Hargreaves puts himself in the virtual shop window. Injury plagued former
England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has posted a video of himself on Youtube hoping to prove his fitness to prospective clubs. Most rumours are centred on him joining a high flying Championship club with Sven Goran-Eriksson’s cash rich
Leicester
City said to be leading the race. However with no fee attached and the possibility of a Michael Owen style pay as you play contract one of the Premiership’s big boys could show an interest. Don’t rule out the possibility of the United old boy attracting the interest of Arsene Wenger and starting the new season as a top flight player once again.
Football.co.uk probability rating: 60%
City attempt to clear out the deadwood – nothing smacks of a players imminent departure than being excluded from their clubs pre-season tour. So down at Manchester City the writing is very much on the wall for the trio of Craig Bellemy,
Wayne
Bridge and Emmanuel Adebayor. Adebayor is said to have reacted furiously to the exclusion and is threatening to take legal action against the Eastlands (or should that be Etihad Stadium) club whilst Bellemy will have no problem finding a new employer. Bridge remains the biggest conundrum with the left back’s supposed history of high wage demands likely to count against him. A softening in his stance is likely to be needed this time around and that could see
Newcastle coming knocking on City’s door.
Football.co.uk probability rating: 75%
Barton captaincy snub the final straw – Alan Pardew’s decision to relieve Joey Barton of the Newcastle captain’s armband is likely to end the fiery Scousers short love affair with the Toon Army. Barton was already said to be unsettled by the departure of good friend and former captain Kevin Nolan to West Ham and has now realised that he does not feature strongly in Pardew’s long term plans. The midfielder who has managed to tame some of the less savoury aspects of his game without diminishing his will to win, could be an attractive signing for one of the upper mid table sides. Expect interest from Tottenham, Villa, Everton and
Bolton with the latter most likely to appeal to the player. A fee of around £5 million would see him switch to the Reebok before the month end.
Football.co.uk probability rating: 70%
Liverpool to snatch Oxlade-Chamberlain – Arsene Wenger’s infamous parsimony has re-alerted Liverpool to the possibility of signing
Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The son of the former England winger Mark, had seemed all but signed by Arsenal, but it would appear that the £6m bid put in by the Gunners has not only been rejected, but has also angered Southampton to such a degree that they would rather sell their star asset to virtually any other club. It is expected that the desire of the player to continue his development under Wenger’s tutelage will win the day, but if Arsenal don’t stump up the required £12 million then a late switch to Anfield could still happen.
Football.co.uk probability rating: 80%
If you hear any gossip, rumour or supposition, we want to know as soon as you do. Simply e-mail us at transferrumours@press.co.ukand best or most improbable could appear in next week’s column.
Source: DSG
