Afternoon Ticker: Twente eyeing Kljestan, Benfica signs Suazo and Milner to Villa

                                                                                   Photo by ISIphotos.com

Plenty of moving and shaking going on in the transfer market today, though sadly there are no completed deals to report on the Americans in the mix just yet. If I uncover a deal, or if any media uncover a deal today, I will try to bring it to you as quickly as possible.

We can start with word that Dutch club FC Twente is strongly considering a bid for U.S. national team midfielder Sacha Kljestan. According to sources with knowledge of the discussions, the Chivas USA midfielder could join former England manager Steve McClaren at Twente if the Dutch club can make an offer MLS will consider accepting (in the $3 to $4 million range is what I am being told).

Kljestan surely raised some Dutch eyebrows when he made his memorable run and finish (shown above) in the U.S. Olympic team's 2-2 tie vs. the Netherlands.

Here are some other European transfer tidbits to go over:

Suazo moves to Benfica

Honduran striker David Suazo has made a move to Portuguese powerhouse Benfica today, signing a one-year loan deal. Suazo never did settle in at Inter Milan, losing out in the numbers game at striker since joining from Cagliari. Now he joins a Benfica squad that suddenly jumps right into title contention with FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

Milner signs with Aston Villa

Almost as quickly as he turned in a transfer request, former Newcastle winger James Milner has made a move to Aston Villa for a reported $18 million. The move marks his second go-round with the Villans, having spent the 2005/2006 season on loan at Villa Park. With Milner on the right and Ashley Young on the left, Aston Villa suddenly boasts one of the best young sets of wingers around.

What do you think of Kljestan possibly moving to the Netherlands? Do you like Suazo going to Benfica? Are you surprised to see Milner return to Villa or more surprised that Newcastle let him go?

Share your thoughts below

Comments

[Alex]

I don't know much about Twente itself but I think the Dutch league is a great place for any young player to develop. More young Americans need to be going there so I think it's great for Kljestan.

[Reid]

Love the dutch league, hope it works out for him.
And he'll be far away from MLS so if is caught talking during study hall to Kenny Cooper, he won't get sent to detention.

[Landis]

Michael Videira was signed by Hamilton Academical in Scotland today.

[Ethan]

The Eredivise would be a great place for Kljestan to develop, but I'd be sad to see him go. He is one of my favorite players to watch in MLS.

[BFBS]

I second Landis re Videira: the signing announcement is on the Accies' official website.

[Tim]

FC Twente is a good team. They beat Ajax in a playoff to qaulify for champions league qualification. Their coach is terrible though. Steve Mclaren. The head coach of England during their euro 2008 qualification campaign.

Ives, any news on what's happening to any of the other Americans looking for transfers?? It is looking like they are dead.

[Angel]

I'm happy to hear that clubs in Europe are very interest in Our player from the MLS, but isn't that Ironic that we can sell our players for 3-5 or maybe 10 million but we can't to buy player from USL or Any other league for more than 200,000 thousand. Like always this league is becaming to be a joke, we have to have players to come to play to USA for less than that and all this cause of the Stupid Salary Cap. Come on less be equal raised that salary Cap for at least 10 million for each team and bring two more designated players, lets get this league become more interesting, and fun to watch.. KUDOS to Kljestan I hope he goes aboard and make it in Holland..

[ManicMessiah]

The squad at Newcastle was thin as it is, they were in no position to be selling anyone. I thought they needed at least three new signings before they sold Milner.

[eric]

Sacha learning under McClaren? I expect him to come back with fantastic dental hygiene.

[Eugene]

Catch this one?

Jeremy Menez to Roma from Monaco:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=567470&sec=europe&cc=5901

I guess the road is now open for Freddy Adu to assume the starting attacking midfield role at Monaco.

[zilla]

I can't even begin to express the joy that wells up within me upon reading that Kljestan might soon be under the tutelage of Steve McClaren. Imagine - one of our own playing for an ex-England manager known for his um...uh...well, he was an England manager, he must be great. Imagine! Oh, the glory.

Just can't even begin to express the joy. No, really, I can't. Seriously.

[Luis]

I agree with you angel

[RK]

I think that if Twente bids 4mil, the Eredivise should reject that deal -- it doesn't want to set a precedent.

[Johnny]

I heard that Aston Villa has placed a bid for Onyewu!

