June 17th
Sunday, 17 Jun 2007 16:51
Manuel Fernandes is (reportedly) a West Ham target
Aston Villa's failure to get into Europe last season has cost them at least one player.
Portugal star Bruno Alves has rejected Villa's overtures after prioritising the Champions League over the Premiership – good news for FC Porto at least.
Porto president Pinta da Costa said this week the club do not need to cash in on another star player after Manchester United snapped up Anderson for £17 million.
Rumours abound today with very little real news making the transfer headlines.
Instead comments by players' agents are sufficiently newsworthy to warrant excited speculation. Take Christophe Mongai, for instance, who has told the News of the World that Fredi Kanoute is being courted by both Newcastle United and Portsmouth.
The Sevilla striker has been doing well in La Liga and will be hoping he does well in the Spanish season's climax tonight.
Back in Britain, more bad news for Sheffield United and Sunderland.
Agent John Sivebaek says client Thomas Gravesen is not interested in heading down south but will instead persevere with his current club, Celtic.
The battle for Manuel Fernandes is hotting up. Everton have reportedly been outbid for the promising young player, meaning it looks like West Ham will emerge victorious in this particular battle.
Yossi Benayoun faces an awkward conversation with his West Ham bosses when he gets back from holiday this week. The wantaway midfielder is a Liverpool prospect.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough appear determined to get some big names to the north-east for next season with Bobby Zamora on the wishlist for Gareth Southgate.
And Tottenham have been linked with headbutt-victim Marco Materazzi.