By Chris Rowland.
Another week trawling the murky waters of the world of transfer rumours – a true bottom-feeder’s existence if ever there was one.
Anyway, the first news this week was Eriksen – it’s still on!
Ajax coach Frank de Boer has added weight to Christian Eriksen‘s much-publicised transfer speculation, insisting the attacking midfielder is ready to become a “class player” with the right decisions. Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool have been locking horns over the 21-year-old Denmark international, who has impressed in the Eredivisie this season.
Eriksen had earlier claimed Dortmund were “definitely” an option, and the lure of Champions League football should be the clinching argument. And De Boer added further encouragement, if any were needed, for the player’s suitors, by hailing the Dane’s potential. “If [Eriksen] remains as keen as he is, he can become a class player. I think he can adapt very quickly everywhere.” Insidefutbol.com June 1
Eriksen reveals some interesting preferences in this Sky Sports piece on June 3, not least that he wouldn’t mind the Spanish League, that the German League has caught up with the PL, that he wants to be wanted, that the weather won’t decide his future between England and Germany as they’re equally shite (I paraphrase) and most tellingly, he couldn’t play in a long ball side. Though as neither us nor Dortmund are, that doesn’t really help clarify matters much either:
Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen is considering his future away from the Dutch champions, with a number of European clubs believed to be chasing him.
The 21-year old has attracted interest from a number of European sides in recent months, having been a stand-out figure at the Amsterdam Arena since his first-team breakthrough in 2010. Eriksen could be set to depart this summer and he says that the manager of any potential new club is a key factor to where he will go. Borussia Dortmund are understood to be heading the queue for his services, and he admits coach Jurgen Klopp is a big draw. The Danish international had previously stated his desire to play in La Liga, but he says a move to Spain is no longer his first choice. “That has changed,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind playing in Spain if there was something interesting there for me but I might try a different league first.” Eriksen has been linked with moves to Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, but he says he now has no preference over the two. “They are two very different leagues but they are also very alike. The German league is on its way up where the English league is now. So I won’t prefer one before the other. And it also rains equally much in Germany as it does in England,” said Eriksen, who is said to be high on Liverpool’s wanted list. “The most important thing is to do what I feel is right. My next club has to express that they really want me. “I have to feel that it is the right place and then their style of play has to fit me. I can’t play in a club that prefers to play with long balls.”
Sounds a bit needy, that lad!
More Barca links – David Villa is definitely coming to the Premier League this summer, and Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all in for the striker, according to the Daily Mirror on June 1.
Spain international Villa has told his advisers he wants a move to England and has now been given the green light by Barca to negotiate a deal. The 31-year-old wants regular first-team football in what will be World Cup year and can leave the Nou Camp for £12million. Arsenal, who were keen on Villa in January, are the only ones of the three Prem heavyweights who can offer him Champions League football next season, but he is no longer top of the Gunners’ striker shopping-list. Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas knows Villa personally and has been in touch. The White Hart Lane club are also offering the best financial package, but their failure to get into the Champions League may cost them.
And the Barca links just keep coming – are we trying to dismantle them and reassemble them piece by piece in Liverpool 4? Good plan!:
Manchester City and Liverpool target Gerard Deulofeu has admitted his time at Barcelona could be coming to an end. The 19-year-old forward has been in scintillating form for the Catalan club’s reserve side in the second tier of Spanish football, scoring 18 goals in 33 appearances. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers keeps a keen eye on any Barca youngsters on the market while City’s player recruitment policy is now headed by former Barcelona bosses Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano. Talksport June 3
Next,a mentioned-in-passing link to what I understand to be a very promising – well; starlet: “Newcastle want to sign Derby starlet Will Hughes and are ready to meet the £10 million valuation”, said Express.co.uk on June 1. “The 18-year-old midfielder has caught the eye of a host of top clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.”
Whilst on the subject of starlets, Crewe apparently have one too, an 18-year-old striker called Max Clayton:
Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis has admitted that “the signs do not look good” for the club keeping hold of starlet Max Clayton, with the striker now having turned down several attempts to persuade him to sign a new contract. The talented product of Crewe’s esteemed youth academy has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool in the past, and there is little doubt that his potential availability will alert numerous suitors. InsideFutbol June 2.
Man Utd are also sniffing in a predatory manner however, according to International Business Times on June 3, and they must be favourites because they signed Nick Powell from Crewe last year!
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