Birmingham net midfielder Kapo

Birmingham have followed up Thursday's signing of Garry O'Connor by buying France international Olivier Kapo from Juventus for £3million.O'Connor signed for £2.7million from Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday and Blues boss Steve Bruce has continued a busy week by bolstering his midfield with 27-year-old Kapo.

The Ivory Coast-born player has agreed a three-year deal at St Andrews with an option for a further two years.

Kapo had interested the likes of Everton and Fulham, while Spanish clubs Real Betis and Real Mallorca were also thought to be interested.

Kapo represented his adopted country at under-21 level before making a senior debut in 2002.

He has scored three times in nine appearances for France to date.

After impressing during a stint at Ligue 1 side Auxerre, he moved to the Stadio delle Alpi but he never settled in Turin and spent spells on loan at Monaco and Levante - for whom he scored five times in 30 appearances last term.

Spurs seal Bent deal

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Darren Bent from relegated Charlton for a club record fee. The England international arrives at White Hart Lane on a six-year £16.5million deal, beating the £11million paid for Sergei Rebrov.

No need to bang on Rebrov.

This deal has been in the works for a while now, and it is a doozy! Berbatov and Bent are a tantalizing strike-force. Berba King's skill, vision, and ability to link play paired with Bent's speed... and both good finishers! Spurs are going to be fun to watch, and a nightmare to play against.

The only problem for fantasy manager is that both are likely to be expensive come the new season.

Derby splash out on Earnshaw

Newly-promoted Derby County have made their first major signing of the summer, buying Robert Earnshaw from Norwich for a club record £3.5 million.

The Welsh international has Premiership experience, having played for West Bromwich Albion between 2004 and January 2006, when he was sold to Norwich.

Despite being considered a failure at top-flight level for the Baggies, Earnshaw has a good goals-per-minute ratio, and subsequently boosted his reputation with 27 goals in 45 outings for the Canaries.

Derby manager Billy Davies said: "We are delighted to have a new striker on board with a fantastic track record in terms of goals scored at every level he has played, including the Premier League and international.

Earnie had a strange time with WBA. He was their super sub, and seemed to deliver goals when given the chance. But he was never given a regular run of games, and if I remember correctly, he wasn't shy about pointing that out. Maybe he make the step up this time around.

Paraguay 5 - Colombia 0

Copa America: Group C

Final - José Pachencho Romero

Paraguay 5 - 0 Colombia

Roque Santa Cruz (30) Roque Santa Cruz (47) Roque Santa Cruz (80) Salvador Cabañas (85) Salvador Cabañas (88) Alvaro Domínguez (pen miss 26)

With the arrival of both Toni and Klose, methinks RSC sees the writing on the wall and realizes that the Copa America is his chance to earn a new contract away from Bayern Munich. And he's certainly off to a good start.

Hibs land Chelsea keeper

Hibernian boss John Collins has signed Chelsea goalkeeper Yves Makabu-Ma-Kalamby on a three-year deal.

The Belgian shot stopper, 21, will arrive at Easter Road on July 1st, and is Collins' second premiership capture this week, following the signing of Irish international Alan O'Brien from Newcastle on Monday.

Makabu-Ma-Kalamby had been lined up for a switch to the Edinburgh club in January, but he was kept on at Chelsea to provide cover for Hilario, who was deputising for the injured Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.

So much for my dreams of fielding Yves Makabu-Ma-Kalamby as part of an "all-name" dream team.

Cottagers Complete Hughes Transfer

Fulham have signed versatile defender Aaron Hughes in a £1million transfer from Aston Villa.

The Northern Ireland international has agreed a three-year deal with the Cottagers and moves to Craven Cottage after spending two years at Villa following his switch from Newcastle.

Does this move Liam Rosenior to the left, and Moritz Volz permanently into midfield (assuming Michael Brown goes)?  Or does Hughes go to center back to be the latest in a long line (Bocanegra, Pearce, Christianval, etc) of partners for Zat Knight?  Looking at it, most likely he'll continue to be an option off the bench. Sigh.

Geremi Set For ST James' Switch

Tastefully named. Oddly spelled.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is closing in on a deal to take Chelsea utility man Geremi to St James' Park.

It is understood the Magpies are hopeful of securing the 28-year-old Cameroon international on a Bosman free transfer as he approaches the end of his four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

Geremi, who spent a season on loan at Middlesbrough from Real Madrid earlier in his career, made 23 starts and five substitute appearances for the Blues last season.

However, with Paulo Ferreira and Lassana Diarra competing for the right-back spot and Jose Mourinho boasting an embarrassment of riches in midfield, his future chances look limited.

Ironically, the right-back spot is one in which they have cover, although midfielder Nolberto Solano was used as an emergency defender in that position last season when Stephen Carr was either injured or having to play on the left.

