Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has finally got his man, Roque Santa Cruz from former club Blackburn Rovers. Hughes of course had bought the Paraguayan to Blackburn from Bayern Munich two years ago.
Cruz was an immediate hit at Rovers, scoring 23 goals in his first season in the Premier League although an injury hit Cruz could only manage six goals during last season. No fee has been confirmed although it is believed the player has a buy-out clause in his Rovers contract of £18million, he was contracted to Rovers until 2012.
Former Chelsea player Glen Johnson has snubbed the chance to return to the club from Portsmouth and chosen ‘big four’ rivals Liverpool instead. Portsmouth have accepted a fee of £17.5million for Johnson who has become a fan’s favourite after joining from Chelsea in 2007 for just £4million. A nice bit of business from Pompey.
And finally Michael Owen will quit relegated Newcastle when his contract ends at the end of June. He will be looking for offers from Premiership clubs or top European teams. Owen will be available on a free transfer although he will want paying a salary. Great opportunity for a pay-as-you-play option.
3 comments so far
1 Wolves // Jun 24, 2009 at 5:18 pm
This was a saga that was only ever going to end with him moving to City. They always had pockets deep enough to pay whatever they needed to so it was just a question of timing.
I think he’ll be a good signing for them but that now means they’ve got something like 9 or 10 strikers.
They’ll need to offload at least a couple of those.
2 Paul (No1Fan) // Jun 25, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Yes it looks like Owen is going. Michael and his people are so desperate to get away from the north east they have printed this 32 page glossy brochure that points out he can play football (at least for another few years says his doctor) and might also bring in other revenue. It’s a shocking insight in to how players are trying to sell themselves.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1194209/MICHAEL-OWEN-BROCHURE-The-complete-32-page-agents-dossier-fallen-Newcastle-star-England-striker.html
What next, David James taking ads out in the jobs wanted pages? David Villa on e bay?
3 bookmakers // Jun 30, 2009 at 4:42 am
Owen will likely join hull if he gets lucky