The Sun reports that Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs interested in Nigerian star Raheem Lawal.
Lawal hit a hat trick in Nigeria’s under-23 victory over Algeria a fortnight ago and has had plenty of offers since then. Lawal is expected to be involved in the Olympics for Nigeria next summer and will be looking to impress big European clubs before then.
The talented midfielder currently plays his football for Spanish Third Division side Atletico Balearas, who are currently six points clear at the top of the league as they look for promotion to take a step closer to becoming an established Spanish club.
Spurs will face tough competition for the midfielder if they opt to make a bid, but a cheap deal would be on cards to improve an already talented set of youngsters emerging at White Hart Lane. Lawal could be seen as a long term replacement for Luka Modric or Rafael van der Vaart as the goalscoring midfielder weighs up his options ahead of January.
“I have had several offers coming my way following my performance in the game against Algeria,” said Lawal.
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“Lyon have indicated interest, as have Tottenham and Zamalek of Egypt.”
The latest player that Tottenham have been linked with is the 24 year old Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani. Cavani plays for Napoli in the Serie A and has scored a stunning 25 goals already this season. His form has put Napoli in 2nd position in the Italian domestic league just three points behind AC Milan.
The player would be an ideal signing for Tottenham who have struggled to find a consistent goal scorer to lead their attacking line this season. With Van der Vaart’s arrival, Tottenham have begun playing with one striker and the Dutch Maestro just behind him. While this benefited Van der Vaart (at least in the first half of the season), it has not benefited the strikers. Peter Crouch has been Redknapp’s first choice due to his height and ability to link up with Van der Vaart, but Crouch has not been potent enough in front of goal. Nor has Defoe who has scored just twice all season. Pavlyuchenko, perhaps the most well-rounded of the strikers, has not managed to impress Redknapp enough to play regularly.
With this in mind Tottenham definitely need a new front man, and I think Cavani fits the bill perfectly. He moved to Napoli last summer and started the season very well in Serie A, scoring in all of his first 4 games. Since then he has gone from strength to strength. Cavani scores goals with his feet as well as with his head. He has also made a great partnership with Napoli’s Merek Hamsik, who plays a similar role to Rafael Van der Vaart, just off the striker.
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Crucially he has played well and scored goals in the big games. That is exactly the type of player Tottenham need if they are to continue their development and progress. He scored a hat-trick against Juventus and has since followed up with a brace against Roma and another hat-trick against Lazio, this time from 2-0 down. The guy seems like a big match player with a winning mentality.
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However, Cavani’s recent success will make him an expensive player and a well sought after one too. Tottenham are not the only side interested in the Uruguayan and there is likely to be a bidding war for his signature in the summer from Italian giants Inter as well as clubs in Spain and England.
Furthermore, he has only been at Napoli for one season. If his side come in the top 3 of Serie A (which they are likely to do being 8 points ahead of 4th with 6 games left) Napoli will play in the Champions League next season. It would therefore take a huge bid to persuade Napoli to sell and massive wages for Cavani to part with his new team, after all he has been central to their recent success. Further still, if Tottenham do not finish fourth and do not secure Champions League football, he is even less likely to move to White Hart Lane.
It seems that Cavani is emerging as one of the hottest talents in European football. The question has to be asked, where were Tottenham last summer? Although the player was linked with White Hart Lane, he eventually moved to Napoli for around £12m. Tottenham will now have to pay as much as £30m if they want to sign him, but as I have already mentioned, the decision of Cavani’s future could be decided by Cavani himself, who will have a choice of places to ply his trade next term.
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Mark Hughes has revealed that one of the main reasons why he decided to become Fulham's new manager was his desire to start working again.
The former Wales and Blackburn Rovers boss had been without a job since being axed by Manchester City in December 2009.
Hughes, who was last week confirmed as Roy Hodgson's successor at Craven Cottage after signing a two-year contract, said at a press conference:"I made the decision that this is the right club for me at this time. It feels a good fit.
"The attraction, obviously, is the opportunity to get back into work. I needed to get back to work. The situation with Fulham was maybe the perception I had of Fulham's ambitions.
"Obviously, I was disappointed (to leave Manchester City) because I felt I was doing a good job, given the circumstances. I think no-one else could have done as good a job as I did, given the circumstances. I felt we were fully on track with the expectations of the owners.
