When questions about your football club are raised in Westminster and the Prime Minister agrees that the situation needs investigation then you know you are in a bad way. Not because you might be investigated but because the Prime Minister actually knows what Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, is talking about.

Red Bulls GM Erik Soler says he's about to sign two, if not three "young" Americans with international experience. Before we even think about possible transfers, do realize that quite the crew of U.S. youth prospects are free agents.My first thought was erstwhile Sogndal keeper Joe Bendik - but I can't confirm he's actually spent time with the junior Nats.

Time for another year of wishes for 2012. Here's a look of what I am wanting and wishing to see in 2012.
1. Silverware - Is anything else really that important? I want silverware, as Robb Heineman put it tonight on Twitter, #paintthewall. I want to add more stuff to the wall that shows our accomplishments.

Stage 2 of the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft is done and there is a bit of Dynamo new to report. While Houston themselves passed with their selection, defender Hunter Freeman was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the second round. The Rapids now have seven days to offer a new contract to Freeman. Jason Garey and Eddie Robinson, the only other Dynamo players available for selection were not picked and the Dynamo declined the option to retain either player.

As the Seattle Sounders retool for a run at multiple Cups in 2012 they declined options on Forwards Nate Jaqua and Pat Noonan, as well as Centerback Taylor Graham. They also declined the option on the retiring Terry Boss. Each player is between 30 and 31 years old and occupied senior roster slots.

On Thursday, NBA players will be back playing in NBA arenas and practice facilities just like the good ol' days. Although the new CBA hasn't been agreed to yet and there is still voting that needs to take place, the NBA decided to lift that ban and allow teams and players to begin working together.

Women's soccer in America has encountered another setback. The top-tier female league in the United States, Women's Professional Soccer, is facing a loss of sanctioning by the U.S. Soccer Federation as a Division I league. Entering its fourth season, WPS "terminated" its Florida franchise, magicJack, bringing the number of teams down from six to five in early November.

MLS Waiver List Full Of Unrealized Potential

A lot of players in the minimum salary space, except for Philly's JDG, who never really showed enough to get regular time. All players listed are now free agents both within and outside of MLS.

Except for Nizar Khalfan. The Union picked him in the waiver draft.

Gaven, Rogers, Burns & Ekpo Out Of Contract With Crew

Now, this doesn't mean they are free agents within MLS. The rights issues are fairly complex. If the Crew don't want one back, but MLS reaches a contract agreement the players would be available in the Re-Entry Draft. Their rights would also be availabe via trade.

Alan Pardew puts paid to the idea of bringing in any free agents to plug any gaps in the Newcastle United squad, and he looks forward to the return of Hatem Ben Arfa. You are probably not surprised to find out that this is 'it' now in terms of the squad until January. Pardew has [...]

Alan Pardew said that none of the flair players on show for Newcastle United last night produced anything. Ben Arfa - to return for next Tuesday's game at Forest? Well, he's right there, but don't expect the Newcastle manager to be signing any free agents before January, because he will make do with the squad he has [.

Sportsmail's guide to players available on free transfers

Sportsmail picks a team of free agents that are still available and would not cost a single penny (apart from wages.) How many would you have in your squad?

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-02 15:05:04 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Abhinav's Note: First of all, don't be deceived by the author's note. Nope, this is not a post written by me. Lifelong Man United fan Sai Adithya, who last flirted with writing out here on the free agents this summer, is back with a detailed pre-match analysis of the big clash this Super Sunday.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Dallas Cowboys will soon release wide receiver Roy Williams. Why did Roy Williams get released? It's all about the new $120 million salary cap. The Cowboys were $17 million over the cap and that meant the team had to shed salary. In doing so, Roy Williams was a casualty.

Remember when the Venky's group bought Blackburn Rovers and said that they would provide the funds needed to turn Rovers into a Champions League side?

Venkys bought Rovers for around £25 million and agreed to take on the £18 million overdraft in the form of a mortgage.

The Mirror however is reporting that the bank are demanding that the £18 million overdraft amount be reduced, with the cash from the sale of Phil Jones to Manchester United.

Ducky's Note: Presenting the 1,504th guest writer we have had on BFZ in what has been a very interesting off-season here. We have made more moves this transfer season than Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea combined, and Sai Adithya, very appropriately, is the latest Manc to join the circus we've got going on here.

A host of Premier League clubs have released up to 123 players this summer with Patrick Vieira, Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson amongst the most high-profile stars let go this summer.

The official list of ‘free agents' released on Thursday night features former World Cup winners, former England internationals and Premier League champions.

Here is the official list of 123 Premier League players who will be free agents at the end of the 2010/2011 season as their clubs have chosen not to extend their contracts. This list of Premier League free agents 2011 ( released players) contains some interesting names like Nigel Reo Coker, Patrick Vieira, Jonathan Woodgate [.

