Premier League - Transfer Talk: Record breakers

Eurosport - Wed, 06 Aug 09:18:00 2008

Tottenham, usually so shy with their money, are set to make a huge bid for David Villa.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 La Liga Levante-Valencia. David Villa, jugador del Valencia - 0

Since losing the distinction of lifting the FA Cup more times than anyone else, there hasn't been that much happening at White Hart Lane that would trouble the chaps at the Guinness Book of Records.

But, according to The Sun, it's time to get Cheryl Baker on the phone because Spurs are lining up a British record transfer fee for Spain striker Villa.

The north Londoners will wave a hefty £32 million in the direction of Valencia who - with a new stadium to pay for and no Champions League football next year - would be sorely tempted.

Should such a move materialise (TT will let you make your own mind up about that) it would herald the end of two long drawn-out sagas for the price of one, as Tottenham would have to sell Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United pretty sharpish in order to fund the move.

There is also development on the Andrei Arshavin front for spend-happy Spurs, as Zenit St Petersburg have revealed they are still waiting for an improved offer for their playmaker.

"Tottenham offered us £15.8m for Andrei, but that does not really work for us. We are waiting for a new proposal," said Zenit's sporting director, when he could have saved his breath by just saying "Give us more money" instead.

Not only that, but following the departure of two midfielders and a right-back to Sunderland, manager Juande Ramos wants to replace them all in one go by signing versatile Croatian Vedran Corluka. Manchester City can expect to receive anything from £6.8m to £9.5m, depending on whether you read the Telegraph or the Star.

He may have just brought a wholesale quantity of Spurs players into Sunderland, but don't let that fool you into thinking that Roy Keane has given up on his penchant for United players, oh no.

The latest target from his former employers is Louis Saha, who has played about five minutes of football in the last decade, such is his propensity for injury. That won't stop Keano stumping up £8.5m and £50,000 a week for the striker though.

Hot on the heels of yesterday's news that Arsenal are after Liverpool's Xabi Alonso comes word that the Gunners also fancy another Spanish midfielder, Real Madrid's Ruben de le Red .

Despite being loaned out to Getafe last season, De la Red broke into the international fold and scored at Euro 2008. So, naturally, Real are now keen to cash in on him and, after losing Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may have come window shopping at just the right time.

Aston Villa may soon be losing Gareth Barry to Liverpool - perhaps even in time for Friday's friendly against Lazio at Anfield - but an even more pressing problem for them that has gone largely unnoticed is their dearth of quality cover in defence, especially with the departure of Olof Mellberg.

Middlesbrough are only too aware of this, and are holding out for a significant increase on the £2.5m they paid for right-back Luke Young just a year ago if they are to let him leave for Villa Park.

Right underneath a story in the Express about Giovani dos Santos, which is illustrated by a picture that looks a lot more like Valeri Bojinov, is the news that Yossi Benayoun has no intention of leaving Liverpool. He scotched any rumours of a move to either Manchester City or Roma by saying, quite emphatically: "I want to stay and that is what will happen."

Meanwhile, Hull City are keen on Benfica striker Ariza Makukula, Everton will look closer to home as they chase Newcastle's Alan Smith and Kevin Davies is set to sign a new two-year deal at Bolton after the club rejected a £2m bid from Hull.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

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  1. Maybe not now but in their day the best 10 players, (in my opinion), are as follows:
    Andi Sniffer Lane- Centre forward.He was quick and, atheletic and was always in the right place at the right time.
    Ian Hicks- Centre back or centre midfield. A bit slow, but solid, dependable. A modern day holding midfield player.
    Lee Chennels- GK. For a boy of his size he was immense. Brave, acrobatic, good shot stopper and 5'4" in his studs.
    Lee Britten- Leader on the pitch. Could pass the ball with either foot beautifully. Ugly as sin, and moved like a steam roller with a flat tire. Great player tho.
    Trevor Samson- Centre forward. Lightening quick, thunder bolt shot. Could do any trick with a ball.
    David Bradding- Right midfield. Skillful, but slow and slightly built.
    Steven Turbo Tougher- Midfield or Defense. Tough in the tackle, good engine. A bit like Brian Robson.
    Matty Parsons- Right wing. Like a whippet, could cross a ball like D. Beckham before he was but a twinkle... Should have been a pro.
    Mark Harrison- Centre Forward. Not everyones natural choice. Mostly @#$% but scored a District Cup winning hattrick for Ashlyns. Never to be forgotten.
    Nathan Beard- Centre midfield. Sublime talent. He could dribble, make 50yd pin point passes, score from corners. A bit Gazza, a bit Glenda. Career sadly curtailed due to a spell for her majesty, at a time when it was frowned upon.
    Legends.

    From nate, on Sat 9 Aug 12:16AM

  2. Greavesie.

    From nick, on Wed 6 Aug 11:40AM

  3. Messi is a CLASS player....but not No 1, just yet, perhaps?
    There are NO UK qualified in the Top 10 because there are none good enough. In this NEW world of Global Football the Myth of English dominance (a-la- Best, Dalglish, Giggs, Keane, Giles, Bremner, the list goes on!). The Moores and Hursts are, rightfully 'light years' behind...in the Real World....but.....COYS!