However, Geremi's versatility could prove invaluable as Allardyce re-shapes his squad.

Can't say I get this signing unless Big Sam is going to convert Geremi into a central midfielder, or use him as cover across the pitch. Unless he thinks he can convert Carr into a left-back. Curious, but not impossible.

Eriksson Keeps City Waiting

Manchester City supporters will have to wait a little bit longer before finding out whether former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is to become their new manager.

Eriksson is understood to be very likely to commit himself to a three-year deal shortly but the club attempted to play down rumours of the Swede's impending arrival.

City insist they will not announce any appointment until prospective new owner Thaksin Shinawatra has a 75% stake in the club. That situation could take place later in the week.

You just know that he wouldn't take the job unless he were being promised a ton of money for new signings.  S-GE isn't the type to relish bringing along the careers of Ireland, Johnson, Onuaha.  Nor would he waste his time with Samaras, Corradi and/or Vassell as his first choice strikers.  If this deal goes through, there are going to be a lot of new, Blue faces in Manchester come the fall.

Toon Reach Owen Settlement

"My liver! My liver!

Newcastle will receive a total compensation package of around £10million for the injury that kept Michael Owen sidelined for more than 10 months, according to the Evening Chronicle.

Owen, 27, suffered knee ligament damage against Sweden in the World Cup last summer and only returned to action in the Magpies' Premiership clash with Reading on May 1 this year.

Well, between this and the £9million he'll sell for (if they're lucky), Newcastle could actually make a profit on the £17million they spent on Owen. And if he sold a couple of jerseys along the way, even better.

Duff, Viduka, and Milner up front for NUFC, please!

Henry moves to Barca for £16m

If I Were Running Things

Well, it would appear that we have reached the end of the Thierry Henry era at Arsenal. Really a sad day. First Vieira, then Highbury and Bergkamp, and now Henry (and rumors of Wenger to follow). Quite a sad day to be a Gooner but time to brush aside the sentiment and start thinking about what they should do to ensure that while some of the names have changed, the legacy continues to live on. In that vein, here's what I'd do if I were Arsene Wenger...

1) Get on with the business of selling off the rest of the spare parts...the combination of Reyes, Ljungberg, and Hleb probably drives the total influx of cash to £30M. Get those deals done!

2) Exercise that buy-out clause in Obafemi Martins' contract and bring him to London rumor has that price tag at £13M...

3) Throw £8M to £10M at West Brom for Curtis Davies.

4) Finish the job by pipping Chelsea and Liverpool to Malouda for about £14M.

That's a total of approximately £35M of which £30M would be coming from the sale of existing players. It would probably make sense to acquire at least one additional striker to make up for the fact that both Martins and Adebayor will be out for the African Nations Cup. Maybe the displaced Javier Saviola who is looking for a home.

Adios?

Is she pointing to the exit?

Barcelona are in talks with Arsenal with a view to signing Thierry Henry, BBC Sport understands.

Officials for the Spanish club are in London negotiating with the Gunners over a reported £16m transfer fee.

Barcelona hope to close the deal by next week for Arsenal's record goalscorer who has long been linked with a move to the Nou Camp.

Update: First Impressions

[11:48] JSpitzberg: http://fantasyepl.blogspot.com/2007/06/adios.html
[11:49] Neal J Thurman: so, who is next?
[11:50] JSpitzberg: well, that's you're job
[11:50] JSpitzberg: your
[11:50] Neal J Thurman: lol
[11:50] Neal J Thurman: oba
[11:50] Neal J Thurman: oba
[11:50] Neal J Thurman: obafemi
[11:51] JSpitzberg: oba/rvp?
[11:51] Neal J Thurman: interesting
[11:52] JSpitzberg: i'm already excited for the Oba era at Arsenal
[11:52] JSpitzberg: 1. it's fun to say
[11:52] JSpitzberg: "oba era at arsenal"
[11:52] JSpitzberg: and 2. he's going to score a TON of goals
[11:52] Neal J Thurman: definitely fun

Big Sam Wins Race For Smith

"We're getting the band back together!"

Newcastle are believed to have beaten Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Tottenham to the signing of Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Magpies boss Sam Allardyce has been a busy man since taking the reins at St James' Park, and is now reported to have added Smith to his list of new recuits, which includes Mark Viduka and Joey Barton.

The Toon chief has moved for Red Devils hitman Smith after discovering that strikers Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins have get-out clauses written into their contracts.

And 26-year-old Smith, who signed a five-year deal in 2004, is ready to leave Old Trafford after being told he will not be offered a new contract.

The former Leeds forward has many admirers, with Gareth Southgate, Martin O'Neill and Martin Jol all keeping tabs on his situation.

But he is believed to have been lured to the North-East by the promise of regular first-team football, which he is unlikely to get at the Theatre of Dreams due to the summer arrivals of Portuguese ace Nani and Brazilian star Anderson.

