Transfer Catch-Up: Early Doors, Part Two

A week after the first part of my catch-up with the transfer market regarding the Premier League and I'm back for round two; the remaining 10 clubs. It should be interesting as a club starting with 'M' and ending with 'anchester City' comes into play in my radical alphabetical ordering system - which I've patented and copyrighted by the way, so hands off. In at number 11....

Liverpool
In: Glen Johnson; Chris Mavinga
Out: Jermaine Pennant - Real Zaragoza; Sebastien Leto - Panathinaikos; Sami Hyypia - Bayer Leverkusen
Possible: Jose Antonio Reyes, Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool have well and truly been caught in Real Madrid's whirlwind spending spree this summer. Seemingly not content with the signings of Kaka', Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol, Los Merengues have set their sights firmly on Xabi Alonso. Alonso was one of Liverpool's outstanding performers last season, almost slamming Rafael Benitez for even considering selling him last summer without saying a single word. It is believed Alonso's head has been turned, and who's wouldn't? The heart of the Merseyside club's midfield could face further operating on as Spanish league champions Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on Javier Mascherano. In fact, there's been so much speculation regarding who's leaving Anfield that there's been little time to discuss who could be coming in. It's not all bad news though, as Glen Johnson has arrived and gives Liverpool's right-hand side some much needed attacking potency from the back, something that Alvaro Arbeloa is not famed for. There was some peculiar betting activity last week as well, as the odds on Franck Ribery joining Liverpool were dramatically slashed after a slew of bets. The possibility has since been laughed off by Benitez though. 18-year-old Chris Mavinga also joins from Paris Saint-Germain, becoming a part of the defensive legacy left by Sami Hyypia, who departs for Bayer Leverkusen after a decade of loyal service with the club. Shrewd tax dodger Jermaine Pennant has fleed the country for Spain, joining Real Zaragoza.

Manchester City
In: Roque Santa Cruz; Carlos Tevez; Gareth Barry; Stuart Taylor
Out: Joe Hart - Birmingham (loan); Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea
Possible: Emmanuel Adebayor, John Terry, Joleon Lescott

Several big-money signings have been made at Eastlands already, and the biggest is arguably Stuart Taylor's arrival from Aston Villa....of course, like Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference, "I like to joke." The official signing of Carlos Tevez has been confirmed today and I've literally just watched him, led by football super villain Kia Joorabchian, being mobbed as he enters the stadium. The motives for Tevez's decision to join City are up for debate however (more on that in a later blog.) City manager Mark Hughes has signed Roque Santa Cruz for his front line for a second time in his non-playing career, this time paying a considerable amount more for the Paraguayan, with a fee in the region of £17 million. Gareth Barry rounds off the spending so far and was one of the first players to leave any club this summer. He claims he has the opportunity to be a part of something while his lost love, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, believes it's all about the benjamins and with good reason. The biggest scalp could shockingly still come, in the shape of Chelsea defender John Terry. Figures of £45 million and £300,000 a week are being bandied about in the press. Carlo Ancelotti intends to keep Terry, though the man himself is yet to go public with his intentions. The BBC and Sky Sports News meanwhile both understand Arsenal to be in discussions with City over selling striker Emmanuel Adebayor for £20 million; well he is 'jazzy' after all.

Manchester United
In: Antonio Valencia; Gabriel Obertan; Michael Owen
Out: Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid; Carlos Tevez - Manchester City
Possible: None

"That's it" says Sir Alex Ferguson. No more transfer signings this summer. It's a move that has left many a United fan feeling a little flat, while others trust in Fergie's purchases, as he has delivered before. Indeed, in Antonio Valencia, Gabriel Obertan and Michael Owen, Ferguson will be hoping he has replaced Cristiano Ronaldo's weight in goals relatively cheap and not in a like-for-like sense. Valencia is a very talented winger who has impressed at Wigan Athletic in previous seasons, while Gabriel Obertan is also said to be a promising young prospect, joining from Girondins des Bordeaux. And then there's Michael Owen. It shocked many, but the former Liverpool striker has been snapped up on a free transfer from Newcastle and could, come the end of the coming season, represent an excellent bit of business. Ferguson appears to have closed the door at Old Trafford for another year then, but it wouldn't be the first time someone has said one thing, only to do the opposite in the football world.

