**THE 2008 SUMMER TRANSFER THREAD**

[Aadhil12]

Sir Alex announced dat he has 3 players in his shortlist for whom he is gonna make a move. Apart from him only David Gill knows da 3 since he fears Chelsea might steal the 3 like they did previously.(Robben n Essien).
It seems the 3 are going to be :
Most obviously Owen Hargreaves,
The in form Berbatov, Micheal Owen, Gareth Bale, Nani are the obvious choices to fill the other two spots.
There cud also b a possible move for the fragile right back position with reports suggesting Ajax player Jonny Heitinga a possibility.
On the other hand JM has said he doesn't expect too many arrivals in da summer. V all know what dat means !!!

[esuk]

Boy from Brazil heads for Reds
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed the club are on the verge of signing Brazil Under-20 captain Lucas Leiva.


The 20-year-old midfielder had drawn the interest of a host of European clubs after some sparkling performances for Gremio in his homeland.

But he is now set to link up with the Reds in the summer, much to the delight of Benitez.

He told the club's website: "The deal with the player and his club is almost done and I am really pleased he is coming to us.

"He is the captain of the Brazil Under-20 side and won the Golden Boot in his country last year, so we know he has quality and we also believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England.

"He can play as a holding midfielder but he can also get from box to box and so I am looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool in the future.

"A lot of clubs in England and Spain were asking about him but our scouting department has again been working really hard and it's good that he's coming to us.

"He will arrive in the summer and then will start adapting to football in this country.

"We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season."

(Teamtalk.com)

[graywok]

Chelski favourites to sign Reading Royals Steve Sidwell who will be out of contract ..
Times online

"Chelsea are 7-2 favourites with Betfred to annex want-away Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell after reportedly joining the race for the highly regarded 24-year-old.

The Royals are resigned to losing Sidwell, who can leave on a free transfer after Sunday’s trip to Blackburn Rovers, despite offering to increase his wages to around £25,000 per week.

Sidwell had looked poised to sign for Newcastle but the departure of Glenn Roeder, who was convinced he had secured the signing of the former Arsenal trainee, has left the door ajar for other clubs.

Betfred offer 6-1 that Newcastle can revive their bid and grab Sidwell back from Chelsea’s clutches, with Everton, whose manager David Moyes is another admirer of the ginger-haired one, quoted at 6-1 to have Sidwell in their ranks for the 2007-8 season.

Betfred bet 7-1 that Sidwell is enticed by newly promoted Sunderland, 8-1 Manchester United and 12-1 Manchester City. They offer 11-8 that Sidwell joins any other Premiership club. "

[shabbialonso]

Sidwell is a good player, he would be a useful player for most Premiership teams, especially on a free.

[Noot]

Bayern Munich have accepted an offer from Manchester United for Owen Hargreaves is what i heard!

[redcanuck]

They say Hargreaves to United for around 17 million. Still not sure about Hargreaves we do need a holding midfielder who can win the ball, hope SAF got it right here. Think de Rossi of Roma was a cheaper and younger option and would have preferred Gattuso but I imagine he was unavailable..

[redcanuck]

Portsmouth are poised to pull off a double swoop for Sylvain Distin and Sulley Muntari within the next 48 hours.

Confirmation Distin's five-year career at Manchester City is over has boosted Pompey's confidence that they can finally complete a £40,000-a-week deal for the 29-year-old on a free transfer.

Udinese midfielder Muntari has revealed he cannot wait to play for Pompey.

And he could be the first of Redknapp's targets to arrive in a £7million switch that would shatter the club's transfer record fee of £4.4 million, which they paid to Auxerre in January last year for striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

Ghana World Cup star Muntari says he has agreed personal terms and claims he has been "supporting" Pompey for a year since Redknapp first tried to sign him from the Italian Serie A club.

[robo]

Man Utd seal deal for Hargreaves

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football...707995.stm


Man Utd swoop for Anderson & Nani

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football...706423.stm

Good news for UTD

[yourikis]

Not a Man U fan but I think that  Sir Alex has proved again he  is not one jump ahead of all EPL managers.

He is light years ahead of them

[Conservative]

Apparently there is interest for Fowler north of the border, he might be wanted by Rangers & Celtic.

Ive also read that Man U might be interested in Viduka, but im not sure on that one, though Portsmouth are said to have shown an interest.