Selasa, 31 Januari 2012

Inzaghi Tolak Siena

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MILAN - Meski persaingan di lini depan AC Milan sangat ketat, Filippo Inzaghi siap menghadapinya. Penyerang gaek ini pun menampik tawaran untuk bergabung dengan Siena. 
Dengan datangnya Mazi Lopez, lini depan Milan kini dihuni oleh tujuh penyerang. Selain Inzaghi dan Lopez, Rossoneri masih punya Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato, Robinho, Antonio Cassano, dan Stephan El Shaarawy.  Di antara nama-nama tersebut, Inzaghi jelas bukan pilihan utama pelatih Massimiliano Allegri. 
Faktanya, sebelum Lopez hadir pun, Inzaghi sudah terpinggirkan dari tim utama pada musim ini. Peluang Inzaghi untuk memperoleh waktu bermain yang lebih banyak sebenarnya ada saat Siena mengajaknya bergabung. 
Tapi, eks bomber Juventus ini menolaknya. "Saya memutuskan untuk tetap tinggal. Sulit bagi saya untuk meinggalkan dunia Milan dalam waktu beberapa jam," tegas Inzaghi kepada Milan Channel. "Saya menerima banyak tawaran dalam beberapa hari terakhir dan saya ucapkan terima kasih kepada semuanya karena senang rasanya masih diinginkan dalam usia 38 tahun," tambahnya. 
"Secara khusus, terima kasih untuk Siena, presiden mereka, dan direktur mereka karena mereka melakukan hal yang mustahil dengan mencoba merekrut saya," kata Inzaghi. Lebih lanjut lagi, Inzaghi menegaskan tekadnya untuk tetap berseragam merah-hitam hingga gantung sepatu nanti. 
"Saya cuma menginginkan Milan. Karier saya di sini tak bisa selesai dengan cara seperti ini," jelasnya. "Pertandingan terakhir saya akan tetap dengan jersey ini dan saya tak bisa pergi. Klub selalu memercayai saya dan mereka masih melakukan itu hari ini," tutup dia.

sumber : detiksport.com

AC Milan Resmi Pinjam Sulley Muntari

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MILAN - AC Milan telah resmi mendatangkan gelandang Sulley Muntari dengan status pinjaman hingga akhir musim dari klub tetangga, Inter Milan.  Kepindahan ini terbilang mengejutkan karena minat Milan baru diketahui secara luas pada hari terakhir bursa transfer musim dingin. 
Namun, seperti dilansir laman Super Sport, seorang rekan dekat Muntari dari Ghana mengungkapkan proses pendekatan sebenarnya telah berjalan selama sebulan ini. 
Gaya permainan Muntari dinyatakan sesuai dengan ekspektasi pelatih Massimiliano Allegri. Setelah menyaksikan pertandingan Ghana melawan Botswana dan Mali di Piala Afrika, Allegri kian yakin merekrut Muntari. Pemain 27 tahun ini bergabung ke Inter sejak musim 2008/09, tetapi kesulitan mendapat tempat di tim inti sejak ditinggal pelatih Jose Mourinho. 
Musim ini, Muntari baru diturunkan empat kali atau 154 menit di Serie A dan hanya sekali di antaranya menjadi pemain inti. Tidak disebutkan nilai finansial yang harus dikeluarkan Milan untuk meminjam pemain yang juga pernah lama membela Udinese ini.

sumber : goal.com

AC Milan Rekrut Penyerang Muda Chelsea

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MILAN - AC Milan mendatangkan pemain muda Chelsea asal Austria, Philipp Prosinek, dengan nilai transfer yang dirahasiakan. Penampilan striker timnas Austria U-19 itu sudah dipantau Milan sejak lama. 
Prosinek dianggap memiliki masa depan cerah sehingga Milan mencoba memboyongnya pada 2009 lalu. Namun, saat itu sang pemain memilih Chelsea. 
Pada akhirnya Milan berhasil mendapatkan Prosinek. Pemain lulusan akademi Rapid Wina itu akan dimainkan di tim Primavera sampai dirasa cukup matang untuk menjadi andalan tim senior Milan di masa depan.

sumber : goal.com
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MILAN - Pelatih AC Milan, Massimiliano Allegri, berpendapat, tidak ada peluang bagi timnya mendatangkan Carlos Tevez dari Manchester City jelang bursa transfer ditutup, Selasa (31/1/2012) pukul 00.00 waktu setempat.  
Sebelumnya, Wakil Presiden Milan Adriano Galliani menyatakan, pihaknya akan terus bernegosiasi dengan City hingga detik-detik terakhir bursa transfer ditutup. Alasan terbesar Milan ngotot memboyong Tevez karena membutuhkan satu tambahan penyerang lagi, setelah sukses mendatangkan Maxi Lopez dari Catania.  
Namun, Allegri mengaku ragu kesepakatan antara Milan dan City bisa tercapai. "Saya tidak memiliki harapan Tevez tiba sebelum transfer window ditutup," kata Allegri dalam jumpa pers jelang melawan Lazio. Dalam kesempatan itu, Allegri juga mengemukakan pendapatnya soal Filippo Inzaghi. 
Seperti diketahui, penyerang gaek asal Italia itu tengah diincar oleh Espanyol, Lazio, dan beberapa klub Premier League. "Inzaghi bebas untuk memutuskan apakah dia ingin bertahan atau pergi," tutur mantan pelatih Cagliarai tersebut.

sumber : kompas.com

Maxi Curhat Soal Antre ke Milan

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MILAN – Belakangan, usai mengutarakan kebahagiaannya bisa membela tim sebesar AC Milan, Maxi López pun tak lupa menceritakan bagaimana penantiannya hingga bisa tiba di San Siro. Maxi sempat harus menunggu kabar terkait transfer Carlos Tévez, untuk bisa ke Milan.   
Semua orang pun tahu, sejak akhir bulan Desember 2011 lalu, Il Diavolo memburu Tévez, yang di mana antara Milan dan Manchester City tak kunjung menemukan titik temu. Milan hanya ingin meminjam Tévez, sementara The Eastlands hanya ingin menjualnya secara permanen.  
Maxi sejatinya hanya opsi alternatif, tapi meski begitu, Attaccante asal Argentina itu mengaku tersanjung dan berharap bisa ke San Siro dengan seragam Rossoneri. Maxi harus menunggu beberapa pekan, hingga pengharapannya terkabul seperti fakta yang terjadi sekarang.  Hal itu terjadi karena kesepakatan antara Milan dan City, collapse di tengah jalan. 
Keduanya tak menemui solusi kata sepakat. Nah, Milan yang diburu waktu dan memang butuh bomber anyar, akhirnya berpaling ke Maxi, yang dipinjam dari Catania.  “Saya sampai harus menunggu sampai momen terakhir, sebelum menjadi pemain Milan. 
Tapi saya selalu yakin bahwa saya pada akhirnya akan bermain di sini,” tutur Maxi menceritakan keadaannya.  “Pekan lalu, bagi saya terasa aneh, tapi semua orang bisa mengerti keadaan saya. Saya pastinya tak keberatan untuk bertahan (bersama Catania jika kans ke Milan gagal),” imbuhnya, sebagaimana dilansir Emirates 247, Selasa (31/1/2012).  Akhir cerita di penghujung Januari ini, Tévez gagal ke Milan, dan Maxi akhirnya mengisi lini serang Milan, untuk enam bulan ke depan. 
Tentunya hal seperti ini layaknya mimpi bagi alumnus akademi River Plate tersebut.  “Sejak kecil, saya tahu bahwa cepat atau lambat saya akan bergabung ke klub besar ini. Sekarang, saya ingin mengerahkan segalanya di sini. Saya ingin membela Milan selamanya dan saya tak ingin meninggalkan klub ini,” tuntas Maxi sembari membuat pengharapan baru.

sumber : okezone.com

Arrigo Sacchi Sindir Permainan AC Milan

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MILAN - Koordinator teknik FIGC Arrigo Sacchi berkesempatan bicara kepada media di pusat latihan nasional di Coverciano. Masalah pertama yang dibahasnya adalah mengenai permainan AC Milan.  
Rossoneri sukses mengalahkan Cagliari 3-0 untuk kembali menempel Juventus dalam perebutan scudetto. Namun, kecepatan para pemain menjadi perhatian pria yang pernah merevolusi Il Diavolo pada era 1980-an. 
Sacchi menilai Milan memperagakan tempo permainan yang lambat, meski beberapa pemainnya tidak terlalu tua.  "Saya melihat pertandingan Milan dan saya ragu beberapa pemainnya tidak seusia saya," sindir Sacchi, seperti dikutip Football Italia.  
"Dengan segala rasa kecintaan saya kepada Rossoneri, ketika saya melihat mereka mengingatkan kepada ungkapan [mantan pemain dan direktur olahraga Real Madrid Jorge] Valdano yang mengatakan: 'Saya selalu berharap melihat pertandingan sepakbola Italia, karena mereka melakukan banyak hal menarik, yang dilihat dalam tayangan ulang, dan di sisa laga bisa melakukan lebih banyak."

sumber : goal.com

Senin, 30 Januari 2012

Transfer Deadline Day Special Coverage

Here is our special transfer deadline day coverage as the most recent rumors will appear on the top of the page.

Tottenham has successfully signed Blackburn centerback Ryan Nelson and sent centerback Sebastien Bassong on loan to Wolverhampton. Nelson is a very good, experienced centerback that gives Tottenham another reliable, but injury-prone centerback. Bassong has to be excited about the chance to get out on loan and play.

Louis Saha and Bobby Zamora's deals have been completed as Saha will be an upgrade over Roman Pavlyuchenko in attacking depth. Zamora will be a very good striker for QPR as he will definitely be a starter for Mark Hughes. I think Zamora will refind his past goalscoring form and I think Saha will also play well at White Hart Lane.

