Transfer Updates: Newcastle target Hatem Ben Arfa, Utaka looking for an EPL move, Adebayor looking to be number 1
Newcastle united who were relegated in 2008, have bounced right back, and made it back to the premier league. Now they have started lining up players from across the board to once again strengthen their side to compete in the premier league. The new target for the Magpies is believed to be Hatem Ben Arfa the Midfielder from French side Marseille.
The English club has been linked with the French player who has shown interest in moving out of Marseille. The 23 year old has been on the radar of several clubs in Europe. Italian powerhouse Ac Milan is also believed to be on the hunt to get his signatures.
The agent for the French international Frederic Guerra has said that there is an interest from Newcastle, but there are some other well reputed clubs who are looking to sign Arfa as well. He said that the player is also chased by some French clubs but he may prefer to play outside France. He added that Ac Milan has had multiple discussions with him but have said that for now they would not be able to sign him. Frederic said that Arfa has also been approached by a couple of German clubs and he would take some time before making the decision. The agent said that Marseille have said that they would not resist the move and have been very cooperative.
Lets Head over to the English Premier League, where the newly relegated club Portsmouth is facing all sorts of problems. They are under administration and as so often happens, most of their players have decided to look elsewhere after the drop to the championship.
Pompy’s forward John Utaka is also looking to make a move; he has suggested that he would like to join a club in the Premier League. Utaka who has been an international player for Nigeria is expected to leave Fratton Park before the season starts.
Utaka joined Portsmouth 3 seasons ago, and is now believed to be looked up by Bolton, Sunderland and Fulham.
There is also interest from outside England, Cologne and Bayern Leverkusen, which are two clubs from Germany, have also been linked with Utaka. The Nigerian however has said that he would prefer playing in the Premier League rather than going elsewhere.
Utaka said that his manager has been talking to several clubs, and nothing has been decided as yet. He reiterated that Premier League is where he would want to be when the next season begins. He added that he has enjoyed the English game, because it is quick and direct and the financial aspect in Premier league is also an incentive.
Now talking about Manchester city there is big competition for places in the team, since the club signed players from all over Europe during the last 2 transfer windows. The Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor who was signed from Arsenal has said that regardless of various quality strikers at the club he is determined to fight for his place. He said that he believes in his ability and would be the number one striker at the club in the upcoming season. Last season he was overshadowed to some degree by the big money signing of Carlos Tevez from Manchester United.
Tevez was the top scorer for City last season with 23 goals, but the team still did fall short in the end of making it to the 4th spot.
The duo is set to face more competition in the upcoming season, City are aiming to sign Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli and have also showed interest in the Liverpool front man Fernando Torres.
Adebayor said that he knows the club would continue to make signings, he said that it would help strengthen the squad. The African striker said that he has is not worried by the competition for places in the team, and is confident that he would be able to become the best of the lot.
Tags: