Transfer Clockwatch
Monday February 18
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DONE DEAL! Motherwell have signed former Everton and Scotland striker James McFadden until the end of the season.
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Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels has denied lying when he claimed Ipswich were interested in goalkeeper Cammy Bell.
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More huge news on the managerial merry-go-round now as Paolo Di Canio has resigned as boss of League One club Swindon Town. More to follow...
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Rangers have signed second-choice goalkeeper Scott Gallacher on a two-year contract extension.
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Liverpool have confirmed full-back Jack Robinson will spend the rest of the season on loan at Wolves.
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Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has leapt to the defence of Arsene Wenger, labelling the recent criticism of his Arsenal counterpart as unfair.
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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has dampened fans' expectations of signing James McFadden - but says he will talk to him later in the week.
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A quicky from Mickey. who writes: "Just a quick one; I thought the funniest thing I saw all weekend was Paul Merson and Charlie Nicholas' faces on Saturday afternoon sports programme after Arsenal got dumped out of the FA cup by lower league Blackburn. Totally priceless! One other update, young Jack Robinson of LFC has gone out on loan to Wolves as of today, hopefully he wont swear so much at his senior players!"
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As one manager gets appointed. another gets appointed straight after! Preston have confirmed Simon Grayson as their new manager.
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Get those details on the Ince appointment.
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Heartwarming stuff now from Jay, who writes: "A little addition to the Baros update earlier, he has indeed joined Banik and will earn about 20,000kc a month (about 700 quid). Obviously he doesn't really need the money but nonetheless he is donating this to the local children around Banik. He was always a bit of a headless chicken but he did help us win number 5 and will be always be remembered for that. I think this donation is a lovely touch."
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Breaking news: Blackpool have named Paul Ince as their new manager on a one-year rolling contract. More to follow...
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Afternoon folks. Some big news from Spain greets my arrival as Celta Vigo have sacked coach Paco Herrera and named Abel Resino as his replacement.
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That ends my time in the TC today. E-mails now to jack.woodfield@bskyb.com.
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Enjoy this video of David Bentley talking about his return to Blackburn.
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Cheers to Red Ken for the heads up that Wolves are set to sign Liverpool's Jack Robinson on loan.
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And why not check out this video of Arsene Wenger talking to the press.
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Read the full story on the comments from Arsene Wenger to the press today.
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Good to hear from Jamie B as he writes: "Good afternoon Nick and just a couple of things I thought of mentioning. On Arsenal's crunch match in the CL, I'm wondering how the German influence of Podolski (ex-BM) and Mertesacker will help them get something from the match. Then secondly, I'm guessing it's a tough call for AW: 'throw' the CL this season to concentrate on getting fourth place in the PL and therefore a place in CL next year guaranteed or all-out for CL this time around a la Chelsea? I can't see history repeating itself with another Chelsea-style hi-jacking of the CL so I'm thinking Arsenal should concentrate on ensuring a fourth place spot in the PL. From the fixtures to come the trip to Spurs on March 3 (and United in the fourth-last fixture in the campaign) could define their season even though the latter have a potentially harder looking run-in with Chelsea and City still to come as well as Everton otherwise both have no other top sides to face-up to." Let us know what you think about Arsenal's crunch clash tomorrow at nick.hext@sportinglife.com.
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Some news now that could be of interest in the summer as Isco, who has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City, admits he would leave Malaga if the club needed to sell him.
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Some breaking news to bring you and, has been suggested in the papers, Sky Sports understand Simon Grayson is set to be confirmed as the new Preston manager.
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We've read quite a few stories like this before as Barcelona defender Dani Alves tells Brazil team-mate Neymar to join him at the Nou Camp.
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Rich Lynn asks: "What's Sturridge going to do to help Suarez exactly? Drive over RVP's left foot one day after training?"
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Some comments from Arsene Wenger are coming through as he says reports he is in line for a contract extension at Arsenal are "completely wrong" and meant "to harm". We will have more on that.
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Noel Madden writes: "Daniel Sturridge is going to do all he can to help Suarez win the golden boot. I would have thought giving Suarez the penalty at 4-0 up might have been a good way to help him!! #ironic"
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As betting specials on tomorrow night's big Champions League game between Arsenal and Bayern Munich begin to go up, here's one that is worth looking at. With Arsenal admittedly drawing inspiration from Chelsea's European run of last season - the Blues won the Champions League despite struggling domestically - the chance of Tottenham finishing fourth in the Premier League and not qualifying for UEFA's elite competition is again there. Sky Bet now offer 60/1 about a repeat. For it to happen Arsenal would need to win the Champions League, finish outside the top four in the Premier League and Tottenham would need to finish fourth. Another special from the firm is available via their social-media outlets and sees Theo Walcott and Arjen Robben priced up at 16/1 both to find the net tomorrow night at the Emirates. Check out their Facebook and Twitter pages for full details.
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Back to Jay as he writes: "I agree with Ken, my concern when we were rumoured to be buying Sturridge was his attitude and selfish reputation. Now that is either from he just was selfish and has now decided he's running out of chances so has become more of a team player or as Ken said, he was trying to do everything alone and prove himself worthy. Either way I think he has been immense since he joined, he really couldn't have done much more for us; let's hope it continues and isn't an initial burst. We can't afford nor attract the 'elite' players right now without CL but in a way it could be in our favour with the types of player we can attract. We are now shopping in the 'Not given a chance' shop, the likes of Sturridge, Coutinho who are talented players but at high profile clubs and not getting games. The players that do join us are joining because they want to play, to show their worth, not just joining for money. There must be quite a few like this at clubs such as Barca, Real, even City (Sinclair springs to mind), we aren't paying 100K a week anymore to squad players so we will hopefully build a hungry squad, not a team of mercenaries. Every cloud and all that......"