Norwich is closing in on signing Peterborough centerback Ryan Bennett as he is having a medical currently at Norwich. This is a good signing for Paul Lambert as Bennett has tons of potential. It was also a god move by Lambert to loan Bennett back to Peterborough on loan for the rest of the season as this will allow him to get regular playing time.

Irish midfielder Keith Andrews has signed with West Brom as he is looking for playing time. Andrews gives West Brom some good depth in the midfield as Andrews brings a lot experience to West Brom. This is a good, safe signing for West Brom.

There are rumors that the mystery defender that Redknapp mentioned is a Blackburn centerback and it is New Zealand international Ryan Nelson and not captain Chris Samba. Nelson would bring a lot of experience to Spurs as they make a big push for the Premier League title.

Peterborough's young centerback Ryan Bennett is being chased by Premier League sides Norwich and Swansea as they are both looking in the Championship for a young centerback. Bennett will probably get plenty of playing time at either Premier League side because of his ability and his good potential. It will be interesting to see if one of these teams can get a deal done before the window closes.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said how he will sell defender Sebastien Bassong to Wolverhampton most likely as they are very interested if he signs an unnamed defender before the deadline. It is a surprise to see Bassong to Wolves possibly as QPR or Lille had been thought to be the destination for Bassong. However, the bigger question is who is this mysterious defender as we will have to see who it is as we will probably know by the deadline.

The Bobby Zamora deal is done as he has now signed with QPR. Zamora will be an excellent upgrade for QPR as he was very good when he previously worked with Mark Hughes. I think Zamora will refind his form and be an excellent signing.

Harry Redknapp has said that Tottenham has agreed a deal with Everton for their 33-year-old striker Louis Saha. Redknapp also talked about how he is impressed with Saha's movement and sharpness. Saha will not be the number one striker at Tottenham but will provide good depth as Tottenham makes a run at the Premier League title.

Juventus winger Milos Krasic has rejected a move to Tottenham after Antonio Conte and Harry Redknapp agrred a fee for Krasic's transfer . This shows the ultimate stupidity from Krasic as he would have the chance to actually start at a probable Champions League side in Tottenham instead of sitting on the bench at Juventus. Krasic should have taken the move to Tottenham as he is being way too greedy as it seems like he wants something unrealistic.

Everton manager David Moyes is still looking at signing Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci on loan with an option to buy the player in the summer as a move for Cerci could mean Steven Pienaar will not return to Everton from Tottenham. However, this deal is fairly unlikely still as so little time is left in the window but anything could happen.

Everton has officially signed Nikica Jelavic from Rangers as all the paperwork has been finished for David Moyes' new striker. Jelavic will be shown off to the fans most likely at halftime as Everton fans have to be excited that they were able to spend some money.

West Ham have finished their third signing of the day in Barnsley striker Ricardo Vaz Te. He will join Ravel Morrisn and Nicky Maynard as the latest signing for the Upton Park side. Sam Allardyce has definitely had a very successful transfer deadline day as he has completed three deals.

Rumors are circulating that Bolton is also interested in signing Watford striker Marvin Sordell as Watford has received an probably accepted at least two bids for Sordell. Owen Coyle could see Sordell as a young striker he can actually sign after Bolton was unsuccessful in signing Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha. Sordell could be the new striker target at Bolton. Reports are that Bolton are close to signing Sordell in a 4 million euro move so that is big news at the Reebok.

We now know the two teams that are after Watford striker Marvin Sordell are Premier League side Fulham and Championship side Cardiff City. Cardiff is looking for some help at striker as they try to join fellow Welsh side Swansea in the Premier League. Fulham has brought in Pavel Pogrebnyak but are still looking for another striker as Bobby Zamora is about to leave for QPR. Sordell seems ready to leave Watford as they are preparing to sell the striker.

Reports are hinting that Roman Pavlyuchenko is about to leave Tottenham for Lokomotiv Moscow as Louis Saha is close to moving to White Hart Lane. Pavlyuchenko has been looking for playing time and this is the opportunity that he has been wanting. It seems like this deal will get done as the Russian window doesn't close till February.

Watford could have a player leave that is not named Adrian Mariappa. That player is young striker Marvin Sordell as he was left out of the Watford squad. It has now been revealed that Watford has received two bids for Sordell with one of them being from the Premier League and one from the Championship. We will have to see if Sordell will pull off a move as we are closing in on 3 hours to go in the window.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made an approach for Juventus winger Milos Krasic as winger Steven Pienaar could head on loan to Everton. Krasic has been a target of Tottenham as he is looking to refind the form he had in the 2010-2011 campaign at Juventus. A move for Krasic would probably include a buyout clause at the end of it as Krasic could prove that he can start at White Hart Lane.

Wigan is interested in taking QPR striker DJ Campbell on loan as this could be a sign that Hugo Rodallega could be close to a move away from Wigan. Campbell is looking for playing time as he has failed to find the form he had last year with Blackpool. A Campbell move by Wigan could be a sign of a bigger move away from Wigan for Rodallega to possibly Tottenham who Wigan faces tonight at White Hart Lane.

Everton is about to finish the deal for Nikica Jelavic as he is at Goodison Park finishing up the final details of his move before he is shown off to the fans at Goodison Park. Jelavic will get the chance to start immediately as I have previously stated that I think Jelavic will maintain his current form as I think he will be a very good signing for Everton.

CSKA Moscow and Japanese attacking midfielder Kiesuke Honda could end up in the Premier League after Serie A side Lazio had a bid rejected for Honda as Lazio is now targeting Villarreal's Nilmar. Honda could make a move to a Premier League side like Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham or even Aston Villa who have been rumored with interest. However, I think it is too late for Honda as he will probably stay in Moscow till the summer.

Tottenham winger Steven Pienaar is still being linked with a loan move back to Goodison Park as he is looking for playing time. This has been rumored as part of a deal that would send Louis Saha to White Hart Lane as this would give Moyes another winger on loan since he already has Landon Donovan for another month and Royston Drenthe. Pienaar would probably be interested in returning to Goodison Park on loan but a permanet move to Loftus Road might interest him more since he really wants to leave Tottenham.

Bobby Zamora is having a medical now at Loftus Road as it seems like his move to QPR will be finished before the deadline. Zamora has not had the best season but I think he will be able to refind his form under Mark Hughes who Zamora is used to working with from Hughes's days at QPR. Mark Hughes is definitely making some big moves today as he could still move for someone else.

Blackburn has had a bid rejected for Leeds United winger Robert Snodgrass as it looks like he will be staying at Eiland Road. Snodgrass is a very good player and will be in the Premier League at some point but Blackburn will definitely not be it.

Tons of rumors that Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega will be on the move after he was left out of the squad for Wigan tonight against Tottenham. This could be a sign that he is close to a deal with possibly Tottenham as he did travel with Wigan to London. This will be interesting to watch as they are also looking at Everton's Louis Saha. Could Redknapp sign Rodallega and not Saha, we will have to see as the window is closing in on 5 hours to go.

Watford's centerback Adrian Mariappa has turned down a move to Wigan after Roberto Martinez had a bid accepted by Watford. It seems like Mariappa wants a move to Newcastle United as he knows that Alan Pardew has made his last bid for him. Watford may decide to accept the offer from Newcastle now that Mariappa has turned down the move to Wigan. Mariappa could still end up staying at Watford also so this will be interesting.

Fulham have almost finished a 3 million euro deal for Stuttgart and Russian international striker Pavel Pogrebnyak who has struggled this season. Pogrebnyak will hope to refind his form at Craven Cottage as he looks to make Russia's Euro 2012 squad. However, I think Martin Jol has made a mistake if he thinks Pogrebnyak is going to be a success in the Premier League as he has not found any sort of form this year. This deal could mean that Bobby Zamora is being allowed to leave for Loftus Road if he gets personal terms worked out. All that remains is a work permit which should happen soon which means this deal is pretty much done.

Roma midfielder David Pizarro's loan deal to Manchester City is just about finished as Pizarro has just arrived in Manchester. Pizarro will give Mancini more depth in the midfield since Yaya Toure is at the African Cup of Nations. Pizarro should adjust very easily to Manchester City as he has been on a Roberto Mancini team before when they were at AC Milan in 2005 and 2006. This should be a good move for Manchester City as Pizarro has plenty of creativity.

Rangers have had a bid rejected for Norwich striker Grant Holt as they want him to replace Nikica Jelavic in Glasgow. Holt has also pledged his loyalty completely to Norwich so I don't think Norwich need to worry about losing Grant Holt.

Championship side Brighton are close to saigning West Brom's Joe Mattock and Gonzalo Jara on loan for the rest of the season as Brighton is looking to make a push for promotion. Mattock and Jara will be excited to get playing time for a Brighton side that is making a push for promotion to the Premier League. Brighton will be definitely excited to have the experience of two Premier League players on their squad.

Sunderland is close to signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos on reportedly a loan deal though it could me more than that as Kyrgiakos only needs a medical which is being done right now. Kyrgiakos would probably be an immediate starter for Martin O'Neill as he would be paired up with Wes Brown in the center of defense.

More reports are hinting that Harry Redknapp is preparing to make a move for Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin. The rumored price tag is around 11 million euros which would be a very good deal for Spurs as Marin is an excellent winger and is still only 22-years-old. Marin will get the chance to start at White Hart Lane if he moves to London. This will definitely come down to the deadline.

West Brom has signed defender Liam Ridgewell officially from Birmingham for 2.5 million euros as Ridgewell will immediately be a starter for Roy Hodgsen's side. Ridgewell will be steal as he is a very good defender. Ridgewell is a quality defender and compared to wat teams are offering for Watford's Adrian Mariappa, this is an amazing deal.

