Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts

Video: A Look at Arsenal Target Kévin Gameiro

Kevin Gameiro, a 23 year old French striker currently playing for Ligue 1 side Lorient is a reported transfer target for Arsenal.



The forward has apparently been watched by Arsenal scouts sent by Arsene Wenger to track his progress - and they have been impressed. The young striker has played a total of 26 games this season, scoring 17 and creating 3. His consistency has also impressed Arsenal scouts, with talk of a move not distracting his on field impact at Lorient, with goals continuing to flow.





Gameiro is a fast, energetic player with good dribbling abilities, demonstrated in the video below. He is contracted to Lorient until the end of the 2011/2012 season, but the club president, Loic Fery admitted that it is likely they will have to let the player go:
"It is true that we are mulling over three options."
"We can let him go when his contract expires, sell him in the summer or renew his contract. But the latter is complicated because we have made several incredible efforts and he has not accepted."
Fey said in August:

"There is no such thing as an untransferable player. Gameiro, and players like him, can and will leave the club, even if we would prefer that they stay. 
Tottenham were said to be interested late 2010, but did not move for Gameiro and Arsenal have since been linked strongly with the player who would cost around £10 - 15 million. The fact that he has rejected several contract extensions at Lorient suggests that he may have his eye somewhere else, and Lorient would surely rather cash in on him than wait until his contract runs its course.










[Pic] Douglas Costa at Old Trafford



Douglas Costa has been monitored by Sir Alex Ferguson for the past four years and it seems the 20 year-old Brazilian is a little closer to joining up with fellow Brazilians Rafael and Fabio at United after being spotted at the Manchester United - Bolton game on Saturday.



Costa is part of the Shakhtar Donetsk side that have reached the quarter finals of the Champions League and is seen as the perfect replacement to Paul Scholes in the United midfield. Costa is an attacking midfielder with pace and dribbling ability who can be utilised on either wing or up front as a second striker.





Manchester United would not comment on his appearance at Old Trafford, seen above, but Sir Alex had tried to sign him when he played at Brazilian side Gremio. A deal fell through and he signed for Shakhtar who will apparently ask for close to £20 million if United come calling. That is £15 million more than what Shakhtar bought him for in January 2010 and £13 million more than what United originally offered Gremio in 2009.





The player has scored 15 goals in 61 appearances for Shakhtar and a move to United could prove difficult with a work permit a possible stumbling block as well as the Ukranian clubs good financial position. As the richest club in Ukraine and this seasons good Champions League showing, they will be in no rush to sell their best players.




Premier League 2010/2011 Preview

So we are now less than two weeks away from the kick-off of the 2010/2011 Premier League season and I'm sure, like me, you are all getting very excited.

There are three clubs, in my opinion, who have a real chance of lifting the title come the end of the season. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Many believe Manchester City may challenge for the title this season given the vast amounts of money they have spent over the last few weeks. David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Yaya Toure have all arrived at Eastlands this summer and if you have been keeping up with the sports news of late, you will know that City's spending may not be over just yet.

I personally don't believe they have what it takes to go all the way this season and I think they would be doing well to finish in the top four this time around.

If I had to put my money on any team, I would probably bet on Chelsea to retain their Premier League crown.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, there are a large number of teams who could easily be relegated this season. Blackpool will probably finish rock bottom with West Brom just above them in 19th and then it will be intriguing to see who finishes in the place above them. It really could be any number of six or seven teams who finish 18th but if I had to choose one, I would have to go with Birmingham.

We all love picking our squads for a fantasy soccer game before the season starts and one player I suggest you have in your team this season is Liverpool's Joe Cole. I am convinced he will be a big success at Anfield and I can see him scoring loads of goals this season.