Portsmouth
In: None
Out: Glen Johnson - Liverpool; Sean Davis - Bolton; Noe Pamarot, Lauren, Glen Little, Djimi Traore, Jerome Thomas (released)
Possible: Pascal Chimbonda

With regards to the transfer market, Portsmouth's hands are currently tied by wranglings involving the takeover at the club. A deal which will see Sulaiman Al-Fahim purchase the south coast outfit is stuttering to its conclusion as current owner Alexandre Gaydamak huffed and puffed over the price but is finally said to be imminent. How much money will be available for new players remains to be seen, but Pompey certainly need them after releasing five players and letting two more go. Glen Johnson has fetched them £17.5 million to relieve some of their woes and the wage bill has been eased somewhat, but prize asset Peter Crouch could be set to leave the club as his agent believes every player is up for sale. Sol Campbell is also out of contract and with Portsmouth leaning towards reducing terms on a new deal, the former England international could be on his way abroad, with FC Basel eyeing an approach. Slim pickings in the gossip columns concerning who could be joining the club, but Pascal Chimbonda has emerged as a cheap possible replacement for Johnson, though he prefers a move home to France.

Stoke City
In: Ben Marshall; Matthew Lund
Out: Vincent Pericard (released)
Possible: Richard Dunne, Dean Ashton

The fear of 'second season syndrome' usually drives clubs straight into the transfer market in an attempt to guard themselves from relegation, after safely negotiating their first campign in the Premier League. No such behaviour emanating out of Stoke however, as the club that safely finished in mid-table in their debut bow in the top flight are yet to make a significant move. They have signed Ben Marshall and Matthew Lund, two youngsters from Crewe Alexandra, but neither are likely to impact on the first team immediately. Boss Tony Pulis does have some targets in mind in Richard Dunne, who could soon find himself out of favour at swaggering Manchester City, and Dean Ashton, whose injury troubles continue but is still a highly-regarded player.

Sunderland
In: Fraizer Campbell; Paulo da Silva
Out: Michael Chopra - Cardiff City; Dwight Yorke, David Connolly (released)
Possible: Michael Dawson, James Collins, Lee Cattermole, Darren Bent

Sunderland have money to spend this summer and have installed a new manager in Steve Bruce who could be looking to make the team his own as quickly as possible. He has already bolstered his defensive options with the introduction of Paulo da Silva, who has little experience in European football (a brief spell in Italy) but is held in high regard. Defenders are the order of the day at the Stadium Of Light according to the newspapers as Richard Dunne, Michael Dawson and James Collins have all been linked. Fraizer Campbell has joined though, snubbing Hull City to work under Bruce at what he describes as a 'massive' club and could be set to partner Darren Bent, who he played with at Tottenham Hotspur last season. Bent however, could be set to join Aston Villa. Where that would leave Kenwyne Jones in the pecking order, or indeed whether Bruce rates the Trinidad and Tobago striker, is a mystery thus far.

