First Robinho, now City go for Ronaldo, Torres and Cesc September 3, 2008 Manchester mega-rich new owners revealed the staggering scope of their ambitions yesterday by boasting that they would smash the world transfer record and buy Cristiano Ronaldo from local rivals Manchester United in January for £135m. Having underlined their vast spending potential on Monday by outbidding even Chelsea to sign £34m Real Madrid forward Robinho, Arabian [...]
Pietersen backs England to re-create history and pile pressure on Australia September 3, 2008 Kevin Pietersen is backing his England players to make history at Cardiff today while climbing to second in the one-day world rankings. England began the series back in sixth place but have propelled to third thanks to four straight victories over South Africa. Victory at Cardiff today will not only see Pietersen’s men leapfrog the [...]
McGinley: It’s time to rally round Nick and the boys September 3, 2008 Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley says it’s time for the doubters to back captain Nick Faldo in leading Europe to a fourth successive triumph. Faldo has been criticised for leaving out in-form Darren Clarke from his two wild card selections, instead opting for Paul Casey and the flamboyant Ian Poulter, who angered his peers by [...]
Benitez gets his man as £8m Riera arrives from Espanyol September 2, 2008 Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez finally ended his long search for a leftwinger last night when he completed the £8m signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol. The Spain midfielder, who spent a loan spell at Manchester City during the 2005-06 season, signed a four-year contract at Anfield after rejecting interest from other Premier League clubs. Riera, [...]
Man City sign £34m Robinho in record deal September 2, 2008 Manchester United last night capped the most remarkable 24 hours in the club’s recent history by signing Brazilian forward Robinho for a British record £34m. The club, bankrolled by new Middle Eastern owners, stunned Chelsea by snatching a player who had seemed destined to move to Stamford Bridge. Robinho himself had wanted a move to [...]
Berbatov granted dream United move while Spurs land trio on deadline day September 2, 2008 Manchester United last night beat the clock by a matter of minutes to finally land Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov for £30.8m and bring a dramatic end to a nerve-jangling transfer deadline day. Old Trafford chiefs were locked in negotiations with Spurs over the Bulgarian hitman right up until the midnight deadline. But the Premier League [...]
Premier appeal for England’s leading football clubs September 2, 2008 Even 24 hours earlier, few would have believed that Manchester City would be the name on everybody’s lips on transfer deadline day. But City, rather than their more illustrious neighbours Manchester United, dominated much of the gossip and discussion yesterday, in the increasingly bizarre world that is modern football. First came the unexpected news of [...]
Arabs snatch Robinho as they buy City from Thaksin September 2, 2008 Manchester City’s new owners Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) showed the rest of the football world they mean business by snatching Real Madrid star Robinho from under the nose of rivals Chelsea for a British record transfer fee of £34m last night. Earlier, ADUG revealed it had agreed a multi-million takeover with owner Thaksin Shinawatra. [...]
Wright-Phillips enjoys dream debut as ambitious City rally September 1, 2008 Shaun Wright-Phillips was hailed by his new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes after capping a dream debut with two goals at the Stadium of Light. The England international struck twice in eight second-half minutes, wasting no time in re-paying the £10m transfer fee paid to Chelsea just three days ago. “I’m delighted for Shaun. It’s [...]
Chelsea hit back as Real point finger September 1, 2008 Chelsea last night hit back at criticism from Real Madrid over their pursuit of striker Robinho as the on-going transfer saga turned nasty. Real earlier lashed out at Chelsea’s behaviour over their public courting of the Brazilian, in particular the selling of replica shirts with Robinho’s name printed on the back. But while the Blues [...]