Football Transfer Rumours

Nasri Mocks Arsenal following City's EPL Success

2012-05-16T00:03:00.003-07:00

Manchester City player Samir Nasri has hit out at his former club Arsenal, while celebrating his first English Premier League Trophy, accusing them of settling for the second best. The Midfielder was part of the history making City side that were crowned EPL champions for the first time in 44 years after a dramatic 3-2 win over QPR.

Nasri joined Manchester City last summer for £24 million and was heavily critisiced by the Gunners fans claiming he joined the blue side of Manchester to double his earnings. However, the French Star feels his club’s recent success has justified his move, because he has refused to settle for the less

In an interview with French TV channel TF1 he said: "People at Arsenal tried to make out that I came here for the money,

"I hope they are watching me now, collecting my Premier League winner’s medal. I believe they have not won a trophy for many years now.

"If all that I was interested in was money, the easiest decision would have been to stay at Arsenal, picking up my money every week and walking into the team.

"There are many people doing this right now at Arsenal.

"I made the hard choice to come and fight for my place at a big club, where they never settle for second best, and I have proved it correct.

"I now hope the Arsenal fans can get on with their lives and forget me, they should celebrate their third-place achievement and I will focus on winning titles."

Mancini: City Continue 'Stupid' Spending

2012-05-15T21:53:00.001-07:00

Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini maintains his squad needs to be reinforced this summer for the club to retain their Premier League title and also challenge for the Champions League trophy. The Italian wants to build on this season Premier League’s success and win the Champions League next season.

The Club Chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak feels the squad is already strong and there’s no need to spend lavishly like the previous summers. However, Mancini said: "Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money. I think for Manchester City it must be the same. We must spend to compete with them.

Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Fergusson has earlier described his ‘noisy’ neighbour’s spending as stupid. Speaking at the club’s Player of the Year awards dinner, he said: “"We invest in young players. That is what we are good at – we're not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods. We know that City are going to spend fortunes, pay stupid money, pay silly salaries and all that.

Mancini has plans to sign Arsenal Striker Robin van Persie and Lille’s Eden Hazard, but the club must sell first in order to comply with the UEFA’s financial fair play regulations. Manchester City last year recorded a loss of £197 and could balance their books by offloading the likes of Adam Johnson, Eden Dzeko, Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez.

Nine Players Set For Arsenal Exit

2012-05-15T01:02:00.002-07:00

1. Manuel Almunia

Manuel Almunia became the first-choice goal keeper after the departure of Jens Lehnman and has worn the Arsenal skipper’s band on several occasions. But his run of poor performances have sent him down the pecking order behind Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski.

2. Lukas Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski has been frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities having lost his place Wojciech Szczesny both at Arsenal and in Poland National team. The Polish international has not made Premier League appearance since January 2011

3. Sébastien Squillaci

Sébastien Squillaci joined Arsenal from Sevilla following the departure of William Gallas in the summer of 2010. But the French international failed to impress when given the chance. With Thomas Vermaleen and Laurent Koscienly back to fitness and with the arrival of Per Mertesacker from Wender Bremen, there seems to be no room for French centre back.

4. Denilson

The 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder struggled to make the starting line up at Arsenal and was sent on loan to Sao Paulo last summer. He is bound to leave Arsenal permanently at the end of the season after his jersey No15 has been given to the rising star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

5. Maroune Chamackh

Following an impressive career with Bordeaux, Arsenal landed the Moroccan international on a Free Transfer in 2010. He has however lost form after a good start in Arsenal. The Moroccan international has only scored once in 15 apperances for Arsenal this season. Arsenal is likely to accept a bid in the range of £5-6m for the striker.

6. Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela who is currently on loan with Real Sociedad has hit a good form at the Spanish club and has been quoted saying "I don't want to return to Arsenal. I have asked my agent to negotiate with Arsenal to stay here." The Mexican international signed for Arsenal in 2005, but has failed to seal a permanent starting place in the Arsene Wenger's side.

7. Nicklas Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner is currently on loan at Sunderland and may likely secure a permanent deal or move to the Bundesliga.

8 Chu-Young Park

Chu-Young Park moved to Arsenal in a £3million move from Monaco last summer and could quit the North London club this summer after failing to establish himself at the Emirates.

The South Korean striker has made just five appearances since his arrival, scoring one goal, and his agent Morana was quoted saying "If the current state continues, we will have to look at the transfer market in the summer."

9. Andrei Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin joined Arsenal from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2009 and had an impressive first season with the Arsene Wenger’s Side. But after a run of poor performances he secured a loan move to his former club Zenit. He is likely to make the deal permanent or switch to rich Russian outfits Anzhi Makhachkala

Spanish and Madrid legend Raul signs for Al Sadd

2012-05-14T01:28:00.001-07:00

Spain veteran striker Raul Gonzalez has left German club Schalke 04 and has signed with Qatari side Al Sadd. Raul became the fans' hero in Schalke where he netted 27 times in 63 appearances. Raul announced several weeks ago of his intention to leave the German club at the end of the season.

Raul signs for Al Sadd

Al Sadd officially confirmed his signing at a press conference yesterday with Mr.Jassim Alrumihi the club's General Secretary and Mr. Mohamed Ghanim the Football Director in attendance.

Raul left Real Madrid for Schalke 04 in 2010 and he won the German Cup and reached the semifinals of the Champions League in his first season with the club.

The Spanish legend was in the stands Saturday to watch Al Gharrafa beat Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties in the Emir Cup.

Raul has joined the list of ageing stars ending their careers in the rich Arab region.