Speculation is increasing that former Leeds United favourite Alan Smith is set for a shock return to the West Yorkshire club - seven years after being branded "Judas" by the Elland Road faithful. Smith pledged his future to the Whites when they were relegated from the Premier League in 2004, but proceeded to sign for bitter rivals Manchester United, provoking fury from Leeds' fans.
However, with Smith being told that he is free to leave his current club Newcastle, for whom he has failed to score a single league goal since joining in 2007, tentative moves have been made to return him to his spiritual home. A source close to Smith told us: "Alan thinks it's all water under the bridge now, we're going back years here. He's a Leeds man through and through and Simon Grayson is a man after the same heart. If he can sort one or two things out with Newcastle then it's on."
Smith would be expected to play in midfield as opposed to reprising his striking role from the halcyon days of the Champions League campaign of 2000-2001. He would bring key experience to a young team and replace Bradley Johnson, who is expected to sign for Premier League new boys Norwich City in the coming days.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Monday, 6 June 2011
Dale Is Paul's Jewell In The Crown
Ipswich manager Paul Jewell will kickstart his overhaul of his Ipswich Town squad with a £2m swoop for Tranmere starlet Dale Jennings. Jennings had a stunning debut season for Rovers and has attracted the attention of various Premier League clubs, but Jewell is willing to take a big money gamble on the winger, who he believes will add much-needed pace to the Tractor Boys' attack.
The Birkenhead club are understandably loath to lose the best winger they have had at Prenton Park since the halcyon days of Pat Nevin and Johnny Morrissey, but financial issues off the pitch and the continuing reluctance of owner Peter Johnson to invest in the team mean that a "sell before you can buy" policy has been imposed on physio-turned-manager Les Parry. Jennings is the sole sellable asset that the affable Scouser has on his books and hence his departure is inevitable.
Jennings' arrival could spell the end at Portman Road for former Manchester United trainee Lee Martin. Despite his high reputation and indeed price-tag, Martin has failed to convince and is thought to have been told by Jewell that he has no future at the club. Coventry are a club looking to add extra wide options to their squad and it could be that he will be left to resurrect his career at the Ricoh Arena on a season-long loan.
The Birkenhead club are understandably loath to lose the best winger they have had at Prenton Park since the halcyon days of Pat Nevin and Johnny Morrissey, but financial issues off the pitch and the continuing reluctance of owner Peter Johnson to invest in the team mean that a "sell before you can buy" policy has been imposed on physio-turned-manager Les Parry. Jennings is the sole sellable asset that the affable Scouser has on his books and hence his departure is inevitable.
Jennings' arrival could spell the end at Portman Road for former Manchester United trainee Lee Martin. Despite his high reputation and indeed price-tag, Martin has failed to convince and is thought to have been told by Jewell that he has no future at the club. Coventry are a club looking to add extra wide options to their squad and it could be that he will be left to resurrect his career at the Ricoh Arena on a season-long loan.
Danny's Taking The Michael
New Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson has made the first steps towards ingratiating himself towards the club's fans, hostile at the appointment of the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man - by making moves towards signing former Bramall Lane hero Michael Brown. Brown left Portsmouth at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract and has shown interest in returning to the place at which he spent his best years.
Although in strictly footballing terms, Brown would still be coveted by the majority of Championship clubs, he retains an affection for the South Yorkshire club and being a wealthy man following the signing of lucrative Premier League contracts for the last seven years, has no need to merely settle for the highest bidder. Wilson sees the need to get the fans "on board" and the return of a crowd idol such as the former Tottenham and Fulham midfielder would certainly galvanise support at a club that has seemed on the verge of implosion in recent times.
Brown's wage demands are not thought to be anywhere near the level that he was earning at Portsmouth, but he has insisted that he be made captain and a clause inserted in his contract that he plays every game if fit. Blades supremo Kevin McCabe is due to visit the club this week and at his meeting with Wilson, the signing will be discussed in further detail. However, should the move fall through, Bristol City and Nottingham Forest are waiting in the wings to sign the experienced schemer.
Although in strictly footballing terms, Brown would still be coveted by the majority of Championship clubs, he retains an affection for the South Yorkshire club and being a wealthy man following the signing of lucrative Premier League contracts for the last seven years, has no need to merely settle for the highest bidder. Wilson sees the need to get the fans "on board" and the return of a crowd idol such as the former Tottenham and Fulham midfielder would certainly galvanise support at a club that has seemed on the verge of implosion in recent times.
