Jermain Defoe has moved to play down reports he is unsettled at Tottenham.

Reports have circulated that Defoe was considering his future at White Hart Lane following the recent arrival of Darren Bent from Charlton.

England international Defoe has rejected the rumours and says he is happy to fight for his place in Martin Jol's plans as he prepares for the coming season.

In a statement issued to skysports.com, Defoe said: "I'm really excited about the new season and prospect of another campaign in Europe.

"We have made some good signings and our squad is now stronger and even better equipped to compete in all competitions.

"We have competition for places in all positions and that can only be good for the team."

Skysports.com

Blades target ex-Real Madrid man Gravesen

Celtic midfielder Thomas Gravesen is a top target for Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson.


Robson has confirmed his interest in signing the Denmark international, whose performances after arriving from Real Madrid last August failed to match Celtic's expectations.


Robson said: 'I have an interest in Thomas Gravesen and would like to bring him to Sheffield United.

'We are in discussions with Celtic over the issue and, hopefully, we can sort out some kind of agreement with them.

'I'm not sure if I can persuade Thomas to come here, but I'd like to have the chance to speak to him.'

The 31-year-old former Everton player would have to weigh up the merits of a transfer, likely to be a loan, to the Championship club, who have lost their legal challenge against the Premier League after an arbitration panel dismissed their claim over the Carlos Tevez affair.

ESPNsoccernet.com

Transfers so far today

Player                                    From                                          To                                              Fee

Tyrone Mears                West Ham United                       Derby County                              £1,000,000

Paris Cowan-Hall           Rushden & Diamonds                    Portsmouth                             Undisclosed

Jonathan Forte             Sheffield United                         Scunthorpe United                       Undisclosed

David Marshall                 Celtic                                         Norwich City                              Undisclosed

Clive Platt                  Milton Keynes Dons                        Colchester United                       Undisclosed

Callum Reynolds        Rushden & Diamonds                       Portsmouth                               Undisclosed

Fernando Torres        Atletico Madrid                                 Liverpool                                   Undisclosed

Mark Yeates             Tottenham Hotspur                          Colchester United                       Undisclosed

Martin Paterson       Stoke City                                       Scunthorpe United                               TBC

Jonathan Hayes             Free                                            Leicester City                                  Free


ESPNsoccernet.com

Lyon are weighing up a 'strong offer' from Chelsea for Florent Malouda, a spokesman for the French club has revealed.

The Blues have been linked with Malouda for some time and the midfielder announced on Tuesday that he was confident a deal would go through.

He claimed he had agreed terms with Chelsea after speaking with Jose Mourinho and said Lyon were ready to let him go.

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas responded by saying Chelsea 'may not have the desire or the means' to push trough a deal, but they are now considering an improved bid.

"Chelsea have come back with a strong offer and Jean-Michel Aulas could meet a Chelsea official in the next few hours," the spokesman said.

Malouda, who was voted Ligue 1 player of the year last season, is understood to have left Lyon's training camp in the French Alps.

Reports in the French press suggest Chelsea have lodged an offer of €18.5million (£12.5million).

[url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=475243&CPID=8&clid=8&lid=2&title=Lyon+'considering'+Malouda+bid&channel=football_home&]Skysports.com[/url]

West Ham have confirmed that they have agreed to sell captain Nigel Reo-Coker to Aston Villa for a fee of £8.5million.

The deal is still subject to the midfielder agreeing personal terms and passing a medical at Villa Park, but the London club expect the England Under 21 international to complete his move to the Midlands.

Reo-Coker endured a difficult time at Upton Park last season as he was targeted by the club's fans following a dismal campaign for The Hammers, and handed in a transfer request following the club's unlikely survival.

Villa had long been expected to seal the signing of the former Wimbledon trainee and were reported to have tabled a bid before the European Under 21 Championship in Holland, during which Reo-Coker excelled for Stuart Pearce's side.

Now Martin O'Neill will have the chance to discuss personal terms with Reo-Coker after agreeing a deal that signals Villa's intent to push for a European place next

Skysports.com

Tuncay's transfer to Middlesbrough has been finalised after he was granted a work permit.

