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Football News: Everton Enter Transfer Market, Madrid Sides Fight Transfer Ban And More With Man Utd Losing Recruiter

Everton Enter Transfer Market, Madrid Sides Fight Transfer Ban And More With Man Utd Losing Recruiter
Image from: socceraspects.com

1. Brentford unhappy with Judge bid
With the two sides set to face off tonight, Brentford are furious with the timing of Burnley's bid for Alan Judge. The Bees have already turned down another bid for the 27 year old, that time from Sheffield Wednesday. Brentford did admit that they would be willing to sell if their valuation of the Irish winger was met. "I think it's key to keep him," said Brentford manager Dean Smith, "It can be unsettling but Alan gets on with his game. He's got a valuation to this club and he's been kept in the loop all along. Maybe Burnley's timing is not right but it depends on how you look at it with a game on Friday against them. I'd hope to keep Alan - he's been a big player so far this season."

2. Celtic agree Stokes deal
Dundee United have agreed a deal to sign Celtic striker Anthony Stokes on a loan deal. They are now waiting to see if the former Sunderland flop would be willing to join them. With his former club Hibernian also interested in the Republic of Ireland forward, the Dundee club fear he may prefer to return to his former club. There was also talk of interest from English Championship sides in the player who is becoming better known for his off field issues, as he struggles to get near the Celtic side in recent times.

 

3. Gaffney completes permanent move
Rory Gaffney has been on loan to Bristol Rovers this season, a loan that went so well the Pirates moved to buy him from parent club Cambridge United. While the player was also keen to make the move, negotiations dragged on, with the player having to return to Cambridge and turn out for them at the weekend. Gaffney had notched five goals in his seven games while on loan. "I always kept believing in myself that if I got a run of games, I'd show people what I can do," said Gaffney. "A month of football is a big change. The negotiations have been going on for a while. I got a phonecall from someone involved in Cambridge who told me it was a done deal."

4. Immobile becomes mobile
Italian international Ciro Immobile was starring for Torino, notching 22 goals to become Serie A's top scorer in the 2013/14 season, before Borussia Dortmund swooped to take him to the Bundesliga. The striker struggled at Dortmund, and spent a spell at loan with Sevilla in La Liga in the first half of the season, scoring 4 in his 15 games, before returning to Dortmund. Now the Germans have sent him back on loan, for the rest of the season, to former club Torino. Immobile is still only 25, so there is still time on his side to establish himself at Dortmund if both sides wish to give him the chance on his return.

 

5. Everton bid for Byram accepted
Leeds United youngster Sam Byram has been very in and out of the side iin recent months, after the 22 year old rejected a contract offer from the club, but he has still attracted a bid from Premier League side Everton, after he managed to get back in the side for a run of games. Byram did so well that he was presented with the Championship Player of the Month award in December. Byram, who is, despite being just 22, Leeds second longest serving player, having joined from the club's academy. It looks like he will be making the step up from the Championship in January after Leeds accepted the bid from the Toffees. Byram, whose contract expires in the summer, can play a number of positions, with right back being one of his favoured roles. That would suit Everton, who could do with his pace on the right side of their defence with Seamus Coleman out injured.

6. Pele undergoes hip surgery
Legendary former Brazilian international Pele has had hip surgery in the United States last month, and is still there undergoing physiotherapy. The 75 year old three time World Cup winner had a hip implant in 2012 which had become loose. His latest operation was designed to fix that. Reports also say he was treated for fibrosis in the hip area while in hospital. This latest op follows on from a spine operation he underwent in July. Arguably the world's greatest ever player, Pele is claimed to have scored 1281 goals in 1363 matches during his career.

 

7. Arsenal get injury boost
Arsenal's title challenge has been given a boost as, along with the signing of midfielder Mohamed Elneny, three of their injury victims have returned to training. The trio, as usual with the Gunners' injured, have been out for longer than expected after picking up their injuries, but now manager Arsene Wenger can look forward to their return to first team action. While Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere are still a few weeks away from readiness for the first team, it is still a major boost for the table toppers. They have already been boosted by news that both Alexis Sanchez and Tomas Rosicky are set to be fit for the bench, at least, against bogey side Stoke City. With a trip to Stoke being one that is usually unprofitable for the Gunners, at least since 2010 in a match that saw relations between the two clubs sour after a nasty leg break for Aaron Ramsey under a challenge by Ryan Shawcross.

8. Madrid sides set to spend in January
With both Madrid sides facing a two window transfer ban, similar to the one that Barcelona received for a similar breach of the rules, the two clubs have announced an intention to buy in this January transfer window, to prepare them for a year without signings. Real Madrid have also confirmed that they will appeal against the ban, which they called "absolutely unjustified", Atletico will also appeal. Atletico Madrid were also fined 900,000 Swiss francs, while Real Madrid's fine was 360,000 Swiss francs. "It's completely untrue that we fielded players aged under 18 without registering them with the RFEF ( Spanish Football Association ) and that we failed to comply with the regulatory requirements," Real Madrid's director general Jose Angel Sanchez said. "This club has a set of ethical values and the people in charge in this area have never violated them. The arguments made are erroneous." A FIFA statement read: "The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players as well as other relevant provisions with regard to the registration and participation of certain players in competitions. Additionally, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have been fined CHF 900,000 and CHF 360,000 respectively, while both clubs have been issued with a reprimand and given 90 days in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."

 

9. Pereira considering move away from Man Utd
Manchester United youngster Andreas Pereira has admitted he is likely to leave during the January transfer window on loan, in order to get some regular game time. The 20 year old, who can play a number of different roles in the attacking third, has only managed to make 3 substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, despite his versatility. Now the Brazilian, who has featured for his country at U20 level, is keen on a loan to get some experience. "Yeah but you just have to handle these kind of things, keep waiting for your opportunity and I think that's what I'm doing, and just keep working hard," Pereira said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, after being asked about his situation. "Of course you want to play every game, but I have been on the bench. When I come on I want to help my team, so hopefully next time [maybe I can start]. Normally yes so we will see what happens," he said when asked about leaving on loan. "I want to stay here, of course, but you never know. We will see."

10. Manchester United reported to have been hit with academy blow
The Times are reporting that Manchester United are set to lose the services of Derek Langley, the head of academy recruitment at the Old Trafford club. It has been said that he is disillusioned with the state of the academy, having been there for 16 years. While I can understand why it is being spun as a big blow, it must be said that the quality of the players being brought through in his time have not been good enough. The United academy has not produced any outstanding players while Langley has been involved, so I am not sure why it is being reported in such damning terms, like he is a big loss. The academy has been in desperate need of an overhaul, his role in it was, in my opinion, one of the first positions that needed a rethink, as it was clear he was not bringing players of the qualities needed to improve the first team in the future. While he may want to place the blame at the door of the academy itself, and claim that he was bringing in the right players, it seems difficult to believe that he is bringing in the quality required in the first place. To me, it seems this is more of a plus for the Red Devils, rather than a negative.

Written by Tris Burke January 15 2016 05:55:27