Brown's wage demands are not thought to be anywhere near the level that he was earning at Portsmouth, but he has insisted that he be made captain and a clause inserted in his contract that he plays every game if fit. Blades supremo Kevin McCabe is due to visit the club this week and at his meeting with Wilson, the signing will be discussed in further detail. However, should the move fall through, Bristol City and Nottingham Forest are waiting in the wings to sign the experienced schemer.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Angel Rangel Wrangle
Out of contract Swansea full back Angel Rangel is attracting the attention of new West Ham boss Sam Allardyce. Rangel - recently linked with the Irons' fierce rivals Millwall - sees his future in the capital. A source told us "Angel has enjoyed his time in South Wales, but sees guaranteed first team football as a priority at this stage of his career."
Allardyce is keen to recruit players known for their attractive, passing style in order to dispel the 'long ball' myth to win over the Hammers fans, and Rangel certainly fits the bill.
Allardyce is keen to recruit players known for their attractive, passing style in order to dispel the 'long ball' myth to win over the Hammers fans, and Rangel certainly fits the bill.
Big Business At Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has wasted no time in reacting to the Champions' League Final defeat to Barcelona by informing his chief executive David Gill of his two primary transfer targets. Bayern München midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is top of the list, as Ferguson looks to replace the retired Paul Scholes. The German schemer has spent his entire career in Bavaria but is known to be unhappy with the direction of the club following Louis Van Gaal's departure. Schweinsteiger, who turns 27 in August, only signed a new contract with "FC Hollywood" in December but is keen to make a move to England while still in the prime of his career. However, Bayern are unwilling to part with arguably their star asset and are thought to be demanding a fee in excess of £30m. Ferguson has told Gill that this level of investment is necessary if the club is ever to challenge the likes of Barcelona at the very highest level.
The other target is former United frontman Guiseppe Rossi. The Italian-American left the club in 2007 and has excelled in La Liga with Villarreal. Having developed as a player, Ferguson is now keen to bring the 24 year old back to Manchester to replace the outgoing Dimitar Berbatov, who could be set for a return to his own former club, Tottenham Hotspur. Villarreal qualified for the Champions League but remain relative minnows in the grand scheme of European football and will not stand in Rossi's way should United stump up the £12m fee demanded.
The other target is former United frontman Guiseppe Rossi. The Italian-American left the club in 2007 and has excelled in La Liga with Villarreal. Having developed as a player, Ferguson is now keen to bring the 24 year old back to Manchester to replace the outgoing Dimitar Berbatov, who could be set for a return to his own former club, Tottenham Hotspur. Villarreal qualified for the Champions League but remain relative minnows in the grand scheme of European football and will not stand in Rossi's way should United stump up the £12m fee demanded.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Kev To Re-Tread The Yellow Brick Road
Kevin Phillips is preparing for a return to where it all started for him as a professional footballer - by signing for his former club Watford on a free transfer. The former England frontman has left Birmingham City following the expiry of his contract and is willing to postpone his mooted move into the media side of football by a year to sign a contract with the Hertfordshire club.
Watford are preparing themselves for bids for star striker Danny Graham and have therefore lined up the veteran forward as a short-term replacement. A source close to boss Malky Mackay told us: "Kev might not have the pace that he had here in his first spell, but he hasn't forgotten how to score goals. He's always had a soft spot for Watford and sees this as an ideal place to finish his career".
Phillips had hoped to gain a further deal in the Premier League, but Birmingham's relegation put paid to that, and rumoured interest from Blackburn Rovers has been laughed off by manager Steve Kean as "balderdash".
Watford are preparing themselves for bids for star striker Danny Graham and have therefore lined up the veteran forward as a short-term replacement. A source close to boss Malky Mackay told us: "Kev might not have the pace that he had here in his first spell, but he hasn't forgotten how to score goals. He's always had a soft spot for Watford and sees this as an ideal place to finish his career".
Phillips had hoped to gain a further deal in the Premier League, but Birmingham's relegation put paid to that, and rumoured interest from Blackburn Rovers has been laughed off by manager Steve Kean as "balderdash".
Howard's Way Out Of City
Leicester stalwart Steve Howard is set to leave the club this summer after being told by manager Sven-Göran Eriksson that he has no place in his plans for the coming campaign. Howard joined the Foxes in 2008 and has weighed in with a healthy number of goals, but Eriksson wishes to base his attack around former England man Darius Vassell in 2011-12, as well as hoping to sign Everton striker Yakubu on a permanent basis after his loan spell last season.
Howard has already been linked to Burnley who are in the market for a replacement for the departed Steven Thompson, and Southampton, whose manager Nigel Adkins has expressed doubts about Rickie Lambert's suitability for Championship football. Leicester are likely to ask a fee of around £400k for the targetman, a figure well within the reach of both clubs.
Howard has already been linked to Burnley who are in the market for a replacement for the departed Steven Thompson, and Southampton, whose manager Nigel Adkins has expressed doubts about Rickie Lambert's suitability for Championship football. Leicester are likely to ask a fee of around £400k for the targetman, a figure well within the reach of both clubs.
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