The Turkey international agreed a four-year deal with Boro last month and then returned to his native country to wait for his application to be processed.

He is now expected to join up with his new team-mates in time to fly out for a pre-season tour of Austria.

Tuncay joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Fenerbahce.

Gareth Southgate has also brought in Jeremie Aliadier this summer and completed the permanent signing of Jonathan Woodgate, but he still wants his squad to have greater strength in depth.

"All I can say is we are actively looking to improve the team and improve the squad," said the Boro manager.

"We have been watching several different players in different positions.

"Obviously at right-full-back we have lost Abel Xavier and Stuart Parnaby, and Tony McMahon is still recovering from a broken leg, so we are very short of cover and competition in that position, although we have some good youngsters coming through.

"I still feel we need to add a couple of players. We are looking very much to do that over the coming weeks, and the sooner we can get them in, the better.

"But it is great to have, with Jonathan, three new signings in place already, and to know we have built already on what we did last season."

Skysports.com

Everton sign Philip Jagielka from Sheffield United for £4 million on five-year deal.
Skysports news

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=46487


tevez going 2 man u 4 20million

£20M ace Tevez: I'm joining Man Utd
- July 04, 2007

Manchester United have sensationally agreed a £20 million deal for West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez overnight.
The Daily Mail says the move will be completed next week, subject to any challenge from West Ham, who still claim to own the registration of the player who saved them from relegation last season.


However, West Ham have no contract with Tevez and his owner, businessman Kia Joorabchian, which has left the player and his representative free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs.

The news, breaking in South America last night, means that United will take their summer buying past the £70m mark, confirming them as the biggest spenders in world football.

Tevez was once fined when playing for Brazil's Corinthians for turning up to an official press conference wearing a Manchester United shirt.

He will fly from Argentina's Copa America base here to join United's pre-season programme.

"He just cannot contain his excitement at the news," a source close to the Argentina camp confirmed. "Tevez has been concerned about his future, worried about where he may play next season and now he is joining the biggest club in the world! This is massive news."

Tevez is best friends with United's Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze and was a guest at their end-of-season title party in a London club.

Man Utd signing Anderson: We must stop Chelsea
- July 04, 2007

Anderson can't wait to kickoff his Manchester United career.
Anderson said: "This is a dream move, one I could not reject. The chance to play with Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to bring me to United - he is a worldwide star.

"I can't wait to set up a goal for him. He is a spectacular player who has improved so much at United and I want to do the same.

"I will be proud to play alongside him and prove that Brazilians can flourish in the Premier League. I will be a strong player.

"The aim is to win the title - and stop Chelsea winning it. I can't wait."

Anderson will wait forever

Chelsea launch major bid for Tottenham's Chimbonda
- July 04, 2007

Chelsea have made a £12 million offer for Tottenham fullback Pascal Chimbonda.
 
The Sun says Chelsea are turning to Chimbonda after being price out of a deal for Sevilla right-back Daniel Alves.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho was snubbed in a £10m offer for the French right-back last month but has tested the resolve of Tottenham chief Martin Jol with an increased bid.

Mourinho is desperate for a right-back even though Glen Johnson will return to Stamford Bridge after a season-long loan at Portsmouth.

The Blues boss has lost faith in his fellow Portuguese Paulo Ferreira as a first-choice right-back.

Liverpool make offer for Porto star Quaresma
July 04, 2007

Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma is a target for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
The Times says Liverpool are said to have had a £13.5 million bid for the 23-year-old Portugal winger turned playmaker rejected, although a slightly improved offer could be enough to persuade the Portuguese club to sell.

Arsenal board convinced Wenger will sign new deal
July 04, 2007

Arsenal's board is confident Arsene Wenger will stay beyond the expiration of his current contract next summer.

The Guardian says Wenger is approaching the final season of his current deal but, in the two months since Dein left, talks on a two-to-three-year extension have progressed smoothly. It is expected he will put pen to paper between October and December, in keeping with previous extensions when he has chosen to commit with six months to run on his existing agreement.