[Tim]

Johnny where did you hear that?

[Joe D.]

Actually, Eugene, I also read that Monaco is supposed to sign Recoba and buy Tiago Mendes. If they get Tiago, then Adu will be battling for playing time.

[Don Garber]

I pronmise not to interfere in any Klejstan transfer. Honest. I swear. Cross my heart and hope to die, poke a needle in my eye.

[B.A.]

Actually, guys, I heard that Zenit St. Petersburg is set to make a swap bid of Arshavin for Landon Donovan.

I heard this news from voices in my head, but I'm looking for collaboration.

[Johnny]

In a perfect world...

Onyewu goes to Villa
Kljestan to another Dutch team besides 20
Bradley to Boro or Celtic
Landon Donovan to...ah nevermind!

[RK]

So that's why Arshavin in on the bench!

[Geoff]

Dutch league is an excellent league for young potential to develop (Michael bradley) but Steve McLaren is a TERRIBLE MANAGER!!! It depends on what way you look at it for Sasha

[Freddy]

Ives,

Any inside info on the new MISL?

[Chad]

What about this rumor of Gooch going to a "big" spanish club? Of course not Barca or Real but Deportivo may need to pick up a defender since Coloccini left...

Sacha going to The Neth is a good move. Has heaps of potential, that boy. Hopefully the culture shock doesn't get him.

[Thom]

Holland and Scotland- where all Americans should go abroad who can-are wanted- to develop and find out what their level can truly be.

Germany, England and Spain are minefields for young Americans. Go where you will be appreciated, play regularly, receive good technical direction and have a chance to stay high on radar of the football world.
Kljestan seems like yet another nice, well spoken young American kid- let's all wish him luck and health and follow his progress with great interest.

[KingSnake]

because one always associates good technical direction with the likes of Dunfermline and Dundee United ...

[Chris H]

Im glad that Suazo is leaving Inter because they never gave him a chance to play. The year before he scored over 20sum goals. He shared the award of best foreign player in Italy with no other than Kaka.
Suazo didnt even start and barely got playing time and still almost had the same amount of goals as Crappy Cruz. Suazo got ridiculously low amount of minutes and still played great when he got in, he scored 8 goals and played very little. Crappy Cruz started and only scored 13. And when I watched Inter's you could even hear Inter's fans chanting to bring in Suazo. The coach of that team sucks, he refused to play the best player. The only player that I can say that is better than Suazo up top is Ibrahimovic. Imagine Ibra and Suazo up top together, thats pretty unstoppable. Fastest player in Europe(Suazo) combined with the Ibra would equal best striker tandem in Europe. It seems like Inter only wanted to get him just so that AC Milan wouldnt be able to have him. I would have much rather seem him in AC playin with Kaka. Inter will regret this, come on now CRAPPY CRUZ over DAVID SUAZO... what marijuana was the coach smokin.

[NONAME]

Hate Kljestan when he plays against RSL, love him when he doesn't. Kids got game. Even under Mac, will really develop his skills.

Go Kljestan!

[MAddencover]

Ives,

You had a picture of Suazo up and not 20 minutes later bam traded..... do you have the same Madden Cover curse?

[Bob Bradley]

The Inter Coach was smoking the same marijuana as I was when I left out ADU, JOZY, and COOPER...... I am one hell of a coach when we play crap teams!!!!! If they are decent teams we will lose!!

[bizriak]

Yea, Villa are interested in a Standard Leige player, but, sadly it is not Gooch, it is a midfielder, whose name I can't recall.

[anon_e_moose]

Suazo is a good pickup for Benfica. But they are still not up there with Sporting and Porto.

Too many new players that havent gelled yet and a defence with big holes. Flores dumbest move was letting Petit go to Cologne and thinking Binya and Yebda are adequate replacements.

Having Reyes, Aimar, Martins, DiMaria and Suazo up front is potentially lethal but its going to be tough to try to win by outscoring everyone. I wouldnt be surprised if Braga(who have, Jorge Jesus, the best portuguese manager in the world, behind Mourinho and Queiroz of course) finish ahead of Benfica.

[nico]

Good move for Suazo. I agree with "Chris H", Suazo never got a fair shake. Clearly was more effective than Cruz.

[Isaac]

For all the criticism that people give Kljestan(Myself included) you have to say the kid was among one of the best younger players in the league, and when he was good, he was GOOD, probably the most entertaining player to watch in the MLS, second only to Cooper.

