Friday’s Transfer Rumblings

By Brian Lofrumento | 10th July 2009

Friday's Transfer Rumblings | read this item

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zlatan-ibrahimovic It’s the end of the week, but the rumors don’t stop. Here are some of the whispers making their way around the football world:

Ribery to… Liverpool!?

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has been linked with just about everyone this summer, but the one team he hasn’t been mentioned in the same sentence with is Liverpool. Now, though, a move appears to be on the cards, as leading sports betting company Skybet has slashed the odds on Ribery moving to Liverpool.

Skybet is the same company that slashed their odds last week the day before Michael Owen signed for Manchester United, and it turns out they were spot on. The odds on a Ribery move to Liverpool was as high as 66/1 this week, but they’ve been cut to just 8/13 overnight.

“Every price we have put up has been taken on Ribery moving to Liverpool, which has left us stumped as in recent weeks he has been liked with every other club but the Reds!” Skybet’s Dale Tempest said.

“After seeing money for him to join Man United and Real Madrid at the same time that Bayern Munich say he’s going nowhere, we’ve now seen a flood of bets on him to join Liverpool.

“8/13 may seem a very short price but after the losses we made last week on Michael Owen, who was gambled down from 20/1 to move to Manchester United, we are taking no chances.”

Stranger things have happened…

BBC’s coverage of a new signing. Cantona-like press conference!

Manchester United to sign Swedish star

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to clinch his first major signing of the summer as he lines up a bid for Inter Milan’s striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Fergie is building the reigning Premier League champions around Wayne Rooney now that Cristiano Ronaldo is gone, and he believes Zlatan is the perfect strike partner to unleash Rooney. Fergie has always said that he wants a solid core of four strikers, and Ibrahimovic would complete the current trio of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, and Michael Owen.

Inter Milan have been asking for £35 million for the talismanic Swede, but United’s valuation of £30 million could just be enough to convince Inter to sell.

David Villa signs for Barcelona

Barcelona are finally set to clinch their first summer signing, and it’s the man they’ve been waiting for. All signs indicate that Barca have agreed a deal with Valencia, and Spain’s star striker will join the treble winners in time for preseason. This means that…

Eto’o is finally free to go

Villa’s imminent arrival at Camp Nou will free up Samuel Eto’o to complete a move to either Manchester City or Manchester United. City have been the front runners throughout the chase for the man from Cameroon, but the red half of Manchester is his favored destination.

From Holland to Germany with a touch of Klass

Klass Jan Huntelaar has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs since his Real Madrid dream has been spoiled, but it appears his future could finally be decided. Reports in Spain suggest that the “new Ruud” is on his way to Germany, with Stuttgart his destination.

The Bundesliga side have formalled lodged a €20 million bid, and Real have promptly accepted. Bundesliga fans – expect some goals out of this young man.

Stay tuned to Premiership Talk for all of the transfer news and rumors.