strange as i havnt heard or read anything about riquelme since copa america, i wonder where he's heading. i wanna see riquelme playing with Athletico, i've been impressed by their activities in the transfer market this summer, definitely  the team to watch (after barca)

**serious stuff** via friends of Silvain Wiltord, he has expressed his desire to come and play in australia. he has a very close friend in melbourne that has told him about the a-league. this info has been passed to melbourne victory who are said to be keen to talk to Silvain's management company. why wouldnt they?? doubt they could afford him though.

Zinedine Zidane will not be making an appearance for Sydney FC in their friendly match against LA Galaxy. Zidanes manager told SBS that there was no official approach by Sydney and that there is no chance he will be playing. The interview is set to air in the coming weeks. Sydney FC are still on the hunt to find a high-profile player to help publicize the event.

Mark Bresciano has reportedly recieved an offer from West Ham United for a £3 million deal. The Hammers hope that fellow Aussie Lucas Neill will be able to convince Bresciano to trump Manchester City and call Upton Park home.

O, that sounds interesting. id rather him at man city, but the hammers would have him playin more.

Who? - Michael Owen - Speculation
Where is he? - Newcastle United
Who is he linked with? - The exit door

Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has again pledged his future to the club, before admitting that he is tired of having to reiterate his commitment to the Magpies. The 27-year-old England international says he was upset at having to fend off constant rumours about his future during the summer, as he continued his recovery from a serious knee injury. He told The Mag: "I have only ever said positive things about Newcastle and always been 100 per cent committed. Whenever I have been doubted I've always responded the best way I know by scoring goals. But I'm stubborn and won't be bullied into saying things. I don't feel I should keep coming out every week and saying I'm loving this, that or the other. There was no speculation until various pieces came out in the media saying 'if Michael Owen doesn't say this, then I'll tell him that Chelsea and Liverpool aren't interested'. My management company used to get phone calls from boardroom level saying I haven't done this or I haven't done that, or we want more interviews on this. But when I'm injured I just put up a shield and take the abuse and remember who said it."

Who? - Marlon King - Speculation
Where is he? - Watford
Who is he linked with? - Derby County

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd has warned off potential bidders for Marlon King, maintaining that the striker is going nowhere. The 27-year-old is a reported target for Derby County, but Boothroyd is adamant that King is a key figure at Vicarage Road. He told the club's official website: "If we get into the Premier League, we get 60million, so unless someone's got 60million Marlon isn't going anywhere. Simple as that. As long as I am here, he is here. He will stay. All these reports are just speculation. He stays. He is part of the core of the team who won promotion in 2006. "He missed out last year in the Premier League, but he is going to get us back there. He is a key part of my plans, so a move isn't going to happen. He is staying."

Who? - Morten Gamst Pedersen - Speculation
Where is he? - Blackburn Rovers
Who is he linked with? - Arsenal

Morten Gamst Pedersen's agent Rune Hauge has hinted that his client could move on to either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur from Blackburn Rovers this summer if the right deal isn't put on the table at Ewood Park: "We have registered what is happening," Hauge told VG. "Our job is to secure our clients the best possible deals in relation to the market he plays in. As offers from Tottenham and Arsenal were rejected, Gamst's deal is something we have to talk about. We will talk with Blackburn. We've got a good relationship with them." Pedersen has insisted that his main concern is not money, and says he is instead happy to be valued to the extent of a new deal. "If Blackburn want to pay me more, it means they appreciate my contribution to the team," he said. "I don't go around thinking of money. Money means a lot in this world, but not everything." However, Mark Hughes has denied that Pedersen could be leaving: "He isn't going anywhere and particularly not for 8m considering the price of players now," he said. "We've heard nothing from Arsenal and, in the week leading up to the game, possibly someone has been a little bit naughty. It isn't based on any fact. We're not interested in selling Pedersen."

Who? - Andy Cole - Speculation
Where is he? - Unattached
Who is he linked with? - Sunderland

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has confirmed that he is interested in signing the veteran former Newcastle United and Manchester United striker Andy Cole. The 35-year-old is without a club after being released by Portsmouth earlier this summer and Keane is looking to add him to his striking options before the end of the month. The Black Cats are keen to bolster their strikeforce after missing out on Mido, who appears to be on the verge of signing for Middlesbrough. Keane said: "Coley has obviously left Portsmouth and that's something I'm looking at, I have to say, at the moment. There will probably be news on one or two players who will be coming in. Generally speaking, if we could add two players in the next week or two I'd be delighted. I'm very pleased with the players we've got in but I do believe we need two more players to help the squad."

