TRANSFER RUMOURS – Liverpool striker to Manchester City? Arsenal man to Reading? Bony to Chelsea?

Luis Suarez has been linked with a £40m January move from Liverpool to Manchester City

November 15th 2012: Reports originated from the well respected Paul Joyce at The Express that Manchester City are interested in signing the Liverpool striker in January after struggling to match Manchester United and Chelsea this season despite their easier fixtures.

November 11th 2012: Brendan Rodgers – “At this moment I’m safe in the knowledge that Luis had the chance to go in the summer. There was probably no better time for him to do that with a new manager coming in. He could have had an excuse to go, but having spoken to him at length he committed to staying here. He gave us the opportunity to see how it was going to work. It’s up to us as a club to add players who can help support him and move us on.”

October 30th 2012: Rodgers – “I think he loves playing in English football. I speak with Luis regularly and he loves the passion and excitement of the game over here. What he is, is a player who is mentally very strong – as you can see from his time here the amount of stick he has taken. It is actually a driver for him. It really motivates him and he loves being at Liverpool: he loves the city, the club and the supporters so I can’t see that (being forced out) happening.”

August 8th 2012: Rodgers – “There was genuine interest from other clubs. I had only just come through the door when a fax came through about him. It is brilliant that someone of that quality has agreed to stay with the club. It is great for the Premier League.”

August 7th 2012: Suarez signs contract extension.

Wilfried Bony has been linked with a move from Vitesse Arnhem to Chelsea

November 15th 2012: Bony – “It’s not the number one topic for me at the moment, but if they write about me going there, then it’s great isn’t it? But seriously, if they want me, it would be a great honour. I would be glad to go to such a club. I love English football and wouldn’t be afraid to play there. Chelsea are a top club. If Chelsea are interested in the winter and the clubs reach an agreement, then why not? We’ll see what happens. At the moment I want to be playing as well as I can for Vitesse. I know that Chelsea and Arnhem are close and some of the Chelsea lads are here on loan, including Tomas [Kalas]. I have discussed it with him many times already.”

November 11th 2012: Chelsea’s sporting director Michael Emenalo scouted Bony at the weekend, playing for Vitesse Arnhem against FC Twente.

October 8th 2012: Bony – “I know that clubs follow me. But as long as nobody is officially reported at Vitesse, I can say little about my future. The club knows that I am open to a departure, but there must be serious interest for me.”

August 31st 2012: Bony – “This club drives me completely crazy. Yesterday they blocked a transfer to Aston Villa.”

August 31st 2012: Francis Kacou, agent – “Wilfried is unhappy at Vitesse. Aston Villa wanted to loan him with an option to buy. The deal would net Vitesse almost €10million. Yesterday they agreed to that, but in the evening they stated only a permanent deal is possible. We have everything arranged and were planning to leave for Birmingham. Unbelievable. Wilfried has to leave Vitesse. He is looking for a new challenge on a higher level. Vitesse say they are ambitious, but I don’t see that. Wilfried is surrounded by bad players and because of that he can’t develop himself any further.”

February 24th 2012: Bony signs a contract extension which lasts until 2015.

Andrey Arshavin has been linked with a move from Arsenal to Reading

November 15th 2012: Pavel Pogrebnyak, international team mate – “It’s Arshavin who has to make the decision. Anton Zingarevich knows him well enough without listening to my opinion, as he is from St Petersburg. Andrey is a master and there is no doubt that it would be great to see him at Reading.”

November 3rd 2012: Anton Zingarevich, Reading owner: “Arshavin is interesting for Reading. But he is one of 10 players that we are interested in.”

July 30th 2012: Arsene Wenger – “Arshavin, it depends. We have to sit together and have talks. He could still have a future at the club.”

February 24th 2012: Arshavin joined Zenit St Petersburg on loan to help improve his confidence.