Football Dispatch

Summer Football
08 August 2007
Arjen Robben is crossing his fingers that Chelsea will accomodate his wish to move to Spanish champions Real Madrid. The 23-year-old Holland international has been in limbo at Stamford Bridge since a falling-out with manager Jose Mourinho last spring and has his sights set on a switch to the Bernabeu. He remains coy on the details, however, telling the media that "Chelsea will not let me tell you more until there is an agreement between the two clubs." He continued, "I would like to send a message to the Madrid fans; but I can't until my future is sorted." If Madrid pay Chelsea's 20M-pound asking-price, Mourinho would likely spend the cash on Sevilla right full-back Daniel Alves.

Sunderland has shattered British football's transfer record for a goalkeeper. Black Cats manager Roy Keane finalized the 9M-pound transaction with Hearts, yesterday, and will welcome the Scotland number-one to the Stadium of Light before the end of the week. Gordon, however, is nursing a slight injury and is unlikely to feature in Saturday's season-opener at home to Tottenham.

Fulham have secured the services of Hameur Bouazza. The former Watford striker scored 7-goals for Hornets last season and is expected to complement fellow newcomers Diomansy Camara and David Healy in attack. Cottagers manager Lawrie Sanchez paid 4M-pounds for the 22-year-old Algeria international.

Everton are preparing a bold, 11M-pound bid for Yakubu. The 24-year-old Middlesbrough and Nigeria striker scored 16-goals at The Riverside last season and is vital to Boro manager Gareth Southgate's plans ahead of the 2007-2008 season. Still, Toffees boss David Moyes is eager to add depth to his forward position. James Beattie was sold to Sheffield United earlier this summer for 4M-pounds.

Leicester are hoping to rescue former England midfielder Danny Murphy from his virtual limbo at Spurs. The 30-year-old has been on the periphery of manager Martin Jol's plans since arriving from Charlton in 2006 and has made just 22-appearances for Tottenham since. Foxes would be prepared to pay upwards of 2M-pounds for the ex-Liverpool captain.