Two clubs are looking at signing Leeds United winger Robert Snodgrass as he has been rumored with a Premier League move throughout the window. The two clubs could be Norwich, Blackburn, Sunderland, Everton, QPR, Wolverhampton, or West Brom. Leeds United will try to keep Snodgrass but it will be hard to keep him if Leeds gets a good enough bid. Robbie Rogers could be an immediate replacement for Snodgrass so Leeds will not need to make a panic move for a replacement as they already have that replacement.

Juventus winger Milos Krasic has drawn a little bit of interest from Tottenham and Zenit. Zenit may want Krasic after they failed in their bid to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from FC Basel. Tottenham has had interest in Krasic troughout the window but it isn't that strong as Harry Redknapp seems to prefer a move for Werder Bremen's Marko Marin on a permanent than a loan move for Krasic.

Bolton has finalized a loan deal for Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi from Arsenal as they hope he can be as good as Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge were for Bolton on loan. Miyaichi will get plenty of opportunities to play as Bolton has been looking for wingers.

Big news: Bobby Zamora has reportedly agreed personal terms with QPR while Fulham has agreed a fee with Mark Hughes. Zamora only needs a medical now as this is a good signing for QPR as I think Zamora will be able to refind his form. Zamora will be excited to make this move as Mark Hughes has a pair of top strikers with Djibril Cisse also signed today.

Bolton striker Kevin Davies is probably going to sign a contract extension at Bolton which probably ends the chance that Davies goes to Sunderland or a move across to MLS as there was some interest in him in the US. Owen Coyle will be happy to keep his captain as he can help lead them out of relegation trouble.

Rangers have made a bid for Norwich striker Grant Holt as they see him as a good replacement for Everton-bound Nikica Jelavic. Norwich manager Paul Lambert has said that he will not sell Grant Holt but a bid of 6 million euros could change his mind. However, I really do not think that Grant Holt will leave Norwich for Rangers as Norwich does not want to sell him.

Everton is about to sign Nikica Jelavic as he has arrived at Goodison Park as reported by Sky Sports. Jelavic only needs to work out personal terms as those should be finished very soon as Jelavic will definitely be excited about making this move. Everton fans have a lot to be happy about today with this deal.

Everton has reportedly made a move for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson as David Moyes wants to bring him in on loan. Johnson has not seen too much playing time at the Ethiad this season and he may ask Roberto Mancini to allow him to move. Johnson could be another good signing for Everton as he can be replace Landon Donavon when he goes back to LA and be an excellent partner on the opposite wing while Donovan is still at Goodison. This would be another good move for Everton.

Nicky Mayanrd is about to finalize his deal to West Ham as he has finished his medical and will head to Upton Park to finish the deal. Ravel Morrison is about to also finish his deal to Upton Park as both these deals are terrific signings. Morrison will get plenty of playing time and is a steal as he has been mentioned with some huge clubs. Maynard is also a steal of a deal as he is a very good goalscorer. Sam Alardyce has had a great deadline day so far with these two signings.

Tottenham is cosindering deadline moves for strikers Diego Milito and Fernando Llorente. Both strikers have interested Spurs but they will probably only sign one of them if they get either. Tottenham is also looking at making a bid for Blackburn CB Chris Samba but that is unlikely as the price tag on Samba has taken away all interest for Samba.

Jermaine Defoe will not be headed for Liverpool as his agent has rejected any possibility of that happening. This would have been a surprise as Defoe is getting plenty of playing time and has no reason to leave White Hart Lane.

The Wayne Bridge loan deal to Sunderland has been completed as he could make his debut against Norwich. Bridge will be looking forward to a fresh start at the Stadium of Light as he could get significent playing time. Bridge knows that he needs to do well to prove that he can still play at the level necessary in the Premier League.

Watford has had accepted a bid from Wigan and not Newcastle for Adrian Mariappa. This is a huge surprise as Wigan haven't been mentioned with a move to sign Mariappa. Mariappa knows that he can get the chance to start at the DW as Wigan has made a move to try to avoid relegation. If true, this will definitely get done as Mariappa will not be able to turn down the opportunity to go to the Premier League.

Fulham has completed the deal for Pavel Pogrebnyak as he looks to end his bad form at Craven Cottage. Pogrebnyak is a huge gamble for Martin Jol as he could be worse than Zamora if he continues to play like he did at Stuttgart. I think Martin Jol should have signed Lucas Barrios from Borussia Dortmund instead as I think this is a waste of money. However, Martin Jol is also still looking at West Brom's Peter Odemwingie so this could be interesting.

Bolton has failed in their bid for Wilfried Zaha as Crystal Palace has said that they will not be selling Zaha. This is a surprise as these funds could be reinvested in the club. However, Zaha is an impressive prospect and is under contract through 2017 so keeping Zaha shouldn't be that bad.

Alan Pardew has said that he has made his final bid for Watford centerback Adrian Mariappa. All the pressure is now on Watford as Mariappa wants to leave and this might be the best offer they can get. I think Watford will accept the offer and Mariappa will be headed for Newcastle.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is looking at making a move for former Liverpool centerback Sotirios Kyrgiakos as he has been very good for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. O'Neill needs some help on the backline and Kyrgiakos could be a very good signing. This will probably go down to the deadline.

West Brom is closing in on signing Birmingham's Liam Ridgewell as they have a bid accepted by Birmingham manager Chris Hughton. Ridgewell has been hoping to make this move and it seems like he will now be able to. Ridgewell will be a very good player for West Brom and this will be a steal of a deal for 2 million euros.

Botlon has had a 6 million euro bid rejected for Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams as this seems ridiculous. Middlesbrough should have accepted the bid as it was an excellent bid and they could reinvest the funds in the club to sign one, two, or three players. Middlesbrough should have allowed Williams to go to Bolton for that amount of money as Bolton may now end negotiations.

West Ham is close to signing Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard as they are working out personal terms right now. Maynard was not able to get a Premier League move but West Ham looks like a team that will get promoted this season. Maynard will be an excellent to their current group of strikers.

Everton is close to finalizing a deal for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic as all that has to be finished are personal terms. I think Jelavic will be a good signing for Everton as he will be able to keep his good form. Everton is also looking at loaning Louis Saha to Tottenham as he could be the replacement for Roman Pavlyuchenko. This loan move could definitely give them the money to buy Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin.

QPR has made a five million euro bid for Fulham Bobby Zamora as they are finishing up the Dibril Cisse deal. Zamora is interested in a move to Loftus Road as Martin Jol is looking to replace him with Peter Odemwingie and/or Pavel Pogrebnyak. However, Fulham has reportedly rejected the bid for Zamora so this will be interesting.

AC Milan has rentered talks for Carlos Tevez as they are just seeing if Mancini has changed his demands.. Milan has been interested in Tevez throughout the window and he has shown interest in a move to Milan. This could happen but I don't think it will happen.

Manchester City is closing on signing Roma midfielder David Pizarro on loan as Roberto Mancini has had him before at AC Milan. Pizarro is going to be headed for Manchester as Mancini has been wanting this deal. Pizarro will get the chance to play immediately for Mancini's side.
West Ham is closing in on finalizing a move for Manchester United starlet Ravel Morrison as he is currently having a medical at the Upton Park side. This is a big signing for Sam Alaardyce as he gets a great young midfielder that had been linked with sides like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Newcastle. This is a great signing.

Arsebal midfielder Andrei Arshavin is considering a move to Russian side Anzhi as preliminary talks have begun. Arshavin has been a major disappointment for Arsenal and fans at the Emirates will be happy if Wenger can move him. This could be an interesting headline as it will go down to the deadline.

Manchester City leftback Wayne Bridge is closing in on a surprise loan move to Sunderland as Martin O'Neill may use him against Norwich. This is a surprise after the lack of success Bridge's loan move to West Ham last January. Bridge will have to fight for playing time with Phil Bardsley at leftback as Bridge could end up being defensive cover more than anything. The wages will not be all payed by Sunderland as that is part the reason why Martin O'Neill is able to get this deal done. This makes me wonder whether O'Neill still has enough money to make another signing like Bolton's 34-year-old striker Kevin Davies. This has all the makings of a failure of a deal as Bridge has not proven that he can be productive at the top flight.

Transfer Deadline Day

There is one day every winter that is the most exciting in the world when it feels that time goes by so slow as so many moves happen. For managers, every second is important as time is so tight with only 24 hours remaining. Players that think they might be on the move have vehicles ready to get them to where they need to go as it could be by car or helicopter. Fans surrond training facilities as they watch to see if a the car or helicopter of a new player goes by. This is what the transfer deadline day is all about as we will have some special coverage just for you throughout the day. Last year, we had huge deals for Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll go through on this crazy day. As all clubs are ready for a day that may include a match miday, here is your early preview of the biggest rumors coming into the deadline day.

