World Football: Aston Villa, Arsenal and the Latest News in Transfer Rumors
The transfer market jumped up a notch today, with several rumors coming to fruition.
After months of wondering what was going to happen, some answers are coming in, which means more clubs can react to what players they missed out on and what players opponents picked up.
Arsenal continues to be right in the middle of several rumors but Aston Villa and Liverpool are busy as well.
Here are 10 of the latest transfer rumors circulating.
Aston Villa Signs Darren Bent: What's Sunderland's Next Move?
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Aston Villa has completed the signing of former Sunderland striker Darren Bent to help it avoid relegation.
Bent has 12 goals in 24 appearances this season for Sunderland. His pace and goal-scoring should add some spice to Aston Villa's lagging attack, which has only scored 24 goals in the Premier League this season.
Now that Sunderland has given up a top striker, rumor is it is already looking for a replacement. Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko is the supposed target. He's scored five goals for Spurs this year.
Manchester United and Chelsea Both After Alexis Sanchez
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Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez has drawn plenty of interest from Premier League teams lately. At first, it looked like Manchester United was the leading team to get him.
But now it looks like Chelsea has thrown its hat into the ring. Both teams would like to have the 22-year-old's talents in its dressing room.
Inter Milan was in talks with Udinese but the Italian clubs are no longer discussing it.
Aston Villa's Richard Dunne Linked To Arsenal
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Arsenal has been looking for some help for its back line ever since the transfer window opened this month. The current group has performed well, but with Thomas Vermaelen still out due to injury, the London club is looking for a center back.
Arsene Wenger has reiterated that he's happy with his back line's quality, which is part of the reason he's turned down so many offers. It's apparently going to take quite the player to convince him to make a move.
Luis Suarez Rumored to Be Headed To Liverpool
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New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has insisted he has plans to turn around the Reds' dismal season. Landing Luis Suarez would be a significant signing.
Rumor is that Liverpool is close to working things out with Ajax to do just that. Liverpool's Fernando Torres looks like he has his form back lately, so adding Suarez could create a very dangerous combination up front.
Gerard Houllier: Young and Downing Not For Sale
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Aston Villa midfielders Ashley Young and Stewart Downing have been the subject of transfer rumors lately. Villa manager Gerard Houllier set out to squash them today, stating neither is for sale.
Downing and Young are Villa's two leading shot-takers this season with 57 and 40, respectively. It's only come, however, with eight combined goals. But the addition of Darren Bent might be what these two needed to take the attack pressure off of them.
Steven Pienaar Lands With Tottenham: Beckham Next?
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The long-awaited transfer of former Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar finally went through as Pienaar made his way to Tottenham. But is Hotspur done crafting its midfield?
Rumor is that David Beckham would be interested in leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy to play for Spurs. He was in attendance to watch Tottenham play Manchester United Sunday.
John Carew Rumored in Transfer To West Brom
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Striker John Carew could be on his way out of Aston Villa after all. A loan deal between Villa and West Bromvich Albion was reportedly in place before Villa striker Emile Heskey earned a three-game suspension.
With Heskey nearly back and Villa signing Darren Bent, loan talks with Albion have been resurrected.
Liverpool Reaches Deal to Transfer Ryan Babel
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Ryan Babel is reportedly headed from Liverpool to Bundesliga club Hoffenheim. Babel didn't get much run with a struggling Liverpool club, only playing in nine matches this season. The winger was suspected to be ready for a change.
Liverpool reportedly received £5.9 million from Hoffenheim. It will be interesting if the Reds decide to reinvest that money in new talent.
Liverpool Linked To Mark Van Bommel
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Mark Van Bommel's role with Bundesliga power Bayern Munich has lessened this season and it may end in the holding midfielder's moving on.
Liverpool is reportedly looking into acquiring Van Bommel. The Reds are looking into all kinds of changes in the midst of a terribly disappointing campaign and the wake of a change in managers.
Andrei Arshavin Rumors Have Cooled Off
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Andrei Arshavin has been at odds with Arsenal supporters all season long due to his lack of goal-scoring. He only has four on the season.
But manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that he's not shipping anyone out. And it finally looks like that may actually be the case. Despite rumors of Arshavin going just about anywhere, he continues to remain with the Gunners.
