How Financial Fair Play could reshape the Premier League (good for Arsenal & Spurs, bad for Manchester City..) is a post from: Just Football

Are Manchester City's days of lavish spending about to end?

by Amit Singh

The Financial Fair Play rules (FFP) will become effective at the start of the 2013-2014 season which means that clubs will only be allowed to spend what they earn as well being expected to break even over a three year period starting from 2011-2012.

Martin Jol has stunned the footballing world by dramatically selling himself to Aston Villa.

"To be honest I expected more from Fulham. It's a small club," he explained while screwing up his nose and sniffing. "And I wanted to be at a big club. You know? With big things."

Jol continued: "I had seen what happened to Mark Hughes after he walked out on Fulham.

After establishing that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the world's highest-paid footballer, earning €33 million a year (€10.5-million salary, €1.5 million in bonuses and €21 million in advertising and other contracts), France Football magazine has discovered that Manchester United disappointment on loan at Beskitas is the world's 97,612th highest paid footballer.

Reports from Craven Cottage are suggesting that Fulham have sold QPR a player who "never existed in the first place."

The extraordinary claims come on the back of Bobby Zamora's mooted £5 million move from Fulham to QPR.

A source from the West Ham grounds staff revealed today that "Bobby Zamora gave up football a long time ago.

Michael Ballack could be coming to a MLS side near you. (Getty Images)

German international midfielder Michael Ballack could be close to joining a Major League Soccer team. Sources close to Goal.com say the midfielder is in "deep negotiations" with the league.

Sources from both sides have confirmed that MLS Executive VP Todd Durbin initiated talks that would bring the former Germany captain and current Bayer Leverkusen midfielder to North America.

Marco Reus, the rising star in the German Bundesliga having helped Borussia Mönchengladbach to a respectable fourth place during the winter break, will be leaving the club at the end of the season to play for Borussia Dortmund.

It was announced today on Mönchengladbach's website that the player will remain at the club for the 2011-12 season before signing a five year deal with the current German champions Dortmund for a transfer fee of 17,5 million Euros.

Papiss Demba Cisse and his current club Freiburg have now agreed a deal in principle for the player to join Newcastle United for a fee of around £7.5 million according to Sky Sports' David Craig, though the deal will be subject to a medical. The player was spotted at the club's Benton trainng ground before [.

Chalk up another win for the Los Angeles Galaxy

Only this one wasn't just for them, it perhaps was an important win for MLS as well. Despite massive offers from numerous European clubs, David Beckham officially chose to remain in the United States, agreeing to new multi-year contract with the Galaxy that keeps the famed midfielder in Los Angeles through the 2013 MLS season.

Sebastien Le Toux's return to Philadelphia truly does appear to be simply a chance to pack his belongings, as the striker's transfer to Bolton Wanderers is set to be completed in the next two days.

MLSsoccer.com's Joe Prince-Wright told TalkSport UK, in an interview, that the Frenchman was "gonna finalize his contract tomorrow with Bolton.

By Chris Wright

'Twas a bit of a slow one yesterday as anyone who spent 11-and-a-bit hours 'glued' to the live feed will tell you, with the total spending across the English leagues failing to surpass the £50 million that Chelsea spaffed on Fernando Torres this time last year let alone the ludicrous £225 million that was spent in total in January of 2011.

Let's all raise a glass to the highly not credible, often made up, anonymous sources that rule the media and news agencies. Their "insider" information may be slightly exaggerated, or altogether useless, but they still fill our lives with random gems of dictionary-chewing banalities like this story, for example nonetheless.

Can this month get any better for Chelsea fans? As if winning the FA Cup and Champions League was not good enough, the best young talent in Europe, Eden Hazard says that he will be playing for Chelsea next season. Hazard snubbed both Man City and Man United in picking Chelsea.

Hazard has enjoyed a hugely successful season in France, where he was named Ligue 1 player of the year for the second season running, scoring 17 goals in 37 league games.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott's astronomical contract demands could lead to him move to one of The Gunners' Premier League rivals, according to The Daily Star.
The England international is requesting a new four-year deal worth £85,000 a week.
The likes of Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly being alerted with Arsenal so far stalling over completing a deal.

