Beckham to return to England? Milner in Villa stalemate while Hughes to take charge at Fulham
Will David Beckham end up in the Premier League? He is wanted by London side West Ham, and the MLS LA Galaxy star is promising to give the club a decision soon according to reports, although conflicting reports say that he has not even been contacted by them. Beckham, who missed out on England’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign through an Achilles injury is expected to be back in training in late August with the galaxy. But there are rumours that Beckham would like to finish his career back in the UK. If he was to put pen to paper at Upton Park, then a move wouldn’t be secured until January. Beckham would finish the season with the MLS side, and then look to move abroad at the start of the year, as he has done on loan with AC Milan the past couple of season. West Ham boss Avram Grant is also supposedly targeting Michael Owen and Marseille’s Laurent Bonnart as well in order to boost their chances of not getting drawn into a relegation battle. West Ham co-owner David Gold seems to be the one throwing fuel on this rumour, while a spokesman for Becks pretty much says its pie in the sky. For a club perceived as struggling, West Ham are certainly embroiled in plenty of rumours. They have rejected a large offer from Europe-bound Tottenham for midfielder Scott Parker, but there are hints that Spurs will be back with an improved offer. Tottenham are 5/6 at SkyBet to land Parker, while Liverpool are priced just behind them at 9/4 at SkyBet to snap him up. Tottenham also want Craig Bellamy from big spenders Manchester City. Something of a surprising favourite odds price is for Tottenham to be 9th or lower for 3/1 at SkyBet come Christmas. After a good season last year by finishing fourth, perhaps there are doubts of whether they can back it up.
Manchester City, who are being linked with just about every name which comes on the transfer market, looks set to have to won the battle for young Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. There have been an array of conflicting stories about the promising youngster and where his future may lie, but it looks as if City may just have gotten their man to add to their summer spending. Mark Hughes looks set to become Roy Hodgson’s successor at Fulham. After failing to land Martin Jol from Ajax, they have had to seek alternatives. That means that he would probably enter the race to sign Craig Bellamy, after managing him at Manchester City last year. Tottenham are still favourite to get him at a price of 4/9 at SkyBet, with Fulham to be his new club is priced 2/1 at SkyBet. Mark Hughes looks set to take the helm at Craven Cottage, but the same was said about Martin Jol recently. It’s unlikely that there will be any hiccups in this deal though as Hughes is currently unemployed, and it is expected that he will bring in his own backroom staff as well. What that means for coach and stand-in boss at the moment Ray Lewington, as he could find himself out of work. You may be able to grab a price on Hughes at BetFair, or one of the main rivals for the managerial position, but this looks to be a done deal. Meanwhile Bobby Zamora can be taken at a decent price of 11/10 at SkyBet to be Fulham’s top Goalscorer next season.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United have been told that they can have some money to spend in order to boost their squad. In the case of United, there are enough funds in the kitty to finance the move of one world class name apparently. For Chelsea, they are keen on finalising a deal for Benfica midfielder Ramires, and they could be in a three way battle with United and Arsenal for the services of impressive Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan. Chelsea’s Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho reportedly wants away from Stamford Bridge, but only to join up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. As for Arsenal, who never really make big splashes and transfer headlines, they will be without the services of Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner for the start of the season, as the striker is still struggling with a groin injury. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is still refusing to budge over the transfer sage surrounding Spain’s Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas is wanted by Barcelona, but Arsenal won’t even sit down at the negotiation table to discuss a deal. Barcelona are priced at 6/4 at SkyBet to land him, compared to around 10/21 at BetFair for him to stay a Gunner. Former Arsenal star Sol Campbell has signed for Premier League returnee’s Newcastle.
Liverpool want Stiliyan Petrov from Aston Villa, and this will be a replacement for the departing Javier Mascherano, who wants to join Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan. Mascherano is priced at 1/12 at SkyBet to join Inter Milan at the end of the summer transfer window. Liverpool have also come close to signing Aston Villa’s full back Luke Young, but the player seems to be throwing a spanner in the works by wanting compensation from Villa because he would be on less wages at Anfield. Surprisingly, in football betting, Tottenham are favourites to sign Young at 3/1 with SkyBet, while Liverpool are second favourites at a price of 7/2 at SkyBet, despite looking as if they nearly had his signature. Liverpool, who have began their quest for the Europa League, are priced at 10/1 with Paddy Power to have that European success in the forthcoming year. There have also been whispers that full back Wayne Bridge may be tempted way from Manchester City to join Roy Hodgson at Anfield, and he is priced at 4/6 with SkyBet for that to happen. Man City boss Roberto Mancini has said though that he doesn’t want Bridge to go anywhere.
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill seems to be stuck in a stalemate with England’s James Milner, who is keen to leave the Midlands club in order to head north for Manchester City. The main problem is that City don’t want to pay the sum of what Villa has Milner valued at, but Villa may have to bend if Milner does not want to be at the club any longer. Villa want a staggering £30 million for Milner (more than what Barcelona offered for Cesc Fabregas!), while City won’t budge above £24 million for the midfielder. Likely some compromise will be made, with O’Neill admitting himself that he doesn’t really know if Milner will still be at the club come the start of the season. James Milner is still priced at 1/6 at SkyBet to end up at Manchester City at the start of the new season. That’s compared to 17/12 at BetFair to stay at Villa. The online bookmakers posting football betting odds for the new season, don’t fancy Villa to make much progress from last season, and expect them to be 7th or lower in the league come Christmas at a price of 4/6 at SkyBet. Gaby Agbonlahor represents a decent punt at finishing as top Goalscorer for the club at a price of 6/4 at SkyBet.
