A round-up of today's other soccer news in brief
Wenger puts Chamakh deal on hold
ARSENE Wenger will bide his time and wait until Bordeaux lower their price for forward Marouane Chamakh.
Wenger yesterday described the deal as “terminated” unless the French club lowers its valuation of the 25-year-old - thought to be around €17.5 million - who has only a year remaining on his contract. “In five months if he doesn’t prolong his contract Chamakh will be free to talk to any club and Bordeaux won’t get anything,” Wenger told L’Equipe. “In the current context to me, it is over.”
EVERTON have confirmed they have ear-marked the Switzerland international Phillipe Senderos as defensive cover for next season but have yet to agree a fee. The Swiss football federation announced a done deal on Monday but, while Senderos has informed Arsenal he wishes to join Everton, the two clubs differ in their valuation.
Uefa chief warns clubs not to compete with rich City
ENGLISH Premier League clubs risk financial ruin if they attempt to compete with the spending power of Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City, Uefa general secretary David Taylor said yesterday.
City have spent huge sums on the likes of Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor during the off-season but Taylor believes they, and Spanish giants Real Madrid, are setting a dangerous precedent.
“I would say in this financial climate, it is surprising, a little bit destabilising of the market,” Taylor said.
“It is raising the ante in terms of the player costs, in terms of the general market place, which is not a thing that gives us a great deal of comfort in these difficult times.
“There is certainly disquiet in the corridors of power here (at Uefa).”
The demise of Leeds United, who were relegated from the Premier League in 2004 saddled with debts, is often used as an example of how a big club can hit the rocks and Taylor said their plight should be a warning.
“There are stories concerning some English clubs that are of significant concern,” he said.
“There are a number of English clubs where the value of the club itself has fallen significantly and they are effectively on the market.
“We’ve seen what has happened in recent years with a number of very high-profile clubs, Leeds United for example. They fell into serious financial difficulties by over-extending themselves.”
Nolan honoured at Abbotstown
FORMER Shamrock Rovers great Ronnie Nolan yesterday became the latest player to be honoured by the FAI as one of the country’s footballing legends at their headquarters in Abbotstown, writes Emmet Malone.
Since relocating to their new offices, the association has devoted small areas of the building to celebrating some of Ireland’s finest ever players with John Giles, Liam Whelan and Shay Brennan amongst those to be honoured to date.
Nolan, a Dubliner who earned 10 senior international caps and scored the winning goal for Rovers in the 1956 cup final, one of half a dozen he won with the club, is the sixth player to receive the accolade.
“He was one of the true greats of his era,” said FAI president David Blood of Nolan at yesterday’s event.
The defender had been a key member of the Rovers team known as “Coad’s Colts” and he also won two league winner’s medals.
Subsequently, he won a seventh cup while player-manager at Bohemians.
Bent deal finally nears completion
DARREN Bent’s move to Sunderland is expected to go through today after the striker passed a medical yesterday.
The 25-year-old is set to become Sunderland’s record signing, for a reported €14 million, but a delay over the paperwork thwarted hopes he would be able to play in a friendly against Peterborough last night.
A source close to the deal said that the transfer was being processed.
Sunderland assistant manager Eric Black said: “His record in the Premier League is outstanding – I think he’s scored about 50 goals in 100-odd appearances, a phenomenal return. There’s a plethora of different things we think he’ll bring.”
Barcelona move to tie up Messi
BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has confirmed they are working on a new contract for star man Lionel Messi.
Reports suggest the Catalan club are to offer the 22-year-old €9.5million per year and increase his release clause, which currently stands at €150 million, to €300 million.
Laporta has already met with Messi’s father to discuss the matter and the Barca president insists the Argentina winger is worth every cent.
O'Shea makes move to Birmingham
GALWAY United captain Jay O'Shea looked to be on his way to Birmingham City last night after the two clubs agreed a fee for the Republic of Ireland under-21 international, writes Emmet Malone.
Dubliner O’Shea (20) can operate on the right side of midfield or as a striker.
O’Shea had been expected to move to Derby County at the end of last year only for a change of management at the English club to effectively scupper the deal.
His form for the League of Ireland Premier Division outfit has been impressive this season and now Alex McLeish, who obtained quite a return on his outlay for Keith Fahey at the start of the year, has moved to add him to the Irish contingent at St Andrew’s.
REPUBLIC of Ireland under-21 midfielder Alan Judge has rejoined Plymouth on loan until January having spent the latter half of last season with Argyle.
