First For Football

Tottenham have today sold defender Younes Kaboul which would appear to pave the way for Manchester City full-back Vedran Corluka to join the club. It had become pretty clear that Kaboul would indeed leave White Hart Lane this summer after Juande Ramos admitted he was not part of his plans.

The French defender signed a four-year deal this morning at Fratton Park after rejecting a move to both Sunderland and Aston Villa two weeks ago. Now that Spurs have sold Kaboul, City defender Corluka could make his way to North London.

The Croatian international has been linked with a move to Spurs for the past week or so, with reports claiming that he has already passed a medical and signed personal terms at the club.

However, last night City stated that the player would be remaining at Eastlands, which was met with anger from Corluka's agent who said, "Corluka is unhappy at the club and wants to leave City". All a bit confusing if you ask me, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Corluka pulling on a white jersey next season.

Arsenal are preparing an £8 million bid for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson after is was reported that the England under-21 international has rejected a new deal Eastlands. Johnson has progressed through the ranks at the City of Manchester stadium and has proved to be a superb asset for City.

It now appears as though Mark Hughes could be losing one of his prized assets in Johnson due to interest from Arsenal. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make an £8 million for the 20-year, a bid which City may be forced to accept due to Johnson's determination to leave the club.

As a City fan myself I am obviously hoping we keep hold of Michael. He is a terrific prospect for the future and I personally feel he will become an England regular within the next 18 months. I think Johnson would be better off staying at City for at least another season and then maybe think about moving to the Emirates.

REAL MADRID'S bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo has been thrown into fresh doubt.

The Spanish giants have sealed a £10million move for Dutch forward Rafael van der Vaart.

And that deal would narrow the chances of Manchester United ace Ronaldo bagging his dream ticket to Madrid.

Van der Vaart, whose mother is Spanish, said: “Last night everything came together and I am now moving to Real Madrid.

“As everybody knows I have always wanted to move to Spain because I have a strong bond with that country. Now I’m going to play for Real Madrid, it’s a dream come true.

“Tomorrow afternoon I will be presented at Real Madrid. This will be the start of a new chapter in my life.

"I will do everything to help the team and the club to win trophies.”

But with Real ace Wesley Sneijder set to miss the next six months with a knee injury, they could still move for £75million-rated Ronaldo.

I think van der Vaart is a excellent player and a real bargain buy for Real Madrid. However I do think Ronaldo WILL move to Real Madrid before the end of the summer. Man United would be crazy not to let him go for that price and with everything that has gone on I think he has to go.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI is confident he has trounced Jose Mourinho in the battle for Frank Lampard.

Chelsea’s new boss now expects the England midfielder to sign a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.

And it could all be done and dusted before the new season kicks off.

The dramatic development comes after Scolari acted as peacemaker in the stalled talks between the club and the 30-year-old star.

A Chelsea insider revealed: “There will be a new round of talks with Frank this week and everyone is far more confident a deal can now be done. Scolari has made Lampard feel valued since he took charge.

"He's now ready to stay and the club are ready to look again at their 'final offer' "

That £140,000-a-week, four-year contract offer will be reviewed.

I think if you believe in yourself to be worth the money then thats what matters. Look at what Frank Lampard has done for Chelsea. He has helped them greatly to get were they are today. I feel the club has seen sense in giving Lampard what he wanted. I think I would do the same if in my working life I was valued at that money

Newcastle will have to offer keeper Shay Given and £7 million to sign Arsenal defender Phillippe Senderos. The Swiss international is wanted by Magpies boss Kevin Keegan in order to sort out his sides defensive woes before the start of the new campaign. (Mail)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has apparently told Newcastle they must bid £7 million plus one of their prized assets, Shay Given.

Senderos captained Arsenal during their 1-0 friendly defeat to Juventus yesterday, however he is likely to start the season on the bench with William Gallas and Kolo Toure to come into the centre of the Gunners defence.

I personally don't think Keegan should even consider giving away one of his best players and £7 million in order to sign the 23-year old. Senderos is an average defender at best and I feel Newcastle would be wasting their time and money if they were to sign Senderos.

Celtic are set to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas for a fee of £2 million. The 20-year old has impressed Hoop boss Gordon Strachan during his two pre-season friendlies in Scotland this summer and he could complete a move as early as Monday.

Agent Angel Castell told BBC Sport: "As of close of business on Friday, a deal was not done and I have had no confirmation since from Barcelona."Barcelona were thinking of a loan, but the player is keen on a transfer and is waiting to fly to Glasgow."

Celtic look to of saw off competition from Sampdoria, Sporting Gijon and Sevilla in signing the Spanish defensive midfielder. Crosas spent much of last season on loan at French giants Lyon after struggling to break into the first team at the Camp Nou.

Didier Drogba is set to commit to Chelsea to end weeks of speculation over his future at the club. He is set to sign a new four-year deal at Stamford Bridge after being heavily linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan.

