Football Dispatch

Weekend Football
24 August 2007
Dynamo Kiev are attempting to convince Andriy Shevchenko to spend the season in the Ukrainian capital on loan. Following a 30M-euro transfer from AC Milan last summer -- an English football record -- the 30-year-old striker scored just four Premiership goals for Chelsea and is not considered to be among manager Jose Mourinho's preferred selections. Dynamo, with whom Shevchenko began his professional career in 1994, have already approached the Ukraine captain and suggested that he request a loan deal from the Chelsea board. Dynamo president Igor Surkis admitted, today, that he had personally spoken with Shevchenko regarding the situation. Any transaction would have to be finalized before the closing of the transfer window next Friday. Shevchenko, for his part, is likely to wait and see if Dynamo qualify for the Group Phase of the Champions' League before agreeing the move.

Juventus will make their return to the Serie-A, Saturday, when they host Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico. New manager Claudio Ranieri is trying to play-down expectations in Turin; although a top-4 finish is clearly expected by the board of directors and supporters alike. Ranieri has done his best to bolster the squad over the summer. Vincenzo Iaquinta, a World Cup winner last summer, was signed from Udinese for 11.3M-pounds and is expected to partner David Trezeguet in attack. Bosnian midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic, after being released by Bayern Munich, joined Juve on a free transfer after previously agreeing a move in January. Ranieri also enforced the defense by adding Zdenek Grygera from Ajax. The 27-year-old Czech Republic international also comes to the Bianconeri on a free transfer. And Tiago, after lifting two Ligue-1 titles with Olympique Lyonnais, will add a component of creativity to the Juventus midfield.

Tiago's colleague with the Portuguese national squad, Nuno Gomes, is poised to join Manchester City on a free transfer. The prolific Benfica forward has been handed his walking-papers by the club and City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been gifted the exclusive opportunity to sign him before he officially goes on the market. Eriksson managed Benfica twice, between 1982 and 1984 and again from 1989 to 1992, and has been given the advantage due to his still-friendly relationship with the board of directors at the club. Gomes, 31-years-old, and City could agree the terms as early as today.

Roy Keane continues to go about his Manchester United love-in at the Stadium of Light. After already signing former Red Devils Kieron Richardson and Dwight Yorke, Keano is poised to add Andy Cole to his Sunderland squad. The two were teammates at Old Trafford from 1995-2001 and could be reunited at the Stadium of Light as early as today. Cole will undergo a medical examination this afternoon and is believed to have already agreed a 1-year contract. "I met with Andy on Monday in Manchester and he has agreed to come here for a season," stated Keane, yesterday. He continued, "His experience on the field will be vital." Sunderland were thumped 3-0 by Wigan last weekend.

Martin O'Neill is hopeful to bolster both his attack and defense before the transfer window closes next week. The Aston Villa boss has one eye on Jermaine Defoe and the other on Per Mertesacker. Defoe, whose development has stalled beneath a mountain of striking talent at Tottenham Hotspur, could still command upwards of 15M-pounds on the open market; and Mertesacker, 22-years-old and a stallwart in the German national team, is valued at roughly 7M-pounds. But Villa owner Randy Lerner is anxious for European football and is prepared to splash the cash in order to make it happen.

After Tony Warner's nightmare performance last weekend, Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez has brought American international Kasey Keller to Craven Cottage. Keller, 37, was released by Borussia Moenchedgladbach after last season and got on a free transfer. He will be expected to hold the fort until Antti Niemi returns from a wrist injury. Keller could start his first match as early as Saturday at Aston Villa.

Despite the addition of Keller, Sanchez continues to be active in the transfer market. He informed midfielder Papa Bouba Diop that he was no longer in the club's plans, last week, and is rumored to be negotiating a loan arrangement for Tomas Gravesen with Celtic. Gravesen, out of favor at Parkhead, is 31-years-old and capable of adding a physical, steely presence to any midfield.

In other transfer news, Real Betis are targeting West Ham striker Bobby Zamora. The Verdiblancos had preferred Newcastle's Albert Luque; but Luque signed for Ajax yesterday, ending a 2-year nightmare at St. James' Park. And Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stelios Giannakopolous is poised to join Sheffield United on-loan before next Friday.