James Milner completes Manchester City move - and Edgar Davids to Crystal Palace?
Last night the longest transfer saga of the summer was completed, as James Milner finally sealed his move from Aston Villa to Manchester City.
The deal sees Stephen Ireland heading in the opposite direction to Villa Park after finally agreeing a pay-off with City. Roberto Mancini’s side were quite busy yesterday as well, as Craig Bellamy moved to Cardiff City on a season-long loan, while Mario Balotelli was officially unveiled as a City player after his £22.5million move from Inter Milan. Also, Mancini has said he will not stand in goalkeeper Shay Given’s way to leave the club.
Meanwhile in other transfer news, former Ajax and Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids is wanted by Crystal Palace. The Dutch star has been without a club since 2008 and wants to settle in London.
Manchester City could be involved in more transfer business as Barcelona have invited the club to make an offer for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could make an offer for Everton’s Jack Rodwell. The Premier League champions are also after Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Liverpool are preparing to make a £3million move for Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky, while new Wolfsburg manager Steve McLaren will bid £9million for winger Ryan Babel, who has failed to nail a regular place in the Liverpool starting XI. Alternatively, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson could use Babel as part of a swap deal to land Bryan Luiz of FC Twente, and he will also renew his interest in West Ham’s Scott Parker.
Manchester United are trying to sign CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. The Russian international has been linked with a move to the Premier League, and has stated he would love to play for either United or Arsenal.
Everton are nearing the completion of signing Marat Izmailov of Sporting Lisbon for £4million, while Fulham manager Mark Hughes will go for former Chelsea and Barcelona front man Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Mido meanwhile has damaged his chances of signing for Turkish side Kayserispor after making an unexpected visit to the club’s training ground. Also, French champions Marseille are in pole position to sign Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia.
Premier League new boys West Brom have shown an interest in Aston Villa’s Steve Sidwell and Lokomotiv Moscow’s Peter Odemwingie while Aston Villa have also made an approach for Kamil Grosicki.
Anton Ferdinand could move to Fiorentina from Sunderland, while West Ham manager Avram Grant will go for Marc Wilson of his old club Portsmouth.
The transfer speculation of Nice striker Loïc Rémy could finally end, as Tottenham could make an offer today. Tottenham will also battle it out with West Ham for Paris St Germain midfielder Stephen Sessegnon.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger will make a £12million offer for Haten Ben Arfa, who has told his club Marseille he doesn’t want to play for them again. Ben Arfa is wanted by Newcastle, AC Milan and Werder Bremen as well. Meanwhile, Arsenal left-back Armand Traore is wanted by Portuguese side Benfica.
Blackpool want to bring Everton’s James Vaughan on loan, while Kevin-Prince Boateng is close to moving to AC Milan from Portsmouth. Also, Notts County striker Luke Rodgers will move to New York Red Bulls, and Stoke want Sekou Baradji.
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