West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, West Brom, Wigan Athletic and Manchester City are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
West Ham are going to be very busy in the transfer market according to this morning’s speculation filled papers. Matt Jarvis is linked as are Juventus pair Milos Krasic and Eljero Elia. Dutch winger Elia is desperate to leave Italy after starting just four league games this season and the Hammers could pick him up on the cheap. Sam Allardyce was pictured in Italy with Juventus’ sporting director as he tries to tie up deals. Schalke and Zenit St Petersburg are both keen on Elia too. Meanwhile West Ham are also trying to pick up Jussi Jaaskelainen to replace Robert Green. Busy times at Upton Park.
There may be trouble and strife at White Hart Lane, but that hasn’t stopped the papers from linking the club with making a signing this morning. Once again, West Brom defender Jonas Olsson is linked with a move, and we can’t deny he would be an excellent addition to the Spurs squad. He has just one year left on his contract at the Hawthorns, and the Baggies would be wise to cash in for him while they can. He would face competition for places at Spurs from Steven Caulker, Michael Dawson, and Younes Kaboul, while question marks hang over the futures of William Gallas and Ledley King, with the Jan Vertonghen deal in the pipeline too. For this reason Olsson may be better off waiting to see which other offers come in, because at 29 he doesn’t want to be sitting on the bench.
The Sun report that Steve Clarke is looking to make his first signing as West Brom manager. He is eyeing Dutchman Bram Nuytinck, a defender who plays for NEC Nijmegen in Holland. He could be available for as little as £2 million, but ambitious Borussia Moenchengladbach are also interested. The 22-year-old is a former Dutch under-21 international and is a bright prospect for the future.
The Mail claim that Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez is busy combining Euro 2012 punditry with scouting duties, showing an interest in a Greek winger. The man in question is international Dmitris Salpingidis who is available on a free transfer. He can play up front and wide right, and would surely be a useful addition to the Wigan squad even at the age of 30. He scored Greece’s goal in their opening draw with Poland, his second at a major tournament after scoring at the 2010 World Cup.
Manchester City are preparing to let a player go according to reports, and the man in question is Aleksander Kolarov who is keen on a return to Italy. The Sun say Juventus are keen, but only for a season long loan. Inter Milan are also interested and are prepared to make a permanent offer. City are unlikely to accept a loan seeing as they paid £18 million for the left-back two summers ago, and he remains a useful player for them. With Gael Clichy a preferred starter, if they can get a decent offer then it would be pragmatic to accept it with the player open to a move.
image: © Ben Sutherland
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