Tottenham Hotspurs have given midfielder Steven Pienaar the green light to leave the club if Sunderland or any other club can meet their £5 million asking price. Pienaar who has not seen any league action this season due to his niggling injuries, has struggled to impose himself in Harry Redknapp's side since his £2.

You've heard the news, now take the poll: Should the Galaxy re-sign David Beckham?Yes, his 15 assists were a major reason the Galaxy won MLS CupYes, but not at $6.5 million a year, especially if he heads off to the Olympics for a monthNo, he can't repeat his success

PSG is splashing some serious cash this transfer window. They are on the verge of signing Alexandre Pato for €35 million from Milan for a three year deal. Leonardo is also milking his popularity with Brazilian players to bring Kaka on board and is offering €25 million for the services of the Real midfielder.

Wellington Silva in his Fluminense days

Arsenal player Wellington Silva has switched Levante for Alcoyano who are currently sitting 17th in the Spanish second division.
Silva signed for Arsenal from Fluminense at the start of 2010 for around £3.5 million when he was just 16. He officially joined the Gunners when he turned 18.

Wellington Silva in his Fluminense days

Arsenal player Wellington Silva has switched Levante for Alcoyano who are currently sitting 17th in the Spanish second division.
Silva signed for Arsenal from Fluminense at the start of 2010 for around £3.5 million when he was just 16. He officially joined the Gunners when he turned 18.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp watched as his potential target Loic Remy scored both goals to help his side Marseille defeat Lille in a Ligue 1 fixture yesterday.

Remy has established himself as one of Ligue 1′s most lethal strikers and could move to the EPL side if the rumours are to be believed.

Quaker Oats to be the next sponsor of the Chicago Fire?

Ed Sherman with Crain's Chicago Business has the story:

"The Chicago Fire is about to venture into the land of oatmeal, cereal and granola bars.

The team is in the process of finalizing a contract with Quaker Oats Co. to be the Fire's new jersey sponsor, according to sources.

Liverpool lost their lucrative partnership with Adidas after demanding too much money for their on-field performance, according to the firm's chief executive.
The Premier League club's current deal with Adidas, the world's second biggest sporting goods manufacturer, expires at the end of the season after talks over an extension collapsed last year.

Sebastien Le Toux's flight to England appears to be training ahead of a possible transfer, according to Fox Soccer. Bolton is the destination if the Philadelphia Union's star striker is transferred during the January international transfer window.

The transfer was originally reported by Ives Galarcep, who writes for Fox Soccer and his own site, Soccer By Ives.

The old saying hard work never goes unrewarded is perfectly embodied in Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Not only has he won multiple titles with United, but he is now the most successful manager in English football history since taking over United in November 1986.

It in light of this that the Glazer family are in talks with Ferguson and plan to reward him with a new contract that will make him the best paid manager in the English Premier League.

By Chris Wright

This is a mock-up, before anyone gets too excited

Liverpool have announced this morning that, as of next season, their kit suppliers will no longer be Adidas (after eight years of service) and, as of this summer, will be American bods Warrior Sports.

Henrique: still off to QPR?

São Paulo director, João Paulo de Jesus Lopes, says that the door has not been shut on forward Henrique's transfer to QPR. The Morumbi club say that contrary to earlier reports, Henrique has not been denied a UK work visa. "The truth is the visa wasn't turned down.

Henrique: still off to QPR?

São Paulo director, João Paulo de Jesus Lopes, says that the door has not been shut on forward Henrique's transfer to QPR. The Morumbi club say that contrary to earlier reports, Henrique has not been denied a UK work visa. "The truth is the visa wasn't turned down.

According to media reports in Spain, Jose Mourinho will quit his job as Real Madrid manager this summer.

For the first time Mourinho was booed and whistled at by the Bernabeu faithful as rumors continue to swirl around the team of divisions within the squad.

