With belts being tightened at the Stadium of Light it has been reported that David Moyes could make a move for out of contract striker Robbie Keane. At 36 the Republic of Ireland legend is no spring chicken, but he is free and available follow his release from MLS side LA Galaxy. The chase may be complicated by the fact Championship outfits Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Preston North End. You know it's bad when you're competing with Championship clubs for signings!!
Manchester United winger Ashley Young is considering an offer from Chinese club Shandong Luneng as well as three Premier League clubs, according to Sky sources. Young hasn't started a Premier League game for over two months and is reportedly open to a move away in order to play first-team football. Could we be one of the clubs in for him since Moyes worked with him before? Wages would be an issue would be my guess.
Everton are planning to get involved in some veteran defender jiggery pokery, by signing Branislav Ivanovic from Chelsea while flogging Phil Jagielka to Sunderland, says the Express. Still simmering.
Don't think Jags needs flogging, playing for us is punishment enough. He is exactly what we need though, someone with balls to organise the defence and put himself about. Ok he's getting on and won't be as good as he used to be but I have a feeling he'd be more than decent for us. Always seemed a nice bloke too for what it's worth but tough on the pitch. If we aren't actually in for him then we need our heads examining.
Would be surprised if Watford weren't another, as he used to play for them and they're pretty dire at the moment as well. We should go for him 100% IMO, even more so now Papy will be out for 4 games suspended.
Apparently Chopra is training with Hartlepool with the hope of getting a contract, hope they fukc him off. Palace allegedly after Defoe as well as PVA, i know its only news now mind so probably bollocks but you never know with Fat Sam, If either of them go i really fear for our survival.
The Defoe thing is interesting, was it not rumoured that he has a relegation release clause and if so, is it a free transfer?
Rumoured to be true. Wonder if we were offered say £12-15m for him Short would sanction the transfer, knowing that we're looking like we're down regardless of us having Defoe or not so that he would gain something out of him.
If it's true that it's a free transfer clause, then £10m would be daft to turn down. With respect, things look bleak with or without Defoe at this point, and to lose £10m on top of relegation would be terrible. £10m would buy you the striker to fire you back up, in principal without considering what may happen in a worst case scenario. It's a bit of a catch 22, all good if you stay up in the end.
what a predicament to be in, like cashing in on a bet or waiting to see if you're gonna get a bit more money?
I'd keep him and sod the £10m off. There's not way in hell we stay up without Defoe. I just hope Short sees that.
I agree he improves your chances of staying up. Look at the bookies, they're offering mostly 1/6 on you dropping (Hull 1/5)... there's bound to be some calculated risk assessment going on here, if you risk losing him for £0.
Pva was training with the lads today. I think it's bollocks the papers did the same with koné they hate us.. It's on safc.com
Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce is keen to sign Rubin Kazan's 26-year-old midfielder Yann M'Vila, whom he used to manage at Sunderland and who has an £11m release clause. (Daily Telegraph)
