THE LAST TIME Senegal graced the world football stage, it prompted the arrivals of El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao to English football.
They’re back and once again, Liverpool have been casting admiring glances towards proceedings. Rest assured though Liverpool fans.
This time around, it’s Senegal’s opponents Uruguay that’s attracting all the attention.
Luis Suarez, who was roundly booed at Old Trafford in Uruguay’s opening day win against United Arab Emirates (he’s hardly on the Christmas card list in those parts), leads the line for the South Americans but it’s Bologna winger Gaston Ramirez that is reportedly close to a move to Anfield.
A deal may be close for Ramirez, whose agent has flown into the England, according to the Metro.
Alot of agents representing the best young foreign talent will be flying into the country in the next two weeks. It has nothing to do with their clients competing at the Olympics though. It’s all to do with brokering big money moves to the Premier League elite. We hope, it’s these sort of things that keeps The Departures Lounge in business.
Credit: WarnocksArmy
Going?
Andy Carroll must be wondering two things. Firstly, he’ll ponder just where he’ll be playing his football come September 1st. A smart answer to that question would be he won’t be playing football, he’ll be sat on a bench somewhere. Secondly, he’ll probably wonder what he has to do to be the main story on this very column.
There’s always some more aesthetically pleasing Spaniard or Uruguayan stealing Andy’s hoof-and -hope thunder.
Today, the only man interested in stealing Andy Carroll is West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, the Daily Mail report. For just half the price he cost Liverpool too. It is rumoured that West Ham want to take Carroll on loan for the season and pay a £2 million loan fee, with a view to paying the other £16 million next summer. Neither is agreeable from the Anfield club’s point of view and they’re holding out for £20 million.
Brendan Rodgers really doesn’t fancy having Carroll remaining the albatross around Liverpool’s neck and their valuation will probably lower as the deadline ticks nearer.
Going??
We’re pushing it a bit today, and prepare for a second Christmas reference in just seven paragraphs. Despite reports in recent days claiming Arsenal were close to signing Spain and Malaga winger Santi Cazorla, it appears this particular Santi baby won’t be coming down Arsenal’s chimney just yet.
The Guardian report that the La Liga club would be unwilling to sell their prize asset, with a Champions League campaign just around the corner.
“It would undermine the intention to compete in the Champions League. If important offers arrive for players you always listen to them, but I don’t think that Santi is going to leave the club for 20m because that would be giving him away and it would send the wrong message out,” said coach Manuel Pellegrini.
The Mirror today claim Arsene Wenger views Cazorla as someone who could play a central role for the Gunners if a move materialised and also reported that Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila and Caen forward MBaye Niang are still on the Frenchman’s wishlist.
Even if just one of those signings came to fruition, it will have been a productive window for the Londoners. Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have already signed up.
Gone!
Not all that many deals being completed at the moment, but Tim Cahill’s move from Everton to New York Red Bulls has gone through with the Australian now waiting on the formality of international clearance before skipping to the MLS. The fee is ‘believed to be in the region of’ (it usually is) £1 million.
That means Everton have received eight years, 278 appearances and 68 goals for a net fee of £500,000. Deal of the decade?
In predictable transfer news, Chris Hughton has added Robert Snodgrass to his pool of midfielders who used to play for Leeds United. Scot Snodgrass joins Jonny Howson and Bradley Johnson at Norwich City, with all three arriving at Carrow Road within twelve months of eachother.
We ended yesterday’s column with some Robbie Savage and vowed to keep you updated. Here is that very update. The Daily Record report Savage’s offer to join Rangers playing staff in the Scottish Division Three for the coming season, only extends to midweek matches.
The former Birmingham City midfielder says any comeback can’t interfere with his media commitments with Match of the Day and BBC Radio Five Live. Considering the new Rangers don’t have any Europan commitments to speak of and cup runs are temporarily at least a thing of that past, you’re not all that much use Robbie.
We’re back with another rumour round-up tomorrow, this time we’re fairly certain, with no Robbie Savage news.