First Viduka, now Smith. Kewell is available from Liverpool. Danny Mills is persona non grata at Man Citeh (nil). Ian Harte wants to return from Spain. David Batty... well, I guess he already paid his dues at NUFC. "Bakke and Brann have a "gentlemen's agreement that Bakke can leave Brann if a big club want to sign him." (Insert your own joke about "does NUFC qualify" here.) Gary Kelly is still at Leeds who are now in the second (third) division, and NUFC do need a new fullback.



It's all falling into place for David O'Leary... I mean Sam Allardyce.



So does this mean that Owen and Martins are likely to leave, and not just available to leave?

Oops, that's Rowan and Martins. Either way, it's a comedy duo.

Mikel banned from Nigeria duty

The last time you'll see Mikel in the green of Nigeria's Super Eagles?

Chelsea's Mikel John Obi has been indefinitely suspended from representing Nigeria after pulling out of a recent African Nations Cup qualifier.The 20-year-old, who moved to Stamford Bridge a year ago, pulled out of the African Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda three weeks ago citing a hamstring injury.

Chelsea confirmed the player was undergoing treatment in London in a letter to the Nigerian Football Association but failed to release him for independent assessment by Nigeria's doctors.

NFA spokesman Ademola Olajire said on the BBC's website: "Mikel's gross act of indiscipline and lack of commitment towards national call-ups is totally unacceptable.

"Since Mikel prefers his club over his country, we can only wish him the best of luck."

This will be good news for Chelsea when January and the African Nations Cup rolls around.  They are sure to be without Drogba and Essien and will be able to use Mikel, especially if he continues to improve his play as he did towards the end of last season.

But what is it about the Super Eagles?  From Kanu to Okocha (I'm sure there are more examples) they seem to have a hard time convincing star players to commit to the national side.

Martins Shock For Big Sam

Do the kids still say "mad hops"?

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins reportedly has a £13million get-out clause in his contract.

The Nigerian striker signed for the Magpies just last summer for £10million, but new boss Sam Allardyce was shocked to discover a similar clause in Martins' contract to that of strike partner Michael Owen, according to The Evening Chronicle.

Owen could quit the club if someone offers £9million for his services, leaving Allardyce in the nightmare position of not knowing if his top two strikers will be at the club for the beginning of next season.

Martins recently said he was happy at Newcastle, but the north-east newspaper claims Arsenal will make a move if they lose Thierry Henry.

I don't know about Oba to Arsenal, but I'm still pushing for Big Sam to utilize his 4-3-3 with Duff, Viduka, and Milner.

Now HERE is some summer gossip worth reporting on...

Adding insult to injury? US Women's National Team defender, occasional ESPN commentator, and all-around hottie Heather Mitts is apparently single again after she and long-standing boyfriend AJ Feeley (back-up quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles) broke up.

For those of you wondering why this is newsworthy, I'd guess the picture to your right should be sufficient evidence. If not, well, maybe it's time to get your pulse checked.

Oh to be the physical therapist in charge of her rehab from ACL surgery.

One final thought, if the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce wants to attract visitors to the city this summer, maybe they should ensure that this story gets posted in as many magazines, newspapers, and websites as possible along with a schedule of appearances by Ms. Mitts. Just a thought. Certainly beats a day standing in line to see the Liberty Bell.

Early Bandwagoneering

Gary McSheffrey

2006/07 Statistics
TEAM	COMPETITION	GS	SB	G	A	SH	SG	FC	FS	YC	RC
Coventry	English League Championship	3	0	1	0	5	3	2	5	0	0
Birmingham	English League Championship	40	0	13	18	127	51	87	70	6	1

Frank Lampard

2006/07 Statistics
TEAM	COMPETITION	GS	SB	G	A	SH	SG	FC	FS	YC	RC
Chelsea	English Premier League	36	1	11	10	140	62	23	45	3	0

Not too dissimilar. Certainly not enough that McSheffrey won't look at bargain at 6 units/pounds/dollars/linden. The number of fouls (given and drawn) and the resultant cards are a worry. But perhaps that is just the nature of the Championship, aspposed to the less rough-and-tumble Premiership.

Aliadiere joins Middlesbrough

"'Who are two players who won't be at Arsenal next season?' Alex."

Jeremie Aliadiere has joined Middlesbrough from Arsenal on a three-year deal for £1.5 million, according to his agent.

The 24-year old former France Under-21 striker had been linked with a move to the Riverside since the January transfer window of 2007, with a proposed move vetoed by Arsene Wenger due to injuries suffered by fellow Arsenal strikers Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.

But, following Mark Viduka's departure to Newcastle and the release of squad players Massimo Maccarone and Malcolm Christie, Boro boss Gareth Southgate has moved to reinforce the striking ranks in Teesside with the player,who will partner Yakubu Aiyegbeni and, if the transfer is completed as proposed, Turkey star Tuncay.