There are several factors underpinning the board's confidence. Its manager is among the best paid in the world and is happy in London but directors believe that, with a promising young squad ever closer to maturity, it is his professional investment in the club which will tie him to the Gunners beyond the upcoming season.

Cesc to be handed Arsenal leadership role
- July 04, 2007

Cesc Fabregas is set to be handed the Arsenal vice-captaincy by manager Arsene Wenger.
The Spanish midfielder pledged his future to the Gunners despite seeing Thierry Henry move to Barcelona for £16million.

Fabregas, 20, told The Sun: "I'm staying in London and I'll be back training in 10 days with Arsenal, my team."

With Henry gone, Wenger handed the captaincy to Gilberto Silva.

The Gunners have rejected a £5m bid from Real Madrid for Jose Reyes, 23, telling the Spanish giants they want at least double that.

West Ham striker Carlos Tevez is set to join Manchester United, according to BBC Five Live Sport.

Shevchenko agent rules out Chelsea exit
- July 05, 2007

The agent of Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has ruled out a return to AC Milan.
"Andriy was disappointed with his first season, but he is determined to help bring success to the club next season," Stephen Curnow told the Daily Star.

"It has never been his desire or on the agenda to move away from Chelsea."

Man Utd may be forced to repay Obi Mikel fee to Chelsea
- July 05, 2007

Manchester United may be forced to cough up the fee Chelsea paid for John Obi Mikel last summer.
The Mirror says the Blues were on alert last night to push for a multi-million pound cash-back payment from Manchester United after Morgan Andersen, the man behind John Obi Mikel's move to Old Trafford faced charges of forging his contract.

West Ham move for Liverpool's Cisse
- July 05, 2007

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is a target for West Ham United.

The Daily Mail says West Ham have attempted to offset the loss of Carlos Tevez by moving for Liverpool's Cisse.

France international Cisse has been courted by Bolton and Manchester City in recent months but has made it clear that if he has no future at Anfield he wants to join Marseille, where he spent last season on loan.

However, Marseille have struggled to match Liverpool's £8million valuation and West Ham would be prepared to not only meet that but pay the majority of the fee up front.

Hammers have already held talks with another Liverpool striker, Craig Bellamy.

Premier League could block Man Utd's Tevez deal
- July 05, 2007

The Premier League will block Carlos Tevez's expected move to Manchester United unless they are satisfied the transfer fee will go to West Ham.

The league accepted in April that West Ham had terminated all agreements with Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian - and will keep a watchful eye on any transfer to ensure that the club keep their promise.

A Premier League spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned any deal to take Carlos Tevez away from West Ham has to be done directly with the club."

The league's stance means that the Argentina striker's proposed move to Manchester United is far from sealed even if they have agreed a deal in principle with the player's representatives.

Tevez, who is currently in Venezuela with Argentina for the Copa America campaign, has been linked to several clubs in England.

He told Argentina newspaper Clarin: "As far as I am aware, I have not received any official offers.

"Once an offer arrives then we will see. But the fact that Real Madrid, Internazionale and Manchester United are interested in me makes me proud."

Barcelona's Gudjohnsen rejects Premiership links
- July 05, 2007

Eidur Gudjohnsen has not been in touch with any club about a move away from Barcelona, according to his agent father.
The Iceland striker, who left Chelsea for Barca last summer, recently expressed concern over a lack of opportunities at the Nou Camp and hinted he might be interested in joining Manchester United.


Newcastle have also been linked with the 28-year-old but Arnor Gudjohnsen said: "I've just heard a lot of rumours but I've not been in touch with any club."

He said: "They have bought Thierry Henry - that has been raising a lot of questions.

"It has raised questions not only about him (Gudjohnsen) but other players as well.

"He (Gudjohnsen) played in a team at Chelsea which had a lot of great players and always had to fight for his place.

"It's going to be the same at Barcelona. It doesn't matter who's coming or not coming.

"I can't see Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o playing 60 or 70 games. They're similar kinds of players.

"He is really determined. He's training really hard.

"He's just been there for one year now. He know how he's got to work. It can only get better.

"They (Barca) said 'if you're happy to stay, we're happy to have you here'."