Football News: Review Of The Day 3rd January 2019

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Review of the Day

Contracts

Rotherham United midfielder Ben Wiles has signed a new three and a half year deal with the club. The 19 year old made his debut last season after coming through the club's youth system.

Transfers

Callum Elder has made a loan move from Leicester City to join Ipswich Town in the Championship. The 23 year old defender spent time on loan with Wigan Athletic last season, helping them win the League One title.

Motherwell striker Ryan Bowman swops the SPFL for English League Two football with Exeter City. The 27 year old striker will replace Jayden Stockley, as the Grecians top scorer is set to leave after a number of bids were accepted for him.

Falkirk have completed the signing of Abdul Osman who was training with the side since November. The 31 year old, who had previously captained Partick Thistle, has joined on loan until the end of the season from Greek Superleague side Lamia.

Monaco have added South African youngster Lyle Foster from Orlando Pirates on a deal which runs until 2023. The 18 year old will go into Monaco's reserves, which is just what they needed when struggling near the bottom of French Ligue 1. Maybe they would be in better shape if they bought what they needed, rather than what they want.

League Two's Crawley Town have picked up striker Ricky German from non-league football. The 19 year old had dropped down to Hendon after being released by Chesterfield.

Young left-back Jaden Brown has moved to Huddersfield Town from fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. The 19 year old has agree a free transfer after struggling to break into the Spurs first team following his graduation from the youth academy.

Kevin van Veen has returned to Scunthorpe United from Northampton Town. The 27 year old Dutch forward left Scunnie to join the Cobblers last January.

Glenavon midfielder Mark Sykes has been sold to Oxford United for an undisclosed fee. The 21 year old has signed a 3 and a half year contract with Oxford.

Sunderland have made the loan move of the best name in football into a permanent deal. Max Power was loaned to the Mackems on a season-long loan deal from Wigan Athletic in the summer.

KV Mechelen have loaned Omar Mussa to Walsall for the rest of the season. The 18 year old midfielder has an option for a further year with the Saddlers.

Rochdale have received an undisclosed fee for utility man Andy Cannon. The 22 year old has joined League One leaders Portsmouth on a 2 and a half year deal. Rochdale have also released goalkeeper Brendan Moore.

Chelsea have completed the signing of USA international forward Christian Pulisic for a fee of over 60m Euros and then lent him back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season. It is a record transfer fee for an American player. With Chelsea in need of attackers, it seems odd to let him spend the end of the season on loan.

Luis Muriel has returned to Serie A on loan from Sevilla. The 27 year old Colombian has joined Fiorentina on loan for the rest of the season.

Brazilian winger Fernando has joined Porto from fellow Portugese Liga NOS side Santa Clara for just over £1m.

AC Milan have completed the over £30m signing of Brazilian starlet Lucas Paqueta from Flamengo.

MLS side San Jose Earthquakes have taken Villareal's Argentine winger Cristian Espinoza on loan. Villareal have also released veteran Chilean midfielder Manuel Iturra.

Former Leeds United keeper Felix Wiedwald has returned to Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of his loan from Duisburg.

Sydney FC have taken Manchester City's Australian midfielder Anthony Caceres on loan.

Scottish winger Jamie Walker has returned to parent club Peterborough United at the end of his loan to Wigan Athletic.

Montreal Impact have released 34 year old Italian forward Matteo Mancosu.

Moore Unaware Of Barnes Recall

It has been widely reported that Harvey Barnes, currently on-loan with West Bromwich Albion, is set to be recalled by Leicester City this month but West Brom manager Darren Moore has now said he knows "nothing at all" about the reports. The 21 year old midfielder has scored 9 goals for the Baggies already this season. Moore said: "When it comes to that point with Leicester, we'll have a chat with them and we'll go from there. Harvey's their player and he's doing really well for us. Everyone at West Brom has applauded Harvey for his contribution. The boy's very happy here and he's playing some great football. He's made a huge improvement on the good player that he is and we've improved him in areas that have made him even better."

Adam Leaves Scotland Return Option Open

Stoke City's Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam has said he would be open to a return to Scottish football in January. The 33 year old veteran has been linked with a number of SPFL clubs, including former club Rangers and Craig Levein's Hearts. Adam said: "I've had no contact from any clubs - it's only speculation at the moment. If clubs want to speak, then great. But at the moment there's nothing there and we'll see where we are when the window closes. It's not about the money. It's about coming and showing that you're still at the levels that everyone thinks you're at by making a difference to a team. For me it's about getting back out there and enjoying it, scoring goals and helping a team that wants to be successful. Craig is someone I got on extremely well with in the Scotland set up. He's a good manager, an honest guy who speaks his mind, and he's done a great job."

Davis Wants Rangers Return

Southampton's veteran Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis is hopeful of a return to former club Rangers. The 34 year old has struggled to get into the Saints side this season and, with his contract set to expire in the summer, is in talks over whether the move is a loan deal or a permanent one.

Foxes Rule Out Benkovic Recall

Croatian centre back Filip Benkovic will almost certainly see out the season at Celtic, where he has been a regular as his parent club rule out a recall, unless they are hit by injuries. Leicester City manager Claude Puel said: "If we don't get any injuries, it's better Filip maintains his loan at Celtic." The 21 year old Croatian centre back has been a regular at the back for Brendan Rodgers' Celtic side this season.

Bluebirds To Investigate Bellamy Bullying Claims

An investigation is to be launched, as per club policy, after a youngster, who was in Cardiff City's academy but has now left, alleged that he was bullied by under-18s coach Craig Bellamy. Bellamy is in his first coaching role after retiring as a player in 2014. Bellamy, who was originally from Cardiff, was known for his confrontational attitude as a player.

Solanke's Palace Move Is Off

Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke's loan move to Crystal Palace has fallen through after unreasonable demands were made by the player's representatives. The 21 year old was all set to join the Londoners before the demands were made on his behalf. His fitness was not of concern to Palace and he was not asking for guaranteed first team football, as has been widely, and incorrectly, reported elsewhere.

Bruce To Make February Start At Wednesday

Steve Bruce is set to take charge of Sheffield Wednesday on 1st of February, leaving the floundering Championship side without a manager for over a month, as Jos Luhukay was sacked on 21st December. In one of the oddest decisions of recent times the Owls have turned to Bruce despite knowing he would be unavailable until then and that he has previously managed local rivals Sheffield United. Those two facts mean the pressure will be on Bruce from the start to win the fans over, which will not be helped by his reputation being so low after a poor spell in charge of Aston Villa, which ended with his sacking in October.

Written by Tris Burke January 03 2019 06:36:26