Benfica midfielder Angel di Maria has been the subject of much transfer speculation recently, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all linked with the Argentine international. A ridiculous fee of £36million has been mentioned for the 21 year old, although somewhere around £10-15million is more likely.

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Sergio Aguero inherited the mantle of star striker at Atletico Madrid from Fernando Torres and on Tuesday night he showed exactly why, scoring two excellent goals in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea in the Champions League.

Aguero has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in the last 18 months, and there were claims by Atletico Madrid this summer that they rejected a £42m bid for the Argentina international.

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United have once again been linked with January moves for Valencia's star men, David Villa and David Silva. The future of both Spanish Internationals was the focus of much media attention over the summer with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool keeping tabs on the situation to name but a few.

Valencia managed to hold on to their prized assets in the summer but as their financial troubles show no sign of letting up, it looks increasingly likely they will lose one if not both in the winter.

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Following Manchester United's 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow, Alex Ferguson took time to single out the opposition's goalkeeper; remarking that the 23 Russian shot stopper was ‘outstanding'.

I'm not sure if Ferguson saw something I didn't but over the course of the ninety minutes, it seems staggering that the young goalkeeper deserved such high praise.

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Everybody's favorite international star-to-MLS rumor re-appeared over the weekend, and while nothing has really changed with regard to the long-discussed potential THierry Henry to New York Red Bull rumor, it still managed to resurface and create a little more buzz.

This time around it was the Daily Mail with a story on how Henry is set to pass on a move to Manchester City in order to join the Red Bulls after the 2010 World Cup.

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Everybody's favorite international star-to-MLS rumor re-appeared over the weekend, and while nothing has really changed with regard to the long-discussed potential THierry Henry to New York Red Bull rumor, it still managed to resurface and create a little more buzz.

This time around it was the Daily Mail with a story on how Henry is set to pass on a move to Manchester City in order to join the Red Bulls after the 2010 World Cup.

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International week always feels a bit odd when the season has just got going. You've just about got used to two games a week, Premier League, Champions League, Carling Cup plus whatever else you can find to watch and then it all stops for the internationals.Â

Luckily for England it wasn't a crucial match over in the Ukraine and Rio Ferdinand has to count himself lucky that yet another mistake was only seen by a few that bothered to pay £10 to watch the game on the internet.

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A quick Sunday round-up for you.

Arsenal players got themselves on the scoresheet yesterday for their respective countries. Cesc scored a lovely goal against Armenia, Philippe Senderos scored two excellent headers against Luxembourg and William Gallas got one for France as Spain, Switzerland and France all won.

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It appears Alex Ferguson has given up hope of Ben Foster becoming United's number one as reports suggest Julio Cesar is a potential transfer target for the club.

The Brazilian international, aged 30, joined Inter in 2005 and is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. With Van der Sar turning 40 this month it was hoped either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak would take the reigns but after failing to impress, it looks like Ferguson will look elsewhere in an attempt to replace the veteran Dutchman.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE The Adebayor-gate affair rumbles on this morning, insiders, as Cesc Fabregas breaks his silence on the stamp that left him with peaking a three-inch gash on his right calf.

The Sun pictures the wound and quotes him: "I think this is a red card here.

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As CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev prepares for two potential encounters with United in the up coming Champions League group stages, the Russian goalkeeper has one eye on linking up with the Premier League champions in the not too distant future.

There was speculation the shot stopper could have joined United in the summer but despite a move never materialising, the young keeper is still hopeful.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Tom Rosicky is back Cesc Fabregas is off and Andrey Arshavin is firing on all cylinders and raring to go. Oh, and it seems as if Theo Walcott is heading for a comeback, too.

Those are the key stories in this morning's papers, which also mention that England have qualified for the World Cup in South Africa by beating Croatia 5-1, the bigger story there, of course, is that Eduardo played and scored.

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So near yet so far!

Tottenham and Sunderland have failed to agree a loan swap involving Anton Ferdinand and Alan Hutton, according to Sky Sports sources.

Spurs had been looking to bolster their options in central defence following injuries to Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate earlier in the summer.

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Soccerlens has brought you extensive transfer window coverage for several years now - and this year we're asking you to join us in compiling the most comprehensive transfer news database on the Internet.

Like before you'll have Eddie's excellent daily roundup of the latest transfer rumours and confirmed transfers plus regular updates to our transfer lists for 9 European leagues from Shahryar.

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What do you think?

Chelsea captain John Terry has signed a new five-year contract which is reported to be worth £150,000 per week.
The defender was the subject of much transfer speculation in the summer, with suggestions of a £40m bid from Manchester City for the 28-year-old.

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Jose Enrique could be the next big name to leave Newcastle United according to The Mirror. Apparently Atletico Madrid are hoping to table a £3m million bid for the defender we signed from Villarreal two years ago for £6.3m. Enrique has also apparently piqued the interest of Real Zaragosa but only as part of a loan deal. Click to continue reading...

So the footy is back, and not before time to as the endless transfer speculation was really starting to get to me.
But picking through the pieces of the Premier League's opening weekend, as well as the second round of games in the football league, I've noticed that some things just don't change. Click to continue reading...

Everton

Last Season: 5th, 17-12-9 (+ 18 goal differential)

Home Form (last season): 8-6-5

Last Meeting: Everton 1-Arsenal 1 (1/28/09)

The season is here. It's finally here. While I'm sure we'll still deal with transfer speculation, injuries, etc.

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Hopefully this rumour will not lead to anything!

