javi Martinez is a potential signing who could change everything for Arsenal, propelling them back to the promised land of regular Premier League titles.
That might seem a little overzealous but the Bayern Munich enforcer represents everything they lack in the middle of the park through his 6 foot 3 frame, bullish style and defensive qualities so almighty he’s often filled in at centre-back for both club and country.
Furthermore, the 26 year-old blessed with all the technical ability you’d expect from a Spain international plying his trade in a Pep Guardiola side – so in my opinion, there’s no doubt he can adapt to Arsenal’s definitive style of play.
Arsenal attempted to prize him away from the Allianz Arena last summer, according to The Telegraph, but they could find better luck in the current transfer window.
After all, Martinez has spent the majority of last season out injured and the Bavarians hardly struggled in his absence – in fact, they signed Mehdi Benatia and Xabi Alonso last summer precisely to fill his void.
Highly-rated throughout world football, however, Bayern could still command top dollar for the former Athletic Bilbao star.