Robinho says no to Turkey and Asmir Begovic refuses to play
Last week it was widely reported that Robinho was going to sign for Turkish side Beşiktaş, but the Manchester City player has rejected the chance to move to Turkey.
Fenerbahçhe were also linked with the Brazilian star and they were the only club to make an official approach for him, but he has come out and said he would prefer to move back to Spain or go to Italy.
“With all due respect to Turkish football, I'm not going to play there at the moment,” said Robinho. “I've got talks going on but I can't reveal anything yet. A week is time to do a lot of things. The only thing I'll say is that I'll carry on in Europe, in Italy or Spain.”
Elsewhere, Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic refused to play for his side in their 2-1 Carling Cup win over Shrewsbury Town last night, leaving manager Tony Pulis furious with his actions. Begovic has been linked with a move away from Stoke in this transfer window, with Chelsea reportedly keeping tabs on him.
“He said this morning [yesterday] he did not want to play. I find that very disappointing,” said Pulis.
“We pay his wages and he has a responsibility to the club. We have a lot of supporters who idolise this club. We have a management team who have been here a long time. They respect the club and like it as much as the supporters do. To do what he has done is totally disrespectful. Obviously people have been blowing in his ear. I will have a chat with him tomorrow,” Pulis added.
With only six days to go until the transfer window closes, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is understood to be closing in on the signing of Paul Konchesky. The Fulham left-back is set to make a £3.5million switch to reunite with Hodgson. Also, Hodgson wants to sign West Ham’s Carlton Cole and Marseille’s Hatem Ben Arfa.
Meanwhile, the future of Javier Mascherano is a long way from being resolved, as Hodgson has said Barcelona will need to increase their bid to £18million. Barcelona could offer Alexander Hleb and Martin Caceres in part-exchange for Mascherano.
Everton will not go for Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch, as the £10million asking price has put them off. Current Everton player Steven Pienaar looks set to stay with the club, despite reported interest from Tottenham. However, he has one year left on his contract and he intends to see it out, meaning Everton will lose him for free next summer.
Meanwhile, Coventry City will sign Marlon King, who will link up with former manager Aidy Boothroyd.
West Bromwich Albion have offered £3million for Derek Boateng, and West Ham manager Avram Grant says he wants to bring in a right-back and a striker before the transfer window closes. Meanwhile, Premier League champions Chelsea could make an offer for Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso as a replacement for Ricardo Carvalho, who signed for Real Madrid a few weeks ago.
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