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Werder Bremen striker Marko Arnautovic has turned down a lucrative offer from Dynamo Kiev, according to his brother and agent, Danijel Arnautovic.
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Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has laughed off speculation linking coach Jupp Heynckes with Schalke in the summer.
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Good to hear from Red Ken as he writes: "It is amazing how a player can get a reputation with one club, and then acts totally differently at another club. When Sturridge joined Liverpool a lot of the Chelsea fans said he was selfish, almost arrogant, and we would regret signing him. Have to say that since his arrival he has appeared to be a 'team player', who works well with those around him. It was noticeable yesterday that Stevie G happily 'gave him' the second penalty, and today he has come out and said he aims to help Suarez win the golden boot. I reckon his 'selfishness' at Chelsea could have had more to do with his limited opportunities with the club. When he got onto the pitch he was trying to do it on his own to get a starting position. Football is a strange game, Torres cost Chelsea a fortune, and can't hit a barn door, whilst Sturridge was remarkably cheap, and can't stop scoring. Who got the best deal?" I would agree Sturridge is going to be a cracking signing as can be seen by clicking on this link.
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And news of a former Liverpool striker as Milan Baros returns to Banik Ostrava, the club where he started his career.
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A Liverpool story now as Daniel Sturridge says he is keen to help his fellow Reds striker Luis Suarez secure this season's Premier League Golden Boot.
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Also check out our Manchester United v Reading betting preview from Ben Coley.
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Manchester United v Reading is tonight's main match and why not see what Dale Tempest of Sky Bet predicts in this video preview.
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Motherwell boss Stuart McCall does not expect there to be any problems as he prepares to sign an extension to his contract.
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Rich Lynn writes: "Ah, it must be Monday morning....So Liverpool beat Swansea reserves and therefore are guaranteed to come top 4 and Buck is doing a fantastic job. Arsenal lose so Wenger is out. See you again next Monday when Liverpool have probably lost and Buck is useless and Arsenal have won and Wenger is a genius. I personally wish all this Wenger bashing would stop - think he's doing a fantastic job :). Wonder if he can get to double figures without a trophy. Looking likely. As for Wilshere drawing inspiration from Chelsea, not really sure myself. Chelsea had a defence and a centre forward. On to tonight - are we all expecting another goal fest??"
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Take a look at Craig Chisnall's midweek Football League betting preview. Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week
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Arsenal fans can enjoy reading what Jack Wilshere has to say ahead of the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
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Paul Grounds writes: "After the weekend's results, thought I might ask Brad and the rest of the TC crew how long he thinks Arsene has left at AFC? I guess they will probably give him the season (though defeat to Bayern Munich might be the end?) Not really worked out for him over the last few seasons from a trophy perspective has it? Not too sure about a few of his signings really (Squillaci, Gervinho, few others maybe). I am sure that the top two and the major European powers are happy with him being where he is, as Arsenal are of course no threat to the big trophies on an annual basis, but surely he can't have long left? If this looks suspiciously like Brad's post of Friday morning, but with a few words changed around, it isn't a coincidence. It just goes to show how this game we all follow can throw up a surprise when you least expect it or want it to! Personally I think it is time Arsenal had a change, as I would hate to see them having to rely on the club's history in a few years' time, remembering with great fondness the Invincibles and wondering where it all went wrong."
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Jay gives his take on Liverpool's win yesterday: "Well I'll start with my lot, yes a weakened Swansea team but I suppose you can only beat what's in front of you. It was 5-0, should have been 10 at least in all honestly. A conversion rate of 3 out of 33 in play shots is hardly great is it but we've finally removed the 'Not beaten a top half team' tag so finally that won't have to be mentioned anymore. If we had Coutinho and Sturridge available for Zenit I'd fancy our chances, without them and just Suarez up front I am a lot less confident. Same for Borini as well, out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder. I think Borini is Italian for unlucky! (Refs please take note, he was genuinely injured and stayed still, didn't do 20 rolls, remember this when the next player leaps in the air and somersaults 12 times)."
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John Parry gets the e-mails started in the TC: "Great result for the Reds yesterday, against the rather average looking Swansea (with Williams and Michu missing), I have to say I wouldn't be too angry to sign Williams in the summer.... could have been a lot more too, with 35 attempts on target. Coutinho looks like a potentially solid little player, Perhaps the next Pablo Aimar (baby faced assassin ), Suarez was great again, even Lucas looked like a half decent player, in fact they were all good on the day, especially Henderson who had another solid Premier League appearance. I still think we are where we will finish, and a big summer ahead. And a personally mahoosive well done to Oldham, what a little squad of players, dogged in every way, I hope they get the win they deserve at Goodison, at least they won't have to meet Arsenal in the next round ;)" Thoughts to nick.hext@sportinglife.com.
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Phil Jagielka admits Everton's players are powerless to have any influence over David Moyes and his future.
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Read some comments from Arsene Wenger after Arsenal's surprise defeat to Blackburn.
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Now enjoy a read of the Monday morning Paper Talk.
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We end our quick look back with the news Christian Benteke's agent won't rule out a summer move from Aston Villa. We all expected that.
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Also look out for Paul Ince as he is set to be named as the new Blackpool boss today.
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In stories from yesterday, Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez and captain John Terry insisted their relationship is sound after the 4-0 win over Brentford and Brendan Rodgers is confident his top players are happy at Liverpool despite speculation surrounding their futures.
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Why not get up to date with the FA Cup action, the draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Liverpool's 5-0 win over Swansea in the weekend's only Premier League match.
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Hello and welcome to another week in the Transfer Centre. I will bring you up to date with a few bits and bobs from the last couple of days very soon but you can start by getting e-mails sent to nick.hext@sportinglife.com.
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