http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/1/7/5283750/swedish-starlet-edges-closer-to-move Swedish Starlet Edges Closer To Move By andy78  @SAFCsource on Jan 7 2014, 3:01p + Valmir Berisha's choice of club narrows down to Sunderland and an Italian side. As we told you last month, Sunderland were one of only three clubs still in the running for Swedish striker Valmir Berisha, however that number has been reduced by one, with Sunderland still appearing favourites to sign a player dubbed the 'New Zlatan'. The player has admitted that it's between Sunderland an an unnamed Serie A side and hopes a deal can be wrapped up soon; The clubs are in England and in Italy. I negotiate with both right now, but have not decided yet. I will probably decide in about a week, I'm extremely hungry for games now and want it to be ready soon. The player has also said he's spoken to Sunderland's Swedish players Seb Larsson and David Moberg Karlsson and both left him feeling positive about a move to the Stadium of Light; I've talked a bit with Sebastian Larsson and also David Moberg Karlsson, and it feels good. I have a pretty okay picture of the various possibilities. While he would be joining the under 21 team of the Italian side outright, Berisha explains that he will be initially closer to the first team picture at Sunderland; The most important thing is of course that the conditions of the club are right and that plans for me feels good. From the Italian side, it would be in the u21 section outright, and in England I would have my base in u21 but in time, perhaps at the end of the season, get to know the first team a little bit, and maybe join in and train with them. Promising noises from the highly rated 17-year-old, so stay tuned to Roker Report throughout January as we keep you up to date on this and all other transfer rumours.
Come play in the best league in the world with your mates. You know it makes sense. This is the lad who's turned down the top clubs because he thinks they stunt development isn't it?
Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find. Our scout will report back and you can comment on what you think of their appraisal. You can only nominate a player by emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line, and please check to make sure we have not already covered the player. You can also now interact with the scout via his Twitter feed! You can get in touch with him and interact here or just search for @skysportsscout. Scout facts NAME: Valmir Berisha AGE: 17 (6th July, 1996) BORN: Kosovo POSITION: Striker CLUB: Halmstads FACTS: Yet to make his first-team debut Sky Sports Scout Ratings: 0-10 - No hoper 11-20 - Should look elsewhere 21-30 - Might not make it 31-40 - Has work to do 41-50 - Keep an eye on him 51-60 - Great prospect 61-70 - On his way to the top 71-80 - Already World-class The latest player to be spotlighted is Swedish starlet Valmir Berisha. The scout reports... You get many players branded the 'new' and then add a name of one of the world's top footballers, and that is happening in Sweden - but we look to see whether Valmir Berisha could very well be the 'new' Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Like Ibrahimovic, Berisha has strong Eastern European links - indeed he was actually born in Kosovo before moving to Sweden aged just two. Berisha's footballing talents were soon picked up on by Halmstads, who have brought him to the edge of their first team. But it is not with Halmstads where Berisha has caught the eye of what seems every major club in Europe - it is with Sweden's Under-17 side. Berisha, who turned down Albania to play for Sweden, was picked for the Under-17 World Cup and he took the tournament in the United Arab Emirates by storm. Berisha finished with seven goals, including one back-heeled goal which had people raving about his astonishing skill. Now having returned from international duty, Halmstads are desperately trying to convince him to remain with them and continue his football education - but with Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United and Arsenal just some of the clubs interested, the pull for him to leave is huge. It is no surprise when you see Berisha in action. He is yet to be tested against anyone other than his age group, but he does look outstanding. Standing at nearly 6ft, he is strong but it is his close control and eye for goal that stand him out. Good in the air but clinical, it is very easy to see why he is often likened to the mighty Ibrahimovic, and the clubs watching him can clearly also see that. The scout says... Despite looking likely to leave Halmstads, Berisha says he wants to join a club where he can learn but also play from the off. Because of this Berisha has already turned down trials at Man United, Arsenal and Real Madrid, as he wants to make an instant impact at the club he joins. It will be intriguing to see who will win the race for his signature. The Scout rating... Shooting: 7 out of 10 Passing: 7 out of 10 Tackling: 5 out of 10 Heading: 6 out of 10 Pace: 7 out of 10 Vision: 7 out of 10 Current ability: 7 out of 10 Potential ability: 10 out of 10 OVERALL SCOUT RATING:56/80 Current value: £2million Potential value: £70million
Yes it is. He apparently refused trials with Man U and Arsenal because he doesn't want to rot in the ressies, Real Madrid have been sniffing as well if you believe the papers (pretty big IF mind!) but a similar story there - he has been directly quoted as saying he had to turn Real Madrid down as he didn't feel ready for that sort of move yet.