[Jason]

Just so you know Ives it is Sporting Portugal not Sporting Lisbon

[Neven Rossi]

Easy guys - No movement yet. This is all rumor at this point. To get a deal done this close to the deadline is going to take a lot of quick work.

[Wispy]

bizriak -- I think Villa is interested in Marouene Fellaini (sp?).

[Tony in Ninerland]

Geoff's 02:32 PM gets my Balls On Dead Accurate award for today. Nothing like the collision of Total Football with Route One Football. The Dutch league suits Klkestan. McClaren does not.

But his development and the future of his Nats career aside, I'd rather get to watch him every week. Yeah, selfish, I know, but he has become one of my favorite players to watch.

[Michel]

I for one think that Steve McClaren is a great personality on and off the pitch. he surely can make youngsters (aspecially foreigners) feel at home. This i beleive is one of the most important things in a young players development. Plus twente have a great training facility in Hengelo.

Greetz Michel from Enschede

[Barry Jive and His Uptown Five]

Ives,

It's "Villans" not "Villains".

[Mig]

McLaren was a far better club coach than a National coach.

He coached little Middlesborough to a League Cup win, FA Cup semifinal, and a UEFA Cup runner-up. Best finish in the Prem was 7th.

There's nothing wrong with him as a club coach working with younger talent that he can develop. Not so hot putting a star-studded National team together though.

[Rando]

I dont think MCAA to be a bad coach he was pretty decent at boro got them to the UEFA cup final a couple years ago. I Think is track record as an international coach has taken a hit since he couldnt get England to the Euro. Hopefully sasha does go. If he goes Im sure he'll develope quite well. He needs to work a lot on his dribbling and passing. which can be horrible and frustrating at times.

[Mike_D]

Kljestan is one of my favorite players to watch. He would have been a good fit under whoever coached FC Twente last year. They were one of the most enjoyable teams to watch last year, playing a great possession style of football. I remember someone posted a vid on bigsoccer of them completing a crazy number of passes in a row. It sucks that they got Mclaren. I think Sacha would be good under Mike Bradley's old coach, Verbeek at Feyenoord. The Dutch league is a good fit for him.

[metrostar 4 life]

Ives, do you think Suazo would ever come to MLS in his older days? With MLS being arguably the premier football league in CONCACAF he could be a DP one day or senior international spot

[Richard]

Im glad that Suazo is leaving Inter because they never gave him a chance to play. The year before he scored over 20sum goals. He shared the award of best foreign player in Italy with no other than Kaka.
Suazo didnt even start and barely got playing time and still almost had the same amount of goals as Crappy Cruz. Suazo got ridiculously low amount of minutes and still played great when he got in, he scored 8 goals and played very little. Crappy Cruz started and only scored 13. And when I watched Inter's you could even hear Inter's fans chanting to bring in Suazo. The coach of that team sucks, he refused to play the best player. The only player that I can say that is better than Suazo up top is Ibrahimovic. Imagine Ibra and Suazo up top together, thats pretty unstoppable. Fastest player in Europe(Suazo) combined with the Ibra would equal best striker tandem in Europe. It seems like Inter only wanted to get him just so that AC Milan wouldnt be able to have him. I would have much rather seem him in AC playin with Kaka. Inter will regret this, come on now CRAPPY CRUZ over DAVID SUAZO... what marijuana was the coach smokin.

Posted by: Chris H | August 29, 2008 at 02:42 PM

Inter will regret what? They just did it to make space for quaresma dude... thats why ives said benfica has a chance now...

But yea, Inter still sucks!!

[JK]

Good for Kljestan. Despite his struggles in the olympics, he did show flashes. And I agree with Isaac. When he's good, he's good. He's very exciting to watch when he's on his game. Hope it works out for him so he can further advance his game.

[Isaac]

Ives

whats the transfer fee for Suazo?

[Don Garber]

Too much.

[anon_e_moose]

Suazo is on loan to Benfica.

[kevin]

Kljestan for $5million and he will be gone. Chivas may be suffering but they wont let him leave for less cash. Strike when the pot is hot :) This will be great for Klejstan. Eredivise is a great league to gain experience and then head on to Germany or England or Spain. Twente is headed to the UEFA Cup and is 3rd best team in Holland. Hope he gets there.