On this day in 79AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted. Today the Transfer Window is also erupting – with juicy transfer gossip.
By Conor Hogan
You probably saw Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool yesterday. What you didn’t see was Javier Mascherano. Why? Because the Argentinean had gone AWOL. Where was he gone? We don’t know, he could have been at the cinema. We’ve heard great things about Marmaduke at JOE.
The film is about the world’s most loveable CGI great Dane, who manages to wreak havoc in his own oblivious way. We’d imagine it might be right up Javier Mascherano’s alley. It stars Owen Wilson as the voice of Marmaduke. It also features the voices of Fergie, George Lopez, Emma Stone and Kiefer Sutherland.  You know Fergie? She’s in that band, the Black Eyed Peas. Their lyrics are really inspirational. Like that Ladylumps song, or that I gotta feeling song that isn’t overplayed at all.
But where Mascherano was while the match was going on isn’t really significant.  The important question is ‘why did he go AWOL?’ The answer is simple – he doesn’t want to play for the Anfield club anymore. Barcelona had a pretty pathetic £12million bid for the defensive midfielder rejected yesterday, with Liverpool wanting closer to £24million. Barca are going to see if they can throw in Alexander Hleb to maybe sweeten the deal a little.
That’s very Goodison
Today is a significant day in the history of Everton FC. It is the 118th anniversary of the opening of Goodison Park. At the moment, manager David Moyes is looking desperately for players to put in it, and his attempts to sign Rennes Asamoah Gyan have been rebuffed. He has turned to freakishly tall Tottenham striker Peter Crouch, who is also a target for Stoke. ‘Arry Redknapp has given no indication that he’d be willing to sell Crouch, though he is apparently interested in Everton’s Steven Pienaar, so a swap deal has been muted.
On this day in 1902, a statue of Joan of Arc was unveiled in France. Also set to be unveiled in France, 108 years later, is Yoann Gourcuff, who is set join Lyon in a £22million deal. Someone who might be leaving that country, however, is 25-year-old Lille right-back Matthew Debuchy, who is valued at £2.5million. Liverpool want him. Another Liverpool target, Juventus’ David Trezeguet could end up moving to AC Milan.
Steve Bruce and Sunderland are ‘chasing’ West Ham’s Carlton Cole, but I get the impression he isn’t running very hard and actually wants to get caught. Cole isn’t the only man who could depart from Upton Park. Alessandro Diamanti is almost certain to join newly promoted Serie A side Brescia Calcio. Fulham have confirmed the signing of Algerian defender Rafik Halliche from Benfica for £2.5million.
SPL in a bucket
One of the most interesting moves in Scotland today involves Hamilton Academicals. They have completed the signing of Hasselbaink on a free transfer. Not Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who is well and truly retired, but his nephew Nigel Hasselbaink. The 20-year old has been on trial with the Accies after being released from PSV Eindhoven. Hamilton’s chairman is Ronald McDonald.
Not that Ronald McDonald
Celtic have signed 6ft 7 goalkeeper Fraser Forster on loan from Newcastle United. Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen is considering offering trialists Cedric Roussel and Basile Camerling contracts.
For more transfer rumours; click here.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