    From Brian K, on Wed 6 Aug 10:13AM

  4. keep Berbs or sell and get Villa ? Either would suit me fine ! On best players, on his day, Berba can be as good, maybe better, than cole, lampard and he is right up there with kaka, ronaldinho, messi - no joking. He can score goals, hold the ball up, play the killer pass - oh, and take cool pens in tight situations !

    From ispurs, on Wed 6 Aug 10:03AM

  5. you gotta love the way these fairweather fans of liverpooh forget the likes of Keegan, Hughes, Toshack, Dalglish, Hansen, et al. Anfield didnt start with Gerrard & Torres so be a bit more midful when you put the likes of Gerrard & Torres (no personal awards won by either) against such names as Pele & Maradonna yet Skip king kev - 2x Euro Footballer of the year & King Kenny who would be worth like £75m in todays over inflated tranfer market !

    From Ricardo, on Wed 6 Aug 9:48AM

  6. michael essien= best player in the world. A team of 11 Essien's would beat a team of 11 Kaka's, Ronaldo's, or Messi's hands down. The guy can play at any position and still dominates. he just doesn't get the nod cuz hes from ghana.

    From rjamort87, on Wed 6 Aug 7:50AM

  7. no way ronaldo is he the best player in the world! all he does is sprint & dance like fred astair. kaka & messi are at present the best players in the world,ronaldo not in my top ten. chelsea to premiership & champions leauge.

    From keith.capon, on Wed 6 Aug 7:06AM

  8. Not in any particular order, or just skills:

    1. Kaka (undisputed)
    2. C.Ronaldo (the best athlete)
    3. Scholes (yes, still, for his fast thinking) / Gerrard (best all rounder)
    4. Essien / Cech (real pros)
    5. Xavi / Torres (after Euro)

    btw, J.cole - don't be silly

    From Ryokan P, on Wed 6 Aug 5:44AM

  9. 1 pele

    2 maradona
    3 kaka
    4 stevie G
    5 torres

    From fooping, on Wed 6 Aug 4:40AM

  10. the present top 5 when on top of their game and in no particular order:
    c.ronaldo kaka messi ronaldinho blank

    the first 4 are objective fact, the fifth is unknown for sure for now.
    my vote goes to henry.

    (come on EPL we want to see david villa, david silva, ruben de la red, andrei arshavin)
    get your chequebooks out, get your chequebooks out, get your chequebooks out for the fans....greedy fluppers.....(and MON whats happening, not much get cracking.) oh ANd one very final Ting PLEASE STICK TO EITHER POUNDS OR EUROS. YA. (RE:NWO)

    From anonymous ochoa lover, on Wed 6 Aug 3:36AM

  11. Just because Ronaldo scored a lot of goals does that really make a him the best player in the world? Yes Ronaldo is a great player but I doubt he would have scored as many if it were not for the system he plays in and the fact opposing defenders and midfielder were crowding Rooney (my opinion Rooney is better). Why are J.Cole and Lampard names frequently mentioned as best players in the world? They are good players but not in the same category of Ronaldo, Kaka, Messi, and etc. The best players at Chelsea are Ballack and Essien. Of all the names mentioned, no mention of any German names such as: Ballack, Springs, Podolski, and schwinstieger?

    From starman_123, on Wed 6 Aug 2:36AM

  12. messi,kaka,ronaldo,van da sar, petr cesc

    From Alexander, on Wed 6 Aug 2:17AM

  13. 1.Gerrard
    2.Messi
    3.Torres
    4.Drogba
    5........me

    From kai, on Wed 6 Aug 1:39AM

  14. any1 ever heard of stevie G...whys he not in the top tens...i believe someone even had ronaldinho ahead of him!!

    From daztan@..., on Wed 6 Aug 1:34AM

  15. 1. Cesc Fabregas
    2. Tierry Henry
    3. Dennis Bergkamp
    4. David Seaman
    5. Charlie George
    6. Paul Merson
    7. Alan Ball
    8. George Graham
    9. Tony Adams
    10.Lee Dixon

    From michelle.lieberman23@..., on Wed 6 Aug 1:29AM

  16. Who puts Lampard as fourth best in world what a load of @#$% he couldnt hit the side of a @#$% barn

    From oneof t, on Wed 6 Aug 12:36AM

  17. Dave Villa: "Spurs who?" Maybe Fergie could step up for a surprise bid for Villa, especially with Rooney & Ronaldo injured, Saha's bound to get injured after 5 minutes of playing and that only leaves Tevez alone. And no, I don't want that Count Berba-sulk. United don't need more drama queens.

    From Adderly, on Wed 6 Aug 12:25AM

  18. David Villa would be an excellent signing for Spurs. At least the player who is worth 30m. Other thing is that Benitez should not buy Barry but another midfielder. If Stevie is injured we need cover for him. Benitez please do not hesitate and buy Silva from Valencia instead of overrated Gareth Barry

    From mikefromprague, on Tue 5 Aug 10:40PM

  19. Kaka is just the best in the world........... Leave It!

    Lemexeous

    From psjeunal, on Tue 5 Aug 10:24PM

  20. i think berbatov should be included in everybody's the top five and i hate the @#$% spuds...

    From matt11_25@..., on Tue 5 Aug 10:22PM
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