Who? - Nolberto Solano - Very likely
Where is he? - Newcastle United
Who is he linked with? - West Ham United

West Ham United look set to complete the signing of Newcastle United's unsettled winger Nolberto Solano later this week. The 32-year-old Peru international, who is currently in his second spell with the Magpies, is keen to move to the capital to be nearer his children. He said: "A decision will be made in the next couple of days. It's up to the two clubs but I want to go to London because my family have moved there. Clubs in Spain also want me but I won't go there, I will only leave Newcastle to go to London. My wife and I are separated and I miss my children. Sometimes you have to put your family first. Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has been great, he's a great man. I've spoken to him and he says he won't stop me leaving. Leaving Newcastle will be hard because I feel they are on the verge of something big here." Solano initially moved to Tyneside in 1998 and has made well over 200 Premier League appearances for the club. He also played 49 League games for Aston Villa during an 18-month spell at Villa Park.

Who? - Gabriel Heinze - Speculation
Where is he? - Manchester United
Who is he linked with? - Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon look set to join Liverpool in the race to sign Manchester United's Argentina international Gabriel Heinze after it was confirmed that the French side's captain Cris will be sidelined for six months. The Brazilian centre-back ruptured two ligaments in his right knee during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Toulouse. "Heinze has the profile," said Lyon boss Alain Perrin. "It is necessary to know if the player, who has spent a large part of his career at left-back, really wants to play regularly at centre-back." Heinze is currently involved in a dispute with United, who are refusing to allow him to move to Liverpool. The 29-year-old claims he has a letter from United allowing him to leave Old Trafford for a fee the Reds claim to have met. However, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the prospect of Heinze moving to Anfield. The player is taking the issue to a Premier League arbitration panel on August 20.

SOURCE: 4thegame

Bargain hunters grab late deals

The transfer action is hotting up only weeks from the close of the summer window. Just days before the last remaining major European championships (Italy and Spain) kick off, there is no end to the spending in sight.

As a number of clubs see their new-look squads blighted by serious injuries to key players, many have been forced to delve back into the transfer market in the hope of unearthing a last-minute bargain. This is notably the case with reigning six-in-a-row French champions Lyon.

In the space of a few days the club has lost its first-choice goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, as well as Brazilian defender and team captain Cris, to long-term injuries. Their replacements are likely to be unveiled in the next few days.

For once, England's Premiership has been the busiest league in the transfer market. The latest big-name move involves Carlos Tevez, who has at last received the go-ahead to join reigning champions Manchester United. The 23-year-old Argentinian, who has finally been released by former employers West Ham United, has signed a two-year loan deal with the Red Devils worth three million euros. His arrival could not have come at a better time for coach Sir Alex Ferguson, whose star striker Wayne Rooney will be out of action for two months with a hairline fracture of the left foot.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are locked in negotiations with Sevilla in the hope of bringing international Brazilian defender Daniel Alves to London. The Andalusian club has already snubbed two offers, the latest estimated at 35 million euros. Since Jose Mourinho would appear to have his heart set on drafting the 24-year-old Alves into the right-back spot, negotiations are expected to continue up to the last minute.

Elsewhere in the capital, Fulham have snapped up Australian U-23 defender Adrian Leijer on a three-year deal from Melbourne Victory. The 21-year-old, who can play in the centre or as a wing-back, won last season's A-League with the Melbourne outfit.

Real Madrid go Dutch
The summer has been just as hectic in Spain, especially for Real Madrid. The Merengues have notably enlisted the services of two Dutch aces, attacking left-back Royston Drenthe from Feyenoord and 23-year-old former Ajax playmaker Wesley Sneijder. Drenthe will be tasked with filling the formidable boots of Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who joined reigning Turkish champions Fenerbahce at the start of the summer.

Sneijder, with 57 goals in 180 matches for Ajax Amsterdam to add to his 35 caps for the Oranje, has signed a five-year contract worth a total of 27 millions euros. The two Dutchmen are the fifth and sixth recruits to be unveiled at the Bernabeu this summer after Christoph Metzelder, Jerzy Dudek, Pepe and Javier Saviola.

Valencia's long search for a striker looks to be over. Los Che have finally opted for Serbian international Nikola Zigic, a towering target man whose ten goals last season helped Racing Santander to tenth spot in La Liga.

FC Sevilla will be delighted to have retained the services of Malian forward Frederic Kanoute. The French-born player, whose contract was due to expire in 2009, has extended his deal with the Rojiblancos until 2010. The pivotal forward was the club's top scorer last season as they clinched the UEFA Cup for the second year running.

Finally, Paraguayan international striker Julio dos Santos, who struggled to establish himself in the Bayern Munich first team last season, has been loaned out to Almeria for the coming campaign. The 24-year-old had previously spent the back end of last season on loan at VfL Wolfsburg.

In Germany, Wolfsburg have had the busiest summer of all the clubs in the Bundesliga. With newly arrived Portuguese defender Ricardo Costa sidelined for six months with a serious knee injury, Felix Magath has swooped for a replacement in Czech Republic U-20 team captain and Canada 2007 finalist, Jan Simunek.

The 20-year-old defender, who joins the Wolves from Sparta Prague, will feature alongside fellow new boy Josue. The midfielder, who recently lifted the Brazilian championship trophy with Sao Paulo, has arrived on a four-year deal worth 1.5 million euros.