I took this argument to Twitter last week in advance of the Europa League semifinals: Succinctly, it's my opinion the away goal rule sucks and, more importantly, is outdated. It was instituted in the mid-'60s, first in the Cup-Winners Cup and eventually to the European Cup (which became the Champions League) in order to force visiting teams to attack on the road in European ties.

Daniel returns for another view of the Valencia CF world. Hopefully the Offside gives him an account soon so he can post on his own! Daniel, take it away!

The third worst defence in the league. I'm drooling.

Is this the game to put us back on course for third spot? I believe so. Sociedad pulled of a magnificent smash-and-grab last week, and in doing so condemned Barca to just a second defeat this season, and produced, along with Zaragoza, the most unlikely result of creating the first matchday since December 2008 when both Real and Barca succumbed to defeat.

With the Newcastle manager saying today that the Newcastle club have already bid money for some in-contract transfer targets, and have also offered deals to some free agents, expect quite a few stories coming though about who Newcastle may be after. Kevin Gameiro not the first time Newcastle linked with this striker And there's [.

With the news last week that Newcastle had a £5M deal turned down for Toulouse's French U21 Intensional left back M'Benque turned down, it's not surprising that Alan Pardew has said Newcastle are already active in the transfer market. Pardew several offers made for under-contract players and free agents alike In fact Alan has [.

Looking through some of the free agents available this summer, here are three Swedish Internationals who Newcastle could well be even favorites to bring into the club. Nigerian International Taye Taiwo, the left back currently at Marseilles, is also a free agent, but he is already being tracked by Arsenal and other big clubs in [.

Copenhagen left-back Oscar Wendt will be in a free agent this summer, and both Liverpool and Newcastle are said to be in talks with the player. Oscar Wendt Swedish International left back Alan Pardew said that he was in talks with two free agents just last week, so perhaps this 25 year-old Swedish International [.

In our earlier article today on free agents we missed out a few, but one in particular is Nigel Reo-Coker of Aston Villa. The England U21 International was at West Ham when Alan Pardew was manager, so Alan will know a lot about this player, who is unlikely to be offered a new contract at [...]

Alan Pardew said yesterday that Newcastle were already in negotiations with some free agents. Zoltan Gera are Newcastle interested in this player? So it's not surprising there's one story out today that Newcastle are negotiating with Fulham's Zoltan Gera, whose contract at Fulham runs out in the summer, but we wonder if this player [.

Even with the transfer fee from Andy Carroll available to spend this summer, any players Newcastle pay money for, are very likely to still be younger players, 26 year-old and younger, who can still improve. Max Gradel - a Newcastle target this summer? The only difference from that profile will be when free agents are [.

Sky Sports is reporting that Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi is undergoing a medical at Newcastle ahead of move to St James' Park. Newcastle had previously been after free agents Jeremie Aliadiere and Brazilian Ewerthon but it looks like the Finnish International will join Newcastle on a contract through the end of the season.

Sky Sports is reporting today that Newcastle are considering a shock move for 6'2″ Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi. Shefki Kuqi - experienced Finnish striker Newcastle are trying to bring in a free agent for the rest of the season, after losing Andy Carroll to Liverpool, and Shola Ameobi to a broken cheekbone.

2011 NASL Combine held in Fort Lauderdale, FL this past weekend.

The 2011 NASL combine ended Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale with the opportunity for over 70 players to impress the league's eight coaches, assistant coaches such as the Puerto Rico Islanders' assistant Adrian Whitbread, Traffic USA Director of Soccer Fernando Clavijo and observers from other leagues.

Two free agents who Newcastle are looking at to bring to Tyneside are Frenchman Jeremie Aliediere and Brazilian Ewerthon. With Carroll gone, and Ameobi out for a couple of months with a broken cheekbone and Leon best sustaining a hamstring strain on Saturday Newcastle have only two fit strikers Peter Lovenkrands and 19 year-old [.

The Tampa Bay Rays needed to reload after losing a plethora of free agents including Carl Crawford, Rafael Soriano and Carlos Pena. The Rays successful added pieces back to their puzzle by signing a pair of aging stars in Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. Tampa Bay will count on Ramirez and Damon to produce in order to make it to the postseason for the second straight year.

Update

It's official, the Union have signed Faryd Mondragon and Carlos Valdes. From the announcement on the Union website:

"We are very happy to have agreed to deals with both Faryd and Carlos," said Team Manager Peter Nowak. "It is great to have an experienced player, such as Faryd, show his desire and commitment to become a member of the Philadelphia Union family.

It's that time of year again. While winter may be bringing a healthy helping of snow to Foxboro, it's covering the rest of the world with a myriad of transfer rumors and this time New England isn't being left in the cold.

New Year's Day marks the opening of the midseason transfer window in most European leagues.