Tottenham have joined Liverpool in being interested in Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin, and are also interested in Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega and Internacional striker Leandro Damiao. (Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is looking at making a deadline day for Werder Bremen's star German winger Marko Marin as Redknapp has been an admirer of the Bremen winger for a long time. Tottenham may have some competiton from Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool as they are also interested in signing the German. Marin would definitely get the chance to take the starting job on the right wing away from Aaron Lennon as the 22-year-old Marin would definitely be intrigued by the chance to contend for a Premier League title. Marin may tell Bremen he wants to leave if they get an offer of around 15 million euros from Tottenham as Bremen is probably not going to be playing in Europe in the next year or two. Marin could definitely end up at White Hart Lane but Redknapp may have to raise some funds by selling fringe players to get the money he needs. Sebastien Bassong could definitely be sold to QPR and Pienaar could follow Bassong to Loftus Road while Giovani Dos Santos could make a move to Villarreal. Roman Pavlyuchenko could be headed for a return to Russia with a move to rich Anzhi or Spartak Moscow. Selling these might help him raise the funds to sign Marko Marin and a striker like Hugo Rodallega or Leandro Damiao. Tottenham has been constantly linked with a 20 million euro move for Brazillian striker Leandro Damiao but now might be too late to make a move as Damiao will need a permit and Redknapp doesn't have enough time to get that permit. Now, Harry Redknapp is targeting a move for Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega who Roberto Martinez is trying to get something for now before he leaves for free in the summer. Rumors have Rodallega playing for Wigan against Spurs tomorrow and then completing a deal to White Hart Lane right after the game as press will definitely be following Rodallega tomorrow after the game. Rodallega will be surronded by press tomorrow in the tunnel if he is seen walking towards the Tottenham offices at White Hart Lane. This could be a very interesting headline tomorrow as Tottenham could use Rodallega as a replacement for Pavlyuchhenko if he is sold to Anzhi or Spartak tomorrow. This will be another intriguing deadline day at Tottenham as they could pull a surprise just like the Rafael van der Vaart signing on August 31, 2010.

Everton is close to signing Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic after agreeing a fee with the Scottish side. Everton is also close to signing Greek centerback Koatas Manolas.
Everton manager David Moyes has agreed a fee with SPL side Rangers for their star striker Nikica Jelavic who has been rumored with moves to Liverpool, QPR, and West Ham throughout the duration of the transfer window. Now, Moyes has only to agree personal terms with the Croatian striker as he has agreed a rumored 5.5 million euro fee with Rangers manager Ally McCoist. Jelavic has been wanting this move to Goodison Park as he has told McCoist that he wants to leave for the Premier League. Jelavic has been having an excellent season in the Scottish Premier League as that scoring will give him an immediate chance to start at Goodison Park. Jelavic has the potential to be a really good striker for Everton if his form translates from Scotland to England. However, this could be a big mistake if the upgrade in competition causes him to struggle like Everton's Tim Cahill and Louis Saha. This deal will definitely get done which will please the Everton fan base befor their big game against Manchester City. Meanwhile, David Moyes is also closing in on a deal for AEK Athens's Greek centerback Kostas Manolas. The deal is rumored to be in the range of one million euros as all that needs to be done is a medical and once that is complete. Manolas will be signing for Everton as he has the potential to be a centerback that is at least as good as Phil Jaigelka. These two signings will be good for Everton as it will give them a couple more fresh faces which have been needed.

Fulham is still targeting Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios.
Fulham manager is closing in on a 7 million euro move for Paraguay international and Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios who has stuck behind Robert Lewandowski at the Signal Iduna Park. Martin Jol has been looking for a striker as he is not completely confident in current 31-year-old Englsih striker Bobby Zamora. Clint Dempsey has been able to take the load of the scoring duties due to the lack of goals up top from Zamora and Andy Johnson. However, I think Barrios is a steal at 7 million euros as he will be able to be a very good goalscorer and take the pressure off of Dempsey. The 27-year-old will be a difference maker and help push the Cottagers in the Premier League as I think this signing can help the Craven Cottage side to a top half table finish. I think this deal will get done before midnight as both sides want to get the deal done too much for this to not happen. Fulham fans can get excited for the impending arrival of your next star striker: Paraguyan Lucas Barrios.

West Brom and Stoke are both after Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell.
West Brom is trying to beat Stoke City to the signing of Championship side Birmingham's star defender Liam Ridgewell. West Brom and former Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster has said that he wants West Brom manager Roy Hodgsen to sign Ridgewell as he knows that Ridgewell would be an upgrade on the backline for West Brom. West Brom has made a new bid here on deadline day for the defender as Hodgsen really wants to bring him in to upgrade his backline. Ridgewell will be a success for West Brom if he makes a move to The Hawthorns. However, Stoke manager Tony Pulis is also looking at making a deadline move for Ridgewell as he could start at a wingback for Stoke. Ridgewell is a traditional centerback but he has shown that he can be a wingback over the past year and a half. Birmingham is asking for only two million euros and I think Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew could make a move for Ridgewell just like he did on the summer transfer deadline day though this is just a feeling as this hasn't been proven yet. However, I do think that West Brom will get the deal done for Liam Ridgewell so West Brom fans can prepare to welcome their soon to be new signing Liam Ridgewell.

Bolton targeting moves for Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha and Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi.
Botlon manager Owen Coyle has improved his bid for Crystal Palace's star young attacker Wilfried Zaha as he has offered a bid package that includes half of any amount of money they get for Zaha from another team that they sell him to plus the already offered 5 million euros. Owen Coyle really wants to sign Zaha from Palace and both sides are starting to get closer to an agreement as Zaha is probably very interested in a move to Bolton. Zaha will probably get some playing time at the Reebok but Owen Coyle might loan him back to Palace for the rest of the season as he can still be a starter for Palace. This move will get done but it will be close as Owen Coyle will make a good enough offer, but Crystal Palce has Zaha under contract through 2017 so Coyle will probably have to put the max amount that he wants to put up for Zaha, but this deal will get done by the close of the window. Meanwhile, Coyle is also hoping to sign Arsenal's young Japenese winger Ryo Miyaichi on loan for the rest of the season as Coyle sees Miyaichi as a potential upgrade on the wings. Coyle has had success with loan moves like this as he has done the same thing for Jack Wilshere two years ago and Daniel Sturridge last year. Arsene Wenger would also be willing to do this deal as he wants to send Miyaichi on loan in England and not outside of England like he did for Miyaichi last January by sending him to Feyenoord. I think this deal will also get done as Owen Coyle has genuine interest in getting this deal done just like the Zaha deal.

Speed inquest sheds light, BBC Fashanu doc

The mystery surrounding the death of Wales coach Gary Speed unraveled somewhat today at the official inquest.

While the coroner concluded there was not enough hard evidence to record a deliberate suicide, instead of just a cry for help presumably, we did learn that Speed and his wife had been having problems in their marriage and had rowed on the night he died.

His children were in bed and his wife had driven off following the argument and spent the night sleeping in the car when her husband failed to return her phonecalls. Shortly after 6am she saw his body hanging in the garage.

This news corrected the initial statements issued to the press, which had left everyone bewildered how someone so apparently happy and successful could end it all in a flash.

Now we know there were warning signs, not least in a text he sent the week before when he spoke of a desire to kill himself. Friend Alan Shearer confirmed Speed had mentioned his marriage was in a rocky patch, but added that it was nothing unusual in long-term relationships.

Speed's mother gave perhaps the most touching testimony, describing her son as a "glass half-empty person" and noting sadness in his eyes shortly before his death.

It is still a tragedy with no happy ending, but at least it makes more sense now. Speed's many clubs have given him moving tributes, while Wales' friendly with Costa Rica next month should be a fitting send-off.

Speeds' death came in the same week that 'A Life too Short', the tale of German international goalkeeper Robert Enke's suicide, won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. Author Ronald Reng had previously penned an entertaining chronicle of another German goalie Lars Leese's year with Barnsley in the Premier League - 'The Keeper of Dreams'.

***

If admitting depression remains somewhat of a taboo in soccer, Stan Collymore aside, coming out as gay still seems hopelessly impossible. Tonight BBC4 screened a documentary optimistically called 'Britain's Gay Footballers', where Amal Fashanu, the 23 year-old niece of the much-traveled Justin Fashanu and daughter of ex-Wimbledon legend John, asked why no gay players had come out since her late uncle more than twenty years ago.

The most poignant moment was when Amal confronted her own father about his famous ostracising of his brother. John Fashanu came close to admitting he was wrong to have done so, but could only confess he could have done more to help and at the time believed Justin had brought shame onto the family by revealing scurrilous details of his sex life to Rupert Murdoch's Sun.

Predictably, her quest for some sign that English football is about to exit the dark ages ended fruitlessly, with one voice after another expressing the mantra that gay men still cannot feel comfortable in soccer. Most players, depressingly, refused to even discuss the issue on camera with Amal, though QPR bad boy and twitterer extreme Joey Barton said he expected to see openly gay players within a decade.

A chat with self-outed Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas and a visit to Sweden where Glenn Hysen's gay son plays fourth division football with no obvious problems, confirmed we have no excuses left in the game's homeland. Homosexuality has been legal in England and Wales for 45 years after all.

The FA, UEFA and FIFA need to take more of a lead however and eradicate homophobia as passionately as they campaign against racial discrimination. The authorities' relative silence on the issue is sending the wrong message to a sport which revels in the full glare of modern publicity but in its social makeup and entrenched attitudes still inhabits a bygone age. Awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals to homophobic nations certainly did not help, but there is time for everyone to change for the better.