"I think the job Roy (Hodgson) did was magnificent. He maximised the results out of the group he had. That's what I've always tried to do. The way I set my team up, I think that will lend itself to the work Roy put in place.
"We don't have the distraction of the Europa League this season. That's a big ask when you're involved in that competition. We had that experience the year before at City.
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"I think the fact we haven't got that this year is a bonus. If we can get into the top ten this year, that'll be good progress.
"I think it's fair to say that we need more attacking options. We'll look at that and I think what everybody knows is quality strikers are at a premium."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not likely to be seen in the Premier League in the near future but the rest of Europe is certainly open to trading for the big guns in the English game and whether it be in January or the summer, there could be some more big names on the plane to the best league in the world.
The likes of Ronaldo, Robinho, David Silva, Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres have graced the Premier League in recent years and that has turned the English game into the best in the world. Here is a list of players in Europe that are targets for Premier League clubs and could be seen here in the near future. Who would you like at your club?
Click on Ricardo Montolivo to unveil the top 10
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As long as Arsene Wenger continues to stick to his guns and carry on trying to win trophies by playing football his way, we will continue to have this debate until we are blue in the face. But seeing as a former player has recently had his say, maybe something is about to change. Emmanuel Petit has come close to being the first former Wenger-lover to suggest that something has to give soon if Arsenal are to end their six-year trophy drought. Is he right? More importantly, will Arsenal finally take note?
As a self-confessed Arsenal fan, Petit stopped short of saying that the Gunners had no fighting spirit. But reading in-between the lines, it was pretty obvious that this is what he was getting at. He suggested there was a distinct lack of ‘proven winners’ in the ranks and the senior players were started to ‘crack up’ under the pressure of fighting for honours on 4 different fronts.
As we know, four has quickly become one thanks to defeats to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final, Barcelona in the Champions league and Manchester United in the FA Cup. So surely the Frenchman has a point? I mean, how much longer can fans sacrifice success in order to play football ‘the right way’? Speaking to some supporters, they still adamantly stick by their manager, and I certainly do condemn them for that. Wenger has proven to be one of the world’s best, and he specialises in bringing through some of the best youngsters around. But no team has won trophies with just kids. Automatically, you will be reading this and are about to throw Manchester United in my face. But even that team had the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Roy Keane and Gary Pallister in. Plus a certain Eric Cantona was awaiting his return from suspension in October of that year. My point is, Petit is right. I don’t see the experienced head in Wenger’s ranks who can carry the team through a game which isn’t going their way – Birmingham in the cup, perhaps.
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I am by no means saying Arsenal should desert their way of playing football, but they certainly need a plan B, which Wenger never seems to have. They miss a Patrick Vieira, or a Tony Adams. As much as I hate him, I happen to think Jens Lehmann will be a good signing for the club all things considered, as he may be able to use some of his experience around the place. Arsenal certainly miss Thomas Vermaelen, but injuries are no excuse; they should have players ready to come in who can handle the big occasion.
Arsenal are very much still in the race for the Premier League, and you could argue they have an easier run in than rivals Manchester United. But we’ve been here before. There is every chance The Emirates club will slip up in games they should win, because they just don’t have the bottle to keep it together. The Gunners have a huge game on Saturday away at West Brom. It’s the type of game they should win, but at this stage of the season it is also the type of game which I wouldn’t be surprised to see them slip up in.
Now that Petit has echoed a sentiment many non-Arsenal fans have been thinking for quite some time, maybe a few more will start to take note. Wenger needs winners and players with physical presence to do the ugly work around Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Jack Wilshere. But how long are fans seriously willing to wait for the manager himself to realise this? Maybe one more trophy-less season, perhaps.
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Want to help me and Hansen make Wenger realise that his kids won’t win anything? Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@joino
Arsenal FC have carried the reputation as an easy target in recent years; that they’re not capable of fighting off clubs from taking their big players. That they were the most susceptible of the old Top Four to be relegated from that privileged status at the echelon of the Premier League. Well, symbolically, that reputation has been laid to rest with the realisation that Cesc Fabregas is indeed not going to be granted a move to Barcelona.
It’s hardly surprising that Arsene Wenger has undergone scrutiny for a lack of trophies over the last few years. However, when taking everything faced into account, it has been a masterplan in disguise. It was always going to require a period of transition following the feats of ‘the Invincibles’ in 2003/04. That team had reached its peak by 2005, and with many of the players ageing it was time to rebuild.
