Latest transfer speculation
By Bhaskar Maji
Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich may be on his way to rivals Bayern Leverkeusen.
Leverkeusen bosses have admitted they would love to bring the out-of-favour midfielder to the BayArena.The 20-year-old midfielder has failed to force his way into Felix Magath’s Munich team this season although he has represented his country.
Crystal Palace are close to signing Ecuadorian striker Angel Fernandez from El Nacional. The 33-year-old striker has recently had a trial with the Eagles and has impressed boss Iain Dowie.But El Nacional president, Juan Donoso, claims that personal terms have hampered the deal.
Deportivo La Coruna have let three players join Primera Liga relegation candidates Albacete.
Striker Ruben, midfielder Jaime and full back Momo have all signed one year deals with their new club.
Momo and Ruben will spend next season at Albacete but Derportivo have the option of buying them back at the beginning of the 2005/2006 season.
Nantes are hoping to buy Marseille midfielder Sylvain N’ Diaye as a replacement Mathieu Bergson to Aston Villa. The Senegalese player has not played for the Stade Velodrome outfit and may be allowed to move on-loan or permanently.
N’ Diaye moved to Marseille from Lille during summer 2003 but has failed to impress coach Jose Anigo.
Paris Saint-Germain have signed Fabrice Pancrate from Le Mans for a fee around €3m.The midfielder has signed a four-year contract with Vahid Halilhodzic’s team and will join the squad for training on Monday.
Italian giants Roma have made an offer for Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Ajax, for a fee believed to e in the region of £10m. The Swedish striker has also attracted attention from Serie A’s Juventus and Parma but the Rome club seem to be in pole position after tabling their offer.
Feynoord are to launch a bid for defender Bruno Basto from Bordeaux.
Basto is on his was to Holland for a trial after being told by the French club that he is surplus to requirements. The Portuguese defender joined Bordeaux in 2000 from Benfica.
The Dutch team have also offered a trial to Uruguayan Mateo Andres Corbo. The 26-year-old is currently playing for Olimpia Asuncion in Paraguay and is a free agent.
Nice have signed Francois Grenet on a free transfer from their rivals Rennes. Rennes’ coach, Laszlo Boldini, told the full back that he is not required and Grenet jumped to the chance of joining Nice on a two-year-deal. He is seen as an ideal replacement for Noe Parmarot who joined Spurs this week.
Nice are also handing a trial to defender Djamal Alloui. The 22-year-old Moroccan is currently contracted to Perugia in Italy but can’t break into the team.
Arsenal are about to go into negotiations with Valencia this week over a proposed move for Miguel Angel Angulo. The flying winger has recently turned down a new contract offer at the Spanish champions, which has alerted London club. The 27-year-old was told he must take a pay cut as Valencia attempt to balance their debts. Angulo’s contract expires in 2005 and Mestalla coach, Claudio Ranieri, is ready to sell the player before he can move for free.
Meanwhile, Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger is monitoring Sevilla’s Jesus Navas following the resounding impact Jose Antonio Reyes has had on the Premiership.
Brescia have signed Daniele Adani from Serie A rivals, Inter Milan for a fee around €1.5m. The talented defender has had a trial with his new club and impressed coach Gianni De Biasi. Adani had been linked with a move to Benfica, but opted to stay in Italy.
Paulo Wanchope has ended his seven-year association with Manchester City with a dream move to Spanish club Malaga for £500,000. The striker has endured a turmoil few seasons for City and has been plagued with injury. He is desperate to resurrect his career in Spain after falling down the pecking order at the City of Manchester stadium.
Wanchope was bought to City by former manager Joe Royale from Derby County and netted 29 goals in 76 appearances.
City boss, Kevin Keegan, may now make a move for Marseille striker Mido who may be available on-loan.
Monaco are set to win the race for Barcelona’s Javier Saviola.
The Argentine striker is poised to leave the Catalan giants on a season long loan and the Principality club are firm favourites to secure his services. Saviola has attracted interest from several clubs including Celtic, Charlton and Lyon. But Barca president, Juan
Athletico Madrid have signed Celta Vigo full back Juan Velasco on a three-year deal. Celta have lost a number of star players following relegation last season.
Newcastle United are said to have had a bid for Fabio Cannavaro rejected by Inter. Sid Bobby Robson is desperate for a new world-class central defender following Jonathan Woodgate’s departure to Real Madrid.
West Brom are interested in signing Szabolcs Huszti from Ferencvaros.
The Baggies have made a £1.5m bid for the Hungarian to bring the midfielder from the same club where they bought compatriot Zotan Gera.
Fulham striker Facundo Savahas joined Spanish second division outfit Celta Vigo.
The Argentine striker joins Celta on a year-long lone after his first team chances at Craven Cottage has been limited since the arrivals of Andy Cole and Tomasz Radzinski.
With Collins John and Brian McBride also competing for attacking places, Cottagers boss, Chris Coleman, is willing to loan out the 30-year-old striker.