(c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile

Galliani: Inzaghi Tidak Pernah Minta Pergi

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MILAN Wakil Presiden AC Milan Adriano Galliani membantah rumor bahwa Milan akan menjual striker Filippo Inzaghi pada bursa transfer musim dingin ini. Galliani yakin, ia akan tetap bertahan karena pihaknya tak pernah menerima permintaan Inzaghi untuk dijual.  
Nasib Inzaghi di San Siro masih menjadi tanda tanya, setelah jarang dimainkan pada musim ini. Belum lagi, nama penyerang berusia 38 tahun itu tidak didaftarkan oleh Pelatih Massimiliano Allegri ke dalam skuad Liga Champions. 
Inzaghi tak menjadi pilihan utama karena dia sempat cedera panjang dan kalah bersaing dengan penyerang-penyerang lain, seperti Alexandre Pato dan Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  Oleh karena itu, Inzaghi sempat mempertimbangkan akan hengkang. Meski usianya tak terbilang muda lagi, Inzaghi masih diminati oleh beberapa klub. 
Espanyol, Lazio, dan dua klub asal Premier League tertarik meminangnya. Dalam perkembangannya, Lazio disebut-sebut sebagai klub yang berpeluang mendapatkan Inzaghi. Namun, hal itu langsung dibantah oleh Galliani. "Prediksi saya, dia akan tetap bertahan. Sampai saat ini, dia tidak penah meminta (dijual). Saya pikir dia akan tetap bertahan di Milan," beber Galliani.

sumber : kompas.com

AC Milan Masih Tunggu Carlos Tevez

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MILAN - Wakil Presiden AC Milan Adriano Galliani menegaskan pihaknya masih menunggu kehadiran striker Manchester City Carlos Tevez di San Siro. 
Pekan lalu, jawara Serie A Italia telah mendapatkan jasa penyerang Argentina Maxi Lopez. Kedatangan Lopez awalnya diyakini sebagai akhir dari perburuan Rossoneri terhadap Tevez.  
Namun, Galliani kembali mengungkapkan minatnya kepada Tevez dan bersedia menunggu hingga akhir musim 2011-12. "Mulai sekarang hingga pukul 7 malam esok hari (ketika bursa transfer ditutup) mungkin tidak ada pemain lain yang akan bergabung, tapi mungkin saja terjadi keajaiban," cetus Galliani.  
"Kami tidak mengharapkan Tevez bisa bergabung, sebaliknya kami memiliki Maxi Lopez. Kita akan lihat apa yang terjadi musim panas nanti, kini bursa transfer pemain hampir ditutup."

sumber : goal.com

Conte: Milan Super Favorit Scudetto

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TURIN - Pekan 20 Liga Italia mengantar Juventus dan AC Milan mulai memisahkan diri dari kejaran para pesaing. Terkait rivalitas tersebut, Antonio Conte melabeli Rossoneri sebagai super favorit untuk dapat Scudetto
Milan dan Juventus menjadi dua tim papan atas yang meraih kemenangan di pekan 20 Seri A sepanjang Sabtu dan Minggu kemarin. Kekalahan Inter Milan dan Udinese membuat duo Rossoneri dan Bianconeri sedikit menjauh dari kejaran. Terkait hasil laga-laga tersebut, Conte menaruh perhatian pada kemenangan 3-0 Milan atas Cagliari. 
Meski banyak pemainnya didera cedera, Alessandro Nesta dkk disebut Conte masih menunjukkan kehebatannya dengan memetik kemenangan mudah. Inilah yang membuat Milan disebutnya sebagai super favorit untuk bisa meraih Scudetto
"Kemampuan Milan untuk menang dengan mudah sungguh mengejutkan. Kemarin, dengan banyak pemain absen, mereka meraih poin dengan sangat tenang. Mereka punya juara seperti Zlatan Ibrahimovic, yang sekali waktu memberi sensasi bahwa dia adalah seorang Gulliver, raksasa," sahut Conte dalam konferensi pers jelang laga kontra Parma. 
"Mereka sangat impresif dan mereka adalah favorit super untuk memenangi titel. Sampai sekarang kami masih menjaga persaingan dengan mereka dan kami harap kami bisa menjaga kans juara hingga khir," Conte melanjutkan. Meski menyebut Milan sebagai kandidat terkuat juara, Conte tak menutup peluang terjadi kejutan di sisa musim. 
Apalagi kompetisi masih menyisakan 18 pertandingan sebelum sang juara bisa didapat. "Masih ada 18 pertandingan yang harus dijalani dan ada 54 poin yang ditawarkan, jadi segalanya bisa terjadi di antara enam atau tujuh tim teratas," tuntas dia di Football Italia.

sumber : detiksport.com

Allegri: Ciao Inter

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MILAN – Dalam kondisi AC Milan merengkuh poin penuh untuk terus mengawal ketat Juventus di puncak klasemen, membuat AC Milan sepertinya mesti berucap selamat tinggal kepada seteru sekota mereka, Inter Milan yang kian menjauh dari jalur juara. 
Il Diavolo mampu terus menguntit Juve, dengan menggilas Cagliari di partai kandang pada Giornata ke-20. Sementara Nerrazzuri pulang dengan tangan hampa dan tertunduk malu, usai dipermalukan Lecce 0-1. 
Hasil di pekan ke-20 ini membuat perolehan poin Inter kian jauh dari Milan dan Juventus, yang masih bertahan untuk merebut mahkota Serie A musim ini. Tanpa malu, Allenatore Milan, Massimilano Allegri pun menyebut, perburuan gelar hanya tinggal menyisakan dua tim saja, Milan dan Juve. 
“Penting untuk kami menang dan meraih tiga angka, untuk terus menempel Juventus. Kami senang, sekarang tim lain sudah tersisih dari jalur juara. Saat ini, saya anggap hanya ada dua kuda yang saling balapan untuk meraih gelar,” ujar Allegri dengan pede-nya.  
Nah, terkait keberhasilannya mengamankan poin penuh di kandang melawan mantan tim besutannya itu, Allegri mengaku hasil 3-0 adalah sebuah kerja keras yang didapat Milan dengan berpeluh keringat upaya luar biasa. Karena Cagliari tidak bisa ditaklukkan dengan mudah, terlebih melawan tim besar seperti Milan dalam kondisi cuaca dan lapangan yang menyulitkan. 
“Kami akui, di awal pertandingan kami sempat kesulitan. Selain karena perlawanan, kondisi lapangan juga memberi pengaruh. Tapi kami bersyukur dengan adanya (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic yang memecah kebuntuan dengan keajaibannya,” tuntasnya, seperti disadur Sky Sport 24, Senin (30/1/2012).

sumber : okezone.com

AC Milan Bandrol Zlatan Ibrahimovic €150 Juta

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MILAN - Manajemen AC Milan telah memasang bandrol striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic hingga mencapai €150 juta. Demikian diklaim agen Ibrahimovic, Mino Raiola. 
Setelah mengalami kegagalan di Barcelona, Ibrahimovic kembali ke Italia pada 2010, dan menjadi salah satu elemen penting bagi Rossoneri merebut gelar juara.  Ibrahimovic pun disebut-sebut bermain lebih baik pada musim ini dengan torehan 15 gol dari 17 laga Serie A Italia. 
Raiola pun mengungkapkan kemungkinan Ibrahimovic bertahan di Milan. “Berdasarkan keterangan [presiden klub Silvio] Berlusconi, dia [Ibrahimovic] bernilai €150 juta,” ujar sang agen dilansir ANSA. “Saya menerima banyak tawaran untuk dia. 
Saya tidak bisa bilang dia akan tetap berada di Milan hingga akhir karirnya. Tapi saya pikir dia akan senang dengan hal itu.” Sementara itu, walau sudah berusia 30 tahun, Ibrahimovic menyatakan dia masih memiliki kemampuan. “Saat ini, saya merasa lebih kuat dibandingkan sebelumnya,” tegas Ibrahimovic.

sumber : goal.com

Adriano Galliani Lembur, Carlos Tevez Datang?

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MILAN - Saga transfer Carlos Tevez terus berlanjut, setidaknya bos Rossoneri Adriano Galliani memperlihatkan sedikit indikasi ke arah sana. "Besok, Selasa (31/1) saya akan bekerja lebih lama dari biasanya," kata Galliani penuh isyarat. 
Salah satu harapan yang bisa dinanti oleh loyalis Milan agar transfer terwujud adalah City bersedia menurunkan penalti kontrak dari €8 juta menjadi €6 juta namun negosiasi masih berjalan alot dan sang pemain tetap berada di Argentina.  
Andai transfer sang penyerang kandas, AC Milan dipastikan bakal mencoba lagi di bursa pemain berikutnya. Sementara itu lini tengah AC Milan sedikit terguncang dengan absennya Markel selama delapan pekan. Situasi ini menghadirkan spekulasi baru yaitu kemungkinan kehadiran pemain Chievo Rigoni atau Donadel di San Siro.

sumber : goal.com

Ignazio Abate: Kami Siap Hadapi Februari

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MILAN - AC Milan dihadapkan pada jadwal luar biasa berat pada Februari. Dari tujuh laga di bulan kedua kalender Masehi itu, bisa dibilang hanya Cesena (19/2) yang menjadi lawan mudah armada Massimiliano Allegri. 
Sisanya, Il Diavoli mesti bentrok kontra Lazio (1/2), Napoli (5/2), serta Udinese (12/2) di Serie A, Arsenal (15/2) di Liga Champions, dan sepasang duel melawan Juventus di semi-final Coppa Italia (8/2) dan Serie A (26/2).   
Meski fixtures tersebut amat sulit, full-back Ignazio Abate yakin I Rossoneri punya segala yang diperlukan untuk dapat melaluinya dengan baik. "Kami memiliki bulan berat di hadapan. Kami harus berusaha dan melewatinya tanpa terluka, dan kami memiliki semua 'kartu' untuk melakukan itu," ucapnya di situs resmi Milan. "Semua gim penting. 
Inter kalah di Lecce dan tak seorang pun memperkirakan itu. Februari bisa menjadi bulan menentukan di liga." Terkait kemenangan Milan 3-0 atas Cagliari, Abate berkomentar, "Kami menunjukkan performa seimbang. Tak mudah mendapatkan gol pembuka, tapi kami mencetaknya di momen yang tepat."