This was only a matter of time. Arsenal needed to unload Aliadiere who hasn't proved that he can score with any regularity at any level -- be it the top level of English or Scottish football, or the lower competion of the Championship and the Carling Cup. Assuming everyone else gets healthy and stays at Arsenal, you have a selection of Henry, van Persie, K2, and Bendtner. The last more successful at Birmingham than Aliadiere ever was at Wolves.

On the other end of the deal, it's not quite clear what Boro are doing. Should the rumours pan out, they're looking at a choice amongst Beattie (big, lumbering, and 2-years removed from any semblance of form), Smith (small, lumbering, and 2-years removed from any semblance of form), Tuncay (an unknown, untried in the Premiership), and Aliadiere who has yet to impress at any level.

No Yak. No BFMV. No creativity in midfield. Another year-long series of poor deliveries from the left flank as their only plan. I would expect to see Boro, along with Fulham, Wigan, Bolton, and Derby mired at the bottom of the table next season.

Royals sweating over duo's fitness

Reading have confirmed that defender Ibrahima Sonko will miss the start of the new season, while goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann remains doubtful. Sonko is making good progress after an operation to reconstruct a cruciate ligament in his right knee, but is not expected to be ready for first-team action until the end of August at the earliest.

The new season kicks-off on August 11 with the Royals facing Manchester United and Chelsea in their first two games.

Hahnemann broke his right hand during the final game of last season at Blackburn. He had 18 screws and two pins inserted into the hand during surgery in the United States last month.

With that opening schedule, Reading won't get a look from most fantasy managers. But something of which to be aware.

Is it time to sell?

I wrote Wednesday about what I thought the reality behind the Henry-to-Barca rumors was. I decided today to follow that up with what I thought Arsenal SHOULD do.

So, here are the facts...

1. Arsenal have not gained ground on ManYoo and Chelsea so far this summer - in fact, they've lost ground on both.
2. Arsenal's most likely high-profile transfer target - Ribery - has already made his way to Bayern Munich.
3. Henry has been a constant distraction over the last 15 months or so with his constant whinging about how much he admires this club or that club.
4. Henry is going to turn 30 about the time the new season begins (August 17).
5. Henry only managed 16 starts in the Premier League last campaign.
6. Henry's goal against ManYoo on January 21st was his only goal against a team that qualified for European competition next season.
7. The "Young Gunners" are probably another year away from being the core of a team that contends for a Premier League or Champions League title
8. The recent "high profile" acquisitions - that's you Rosicky and Hleb - aren't doing the job and don't really seem to fit the system.

Looking at the above facts - I am forced to only one conclusion. Henry and the current crop of Young Gunners aren't going to win a Premier League or Champions League title together. If the goal is to WIN stuff - then it's time to sell Henry before he loses his value. Maybe it will prove to be a year early but better than being a year late. If the goal is to maintain a Champions League spot, manage to get to the knock-out phases of the Champions League and make a graceful, late round exit from the FA Cup then they should by all means keep Henry.

Strikers whose game is based primarily on speed like Henry generally decline rapidly the second their bodies start to betray them. Henry isn't reliant ONLY on his speed but it is the thing that sets his skills apart from guys like Berbatov who are deft and skilled but not blindingly fast. Henry certainly isn't going to get better in his 30s, the question is how quickly will he degrade?

I have to admit, the first thing that struck me this morning as I was reading the gossip columns (a favorite passtime of mine) was that selling Henry to Barca and spending some of the money on David Villa, Fernando Torres, or Darren Bent would make a LOT of sense. None of them are likely to adequately replace the Henry of the early 2000s but guess what, the current edition of Henry isn't likely to do that either. The aforementioned gentlemen have proven to be high class finishers as well as being young and in possession of a little thing I like to call upside.

You could easily see them quickly growing with Hoyte, Clichy, Djourou, Toure, Eboue (as a right wing), Fabregas, Diaby, Walcott (as a left wing), van Persie, and Adebayor to form the core of a squad that has a great chance to challenge for actual honors in 2008-2009. Throw in one or two more strategic acquisitions and the maturation of guys like Denilson and Bendtner and you might really have something.

To stand pat is to maximize the number of points the club will achieve this coming year but it will ultimately minimize the chances that Arsenal will regain a spot atop the Premier League standings.

The only reason I'm holding out hope that all of the above is wrong is that there is a small chance that the only reason that Henry was so ineffective last season was due to being over-worked between Arsenal's heavy 2005-06 schedule followed by the World Cup over the summer. If a summer off has rejuvinated the Frenchman, then maybe Arsenal can challenge ManYoo and Chelsea but unless Arsenal management is certain that is the case, they should serious think about divesting themselves of Henry now before that particular asset has lost its value.