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With the summer transfer window set to close on August 31, frenetic rumours and actions are doing the rounds surrounding big money moves to various clubs in the Barclays Premier League.
Blackburn Rovers, on the verge of a takeover from Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed, have signed highly rated Bulgarian striker Ivelin Popov from Litex Lovech although the terms of the contract have not been disclosed as yet but the Bulgarian media has revealed that the deal is worth around 2.5 million pound. According to Reuters, the 22-year old Bulgarian international, who has scored three goals in fifteen international games for his country, has had his medical at Ewood Park and would complete the paperwork next week subject to obtaining a work permit.
David Beckham: Heading back to England ?
Staying with Blackburn Rovers, prospective owner Ahsan Ali Syed has vowed to bring back former England captain David Beckham to the Premier League if his bid to buy the Lancashire club turns out to be successful. Rovers are in deep talks with Mr. Syed over a proposed 300 million pound takeover with the 36-year old Bahrain-based lawyer pledging an initial 100 million pound for new players.
Blackburn confirmed earlier this week they had held “a cordial and productive meeting” with representatives of Syed’s investment firm Western Gulf Advisory and the Indian businessman has set his sights on the iconic former Manchester United and Real Madrid star to increase Blackburn’s profile to the outside world. The businessman was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying, “ I was 26 when I started following the Premier League. I used to like Blackburn back then and also used to follow Manchester United’s fortunes because of David Beckham. If my finances allow and his intentions are positive then I would love to take Beckham.”
Arsenal are finally set to achieve their biggest transfer target by luring Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer to N5 from Fulham if the North London club pays the West London side a fee of 2 million pounds plus a second string player. The Gunners are in desperate need to buy an experienced goalkeeper after Manuel Almunia failed to impress last weekend and the 37-year old Aussie would be a great kick in the back of Arsenal’s title challenge.
William Gallas
Arsenal has also lined up bids for Ghanaian midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and French defender Sebastien Squillaci. Arsene Wenger is generally happy with his current squad but the departures of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell have prompted the Frenchman to look for some reinforcements to his backline and the arrival of an experienced centre-half in the form of the 30-year old Squillaci would be a welcome sight as another new signing Laurent Koscielny is set to sit out a couple of matches due to suspension.
According to the Mirror, the deal has already been finalised with Sevilla for a reported eight million euros and the French defender is set to arrive at the Emirates stadium by the end of the week.
The knee surgery of Samir Nasri earlier in the week has prompted Mr. Wenger to look for a midfielder and the twenty one year old Asamoah has impressed the wily old Gunners manager. Italian side Udinese have neither confirmed the report nor denied it as Asamoah’s agent has revealed that the North London side are eager to sign Ghana’s world cup star before the transfer deadline ends on August 31.
Talking about done deals, Arsenal’s weekend opponents Blackpool- the seasiders enjoyed a dream Premier League debut by beating Wigan 4-0- have completed the signing of Israeli centre back Dekel Keinan from Maccabi Haifa on a free transfer. The 25-year old is set to play his first game for the club against Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
After Tottenham’s 3-2 loss at the hands of BSC Young Boys, Harry Redknapp is pondering over a move for former Arsenal captain William Gallas to White Hart Lane. The temperamental Frenchman is a free agent after his exit from Spurs’ bitter North London rivals this summer. The only obstacle at the moment is Gallas’ excessive wage demands and at this stage of the 33-year old’s career, the exorbitant fee has put a doubt on chairman Daniel Levy’s mind about signing the player.