sumber : goal.com

Krisis Gelandang, Milan Tak Rindukan Pirlo

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MILAN - AC Milan mengalami krisis gelandang menyusul cedera yang dialami Alexander Merkel. Namun kemenangan 3-0 atas Cagliari menunjukkan kalau Rossoneri masih bisa bertahan, dan tak menyesal melego Andrea Pirlo.
Gol-gol dari Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Antonio Nocerino dan Massimo Ambrossini memberi Milan kemenangan 3-0 atas Cagliari. Tiga poin dari kemenangan tersebut menjaga jarak Rossoneri dari Juventus di posisi teratas bertahan di satu poin. Kemenangan tersebut juga menunjukkan kekuatan Milan meski ditinggal banyak pemainnya yang cedera. 
Massimiliano Allegri kehilangan beberapa pemain terutama di lini tengah setelah yang terakhir Merkel dikabarkan akan absen hingga delapan pekan. Milan sebelumnya sudah kehilangan pilar-pilar lapangan tengahnya seperti Kevin Prince Boateng, Matthieu Flaminidan Alberto Aquilani. 
Kondisi tersebut kemudian memunculkan spekulasi kalai Diavolo Rosso merindukan Pirlo, jenderal lapangan tengah yang dilepas ke Juventus di awal musim. Apalagi Pirlo kini jadi kunci penting Bianconeri berada di posisi teratas. 
"Musim lalu saya sudah memutuskan kalau taktiknya akan berubah. Pirlo adalah seoarng juara dan (kini) punya musim yang bagus, tapi perpisahan itu adalah kesepakatan bersama dan bagus secara ekonomi buat kami. Benar kalau tim ini menang bersama (pemain-pemain) juara, tapi beberapa tetap memetik kemenangan setelah ada yang dijual," sahut Allegri di Football Italia
Terkait kondisi lini tengahnya yan kini kehilangan empat pemain, Allegri memastikan kalau tak ada gelandang baru yang akan didatangkan. Sukses Nocerino dan Ambrossini ikut menyumbang gol membuktikan kalau lapangan tengah Rossoneri masih bertaji. "Apakah kami perlu membeli gelandang? Tidak, saya tidak mengatakan hal itu. 
Saya tidak khawatir karena malam ini Urby Emanuelson bermain sangat baik dan performanya meningkat." "Dia bermain dengan kaki yang 'salah', karena meski Nocerino menggunakan kaki kanan, dia bisa memberikan yang terbaik di sisi kiri lapangan," tuntas Allegri.

sumber : detiksport.com

Agen: Ibra Lebih Hebat dari Van Basten

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MILAN - Agen Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mino Raiola mengklaim bahwa kliennya itu lebih hebat daripada legenda AC Milan Marco van Basten. Pujian yang lebih tinggi dari yang diberikan wakil presiden Rossoneri Adriano Galliani.  
Menurut Raiola, performa Ibrahimovic yang terus konsisten menyebabkan perbandingan besar dengan van Basten. Dia menilai, pemain internasional Swedia itu lebih kuat daripada pemain yang mengantarkan Belanda menjadi juara Euro 1988 itu.  
"Dia lebih kuat dari Van Basten. Hari ini saya melihat dia dari dekat (melawan Cagliari), saya heran ketika saya melihatnya bermain lagi,” tutur Raiola seperti dilansir Tribalfootball, Senin (30/1/2012).  Mengenai kemungkinan apakah Ibra bakal menghabiskan karier sepakbolanya bersama Rossoneri, Raiola yang juga agen dari striker Manchester City Mario Balotelli ini menegaskan, kemungkinan itu tidak tertutup karena Ibra mendapatkan segalanya di San Siro.  
”Menutup kariernya di AC Milan? Itu adalah karier dia (Ibra), saya tidak bisa melawan kehendaknya. Dalam hal kontrak, dia telah menerima segalanya," ungkapnya.  “Dia memiliki kekuatan mental pemain sampai 200%. Dia memiliki segalanya yang menakjubkan. 
Ibra pemain yang lengkap," pujinya.  "Berlusconi bahkan mengatakan kepada saya bahwa Ibrahimovic itu bernilai 150 juta euro," tandasnya.

sumber : okezone.com

Menang 3-0, Milan 1 Angka dari Juve

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MILAN — AC Milan meraih kemenangan 3-0 atas Cagliari pada pertandingan Serie-A di San Siro, Minggu (29/1/2012). Milan kini duduk di peringkat kedua klasemen dengan 43 poin, atau kalah satu angka dari penguasa sementara, Juventus.  
Kemenangan Milan dibuka oleh Zlatan Ibrahimovic pada menit ke-32. Dipercaya mengeksekusi tendangan bebas setelah dilanggar Albin Ekdal, Ibra melepaskan tendangan kaki kanan yang membuat bola bersarang di sudut kanan atas gawang tim tamu.  Antonio Nocerino memperbesar keunggulan Milan pada menit ke-39. 
Gol bermula dari umpan Philippe Mexes yang dipantulkan Ibra ke arah Nocerino. Nocerino menyambut bola dengan tendangan kaki kiri yang membuat bola bersarang di sudut kanan bawah gawang Michael Agazzi. Massimo Ambrosini, yang pada laga ini mencatatkan penampilan ke-450 bersama Milan, masuk daftar pencetak gol pada menit ke-75. 
Setelah menguasai umpan Urby Emmanuelson, Ambrosini mengocek bola sebelum akhirnya melesatkan bola ke sudut kanan bawah gawang Cagliari dengan sisi luar kaki kanannya, dari tengah kotak penalti.
Menurut catatan Lega Serie-A, selama pertandingan, Milan menguasai bola sebanyak 55 persen dan melepaskan tujuh tembakan akurat dari sebelas usaha. Adapun Cagliari menciptakan satu peluang emas dari sepuluh percobaan.

Susunan pemain
Milan:
Christian Abbiati; Philippe Mexes, Alessandro Nesta, Djamel Mesbah, Ignazio Abate; Mark van Bommel, Clarence Seedorf (Massimo Ambrosini 67), Antonio Nocerino, Urby Emmanuelson; Robinho (Stephan El Shaarawy 62), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Filippo Inzaghi 84).

Cagliari: Michael Agazzi; Davide Astori, Michele Canini, Alessandro Agostini, Francesco Pisano (Ribeiro Cardoso Thiago 54); Albin Ekdal, Andrea Cossu (Moestafa El Kabir 58), Radja Nainggolan (Daniele Conti 66), Daniele Dessena; Mauricio Ferreira Pinilla, Segundo Ibarbo.

Wasit: Christian Brighi

sumber : kompas.com

Minggu, 29 Januari 2012

Pesepak Bola Indonesia dengan Gaji Tertinggi

Walau pun liga sepak bola Indonesia terpecah dua, sejumlah pemain senior kabarnya tetap memperoleh bayaran yang tinggi dari klubnya. Siapa saja mereka?

Cabang olah raga sepak bola tampaknya makin menjanjikan sebagai sumber pendapatan hidup di Indonesia. Isunya beberapa pesepakbola nasional kita bahkan sudah memiliki gaji puluhan dan ada juga yang sudah mencapai ratusan juta rupiah. Meskipun yang bersangkutan semuanya menampik berita yang kami dapatkan dari salah satu situs di dunia maya itu, namun mereka juga tidak ada yang secara tegas menyatakan berita tersebut adalah berita bohong. Boleh percaya, boleh tidak.

Yang pertama, tentunya striker Persija yang bermain Indonesia Super Liege, Bambang Pamungkas. Bepe, begitu biasa disapa, adalah langganan masuk skuat tim nasional Indonesia. Bahkan pernah tersebut pernah bergabung dengan klub asal Malaysia Selangor FC. Rumor yang beredar saat memperkuat Selangor FC, gaji Bambang juga nyaris yang tertinggi, karena Bepe produktif mencetak gol. Estimasi gaji Bambang sebesar Rp100 juta per bulannya dengan harga kontrak mencapai Rp1,5 miliar.

Berikutnya adalah rekan Bepe di Persija ISL, Ismed Sofyan. Ismed yang memang loyal bersama Persija diisukan memiliki gaji sebesar Rp75 juta per bulannya, dengan nilai kontrak diperkirakan mencapai Rp900 juta.

Urutan ketiga, adalah Budi Sudarsono. Striker senior yang kini bergabung dengan Deltras Sidoarjo itu, isunya memiliki gaji hingga Rp75 juta per bulannya. Bahkan, nilai ini kabarnya masih lebih rendah ketimbang saat Budi tampil di klub asal Malaysia, Polis Diraja.

Di peringkat empat, terdapat salah satu bek tertangguh Indonesia saat ini, Hamka Hamzah. Saat masih memperkuat Persija, gaji Hamka sempat mencapai Rp66 juta per bulannya.

PSSI Gulirkan Piala Suratin 2012

PSSI terus melakukan upaya untuk membangun persepakbolaan Indonesia dengan menggelar kompetisi kelompok Umur U-18 Liga Remaja Piala Suratin tahun 2012. Rencananya, Babak II atau Penyisihan Zona (66 besar) yang akan diikuti 66 peserta, akan dibagi ke dalam 16 Grup di dalam setiap zonanya, dimulai pada 11 September hingga 18 Februari 2012.

“Format kompetisi I putaran di 8 Kota yang ditunjuk PSSI 2 klub (juara dan runner-up) dari setiap Grup maju ke babak III-zona,” terang Manajer Kompetisi Usia Muda/Amatir PSSI, Ario Koen, kepada Bola.net.

Mengenai delapan Kota yang ditunjuk PSSI, memang belum diputuskan. Itu lantaran, diterangkan Ario, menunggu respon Pengprov-Pengprov yang sudah diberikan informasi langsung ketika menghadiri pertemuan Pengprov se-Indonesia dengan PSSI, di Hotel Kaisar, Jakarta, Senin (24/1) lalu.

“Untuk manager meeting bagi 66 klub dari Pengprov PSSI yang lolos ke Babak II akan dilakukan di Jakarta pada 8 Februari. Usia itu, PSSI baru akan menentukan 8 Kota yang berhak menjadi tuan rumah. Selain itu, PSSI juga bekerja sama dengan Global TV yang akan menyiarkan 15 pertandingan Piala Suratin 2012 sejak babak IV sampai dengan final,” tuturnya.