Valmir Berisha’s options have been whittled down to two clubs, with a Serie A giant in the lead. The so-called ‘next Zlatan Ibrahimovic’ has been a subject of intense interest since Autumn – linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool amongst others. Yet these three traditional English powers have been brushed aside in the race for his signature, Sunderland and Italians AS Roma taking the stage. Berisha admitted to having an offer from the Black Cats in late November – though talks are still ongoing and a deal is yet to be concluded. And on Thursday the 17-year-old confirmed a duo of clubs are in the final stages of brokering a deal for his services. "One club is from England and one is from Italy." he revealed to Fotbollskanalen.se. "I am negotiating with both right now, but I have not decided which of them it will be. "I will probably do that in a week's time. I am really keen to play now and want it to be sealed soon." Sky Sport Italia correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio has contended that Roma are in the lead for Berisha over Sunderland – even as the Swede has remained democratic on his choice. Berisha’s contract with current employers Halmstads expires at the end of this term, so – according to Di Marzio - would be subject to either a free transfer or a minimal fee of up to €330,000. Responses to the duelling bids for the striker will reportedly be made by Thursday evening. Roma have already snapped up other young talents this January in the form of Leandro Paredes and Antonio Sanabria – the latter having previously been tipped to join Arsenal.
Damn! I was all excited until I got to the last line and realised he was only 17! We need strikers now, not in 4 years time.
It's not like it's taking a priority. Just think of it as a separate development department running independently to the first team department and runs on it's own objectives and budget. I find it interesting and refreshing that we're competing with big big clubs to recruit some of the worlds brightest talents instead of bringing the odd local lad through who has little chance of ever making it thanks to the the state the FA has grass roots football in.
It looks like Roma are favourites now mate. Would be a good signing for our club though because he would sign on a free or £300,000 at a tribunal. He comes with a big reputation and if he's all that then he will push his way to the first team squad. If not, send him out on loan and then sell for a few million.
No problem with that Funk, it was more a comment about my own disappointment than anything about the club. It was a promising start, just to realise he'd just 17. I'm just desperate to see us score some bloody goals in the league!
You wont mind if I hold my breath. Our lads like nothing better than going out and beating a good team then taking the next match off! Mentioned it before, after the 4 away points against Everton & Cardiff, I had a £10 bet with a mate that we would be out of the bottom 3 by the end of January. Next day Villa!! Never been so demoralised as I was after that result, So I'll hope for the best tomorrow, but.... As the cliche goes, its a massive 6 pointer tomorrow.
I know there's many a theory that the squad just isn't good enough, proved in the league yet dispelled in the cups. I think the squad is low a premiership side at best but good enough to stay up, just. Down to Poyet to get this cup mentality into their head, 'all or bust' has got us to the verge of the cup final and we've shown no fear. In the league there's this air complacency that the next match can make up for it. That's got to go. Poyet needs to get them treating league games like cup finals sharpish. He's a bloody good head coach, I think he'll get us doing this, just hope it's not too little too late by then but if anyone can do it after the last half dozen managers Gus can.
The thing about cup matches is, as you get closer to the final, the players gee themselves cos there's no pressure. If they win the game it goes on, to the next round. But the next game, the pressure of having to deliver in the league, in the bottom 3 is just too much for too many of the starting 11 to deal with, and that's when it goes tits up. That's why they can't play against a bottom 6 league team the way they can in the cup. Which is why, I can't see us playing tomorrow the way we played on Tuesday. I pray to my own personal god that they defy their own personal stats and deliver. I just have my doubts!
Absolutely chuffed to have my doubts thrown back in my face by the lads!! Great performance!! Who's this new guy A Johnson on for us? Its like having a new signing!
Gus is top quality mate. My faith in him gives me faith in the team. Since he's come he's tightened up the back and got us playing possession football, I've backed him to get us scoring, lets hope we keep it up.
