Transfer Talk: Sven’s Summer Shopping ‘Til The Transfer Window’s Dropping

By: Daryl | July 29th, 2007

Sven thinking Sven Goran-Eriksson isn’t finished doing deals at Manchester City with Thaksin Shinawatra’s money. He’ll have to put up with his Thai boss offering trials to Thai players he’s never heard of, but apart form that the Swede seems free to spend as he pleases. He’s now after Marseille’s Nigerian left back Taye Taiwo and young Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. Sven seems to be going after players most folks won’t have heard of, suggesting he spent that year off (paid for by the English FA) doing some intensive scouting, which is now bearing fruit. He’s not the only one doing some summer shopping though, read on for all the latest transfer talk as the 2007/8 season approaches.

Big Sam Allardyce is looking to add a big midfielder to his Newcastle team, with a £3million bid for “The Wardrobe” Papa Bouba Diop. I’m surprised a big team hasn’t come in for this midfield colossus before.

Manchester United’s Giuseppe Rossi, the kid who doesn’t want to play for the US but isn’t yet good enough for the Italian senior team, has been linked with a move to Napoli. I’d like to see Rossi get a chance in the Premiership, to see if he’s really as good as everyone keeps telling us.

Inter’s Alvaro Recoba also fancies a move to suddenly fashionable again Napoli, presumably with dreams of being a modern day Maradona.

West Brom are finally going to cave in and let Curtis Davies leave. The centre back relinquished the captaincy at The Hawthorns and asked for a move, but Tony Mowbray hasn’t been keen to let him go. At £8-10million he’s a price proposition, but both Arsenal and Spurs are still interested, and both could use his services.

Lyon are bracing themselves for yet another raid, as Spurs are reportedly preparing an £8million bid for Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom.

Henri Camara’s itchy feet could be on the move again, leaving Wigan for either Bolton or Portsmouth where he’ll shine for his fist few games before flattering to deceive for the rest of the season.

Camara’s fellow loyalty lacker Nicolas Anelka could be leaving Bolton for Arsenal, Valencia or West Ham, depending on who you believe. More clubs than Tiger Woods, etc.

Freddy Adu’s move away from Real Salt Lake and MLS looks more likely every day, with Benfica appearing to have the edge over Inter Milan at this point. Benfica would be the wiser choice, because he’ll have more chance of actually playing.

Milan are being linked with Real Madrid’s unwanted Brazilian Copa America hero Julio Baptista, after admitting Andriy Shevchenko is out of reach. Are Milan only interested in strikers who struggled in the Premiership last season?

Arjen Robben is still being linked with a move to Real Madrid, with a price if £21million being quoted. Robben’s unstoppable on his day, and suits Chelsea’s 4-3-3 formation perfectly, but he’s not getting any less injury prone, so maybe that money will look tempting.

Bernd Schuster is also interested in bringing Michael Ballack from Chelsea to Madrid, but two quotes suggest it won’t happen. Chelsea have quoted any potential buyers £27 million for the German midfielder, while one Madrid executive had this to say about Schuster’s wishes: “He is the coach, not the one who makes the decisions at the club. We do not plan to make an offer.”