“Pengurus Pusat PSSI juga tidak memungut biaya administrasi bagi peserta yang mengajukan diri menjadi tuan rumah pertandingan babak penyisihan, maupun babak penyisihan zona. Sebab, seluruh biaya perangkat pertandingan, seperti pengawas pertandingan, inspektur wasit, asisten wasit dan wasit cadangan, menjadi beban PSSI.”

“Untuk juara, akan memperoleh Piala bergilir, 30 medali emas, uang pembinaan, piagam dan lain-lainnya,” jabarnya.

Ia kembali menerangkan, pemain yang dapat didaftarkan untuk mengikuti Liga Remaja Piala Suratin tahun 2012 adalah pemain kelahiran setelah 1 Januari 1995. Seluruh pemain yang didaftarkan, wajib lolos screening administrasi dan medis oleh Pengurus Pengprov PSSI menurut kewenangan dan pengesahannya dilaksanakan oleh Pengurus Pusat PSSI.

Dirinya juga berharap, dari 33 Pengprov klub yang bernaung di bawah PSSI, diharapkan akan mengikuti turnamen tersebut.
“Dengan diadakannya turnamen tersebut, pembibitan dan pembinaan para pemain sepak bola dapat terus dilakukan secara berkesinambungan, “ paparnya.

Selain pembinaan, diharapkan dari turnamen tersebut juga dapat mencetak pemain lokal yang nantinya bisa memperkuat klub-klub profesional.

"Kami mengharapkan, 100 persen pemain binaan Pengurus Cabang (Pengcab) dan Pengprov menjadi pemain profesional," tuntasnya.

Lagi, Tiga Talenta Muda Indonesia Diboyong Penarol Uruguay

Tiga pemain Indonesia dipastikan berkostum Atletico Penarol, salah satu tim papan atas Liga Uruguay. Mereka adalah Abdul Rahman Lestaluhu, Manahati Lestusen, dan Zaenal haq.

"Mereka sudah berada di sana dan sudah diperkenalkan kepada publik. Selain mereka juga ada Zainal Haq yang segera akan menyusul," ujar Manajer Tim Deportivo Indonesia, Demis Djamaoeddin, dalam keterangan persnya di Wisma KPBI, Minggu (29/1/2012) sore WIB.

Demis mengatakan, selain Ramdhani dan Manahati, Zainal Haq juga segera bergabung dengan Penarol. Zainal telat bergabung karena mengalami cedera. "Dia habis operasi kemarin, sekarang dalam kondisi pemulihan. Nanti dia akan bergabung," katanya.

Zainal Haq sebelumnya telah bermain untuk Penarol dengan status pemain pinjaman dan bermain bagi tim reserve Penarol. Selain Zainal, juga ada nama lain yang dipinjam, yakni Syamsir Alam. Namun Syamsir kemudian pindah ke CS Vise dan bermain di Liga Belgia.

Demis juga menuturkan bahwa terdapat dua pemain Indonesia lainnya yang saat ini tengah dalam tahap negosiasi akhir dengan klub Univercidad de Chile. Mereka adalah Feri Firmansyah dan Muhammad Syariffudin.

Timnas U-17 Sabet Juara di Hongkong

Timnas U-17 Indonesia menjuarai  HKFA  International Youth Football Invitation Tournament 2012 setelah melibas Singapura  3-1 di  Stadion Po Keung Tsuen Village, Minggu (29/1) siang. Hasil itu memastikan Garuda Muda  membawa pulang trofi karena pada dua laga sebelumnya menang atas Hongkong dan Timnas Makau.

Di bawah suhu udara yang dingin sekitar 8 derajat Celcius, Garuda Muda sempat tertinggal  lewat gol M. Hasyim Faiz menit ke-36, namun di babak kedua mampu membalikkan keadaan. Tiga gol pasukan Indra Syafri  dicetak Sabeq Fahmi menit ke-55 dan '59, serta Evan Dimas Darmono dari titik penalti pada menit ke-69.

Sepanjang sejarah sepakbola Indonesia yang terdokumenasikan, Timnas U-17 Indonesia baru kali ini merebut gelar juara. Jika pun ada prestasinya, itu diperoleh Timnas Pelajar Indonesia setelah menjuarai  Pelajar Asia di New Delhi  1984, dan tahun 1985 di Jakarta, 27 tahun yang lalu.

Para Pelajar Indonesia yang menjuarai dua turnamen Pelajar Asia itu merupakan produk 'naturalisasi' Ragunan. Saat itu  Frans Sinatra Huwae dipercaya dua kali menjadi kapten tim oleh tim pelatih Burkhard Pape, Omo Suratmo dan Maryoto.

Sukses meraih kemenangan 3-1 atas Singapura menyempurnakan pencapaian Garuda Muda di Hongkong dengan nilai sembilan.  Pada laga pertama, Indonesia menundukkan tuan rumah Hongkong 1-0, dan membantai Makau 4-1.

"Sangat menggembirakan. Semoga saja ini awal dari kebangkitan sepakbola nasional. Hal ini pun semakin menegaskan bahwa program pembentukan skuad tim nasional secara berlapis memang wajib dilaksanakan," kata Ketua Umum PSSI, Djohar Arifin Husin seperti siaran pers yang diterimaOkezone, Minggu (29/1/2012)

Djohar juga berharap pemain yang ada di luar negeri bisa terpantau dengan baik sehingga mereka kelak bisa menjadi pemain tim nasional. "Timnas U-17 ini nantinya akan terus dibina. Paling tidak terjadi tambal sulam untuk  menyiapkan pemain tim nasional," tambahnya.

Pelatih Timnas U-17 Indonesia, Indra Syafri mengaku cukup puas atas hasil yang dicapai anak asuhnya. Meski waktu persiapan cukup mepet, tapi bisa memberi hasil maksimal di Hongkong.

Indra Syafri juga mengungkapkan, keputusannya mengistirahatkan lima pemain utama nyaris membawa petaka. Sebab, Singapura yang semula diprediksi mudah ditaklukkan karena dilibas Hongkong 5-1, ternyata membuat perlawan yang berat.

"Keputusan yang nyaris membuyarkan harapan. Tetapi saya senang anak-anak bisa juara apalagi seluruh 18 pemain yang dibawa ke Hongkong semuanya diturunkan. Mereka masih muda sehingga harus diberi kesempatan bermain," kata Indra Syafri.

 Mantan pelatih Timnas U-16 Indonesia itu juga mengatakan, tidak tertutup kemungkinan jika  pemain muda ini  dipromosikan ke level timnas yang lebih tinggi. “Jika berbakat, mereka bisa dipromosikan bahkan ke tim senior,” kata dia.

Ada beberapa pemain U-17 yang digadang-gadang memiliki potensi cerah di masa depan, di antaranya Sabeq Fahmi,  Samsul Muhidin Pelu, dan Indra Kelana Nasution.  Keberhasilan Garuda Muda di Hongkong memberi banyak komentar, di antaranya, trofi itu bukanlah tujuan tetapi bagaimana melakukan pembinaan usia muda secara berkelanjutan guna membentuk tim nasional yang berkualitas di kemudian hari.

Persija Bakal Mengungsi ke Stadion Mandala Krida Yogyakarta

Kapten tim nasional Indonesia, Bambang Pamungkas, menurut rencana akan segera merumput di Stadion Mandala Krida. Pemain yang akrab disapa Bepe tersebut akan melakoni laga bersama Persija menjamu Persiwa Wamena (3/2/2012), dan laga Bigmatch kontra Persipura (7/2/2012).
Skuad Persija Jakarta memang berencana meminjam homebase PSIM tersebut sebagai kandang sementara, untuk dua laga melawan dua klub bumi Papua. Pasalnya Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) yang menjadi markas Macan Kemayoran tengah dalam proses perbaikan.
Direktur utama PSIM Yogya, Yoyok Setyawan, membenarkan hal tersebut. Ia mengatakan pihaknya memang telah menerima surat tertulis dari pihak PT Liga Indonesia selaku penyelenggara kompetisi Indonesia Super League (ISL).
"Suratnya memang sudah sampai beberapa hari lalu, ditandatangani langsung oleh pak Djoko (Driyono)," katanya, Minggu (29/1).
Yoyok menuturkan, pada prinsipnya dirinya tak keberatan tim Persija memakai Stadion Mandala Krida sebagai homebase sementara. Ia pun mengatakan telah menyampaikan hal tersebut pada Wali Kota Yogyakarta sekaligus ketua umum PSIM, Haryadi Suyuti.
Meski demikian, hingga berita ini ditulis, Yoyok mengaku belum mendapat kontak langsung dari pihak Persija Jakarta. Ia pun masih menunggu kepastian terkait rencana peminjaman stadion tersebut dari pihak yang bersangkutan.
"Mereka (Persija) belum menghubungi saya lagi, ya cuma surat dari PT LI kemarin saja yang saya terima," lanjutnya.
Apabila rencana tersebut positif, maka Stadion Mandala Krida dipastikan bakal menjadi arena pertarungan dua laga ISL. Hal ini tentu akan menjadi suguhan menarik bagi publik pecinta sepakbola di Kota Pelajar ini.
"Kita tunggu saja bagaimana nanti, pada dasarnya saya sih tak ada masalah untuk peminjaman itu," kata Yoyok.

Today's (Jan 30) Biggest Transfer News

2 days are left in the transfer window and it doesn't feel like the window is really only 48 hours away from closing till the summer as some clubs do not seem interested in making any moves whatsoever so the upredictability has rised as even those clubs will definitely still look at signing players before the close of the window. It doesn't happen too often when a saga like Carlos Tevez's has him still at Manchester City and not somewhere else. With 10 of the 19 teams remaining in the FA Cup not in the Premier League, here are today's biggest transfer rumors.