The sensational claim that Mourinho will quit came from highly-respected Spanish football journalist Siro Lopez, who said after Real Madrid's 4-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend that the former Chelsea boss will walk away from his £11.

According to media reports in Spain, Jose Mourinho will quit his job as Real Madrid manager this summer.

For the first time Mourinho was booed and whistled at by the Bernabeu faithful as rumors continue to swirl around the team of divisions within the squad.

The sensational claim that Mourinho will quit came from highly-respected Spanish football journalist Siro Lopez, who said after Real Madrid's 4-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend that the former Chelsea boss will walk away from his £11.

Looks like the the effect of those UEFA financial fair play rules are having at best a marginal effect as losses rose to €1.6bn for the 2010-11 FY, up from the previous year's €1.2bn loss racked up by Europe's soccer leagues.

The only exception is the Bundesliga which managed to turn around losses into a healthy profit of €52.

After weeks of rumours and hand-wringing negotiations, Martin Caceres finally returns to Juventus from Sevilla on loan for the rest of the season. Juventus will initially pay €1.5 million and an additional €8 million in the summer to make the move permanent. The Uruguayan defender was already once on the books for Juventus during the disastrous 2009-10 season on loan from Barcelona; however, due.

In recent years, Swedish clothing retailer H&M has made strides in growing its brand in the United States, and it seems they've decided to take a major step in brand recognition by paying $3.5 million to air a commercial during Sunday's Super Bowl. What better way to make a splash in your first Super Bowl commercial than by having it star one of the world's most recognizable football players, David Beckham?

The new Indian League franchise got their squads ready during the week, with a fantasy league type auction.

The six week run tournament, seen each team bid for an "Icon" player and a foreign coach set up in the same style as the Indian one day cricket format currently used to great effect.

Last week the USSF announced changes to the structure of the developmental academy system. The two primary changes were a shift to a nationwide 10-month season (USSoccer.com) and a top-down forced choice between high school soccer and the Academies (TopDrawerSoccer.com). These changes are part of the national federation's continued quest for improvement and are extensions from the establishment of the Academy system and growing MLS HomeGrown Player rules (both SBNation.

Stewart Downing came for a big fee in the Summer of 2011. With a good touch, pace and consistently the most crosses in the Premier League he looked like a good compliment to Andy Carroll, but he was never worth the £18.5 million pounds Liverpool paid for him, becoming the sixth most expensive Liverpool signing of all time in the process.

There has been some very bad news for football over the last week. The fact that Glasgow Rangers have been put into administration, by the club's owner, is an indication of the sorry state the Beautiful Game is in both financially and in terms of management.

This latest occurrence has come about as a result of Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC) demanding up to £50 million in unpaid taxes and National Insurance contributions due on money paid into Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs).

While most of the numbers were leaked last week, Arsenal's financial results make interesting reading.

Here are some of the highliights:

• Group profit before tax was £49.5 million (2010 loss of £6.1 million)
• Profit on sale of player registrations amounted to £63.

While most of the numbers were leaked last week, Arsenal‘s financial results make interesting reading.

Here are some of the highliights:

• Group profit before tax was £49.5 million (2010 – loss of £6.1 million)
• Profit on sale of player registrations amounted to £63.

A few headlines from Arsenal Holdings Plc. Interim accounts for six months ending 30.11.2011.

Profit before tax... £49.5 million (2010 £6.1 million loss)

Turnover from football £113.5 million (2010 £97.6 million) with increases from match-day (increased ticket prices and four additional games played) and commercial income streams.

Watch out guys, there's a revolution coming up in Russian football! That's if you comrades fully trust in Anzhi coach Guus Hiddink who picked up a cool €50,000 bonus when his team defeated Dynamo Moscow in the opening game of the Russian league yesterday.

The Jimmy Bullard saga continues to take it's twists and turns at Ipswich Town and I'm torn between concern and fascination.
When Jimmy B joined The Blues on loan last season, it seemed as though our saviour had come. He played some great football, lifted a struggling side and in the space of just a few months he earned the Fans Player of the Season award at Portman Road.