Morning Ticker: Adebayor changes mind, Italian club eyes Nakamura and Costa Rica boots Medford
So much for the whole "I'm staying at Arsenal thing."
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has back-tracked from his statement last week that he was staying at Arsenal and is once again eyeing a move to AC Milan.
What should we believe? I think it's fair to say Adebayor is checking out options and is ready for a move.
On the bright side for Arsenal fans is news that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's contract extension talks with Ajax have broken down, making a summer exit all the more likely. If Adebayor does leave Arsenal, you can bet that Arsene Wenger will be on the first plane to Amsterdam to lock up Huntelaar.
Here are some other news items from last night and this morning:
Bologna moving in for Nakamura
Serie A side Bologna has launched a bid for Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura, joining fellow Italian clubs Sampdoria and Palermo in the hunt for the Japanese star.
Medford fired as Costa Rica coach
Former Costa Rica star Hernan Medford move from national team player to national team coach has ended. Medford was fired as Costa Rica coach after a lengthy run of bad form for the Central American club. No word on who will replace Medford, who guided Costa Rica past Grenada to the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Costa Rica is a favorite to advance to the Final Six, as it is in the region's weakest qualifying group, a group that includes El Salvador, Haiti and Suriname.
Transfer rewind
Here are a couple of transfers that took place that we missed during the week:
- Jo to Manchester City ($37 million)
- Johan Elmander to Bolton ($19.9 million)
- Hatem Ben Arfa to Marseille ($18.9 million)
Share your thoughts on these stories, and any other stories from today or last night, in the comments section below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Was anyone actually naive enough to believe that Adebayor wanted to stay?
From the Fiver:
"I am an Arsenal player and have three years left on my contract. The most important thing for me is to keep on enjoying my football. I'm staying at Arsenal" - Emmanuel Adebayor, speaking to assembled hacks at an Adidas promotional junket, midday.
"I know a lot of clubs are interested in me. I'm going to sit down and discuss this with my people. [My future] will be decided next week" - Emmanuel Adebayor, speaking to a Sky Sports hack (with cameraman), backstage at an Adidas promotional junket, 1.30pm.
I'll laugh if Milan pays big money for a striker who's not actually very skilled.
Posted by: Joamiq | June 28, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Right. Champions League football at Celtic or whatever it is that Bologna gets up to. Not happening. Don't believe anything out of the Daily Rectum ...
Posted by: KingSnake | June 28, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Huntelaar pwns Adebayor. Its an upgrade.
Posted by: Dave Martinez | June 28, 2008 at 12:24 PM
The Italians best be keeping their hands off Naka.
Posted by: Kirk | June 28, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Wow, nice to see Arsenal fans throw a guy who scored 30 goals last season under the bus, if it wasn't for Adebayor no way you are playing CL football this upcoming season...
Posted by: Chase | June 28, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Do the Simek to Villa rumors have legs?
Posted by: 4now | June 28, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Bruce Arena to Costa Rica. You heard it here first.
Posted by: Adam R. | June 28, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Bruce Arena heads to Costa Rica.... for a vacation! You heard it here first.
Posted by: ag nigrin | June 28, 2008 at 01:39 PM
shunsuke to seattle, woo.
that move would be like, epic for that team.
Posted by: combo breaker karma | June 28, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Wow, Jo to Man City for $37 mil?? I thought he looked good at the World U-20s last year, but not $37 million good.
Posted by: SonicDeathMonkey | June 28, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Hatem Ben Arfa is definitely a coup for Marseille... as long as they can keep his attitude in check. This development could make Lyon sweat just a bit.
Posted by: iammrben | June 28, 2008 at 02:35 PM
SonicDeathMonkey, don't forget that includes the $25 mil premium for being Brazilian.
Posted by: Joamiq | June 28, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Bruce Arena heads to Costa Rica on vacation and catches big fish. You heard it here first.
Posted by: Matt in Tampa | June 28, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Hey, if Ade leaves for 30 million pounds and we can score the Hunter (best nickname in football, btw) for half that...I say do it. The guy has one good season and thinks he's world class, demanding Chelsea-esque wages? C'mon. True, he had a great year and probably kept us in the UCL, but he's fairly raw. I'm not sure how he would do in the Italian league, definitely not as good as in the EPL.
Posted by: Brian | June 28, 2008 at 03:45 PM
So if Josh Wolff really is coming to MLS does that mean he must go through the list like McBride does? He is a returning National player. If he must go through the allocation list then does his rights fall to Toronto, who has done nothing with McBride, or does he fall to the next on the list?
Posted by: Jeffrey | June 28, 2008 at 04:11 PM
@Jeffrey
I'm pretty sure the MLS said that Wolff's rights are still owned by KC. The Star had an article about it.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/679039.html
Posted by: Collin | June 28, 2008 at 04:47 PM
I love how fans will kick a guy to the curb. Adebayor not skilled? Really? I hate Arsenal but damn, he can roll in my 11 any time. Huntelaar may be special but it's MAY be special. We'll see.
Posted by: mig22 | June 28, 2008 at 11:29 PM