Tottenham Hotspur
In: None
Out: Ricardo Rocha (released); Didier Zokora (Sevilla)
Possible: Kyle Naughton, Patrick Vieira, Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy

It's all rather quiet at White Hart Lane thus far...a little too quiet. Tottenham Hotspur fans are used to an influx of signings over the close-season period normally but a change of regime under Harry Redknapp has meant no such activity has occurred. Forever the club tipped to potentially break the big four, Spurs are out of Europe and perhaps out of the limelight as Manchester City take up their mantle, which could ultimately serve in their favour. Despite the eery silence however, Tottenham have still been linked to everyone and their mothers, the most shocking recent development being that of Patrick Vieira, who could make a sensational move back to north London with his once bitter rivals. Tottenham supporters are dreaming of the Ashley Youngs and Ruud van Nistelrooys of this world, but may fall short of that mark. Redknapp is in the hunt for strikers if you believe what you read, as Darren Bent could be on his way out, and the former Portsmouth boss could opt for players he is familiar with. He took Peter Crouch to Pompey and the big man is now thought to be available, while the arrival of several strikers in Manchester suggests Craig Bellamy could be up for grabs, a player who 'Arry has big admiration for, whether Spurs actually need him or not. Going the other way are Portuguese defender Ricardo Rocha, who was released from his contract, and Didier Zokora, who after gut-busting service has been sold to Spanish side Sevilla after Wilson Palacios ousted him from the starting 11 in January.

West Ham United
In: Herita Ilunga; Luis Jiminez
Out: Freddie Sears - Crystal Palace (loan); Lee Bowyer - Birmingham; Lucas Neil, Diego Tristan, Jimmy Walker, Kyel Reid (released)
Possible: Eider Gudjohnsen

With the ownership of the club now tied up, West Ham are reassessing their approach to the transfer market this summer and as such are refusing to go splashing their cash. Instead, they have cut several players from their squad, including Lucas Neil, though the door is not closed on the defender should he wish to return, perhaps on reduced terms. Defender Herita Ilunga has been tied to a permanent move to England after a successful loan spell, while another loanee, midfielder Luis Jiminez, could add a creative spark to the Hammers play, which took a more attractive stance under Italian manager Gianfranco Zola last season. Zola has suggested the weakest position in his side is in attack and has been linked with an approach for his former Chelsea team-mate Eider Gudjohnsen. The striker is almost certain to leave Barcelona and would welcome a return to England; to join up with Zola again could prove particularly appealing.

Wigan Athletic
In: Jordi Gomez; Hendry Thomas
Out: Antonio Valencia - Manchester United
Possible: Jason Scotland

The first signing made at the DW stadium this summer was that of Roberto Martinez. Steve Bruce's departure meant the Spaniard was approached and he soon took over at Wigan, leaving Championship side Swansea City. Swansea played an impressive brand of passing football from back to front last season and were one of the more exciting teams to watch in the league, so Martinez has wasted no time in going back to his former club in signing Jordi Gomez, who had been on loan from Espanyol with the Welsh outfit. Jason Scotland is also close to being confirmed as the second Swansea player to join the Latics; whether the Trinidad and Tobago international can make the step up to Premier League standard is in question. Wigan also continue to exploit their links with Honduras as defensive midfielder Hendry Thomas signs, while defenders Emerson Boyce and Titus Bramble have signed contract extensions. Martinez is also desperate to keep Lee Cattermole, as Steve Bruce attempts to take him to Sunderland and Liverpool have reportedly lined him up as an option to replace one of their possible departing midfielders.

Wolverhampton Wanderers
In: Nenad Milijas; Ronald Zubar; Marcus Hahnemann; Kevin Doyle; Greg Halford; Andrew Surman
Out:
Possible: James McCarthy

The Championship winners were strong enough to hit a dip in form at the end of last season and still top the league, but they've wasted no time in preparing for the Premier League to ensure it doesn't happen again. Like Birmingham, they've collected some of the top players from the second tier in midfielder Andrew Surman and Reading pair Marcus Hahnemann and Kevin Doyle, while Greg Halford has a throw-in to rival human catapult Rory Delap - defences beware. Nenad Milijas and Ronald Zubar also arrive from Europe to strengthen at the back. Some English football fans may be aware of former Olympique de Marseille stopper Zubar as the man who scythed down Liverpool winger Ryan Babel to concede a penalty in a Champions League group encounter in France last season. Hopefully he's sharpened up...