If you're a European soccer fan and you are wondering when the high-profile deals are going to start being made, you are not alone. Aside from Ever Banega's move to Valencia I can't think of a single marquee transfer that has taken place during this transfer window and we're a third of the way through.
here is the latest news from across the pond:
Chimbonda to Villa possible
Tottenham fullback Pascal Chimbonda wants out and Aston Villa could wind up being his destination. With manager Juande Ramos changing everything from tactics to the team's diet, Chimbonda looks set to join Jermaine Defoe on the bargan rack for Spurs.
Sissoko to Juventus
Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is set for a transfer to Juventus, a deal that would seem to suggest that Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano is staying put.
Heerenveen done with Alves
Brazilian striker Afonso Alves has played his last game for Dutch club Heerenveen. So says Heerenveen manager Gertjan Verbeek. Alves is poised for a transfer to Middlesbrough in a 10 million pound move.
Tevez suspension cut
The next Argentina-Brazil World Cup qualifier isn't until June but news affecting that game was made on Thursday. FIFA reduced a two-game ban on Carlos Tevez for a red card to one game. The reduction means Tevez will be available for Argentina's qualifier against Brazil on June 17th. Okay, so this isn't really European news, but it's still soccer news.
Redknapp denies Newcastle link
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has put the whammy on talk that he was set to replace fired manager Sam Allardyce at Newcastle United. Redknapp denies any interest in the job, but given his dalliance with Southampton prior to coming back to Portsmouth, would you put anything past him?
That's all for now. I'm heading into the city for a lunch/interview but I will check in from the road with more news as it develops so stay tuned.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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helder postiga signs with panathinaikos
Posted by: Michael | January 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Defoe's contract is up after this year so I think he may stay till the summer.
I dont know what Alves did to get in the doghouse of his coach, but his personality seems better fit for Man City than Boro
Posted by: ejs | January 10, 2008 at 01:17 PM
HA what does Chimbonda want out for? On his current form, Spurs are one of the few Premiership teams on which he's a first XI player. I generally like him, but he's far from irreplaceable.
Alves could be a big signing for Middlesbrough.
Posted by: Joamiq | January 10, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Well Villa wants him to move Mellberg back central where he and Laursen are a nice defensive pairing. Not to mention both Mellberg and Laursen have spoken about leaving Villa.
Posted by: EDB | January 10, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Over on big soccer, their reporting that our boy Clint Mathis just signed with top flight greek club Ergotelis FC.
Posted by: Brooklyn Zoo | January 10, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Ives,
Any creedence to Cleetus going to Greece?
Posted by: Chris | January 10, 2008 at 06:24 PM