The club’s difficulty to maintain a sustained title challenge, while going through this period, may have proved an unwelcome surprise, a sacrifice not worth enduring for some fans, however in the grand scheme of things, it was a hardship they had to endure. Their frailties in competing for trophies were exacerbated by the progress made by Chelsea and Liverpool in particular. What had normally been a two-horse title race between Man Utd and Arsenal was now much more competitive. This meant that drastic changes had to be made at a problematic time, but it was necessary, and having held on to their Champions League status with successive campaigns, it would now appear they are ready to reap the rewards.
Vieira’s generation underwent a mass exodus (Pires, Ljungberg, Campbell etc.) followed by a subsequent period of unfulfilled, and unhappy, ‘stars’ moving on (such as Hleb, Adebayor, Toure), who felt their ambitions weren’t being matched, who perceived a lack of exuberant (a more apt word might be outrageous) transfer spending, which clubs like Chelsea, Man City or Real Madrid were pursuing as their own method of business, as a chink in their armour.
The players looked to jump ship in a bid to move on to apparently greater things. And it painted a picture of a club no longer strong enough to fight and keep their players. Up until now, as despite Barcelona making Francesc Fabregas their number one target, there has been no move. If Arsenal is in fact a selling club, how on earth can they insist upon not allowing Fabregas to go to his dream, hometown club?
The reason it seems is that the notion of them as a selling club has been nothing more than an illusion. Arsenal fans have bemoaned many of the player exits that have been permitted, and though some of that interest was not welcomed by the manager, his handling of each drama has proven another masterstroke by the Frenchman. When given the option of holding onto these players, who openly encouraged interest from other clubs, or letting them go, he generally opted for the latter. Many perceived this as a sign of weakness, but just as any other football club should be treated, it is essentially a business (if you’re not balancing the books, something’s wrong) and among many talents Wenger gives the impression of being a shrewd businessman.
There was no point in holding onto a cluster of players who were only undermining the morale of the club, and, most importantly, they were essentially replaceable. Toure was past his best, Hleb had a number of similar understudies who could take his place, and Adebayor would only be second choice to Robin Van Persie as the club’s lone frontman anyway. So receiving £40 million from Man City and £15 million for Hleb, though disruptive, was in fact a good deal for Arsenal too.
Each were sold for substantial profit (after all, Toure and Adebayor were purchased for less than £4 million) and at a time when their wage demands were escalating drastically. So what appeared to be a revolving door policy at Arsenal has been suddenly shut closed this year when Barcelona decided they wanted to make Fabregas the newest addition in an already glittering array of stars. So why did they say no this time? Because he is irreplaceable.
This is where the difference lies. Previous enquires by clubs for some players may not have been met with great opposition, but that does not mean that it was the standpoint of the club to sell. Each situation is analysed at its own merit. Wenger is aware when the right time to sell is, and selling Cesc Fabregas is not an option right now.
Just like when David Dein was offered £100 million by Chelsea for Thierry Henry in his prime, some players are indispensable. And though this is not to say he won’t sign in the future, it will not be this year, or maybe even next year. Not until others like Aaron Ramsey have gained more experience. Fabregas is central to the success of the team, just as Henry was, so at any price, it’s bad business.
The team has been built around his leadership more so than anyone else. Rumours of selling Fabregas and paying half of what they get to lure Ozil may well be an interesting idea, maybe it would even let them strengthen elsewhere with what money would be left, but for however good Ozil has shown himself to be, no-one can replace Fabregas’ role at this point.
They have stood firm on their position that Fabregas is not for sale. They’re in no rush to sell him and why would they be? With four years left his market value will be the same in two years as it is now. And Barcelona should be wary. The new president of Barcelona Sandro Rossel made it pretty clear Arsenal are peeved with their pursuit of their celebrated 23 year old starlet, amid what can really only be described as tapping up.
In general, Arsenal tend to be amicable in doing business, no matter who is departing (think Thierry Henry’s move to Barcelona), and they would preferably not have Fabregas eventually leave under a storm of controversy. However, if Barca’s efforts to lure the player continue to infringe upon preparations for the new season then, in the future, they may decide to ditch friendly negotiations and instead opt for encouraging a bidding war for the player. And with an endless list of wannabe suitors, it will only end up costing Barcelona more.
