Transfer Updates - Arsenal and Spurs target Phil Jagielka, Javier Mashcerano talks to Roy Hodgson
The race to sign player in the Premier League continues as clubs try to outbid one another. Arsenal are reportedly trying to get their hands on the Everton defender Phil Jagielka. Now they will be facing stiff competition from the city rivals Tottenham who are also believed to be interested in adding the defender to their squad.
According to a British newspaper Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was persuaded by his defensive duo of Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King to sign Jagielka.
Tottenham were on tour to the United States and finished the tour with a 2-2 draw against Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon. Manager Redknapp who recently signed a contract extension said that he will want to add at least 2 more players to his squad before the start of the season.
Arsenal are believed to be lining up a 15 million pounds bid for the Everton defender, but Everton manager David Moyes is persistent that he is not considering any bids for now.
Tottenham in their last match of the pre season tour scored first; Robbie Keane was the man on target in the first half. Lisbon did hit back and scored just before and after the break. Tottenham were put on level terms by Jon Obika’s late strike as the match ended 2-2.
Redknapp, in a post match, said that Spurs are a very talented side, and posses some exceptional players. Redknapp in particular praised Pedro Mendes who had been part of Spurs for a while. Harry added that it was a very productive tour for his team and they did get a chance to have some good time on the pitch ahead of the hectic season.
The Spurs will for the very first time be playing in the Champions League. Redknapp joined Spurs when they were on the verge of relegation and turned their fortunes around. Spurs managed 4th spot in the league for the first time, which the manager believes will help lure in big names from Europe.
Redknapp said that he always enjoys coming to USA and it is a great place to come and play. Harry added that he can see that football in States is growing with time. He went on to say that various big names from Europe who may have never considered MLS in the past have started joining clubs in America; like David Beckham and Thierry Henry so he has no doubts that in due time Major League Soccer will also be reckoned as one of the biggest leagues in the world.
In other news from Premier League, the Argentine defender at Liverpool Javier Mascherano is believed to have met manager Roy Hodgson. There was some speculation regarding his future. The Argentine had said that he would go back and talk to the manager to discuss his plans.
The midfielder was part of the Argentina team that did not get to the semi finals of the World Cup, and were outclassed by a resilient German side; Germany beat Argentina 4-0 in the quarter final of the World Cup. He joined back with his club mates after the extended Holidays following the World Cup, Argentine team mate Maxi Rodriguez also came back with him to Anfield.
There was immense speculation after the World Cup that Mascherano wanted to join his former manager, Rafael Benitez, who brought him to Liverpool. Benitez has now moved to Inter Milan and was rumoured to be making his move to sign the Argentine midfielder. Liverpool’s new manager Roy Hodgson had denied such reports and said that he would talk to the player once he gets back from the vacations. The details of the meeting are still not clear but it is believed that Hodgson was able to convince former West Ham player to stay.
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