In the latest transfer gossip column on Playing for 90 co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you up to date with al the ins and outs in the world of Premier League football and abroad. Today we hear of David Villa’s NYCFC future, and a new manager for West Ham. All that and more below.
Villa Open to Man City Loan
NBC report that Ney York City FC star striker David Villa is open to a January loan to Manchester City. The Premier League billionaires are of course owned by the same group who own NYCFC and a relationship between the two is clear; Lampard’s murky situation looks like the first of many between the pair.
After spending the early months of 2015 on loan at CFG’s team in Australia, Melbourne City, Villa could arrive from January to March 2016 to boost Man City’s attacking options ahead of the home stretch in the PL and Europe. In the past other big-name players such as Thierry Henry, David Beckham and Robbie Keane have made loan switches back to Europe over the offseason.
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Arsene Eyes Martinez
Arsene Wenger is looking to bolster his attacking ranks at Arsenal this summer and has earmarked a move for the Colombian striker Jackson Martinez. Martinez has played for Porto since 2012 and has scored 81 goals since.
Wenger will make a move for Porto’s Colombian hotshot Jackson Martinez – but only if he can clear the decks first, report the Daily Mirror. The Gunners boss is ready to offload Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell this summer.
Juve Swoop for Khedira and Van Persie
Juventus have fines Sami Khedira on a four-year deal. The German defensive midfielder was out of contract of Real Madrid and the 31 year has sought pastures anew, with the Champions League runners-up.
A statement on Juve’s official website read: “Juventus Football Club has today completed the signing of Sami Khedira. The 28-year-old, who will officially join from Real Madrid on a free transfer on 1 July 2015, has agreed terms on a four-year contract which expires on 30 June 2019.”
Khedira, who joined Madrid from Stuttgart in 2010, won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League trophies during his first three years at Madrid, but was frozen out last season when it became obvious he was not staying.
Meanwhile the Daily Star report that the Old Lady are looking to replace Carlos Tevez with Robin Van Persie. Tevez is reportedly on the way out of Juventus and will be replaced by the 31 year-old Dutchman. Van Persie has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford of late, with Rooney as the long front-man the preferred option for Louis Van Gaal.
It is understood Van Persie is open to a move to Juve and has let it be known he would be keen to talk to them. The Daily Star say United bosses are willing to listen to offers for Van Persie, who is entering the final 12 months of his current deal at Old Trafford.
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Hammers Appoint Bilic
West Ham have ended their search for Sam Allardyce’s replacement by appointing Slaven Bilic. The 46-year-old replaces Sam Allardyce, who left by mutual consent last month after the Hammers finished 12th in the Premier League.
Bilic, who played 54 times for the Upton Park side between 1996 and 1997, signs a three-year deal as manager. He managed Croatia for six years, beating England twice in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, and Lokomotiv Moscow and Besiktas, whom he left in May.
“It is a great place to play and I felt like I was at home,” Bilic said of his appointment at West Ham.
“It is a big privilege and a big responsibility to now be manager and I hope that I will prove it to the board, players and fans.