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Written By Darren Doherty
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
A majority of Manchester United supporters are eager to stay well clear of a move for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart this summer.
The Red Devils were reported to be interested in a move for the struggling goalkeeper earlier this week, eyeing him as a potential number two to the ever reliable David de Gea.
Hart has spent the last two seasons out on loan at Torino and West Ham United, but his form has suffered and he has now lost his place in the England set-up, failing to make the World Cup squad.
Given he has failed to make an impression at either of these sides, with a number of high profile errors piling criticism on his shoulders, giving him games at a much bigger club like Man United doesn’t seem like the wisest choice.
United supporters appear to agree with 64% of respondents to a poll we published earlier this week preferring that the Red Devils don’t make a move for him this summer.
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Manchester United fans will be demanding both a good performance and all three points when they watch their side face an impressive Burnley side on Boxing Day afternoon.
Man United failed to react positivvely from their stoppage time defeat to Championship club Bristol City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final by conceding a 94th Harry Maguire equaliser on Saturday as Leicester bounced back to claim a 2-2 draw at the King Power Stadium.
Two points dropped meant Mourinho’s side now trail leaders Man City by 13 points and a number of United players have faced some huge criticism for their performances in recent games.
In reaction, Mourinho has decided to stick with Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford in attack but has decided to hand Zlatan Ibrahimovic his Premier League start of the season.
Juan Mata’s brace v Leicester is enough for him to keep his starting place while Paul Pogba is handed the captain’s armband.
Here’s how Man United fans reacted to the team news…
Newcastle are monitoring James Tomkins’ West Ham situation ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
The 24-year-old’s future at Upton Park has been the subject of doubt for some time, with the defender believed to have grown frustrated with his role under Sam Allardyce.
Although he has returned to the starting XI of late, Tomkins is still thought to be open to a winter exit in a bid to keep his World Cup dreams alive.
The Essex-born centre-back has hopes of making the Three Lions’ squad for the showpiece tournament next year, and is confident that he can play his way into contention if given the opportunity across the rest of the season.
With defensive options thin on the ground at St James’ Park, Newcastle are thought to be considering a move for his signature.
Tomkins is thought to be open to joining the Magpies, and could be open to a reunion with Alan Pardew – who was the Hammers’ manager during his time as a youth player.
The 6ft. 4” defender has been capped 10 times at U-21 level and also represented Great Britain at last year’s Olympic Games.
He is considered to be an outside to make England’s 2014 World Cup squad.
Could regular action see James Tomkins make England’s World Cup squad?
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Reading captain Jobi McAnuff feels that it is time for football to take a look at some of the ‘ridiculous’ salaries being handed out.
McAnuff has now suggested that wages could be capped in the Premier League as he fears money is getting beyond control in the game. The 30-year-old has labelled some top-flight salaries ‘ridiculous’ and believes the figures are driving the game beyond the means of ordinary fans. He told the Mirror:
“I can see why a Wayne Rooney should get a big bonus because of the amount of shirts he sells but if you’re talking about £200,000 a week, that’s ridiculous. Who needs that amount of money? Surely someone will say ‘that’s enough’. We’re on the verge of getting out of control and we’re starting to lose a bit of reality. The most popular question I get from kids is ‘what car do you drive?’. What happened to them wanting to know what it was like to make your debut? Football is getting too expensive for fans, and fans make football. Tickets for our game at Chelsea were £50 each. I know lots of people who couldn’t afford that.”
Professional Footballers’ Association chairman Clarke Carlisle backed McAnuff’s sentiments and feels that a reduction in wages, and even possibly a salary cap, should be investigated after the financial problems that have engulfed several English clubs, most recently and most notably Portsmouth. Carlisle told Sportsweek:
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“The more I venture into the other side of football, the more I see that a lot of clubs are in very precarious positions. I do believe it’s about time that football started running itself, and clubs started running themselves, as viable business entities. If there was a business in any other walk of life that was treading the financial line that a lot of our clubs are now, they wouldn’t be in existence tomorrow. We are seeing that in the leagues below the Premier League, clubs are trimming down their squad sizes and offering much, much lower wages than they were even last year. We are seeing clubs start to pull the purse strings, look after themselves and hopefully ensure that no other clubs go the way Portsmouth, Leeds and Luton have in the last few years. I think it’s an idea that should be looked at very seriously.”