Transfer Round Up – Shaqiri To Liverpool Update, Falcao Wants United Deal And More
As the winter transfer window is just about 86 days before it is kicked open by football governing bodies, speculations, rumours and gossips concerning players’ transfers and clubs’ acquisitions are underway. A plethora of English Premier League clubs and scores of players would make moves in January when the window opens. Therefore, attention should be paid to news and reports about transfers from now as clubs would be making underground moves to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. Here are a few reports involving Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and a few more English Premier League clubs.
Xherdan Shaqiri: The Bayern Munich player has dampened the hope of Liverpool and Manchester United, 2 clubs said to be in hot pursuit of the winger by saying: ‘‘I’ve still got a contract until 2016 and the club have already told me I won’t be going anywhere so I’ve just got to accept that.’’ This would be a big setback to Liverpool who looks to boost an attack that has lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge through injury. Though Mario Balotelli, Raheem Sterling and Rickie Lambert are holding forth in Sturridge’s absence, their combination hasn’t been able to achieve much compared to what was achieved during the Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge attack combination last season. Manchester United on the other hand are on a resurgence mission after a disastrous last season which saw David Moyes at the helm of affairs. This summer, Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and a couple of other big name players have signed for the Old Trafford outfit but their inability to price Shaqiri away from Bayern Munich would really be disappointing to the Louis Van Gaal led side. However, the 2 Premier League teams may still try harder as you never say never when it comes to transfers and players.
Winston Reid: Reports say Liverpool has also joined the race to sign West Ham United’s Winston Reid who has a year left to run on his contract. Arsenal were said to have been the favourites to land the player so as to alleviate their defensive issues due to injuries and departures. Now, the Gunners now face a stiff competition from the Merseyside club, Liverpool, who are very keen on securing the 26-year-old defender on a free next summer.
Radamel Falcao: The Colombian forward, Falcao, who was signed by Manchester United on a one year long loan deal from Monaco, has come out to suggest his desire to stay beyond his loan spell in England at Old Trafford. He said: ‘‘Me and my family are very happy here and we want to stay for many years at Manchester United.’’ To have his desire met, Manchester United would have to cough up about £55m to buy the player from Monaco as the French club’s valuation of him is that much. Falcao, who scored his first goal for Manchester United over the weekend, may also have to convince his parent club, Monaco to do a deal for an outright sale.
Frank Lampard: Just like Falcao, Manchester City loanee, Frank Lampard has expressed his desire to see out his time at Manchester City where he is on loan from New York City FC till January 1. The former Chelsea player, who has hit the ground running since joining the City side on loan, said: ‘‘The temptation is to not get ahead of myself in my career. I am here until January 1, basically, so, I will focus on that and see what happens then.’’
Thibaut Courtois: A brain charity organisation has questioned the decision to allow Chelsea goal keeper Thibaut Courtois play on after the collision with Alexis Sanchez in the 2-0 win over the Gunners at Stamford bridge last weekend. The Belgian shot stopper still went on to play for 13 minutes before making way for Petr Cech. Headway Chief Executive, Petr McCabe said: ‘‘However, it is hard to understand how a concussion was not suspected following the sickening clash.’’ Though the concern about the charity organisation is very valid, it would be very relieving to hear that the goal keeper has been checked and passed fit to join his teammates for the international break.
Per Mertesacker: Mertesacker, the Arsenal defender has said that the Gunners have a way to go before they can be considered in Chelsea’s class. The German said: ‘‘We have to admit that they (Chelsea) are still better and we have to learn quickly.’’ Arsenal lost 2-0 to Chelsea on Sunday to delve the first blow on the Gunners English Premier League title this season.
Jamie Redknapp: Jamie Redknapp expressed his belief that Chelsea this season are very similar to the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ of 2003/2004. The pundit said: ‘‘They had quality all over the pitch, they were powerful and they hardly had any weaknesses. Now Chelsea are starting to look just as strong.’’ The ‘Invincibles’ era saw Arsenal go unbeaten for a whole season and a half, 49 matches precisely. For Chelsea to achieve the ‘Invincibles’ feat by the Patrick Vieira-led Arsenal side, they would have to go this season unbeaten and continue the run till next season.
Tony Fernandes: Queens Park Rangers (QPR) chairman, Tony Fernandes recently took to tweeter, the popular social media platform, to reveal that former striker indeed was on the verge of signing a contract extension before Chelsea called in to make a bid on the 31st of August, this year. The French international, Remy had been linked with a move away from Loftus Road, home of QPR all summer long but was resigned to extend his contract for the Harry Redknapp led side before Chelsea hijacked the deal with a £10.5m offer which was accepted by the newly promoted side. In his tweet, Fernandes said: ‘‘When we lost Remy 48 hours before deadline day it was a huge blow. But we fight on. Stop sending me ridiculous tweets. I love the Remy comments. Remy was staying, he was in my house for dinner to sign the extension. Then Chelsea called.’’