Transfer News and Speculation: 26 July
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Your support makes all the difference.Josep Guardiola has refused to be drawn on speculation linking his club with Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor. Reports claim the Nou Camp coach is interested in both Chelsea's Drogba and the Arsenal striker Adebayor in an attempt to strengthen his side further ahead of his first season in the job.
But Guardiola was staying tight-lipped after watching Barça cruise to a 6-0 friendly win over Hibernian at Murrayfield in his first game in charge on Thursday night. "I'm not here to speak about them," he said, referring to Drogba and Adebayor. "I have many excellent players and I am working with them. All good players are interesting and those players are interesting but there are many, many good players, in England, Germany, everywhere." Asked whether he was preparing to make a bid, Guardiola added: "I don't know. The sporting director can talk about that better than me." In Edinburgh, Eidur Gudjohnsen helped himself to a double and Lionel Messi, Pedro, Bojan and Yaya Touré all scored a goal apiece in a one-sided game in which Messi stole the show. Guardiola is now seeking a quick resolution over the Argentine's participation in the Beijing Olympics – which Barcelona are opposed to.
Neville 'proud' to stay at Goodison
Everton Club captain Phil Neville has revealed he wants to finish his career at Goodison Park after signing a new four-year deal with the club. The 31-year-old said Everton was "the only club that I want to play for" and revealed he was "proud" he was extending his stay until 2012. "I am proud that the club has offered me a four-year contract. I've been here three seasons and I've loved every minute of it. I want to finish my career here."
Forest finish chase by signing Garner
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Carlisle striker Joe Garner for a fee of £1.14m. Forest have been chasing the 20-year-old former Blackburn forward throughout the summer and have now got their man after meeting a release clause in his contract. Garner, who is expected to be out for three months after a knee ligament injury, was Carlisle's record signing last summer but is delighted by the move.
Transfer chat caught on the net
Neville's new contract "Good news. From what he's said, he is completely committed to Everton and we should appreciate having such a player at our club. He does a decent job at right-back and he is an experienced leader." - Namdrater, www.grandoldteam.com - Grand Old Team: Everton
Friedel to Villa? "Really pleased with the prospect of Friedel being our No 1 next season. He is a world-class keeper despite his age. A big improvement on an unconfident Scott Carson, and also rarely seemed to be injured for Blackburn (touch wood)." - Piav_k4, www.villa.talk.com – Villa talk
*YESTERDAY'S COMPLETED MOVES
David Meyler (Cork City) to Sunderland: Undisclosed
Marius Niculae (Inverness) to Dinamo Bucharest: Undisclosed
Robert Snodgrass (Livingston) to Leeds United: Undisclosed
Godwin Antwi (Liverpool) to Tranmere: Loan
Nathan Ashton (Fulham) to Wycombe: Undisclosed
Michael Lea (unattached) to Scunthorpe: Free
Damien Mozika (unattached) to Chester: Free
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