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has claimed the transfer speculation surrounding midfielder Lee Cattermole is unsettling for both the club and the player.

Liverpool and Sunderland have been strongly linked with the England Under-21 international over the summer, with Black Cats' boss Steve Bruce formerly in charge at Wigan admitting he will test the Latics' resolve in trying to sign the player.

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Brede Hangeland today refused to comment on transfer speculation linking him with the gunners.

When questioned he replied

"There's been a lot of speculation over the summer and my policy is to comment as little as possible, because the more you say the more speculation there is," he told Sky Sports News.

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Following their exploits in Japan last week, Inter turn their attentions to the Campeonato Brasileiro once again as Sport visit the Beira-Rio (21:00 local time). A win for Inter could put them back amongst the top four as the Colorado title challenge continues.
Having only trained lightly since returning to Brazil, Inter are expected to name a similar team to the one which defeated Oita Trinita 2-1. Click to continue reading...

by CARL ELDRIDGE U2 star Bono is set to be at the Celtic-Arsenal game if the Champions League play-off gets switched to August 19, the day after the band play at Hampden Park, Glasgow. But I doubt if he'll be in the away section given his Hoops allegiance and megastar status.

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Good player but probably not worth such a large valuation.

Steven Defour has joined Roma's Alberto Aquilani on the list of candidates to replace Xabi Alonso at the heart of Liverpool's midfield and has admitted his interest in an £18m Anfield move.
While Real Madrid have yet to match Liverpool's valuation on Alonso, Defour, 21, said: ‘I have an agreement with Standard Liege that I could go to a top club, and Liverpool fit the bill.

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The Inter squad will train this morning before heading off to Japan ahead of Wednesday's Copa Suruga match against Japanese club Oita Trinita.
As the squad travel to Japan, speculation surrounds the future of several players as international transfer window opens.
D'Alessandro's agent, Fernando Oto has joined Fernando Carvalho in publicly denying suggestions that the Argentine could move to Europe. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool will not likely get their asking price of 41 million euros for Alonso but a smaller figure of 30 million.

Even Rafa Benitez has given a tacit go ahead as he is tiring off all the transfer speculation and has essentially said that this is Alonso's decision to make. As per the Spanish media, the Liverpool midfielder has a 48 hour deadline before becoming Real's fifth big signing.

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It's been a quiet period in Australian and world football, apart from the usual pre-season friendlies, transfer speculation and early skirmishing in Europe. Hence the lack of posts this past week, and this one is just by way of a plug for a new e-fanzine coming out in August. The brains behind Half-Time Heroes is the indefatigable Eamonn Flanagan of the Nearpost football blog, and writing for the new publication will be, among others, Tony Tannous (the Round Ball Analyst), John of A Seat at the A-League, Bill of The Spawning Salmon, and many others, including your tragic correspondent. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool lost central defender Martin Skrtel to a hamstring injury in today's 1–1 draw with Thailand in a pre-season friendly. The Slovak international came on as a half-time substitute but lasted only 10 minutes on a rain-soaked afternoon before grabbing the top of his right hamstring and walking gingerly off the field. Click to continue reading...

GREAT news for the global family of football fans – the INSIDER group has got bigger and better with the addition of SIX more exciting FREE-TO-USE websites to follow in the footsteps of their great site for Arsenal fans – www.arsenalinsider.com<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office">

Due to popular demand and keen interest from supporters of Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and League One side Stockport County, INSIDER have now launched dedicated sites for fans of these clubs to give them somewhere they can catch up on all the latest news, views and opinions about their teams.

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Snooze....

Has pre-season started? Why did it go so quiet? So quiet in fact, that Arsenal are even confirming transfer speculation on their website WTF! Since when do we comment on players we are interested in? We say nothing. When others talk, we say nothing. When others bullshit, we say nothing.

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When one of your favorite and most important players is continually linked with another club, all you want them to do is come out and pledge their allegiance to the team and supporters. Unfortunately, sometimes that player really does want to go elsewhere and even though they've tried to keep it hush hush for fear of a backlash from the fans or the club that they are currently with, it gradually sort of just comes out.

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by CARL ELDRIDGE IT's Day 57 of transfer speculation since the final kick of last season and there is a new hat in the ring as a possible replacement for you-know-who.

According to those seemingly informed bods at the Daily Mail, Arsenal are considering moving for Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.

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Liverpool's new £17m full-back Glen Johnson will make his Liverpool debut in Switzerland on Wednesday with boss Rafael Benitez insisting he is worth the money.
Johnson will play in Liverpool's first pre-season friendly against St Gallen.
Benitez admits, like Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, that the transfer market has gone mad this summer. Click to continue reading...

Alberto Aquilani could be Liverpool's replacement for Xabi Alonso, but Roma won't part with him for less than £18m.
The Reds are looking at alternatives after Xabi Alonso reportedly requested a transfer to Real Madrid this week.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Rafa Benitez has already sent his men to ask Roma about Aquilani's availability. Click to continue reading...

So it's being reported that Fergie has had enough of all this rampant transfer speculation, and has decided to bring a close to United's transfer window. "It is the end of our business, so all these stories about who were are supposed to be getting - forget it. I can only placate the fans this way and say I am not going to be stupid.

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Sky Sports Sources understand Manchester City are in talks with Arsenal over the possible signing of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer, with a number of European clubs said to be interested in his services.

But the Togo international's future looked to be settled after his agent recently stated he would be staying at Emirates Stadium.

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