Transfer Gossip This March

I love a good transfer rumour and was vaguely disappointed when international transfer windows made their appearance several years back. On the plus side, it certainly makes the close season more interesting. These days, managers like Roy Keane and Martin O’Neill are constantly banging on about how difficult it is to sign players, so it goes without saying that it takes a lot of legwork. As such, a new process has emerged where teams first let their interest leak out through the media, allow the player to respond through the media, and then take action based on the player’s reaction. No one is better at this than Real Madrid, who are reported to be interested in Werder Bremen’s Diego.

The Brazilian’s agent has declared his client to be interested, giving Madrid the green light to go ahead and make a deal, with Bremen all but forced to comply since their player has already been unsettled. Naturally, this is all against FIFA regulations, but clubs never receive sanctions for this sort of thing. In any case, it’s a fine line between a manager praising a player after being asked about him in the media and a club “tapping up” a potential target.

Some other persistent rumors involve Frank Lampard, who is widely believed to be heading for Barcelona. It’s interesting to watch Chelsea dragging their feet on his contract, since he’s provided goals and assists by the bucketful for the past few years. It may be that Abramovich & Co. have identified Lampard as the root of the efficient but uninspiring brand of football that’s become synonymous with the club. That would explain the Blues’ reported interest in Ronaldinho, who is out of favor at the Camp Nou. He’s looked to be playing better recently, but it may not be enough to save his Barca career with AC Milan mooted as another possible destination. Of course, that move didn’t work out so well for Rivaldo.

Who else? Drogba may also be heading to Barca or Milan. David Villa may leave Valencia one year too late, with Liverpool and Tottenham interested. Spurs may also be after Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. Everton may struggle to keep hold of Mikel Arteta, with Real Madrid as potential suitors for him and fellow Basque Xabi Alonso.

One surprising omission from the transfer chatter is Edwin van der Saar, who looks likely to be supplanted in the Manchester United goal by the excellent Ben Foster. That changing of the guard could even take place before the end of the season, with Foster impressing against Derby and being given another chance this weekend against Bolton.

Stay tuned for more European football rumours and news right here at Football Yobs!