Transfer News and Speculation: 22 July
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Your support makes all the difference.As he continues his search for new players, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says he has no intention of going public and destabilising players – as Real Madrid have done with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wenger's targets are said to include Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and Miguel Veloso of Sporting Lisbon, but he said: "If you don't show respect to other clubs I think that football is moving in the wrong way.
You cannot come out like [president Ramon] Calderon has done at Real Madrid with Manchester United and tell them you cannot stop a player from leaving. You can destabilise any player in the world – that is irresponsible."
He added: "I believe that football now is at the stage where it has become a world sport and the big clubs should have values and vision and set an example. If we do not do that in football, then we do not understand the responsibilities that we have."
Wenger's side are in Austria for pre-season training and will play the first of three friendlies, over the border against the Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladas, tonight.
Eto'o move from Barça not certain
Samuel Eto'o could remain at Barcelona, according to his agent, despite reported interest from Tottenham, Chelsea and Internazionale. Jose Maria Mesalles said: "You can't rule out the possibility of Eto'o still being at Barça next season. We have offers, but they don't convince us." Eto'o was quoted in the Italian press yesterday, saying: "I have a few important offers. Which ones? Chelsea, Tottenham and Inter."
Wright heads back home from Saints
Richard Wright has returned to his former club, signing a two-year contract. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who left for Arsenal in a £6m deal seven years ago, has been signed from West Ham for an undisclosed fee. Ipswich-born Wright climbed through the ranks at Portman Road before stints at Arsenal and Everton. He joined West Ham at the start of last season, but ended it on loan at Southampton.
Transfer chat caught on the net
Makelele's departure: "One of the most important players of the Abramovich era, no doubt about that" - Maksimov, www.theshedend.com, Chelsea Fans' Forum.
Arshavin to Spurs?: "I'm a fan of Arshavin... I'm not saying he's worth £18m, but I'd like to see him in a Spurs shirt." - Garo, www.tottenhamhotspur.tv, Tottenham Hotspur Unofficial Supporters' Site
Bentley on the move? "Let's sell him – we could get loads of money and reinvest in players like Koumas, Pennant etc with the money. WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE!" - RoryoftheRovers, www.roverstalk.com, the Blackburn Rovers Forum
*YESTERDAY'S COMPLETED MOVES
Khalid Boulahrouz (Chelsea) to VfB Stuttgart: £4m
Claude Makelele (Chelsea) to Paris St-Germain: Free
Richard Wright (West Ham) to Ipswich Town: Undisclosed
Rob Hulse (Sheffield United) to Derby County: £1.75m
Przemyslaw Kazmierczak (Porto) to Derby: Season-long loan
Matt Richards (Ipswich) to Brighton: Loan
Louis Dodds (Leicester) to Port Vale: Undisclosed
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