Football transfer news

Former Fenerbahce and Getafe attacker Daniel Guiza has completed a loan move to help Malaysian Super League side Johor win the league title.

After previous prolific goalscoring spells, the striker has failed to regularly find the target and first team football with Getafe, which has forced him to go to Asia to try and reignite his form.

Johor, who finished ninth in their division last season, are being dubbed the ‘Man City of Malaysia’ due to the money they are prepared to invest to win a league title.

“I’m really happy to come here as this will be a new and great experience for me,” announced Guiza, speaking to reporters.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about Malaysian football, but I watched videos of the local matches on the internet before coming down here and what I observed was Malaysians appear very passionate about their football.

“I want to help Johor become not only the top team in Malaysia but in Asia aswell,” he said.

Johor FA’s secretary Suhairi Hashim was keen to disclose information on the club’s fresh ambitions, stating that big things are expected in coming seasons.

“We have a massive budget for the team this year to develop football in Johor,” he enthused, speaking to local media.

“For sure, it is one of the biggest soccer deals in the country. We want to win every tournament including the Malaysia Cup and the Super League.

“It is possible with the team we are going to have,” he said.

Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi has dismissed reports linking him with a possible move to Liverpool.

There has been doubt surrounding the future of the Reds’ current first-choice keeper Pepe Reina, and Al-Habsi has been lined up as a potential candidate to replace the Spaniard.

But the 30-year-old, who has impressed for the Latics this season, has reiterated to the clubs’ fans that he is enjoying life at the DW stadium.

“I have said it many times before but I love this football club, I love the fans and I hope to give them much more,” he told the Wigan Evening Post.

“I heard about what was said at the weekend, but that kind of thing is not of any importance to me.

“I am very, very happy at Wigan – as has been the case since I first came here.

“I am doing well, my form is coming on with every game I play, and my confidence is very high.

“All I want to do is concentrate on my job here and to help the team, because there is lots of work to be done.”

Wigan and Liverpool currently occupy 13th and 12th respectively in the Premier League, having both taken 10 points from a possible 30 so far this season.

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

Bartosz Salamon finds himself in the midst of a transfer tug-of-war between AC Milan and Napoli, as the defensive midfielder appears to be on the verge of leaving Brescia.

The youngster, who joined the Lombardian club when he was just 15, came into noticeable form two years ago at Foggia under Zdenek Zeman, now at Roma. But while he is liked by the Czech coach, he sees no reason to sign him.

German side Bayer Leverkusen are also reportedly interested in the Pole, but it is understood that his priority is to stay in Italy, and Brescia president Luigi Corioni has already been informed about his wishes to move on in the near future.

However, Salamon will not come cheap as the Serie B outfit are holding out for a figure of around €5 million. Still, it has not deterred Milan director Ariedo Braida or his Napoli counterpart Riccardo Bigon from registering an interest.

It is also believed that the Rossoneri would play him at centre-back, while the southern Italians hope the 19-year-old follows his Brescia predecessor Marek Hamsik to the San Paolo, where he would take up a place in central midfield.

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Juan Fernando Quintero’s impressive start to life in Italy has seen him court the interest of Juventus, who continue to monitor the Pescara midfielder’s progress.

While the Old Lady have made it known that they are strictly focused on acquiring a striker in the next transfer window, the 19-year-old, currently on loan from Colombian side Atletico Nacional, could yet top their wish-list.

The Scudetto holders believe that, on the basis of his early performances for Pescara, he could be nurtured into Andrea Pirlo’s heir, despite the recent development of fellow central players Luca Marrone and Paul Pogba.

However, they may face competition from Serie A rivals Inter and Napoli. The Partenopei saw a move for Quintero fall through in the summer, while the Nerazzurri president is a known admirer of the Colombian youngster.

Juve have also been following his Pescara team-mate – defender Marco Capuano – so it remains unknown if there could be scope for a potential double-swoop.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel insists that there is no substance to recent speculation linking him with a move to the Reds’ Europa League rivals Anzhi Makhachkala.

The centre-back joined the Merseyside outfit from Zenit St Petersburg in 2008 and has been touted for a return to Russia after the mega-rich Dagestan club supposedly showed an interest.
However, the 27-year-old was keen to bring an end to such rumours, emphasising his happiness at Anfield and citing the deal he struck with his current club in August.

“I just extended my Liverpool contract and I’m very satisfied, so let’s leave it at that,” he told reporters.

Skrtel, who was named as Liverpool’s player of the year at the end of the 2011-12 campaign, is likely to feature when Brendan Rodgers’ side take on Anzhi in Moscow on Thursday.