Liverpool is still after Carlos Tevez and young centerback Jores Okore along with Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is still trying to sign Manchester City's want-away striker Carlos Tevez but only on a loan for the rest of the season with probably an option to buy in the summer but that may not be certain. Dalglish also came out and said that he will not sell striker Andy Carroll and said the reports that he was offered in a swap for Carlos Tevez were false. Liverpool has also told Manchester City that they will pay for Tevez's whole salary while he was on loan which would save Manchester City 5 million euros. Dalglish has been needing a striker to pair beside Luis Suarez when he returns from suspension and so they can make a run at the FA and League Cups. Carlos Tevez is seen as the perfect fit as this deal will probably go down to the wire if Manchester City decides that they are willing to loan him even though Tevez has decided to return to Manchester. Tevez might still want to leave the Ethiad before the window closes as Tevez probably only returned so he would no longer lose any more wages after he lost near a reported 10 million euros while AWOL in Argentina. Tevez knows that he would not be the first choice striker at City but Liverpool will be an intriguing option for him as he would have the chance to win trophies and be in a starting 11. AC Milan is still considering making a loan move for Tevez also so Liverpool will have to worry about the Serie A defending champions. Dalglish knows that Tevez would bring lots of excitement to Anfield and this would be the biggest move of the January window by far. This transfer will definitely come down to the wire as Liverpool really wants Tevez. Meanwhile, Liverpool has been joined in the pursuit of Danish young defender Jores Okore by Newcastle as both sides see him as a great prospect for the future. Both sides probably want to get this deal done before the summer as Newcastle could use the defensive cover  from him and Watford's Adrian Mariappa, and Liverpool would love to get this deal done now and not have to wait till the summer when Okore could draw the interest of teams like Manchester United. Okore will probably be headed for one of these two sides as Okore is too talented to stay in Denmark.

Crystal Palace has their two best young players targeted by the Premier League: Wilfried Zaha by Bolton and Nathaniel Clyne by Wolverhampton. (Daily Mirror)
Crystal Palce has received bids for two players as Nathaniel Clyne is being targeted by Wolverhampton and Bolton has bid 5 million euros for Wilfried Zaha. Wolverhampton manager Mick McCarthy is ready to make a 2 million euro bid for Clyne as he looks to strengthen his disappointing backline. Clyne is one of the best rightback prospects in the world at age 20 as he is now ready for a move up to the Premier League from the Championship. Clyne would also get the chance to immediately start for Wolverhampton as he has the quality to start in the Premier League at the Molineaux. Crystal Palace will do everything they can to keep the young rightback as they still hope they can somehow win promotion to the Premier League this season. However, the only thing that might prevent Wolves from getting a deal done is if Manchester United decides to make a late swoop for Clyne which seems very unlikely to me. I think Nathanial Clyne will be playing at the Molineaux at the beginning of next month. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace is also trying to hang onto 19-year old prospect Wilfried Zaha as Bolton manager Owen Coyle has bid 5 million euros for the youngster plus add-ons that could make the deal worth up to even 10 million euros. This will be a hard bid for Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman to reject as 10 million euros will be hard to turn down due to the budget that could build for Freedman to improve the whole squad. Zaha has the potential to be an elite attacker as he could be on the wings due to his speed or he could be a center forward with the goal-scoring touch he has shown in the Championship this season. Zaha has tons of potential and might even be able to make an immediate impact at the Reebok Stadium, I definitely think this deal will get done as Owen Coyle really wants to sign Zaha.
Update: Wolverhamtpon boss Mick McCarthy has said that Wolves are not interested in signing Crystal Palce rightback Nathanial Clyne. However, reports have hinted that McCarthy is looking to make a move for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard as McCarthy might lose striker Kevin Doyle to Everton or QPR. Maynard would be a good replacement for Doyle as he has been very good in the Championship. However, I don't think a deal will happen because Wolves plan on keeping striker Kevin Doyle unless they get an impressive offer.

Fulham is closing in on signing Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios.
Fulham manager Martion Jol is closing in on a 7 million euro for Paraguay international and Borussia Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios as Barrios has been looking for a move away from Dortmund. If Martin Jol completes this deal for Barrios, then Hugo Rodallega will probably lose another suitor as Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will have to figure out if he can get anything for Rodallega. Barrios will immediately get the chance to start over current strikers Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson as the Paraguay international is an excellent signing as long as they can finish the deal. Barrios will able to take pressure off of Clint Dempsey as Barrios is that goalscorer that Jol has been looking for. I think this deal will definitely get done as Fulham want to sign the striker and put him in the starting 11, and Barrios is excited by the chance to move to Craven Cottage. The only way this deal collapses is if Barrios gets an offer from Arsenal that Dortmund agrees to but that will not happen.
Update: Fulham close to Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and not Barrios. Martin Jol has found his striker and it is not Dortmund's Lucas Barrios but it is the Russia Pavel Pogrebnyak who lost his starting place at Stuttgart due to the signing of Vedad Ibisevic who is headed for a medical at Craven Cottage. Once Pogrebnyak arrivves, this deal should be finished quickly as Pogrebnyak would get the chance to start again and Martin Jol would get the striker he has been looking for to help take some of the goalscoring load off of Clint Dempsey and recently Danny Murphy. Pogrebnyak will probably cost around 5 million euros which could be a steal as it will give them 3 strikers with Bobby Zamora, and Andy Johnson. This will be a good move as Pogrebnyak is a striker looking to make a statement to get in the Russian squad for Euro 2012. The one warning flag is that his own Stuttgart went and bought Ibisevic to replace as I think Barrios would have been a better signing.

Xherdan Shaqiri is targeted all across Europe.
FC Basel midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has become one of the hottest prospects in the world over the last couple of years as the Swiss side has put a 15 million euro price tag on Shaqiri. Russian side Zenit has had a bid rejected for the young Swiss international as Zenit will probably have to wait till the summer to make a move for him. In the summer, you can expect German powerhouse Bayern Munich and English powerhouse Manchester United to both be in the bidding in the summer as they would definitely be more interesting options then Zenit. Bayern has been rumored with a planned bid in the summer for Shaqiri as they missed out on signing Marco Reus early in the window as Reus will head for Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Manchester United has tons of wingers right now so they will wait till the summer to make a move and then loan him out next season possibly back to Basel if they sign him. The good news for Basel fans is that Shaqiri will be staying in Switzerland till the summer which will help them in their pursuit of the Champions League.

Transfer Roundup
Bolton is interested in signing Porto's Argentinian winger Juan Iturbe on loan as the player looks to find more playing time. The chance to bring in Iturbe has intrigued Owen Coyle as Iturbe could start on the wings until Chung-Yong Lee returns as Iturbe is an excellent prospect as a winger. Iturbe has a dream of playing in the Premier League and the chance to go to Bolton on loan will be impossible for Iturbe to turn down.
Everton manager David Moyes is targeting a 5 million euro move for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic which is sure to be rejected as Rangers want at least 7 million euros. Jelavic has been excellent in the Scottish Premier League this season as he has been rumored with teams throughout England. David Moyes may not have the money to buy Jelavic as a way to get a deal done could be by paying 4 to 5 million euros now and the other 2 to 3 million euros over the course of a year. If Moyes offers a deal like this, Jelavic will be moving from Glasgow to Goodison Park.
Arsenal is preparing to make a move for Watford centerback Adrian Mariappa after Arsene Wenger scouted him against Tottenham. Newcastle has not put the money necessary to sign Mariappa and now Wenger is looking to steal him from the clutches of Tyneside. However, I don't think Arsenal will actually make a move for Mariappa as it doesn't sound like a player Wenger would go after due to his age of 24.
QPR manager Mark Hughes is going to offer Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack a return to London as Ballack club has said that he is available. This is a surprise as Ballack has been shown some interest from clubs like Manchester United but the chance to be a part of the QPR project will definitely entice Ballack. However, I do not think that a move for Ballack will happen though Hughes has done three deals with a fourth about to be finished in Djibril Cisse so anything is possible but QPR fans, don't get your hopes up. Also, QPR has ended their interest in Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega as they are closing in on signing Cisse.
Fulham is targeting a move for Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega as they have missed out on FC Twente striker Marc Janko who is headed for Porto. Martin Jol has offered Wigan 2 million euros plus striker Andy Johnson which will be an enticing offer for Roberto Martinez as he would get an immediate replacement and some cash. However, I don't think that Martin Jol would put Andy Johnson in a deal for Hugo Rodallega so I don't think this rumor is even true. If the previously mentioned Barrios deal gets finished, then Rodallega will definitely not be going to Craven Cottage.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is targeting a move for Bolton striker Kevin Davies as Davies has not been a regular starter for Owen Coyle's team this year. It may only take an offer of around one million euros to sign the 34-year-old striker as O'Neill needs some help at striker since his best striker that is healthy is Frazier Campbell. I think this move will definitely happen as Davies knows he can be a starter at the Stadium of Light.
West Ham is closing in on signing Genoa striker Ze Eduardo as he is in London completing a medical before completing the deal. Sam Allardyce has been looking for a striker from Nikica Jelavic to Jordan Rhodes but it looks like he has finally found that striker in Ze Eduardo. This is a very good move as Ze Eduardo's speed will help create opprtunities as this will definitely make their promotion push that much stronger.
Southampton is also closing in on a move for a new striker as they are close to signing Doncaster's Billy Sharp after they agreed a fee with Doncaster. Sharp is apparently at Southampton taking a medical as his deal to become a Saint should be finished soon. Sharp will form a very good pair up top with Rickie Lambert which should strengthen their promotion push. Sharp and Lambert will form one of the best striking duos in the Championship and put Southampton in a strong position for promotion.