Zola closes on Chamakh

friday, August 21, 2009

Chamakh Marouane

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is edging closer to signing Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh and is looking to sell James Collins to push the deal through.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is still hopeful of signing Collins but the Hammers are also waiting to see if Aston Villa are willing to bid for the 25-year-old centre-back.

The money for Collins would be used for Morocco international Chamakh, who is needed to support Carlton Cole as Zola's only senior striker.

Chamakh wants to leave his French club and earlier in the summer was on the radar of Arsenal but Arsene Wenger felt his price was too expensive for a player whose contract is running out.

Meanwhile, left-back Herita Ilunga's facial injury means he is rated as doubtful to face Tottenham on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park.

Jonathan Spector is a likely replacement but Fabio Daprela, the Switzerland Under-19 international, impressed in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Watford.

Radoslav Kovac also featured in the 2-1 win, his first appearance since signing a permanent deal with the club. Josh Payne and Zavon Hines scored the goals in the friendly.

Yeung takes step towards bid

friday, August 21, 2009

Carson Yeung

Birmingham have revealed Carson Yeung's investment company has paid a £3million deposit with a view to making an offer for the Premier League club.

Yeung's Grandtop International Holdings, which currently holds a 29.9% stake in the St Andrews club, has entered into an escrow agreement with City.

He had looked set to bid for the club two years ago but an offer failed to materialise, prompting the current owners to challenge him to prove he had the financial muscle to make a firm approach.

Grandtop have done that by placing a substantial deposit which could lead to a takeover worth around £81.5million.

A statement to the Stock Exchange said: "The board of Birmingham announces that on 20 August 2009 it entered into an escrow agreement with Grandtop International Holdings Limited, the holder of an existing 29.9% interest in the issued share capital of Birmingham.

"Under this agreement, Grandtop has put down a deposit of £3million with a view to making an offer for the entire issued share capital of the company.

"The £3million deposit is a surety for Grandtop's ability and intention to make an offer, without which the company was unable to commit resources to considering an offer."

Majority shareholders David Sullivan and David and Ralph Gold have always maintained they would not sell the club unless they were confident it was going into safe hands.

The statement added: "The irrevocables (a signed agreement for the sale of shares), if signed, will be in respect of 40,757,026 ordinary shares of 10p each in the share capital of Birmingham, representing approximately 50.0% of the existing issued share capital.

"The offer, if made, would value the entire issued share capital of Birmingham at approximately £81.5 million. It is expected that the irrevocables will be signed as soon as Grandtop indicates that it is in a position to announce a firm intention to make an Offer on the Agreed Basis."

Late penalty gives Blues win

James McFadden scored an injury-time penalty to earn Birmingham a dramatic victory over Portsmouth at St Andrew's.

Referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot after England goalkeeper David James had clattered into Blues midfielder Sebastian Larsson.

Up stepped McFadden to drill the ball past the 39-year-old who had earlier denied the home side with fine saves from Larsson and veteran striker Kevin Phillips.

James' efforts looked to have earned his side a valuable point on the day Pompey confirmed a new consortium led by chief executive officer Peter Storrie was in negotiations to buy the club.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is desperate for his side to make St Andrews into a fortress after eight draws in his 13 home games in charge two seasons ago were a major factor in them being relegated.

But for all their endeavour and purpose, with Barry Ferguson impressive in midfield, they were unable to unlock the visitors rearguard, in which Sylvain Distin was a key performer, until the late finale.

Larsson came close to putting City in front after 18 minutes when the Sweden international got on the end of a deep first-time centre from left-back Gregory Vignal but he could not keep down his header.

Hart parried a low effort around the post from Frederic Piquionne although the shot was probably heading just wide before his intervention.

City tried to build up some momentum and James turned over a curling free-kick from Larsson after Phillips had been brought down by Hayden Mullins.

James made a fine save to turn a curling shot from Phillips past the post after Garry O'Connor had headed the ball into his path. But St Andrews erupted after McFadden's late decider.

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Fabregas targeted for Milan move

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Centre of attention: Cesc Fabregas has been linked with Milan

AC Milan are reportedly lining up a £30million offerc for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Italian Tuttosport newspaper claims the San Siro club already have an understanding with Arsene Wenger to buy the Spain playmaker, when the Arsenal boss decides he is ready to sell.

The report claims Milan coach Leonardo will meet with vice-president Adriano Galliani and Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi - the club's owner - on Wednesday to discuss the move.

Everton deny Senderos bid means Lescott can leave

Everton have confirmed they are in talks with Arsenal about a move for Philippe Senderos, but deny he will be a direct replacement for Joleon Lescott.

England defender Lescott is wanted by Manchester City, and talk of a move for Senderos led to speculation a switch to Eastlands could be imminent.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: 'We have been negotiating with Arsenal for the transfer of Philippe. Nothing has been concluded yet but talks are on-going.'

A fee of about £6million is being discussed for the player who was on loan to AC Milan last season, playing 15 times.

But an Everton club source insisted Senderos - who joined Arsenal in 2003 - was not being signed as a direct replacement for Lescott.

Senderos is being lined up as cover at the back, where Phil Jagielka is not due back from a knee injury until November at the earliest.

However, the Switzerland international's arrival on Merseyside would compensate for a possible Lescott departure.

Everton have rejected two bids, £15million and £18million, from City boss Mark Hughes.

But Lescott did hold talks with Toffees manager David Moyes yesterday, but did not put in a formal transfer request.

Lescott has been told by Moyes he will not be sold and City have yet to return with a third bid.