FOOTBALL: MORE TRANSFER MATTERS

Robinho
Yes, Adriano has always been mentioned as Brazil's next big thing but prodigies don't come by everyday. To me, Adriano is not really that skillful because he seems to be relying too much on his strength and speed rather than techniques. Football genius is a rare thing and Robinho seems to be the next big thing after Pele. He could be a bigger star for this generation of Brazilian talented stars of Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka. The amount of praises I heard about him this season is scaring me.

This player to me will bring all glory to any European club that is able to get his signature. Whoever is able to sign him up will bring trouble to the entire league and Europe opponents! Arsenal are the latest to be linked with him and thus a chance to play with Henry is definitely the main attraction to him. If that is realized, the attacking partnership will totally be damn scary and it will bring shivers down any defensive line on earth. It will confirm wrecking havoc to the opposition goal.

Henry
Barcelona have been buying players trigger happy. There seem to be hints here and there that Henry is wanted in Barcelona and I can feel it in my bones that something is done now to get him to be there next season. The talks of Ronaldinho and Guily is not making me any calmer. Henry had in the past shown his affection to Arsenal, his loyalty to Arsene Wenger and always seem to be the very last person in Arsenal to ever leave. Now? I am not sure, but as a great striker, it will not be surprising that he is always being linked with transfer rumours season after season. If for any reasons, Barcelona do succeed to get his services, Real Madrid will have another torrid trophyless season for sure.

Pires
Inter Milan seem to be interested in Pires. The Frenchman is under contract at Highbury until the end of next season. Pires had not really performed well during the FA Cup final. Roberto Mancini is a keen admirer of Pires, who has not been too impressed with the way talks over a new Gunners deal have progressed. The 31-year-old wants a fresh two-year deal at Highbury but the club would prefer to offer him just a 12-month extension. Reports in the Italian media suggest that Inter will try and test Pires' desire to stay in North London with an attractive offer to move to Serie A.

However, Pires is not the only option for Mancini, as he is also eyeing Valencia's Stefano Fiore and Rodrigo Taddei from Siena. Inter already have tonnes of famous players in their squad. They are just like Barcelona, buying players like there is no tomorrow. I envy such clubs.

Benitez
Since Liverpool won the Champions League, there has been Liverpool jerseys around the street very often nowadays. Yes, many Liverpool fans suddenly appear all over the place. It seems that it is the only jersey that is worn the biggest amount in Singapore now. Benitez, the God that Liverpool fans worship now has been linked with Real Madrid. I was thinking inside me that as long as Perez keeps on changing coaches in short durations, Real Madrid will remain chaotic and producing poor results. As for now, Benitez has been denying any possibilities of him leaving Liverpool with the big contigent of Spanish players he brought over.

Bellamy
This trouble making striker seems to be still uncertain of his destination next season. Wherever it is, it is unlikely to be to Newcastle. Celtic are eager to get him, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers too. However, it seems that Birmingham are the most interested party right now. Of course, the only problem now is the agreement of the transfer fee between Newcastle with any clubs that want to sign him. It will be interesting to see him in the EPL again next season, especially when he will be facing Newcastle United. I'm sure he wants to put hattricks of goals behind Newcastle's net.

Given
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will make signing a new goalkeeper a priority this summer after Roy Carroll and Ricardo were both released on Friday. It was a big surprise news to me, especially Carroll. With Tim Howard the only senior goalkeeper now at the club after he signed a two-year extension last week, the Old Trafford boss will be looking at options to get a new goalie. This is where Given comes in. He has been one of those regular players for Newcastle and I don't know the outcome until Newcastle say something about this matter.

Cudicini
Everton seem to be interested to get Chelsea players who are not in the starting eleven with Carlo Cudicini as the latest target. Scott Parker and Mikael Forssell have already been on the Toffees' wishlist. Cudicini did not play much last season due to the form of Petr Cech, but I never remember hearing him complaining at Stamford Bridge. However, Everton could be hoping to lure him to Goodison Park and Champions League football. Everton's first choice keeper Nigel Martyn will be 39 this year and may retire very soon.

Essien
Mickael Essien's agent claims Chelsea are leading the race to sign the Lyon midfielder after Real Madrid dropped out of the running. I have never heard of the Ghanaian player but I heard he is very impressive this season for Lyon to clinch their fourth successive Ligue 1 title. The regulations limiting the number of non-EU players Primera Liga clubs can field have dissuaded Madrid.

Madrid are thought to have earmarked central midfield as one of the areas they have to strengthen this summer. They signed Thomas Gravesen from Everton in January but a big-name arrival is expected with Patrick Vieira and Steven Gerrard also mentioned as possible targets for the Bernabeu club. To me, both of them are highly unlikely going to leave their respective clubs so stop dreaming. Get someone who is more realistic.

Baros
Even after winning the Champions League, Milan Baros seemed to be very realistic of his chances in the starting eleven for next season. He knows there are Morientes, Cisse, Le Tellec, Diouf (maybe), Pongolle and Mellow as some of the contenders of his place in Liverpool. Although we heard of Bolton wanting to sign Diouf after making a great impact at the Reeobk Stadium this season by securing the UEFA Cup football for them for the next season. Right now, it seems that if he is going to leave Liverpool, it will be to Valencia. Although I heard Fiorentina are interested to get him as well.

Saviola, Riquelme, Gerard
Saviola was a very promising talent signed by Barcelona few years ago. Now, it seems that Barcelona want to offload him as coach Frank Rijkaard does not see Saviola to fit into his plans. Riquelme is also certainly to be shown the exit door as well even how impressive he is this season for Villareal.

Rijkaard wants a 22-man squad for next season and would prefer to trade Saviola and Juan Roman Riquelme as a package if it would help land one of the world's top strikers, which seems to be Henry at the moment. It could also be Robinho. Riquelme has spent two successful seasons on loan at Villarreal, but the Yellow Submarines are unable to sign him permanently due to his wage demands and he is set to return to Camp Nou in June.

If the pair are unable to be offloaded together, then Saviola will be the first to be shown the door with Liverpool, Valencia, Deportivo La Coruna and Atletico Madrid to be possible interest parties. I don't know how well Saviola performed there this season, but I know he was one of those fine strikers when he played for Barcelona.

As for Riquelme, it just reminds me of the fate of Morientes. I remember Riquelme scored a hattrick and beat Barcelona impressively, just like Morientes who helped put Real Madrid out of the Champions League campaign. In the end, Morientes is shown the exit door anyway. For any reasons if Riquelme should be able to fit into Real Madrid's squad, sign him!

Barca have offered Gerard a new deal, but it is thought to be well below the player's expectations and he is now set to leave the club. The deal on offer suggested that Rijkaard sees the midfielder as a back-up player and he is not prepared to accept another season of watching from the sidelines.