Emerson courted by AC and Inter
Schalke 04 have also done their shopping in South America, recruiting Uruguay international Carlos Javier Grossmuller from Uruguayan champions Danubio. Meanwhile, Swiss midfielder Fabian Lustenberger has left FC Lucerne to sign a five-year contract with Hertha Berlin. The 19-year-old youth international will link up with compatriot Lucien Favre, who took over the reins as coach of the Blue Whites in early June, following the sacking of Falko Goetz.

Italian football fans have been following the protracted negotiations between AC Milan and Real Madrid over the signature of Brazilian midfielder Emerson. The discussions look to be heading nowhere, that is unless Inter Milan can manage to snatch him from under the noses of their arch-rivals. In the meantime, Real Madrid, who have been obliged to trim down their squad, have loaned out striker Antonio Cassano on a one-year deal to Sampdoria, who have an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

Over in France, Lyon are expected to loosen the purse strings once more as they look to rebuild a squad ravaged by injuries. Nevertheless, les Gones must first of all decide the futures of two unsettled players. Former Arsenal winger Sylvain Wiltord has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain or former club Rennes, while Brazilian marksman Fred has also expressed the desire to move on.

RC Strasbourg seem to have pulled off a coup in signing Wason Renteria on loan from FC Porto. The 22-year-old Colombian forward scored a brace on his Ligue 1 debut against Auxerre.

Having scored ten goals in 101 appearances for the Netherlands, Phillip Cocu is also one of the most successful Dutch players in history, with four Dutch Championship titles and another in Spain (with Barcelona). The 36-year-old Eindhoven-born player has chosen to see out his distinguished career in the United Arab Emirates, joining Al-Jazeera on a one-year deal.

On a final note, much-travelled Brazilian forward Mario Jardel has headed to Australia's A-League on a one-year contract with the Newcastle Jets. The globe-trotting forward, who has been capped ten times by his country, spent last season in the Cypriot top flight with Anorthosis Famagusta. This latest switch caps a cosmopolitan career which has seen the journeyman striker turn out for 12 different clubs spanning South America, Europe and now Oceania.

Heinze set for Real Move

The messy Gabriel Heinze saga has finally reached its conclusion after the Manchester United defender agreed a four-year contract with Real Madrid.

Heinze was still considering whether to launch an appeal against the Premier League decision to block his preferred to Liverpool when Real made their move.

United, aware the 29-year-old's Old Trafford future was non-existent, were quick to agree a fee with the Spanish champions, believed to be well in excess of £5million (AUS$12.35million), forcing the issue back into Heinze's court.

Although the Argentina World Cup star still wanted to explore the Liverpool option, he knew that by dragging the situation out even further, his chances of moving out of England before the August 31 transfer deadline would effectively disappear.

Having already had one lot of talks with Real earlier in the northern summer, Heinze has now opted to join the Spanish champions instead - a move which will no doubt disappoint Rafael Benitez, who expressed his disgust for the verdict reached by the Premier League 24 hours earlier.

In contrast, United will be glad to get rid of a player who became a firm fans' favourite in the immediate aftermath of his move from Paris St Germain in 2004 but became a pariah amongst supporters for so actively pursuing a move to their fierce north-west rivals.

Heinze must still pass a medical but providing there are no problems, he will join Bernd Schuster's squad within the next 48 hours as a replacement for long-serving Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who left the Bernabeu for Turkey.

The move concludes a story which dogged United throughout their Far East tour and left Sir Alex Ferguson bemused about the player's intentions.

Those were made perfectly clear earlier this week when Heinze attending the Premier League hearing himself to claim a letter, signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill, confirming a fee at which United would be willing to do business, constituted a promise to sell.

The panel disagreed, having also heard the startling revelation of Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander who told the three-man inquiry team he was approached by one of Heinze's representatives with a proposal for the player to join the Eagles before then being moved on to Liverpool.

Such a move may have attracted the attention of FIFA, whose rules forbid a player joining three clubs in one season, but ultimately never came to fruition.

However, it does emphasise the scale of Heinze's desire to become the first player to move from United to Liverpool since Phil Chisnall in 1964.

The whole episode has left a nasty taste in the mouth of Benitez, who must now look elsewhere for a left-back following Heinze's decision to accept Real's offer.

"I would like to ask the Premier League a number of questions. How can a player with a signed agreement be treated like this?" Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"He has a document which is clear, but the Premier League prefers to believe the word of someone else who made a mistake. I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?"

And broadening his attack from the Heinze issue, Benitez said: "Then I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always plays the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?"

"We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season."

He then - somewhat bizarrely given the story dominated the news agenda for most of the close-season - claims it was 'so easy' for United to sign Tevez.

Benitez added: "Then I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United?"

"It's going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League because the other teams are so strong, but I want our supporters to know that despite the disadvantages we have, we will fight all the way."

"We will fight to cope with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions which are going against us."