The Ivory Coast international has spent three seasons at Chelsea, scoring a massive 79 goals during that time. He has become a firm fan favourite at Chelsea and is hated by most other sets of fans for his on pitch antics.

"I am confident talks with Chelsea will lead to a positive resolve about my future," Drogba told the Sunday Mirror. The 30-year old has on several occasions come out and said he wants to leave the club fortunately (unfortunately for the rest of the Premier League) for Blues fans he is still here.

Although his contract is for four years, I personally think Drogba will be gone at the end of this season. He is that kind of guy. He says one thing and means the other. Just remember that whole thing about him diving. He was asked by a reporter, do you dive? and he replied yes I do. Then a minute later he says he doesn't?

Tottenham look set to miss out on West Ham striker Dean Ashton. The England international has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane for weeks now after word spread that Ashton wasn't happy at the club. (News of the World)

It was thought that an £18 million bid was being prepared by Spurs but West Ham are adamant Ashton will stay at Upton Park. Juande Ramos is clearly keen to add to his attacking options after letting go of Robbie Keane earlier this week to Liverpool.

I personally think Spurs should be looking at someone a bit better than Ashton. He is good but he is not brilliant and I feel Spurs should be looking at players like Pavlyunchenko or Arshavin instead of the former Norwich striker.

REAL MADRID will step up their pursuit of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas after conceding defeat in the battle to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United’s insistence they will not sell their star winger has finally been accepted by the Spanish giants.

Real chiefs have run out of patience with United’s stance and Ronaldo’s refusal to ask for a transfer, so have made Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas their new No 1 target.

Spanish sources are claiming to have made two approaches to Fabregas’ representatives and were told he wants to stay at Arsenal for at least one more year.

But, as Alex Ferguson will testify, Real do not give up easily and will try to prise him away from Aresnal before the August 31 transfer deadline. I think Fabregas is a wonderful player to watch. He has it all passing, tackling, shooting and I feel the boy will only get better.

Arsenal do play some fantastic football and also have a spectacular ground but they do seem to be falling off the radar in recent years and unfortunately I cant see them competing for the crown of the premiership again. This could be a major factor if he decides to go. He wants to win trophies.

MANCHESTER UNITED are set to pull the plug on their bid to sign Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov.

United have become aware that Spurs are willing to sell the Bulgarian to any club except themselves despite the European champions making a £20million bid for the player.

And the asking price could soar to £38m after United’s interest provoked a public spat between Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Sir Alex Ferguson over alleged tapping-up of Berbatov, with Tottenham lodging a formal complaint with the Premier League.

I think clubs such as Tottenham need to take it with a pinch of salt that there players want to move on and win tropheys.

Zenit St Petersburg have today spoke of their confidence that Tottenham will come back in with an improved offer for their prized asset Andrei Arshavin. The 27-year old has been heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane in recent days as it becomes more and more apparent that Juande Ramos is after him. (The Times)

Spurs recently let Robbie Keane join Liverpool for £20 million, which has led to this intense speculation that Arshavin has been lined up as the Republic of Ireland striker's replacement. Arshavin's agent has already admitted he does expect a deal to go through within the next few days but the Russian giants Zenit are still holding out for more money.

I personally think that Arshavin will eventually find his way to North London for about the £21 million mark. It was thought that Spurs had bid £16 million for the Russian ace, however Spurs have been told to come back with a much bigger bid. Although Arshavin was keen on a move to Barcelona, he is now supposedly ready to join Juande Ramos' men.

So what do you think, will Arshavin end up at White Hart Lane or indeed just stay at Zenit? Have your say, go to the new First For Football forum and express your opinion.

Barcelona are certainly doing everything in their power to hold onto their prized asset Lionel Messi. FIFA have ruled that Barcelona must let go of the Argentine international in order for the player to play at this month's olympics.

Barca officials, including manager Pep Guardiola is worried that Messi will miss the sides Champions League qualifiers later this month and have so far failed to release the 21-year old. Messi himself is keen to travel to Beijing and meet up with his international team-mates, but Barca have now lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for sport (CAS).

"The CAS has registered an appeal from FC Barcelona against the decision made by the single judge of the Fifa players' status committee regarding the release of players for the Olympic Games," said a CAS statement. Barcelona argue the case that Olympic matches are not part of the international football calendar.

Although I totally agree with Barcelona in this case I can't see any other outcome other than Messi going to Beijing. There is no doubt Barca are a far worse side without the little magician and, although they probably will qualify for the Champions League proper, there chances will be dented by the lose of Messi.

Anyway, I've had my say, but what do you think? Will he stay or will he go? Register on the First For Football forum and express your opinion!

Blackburn Rovers are lining up a move for Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant as a replacement for David Bentley. Pennant has been linked with a move to Paul Ince's men for weeks now but so far nothing has materialised.

After receiving £18 million for the sale of Bentley to Spurs, Paul Ince is keen to rebuild his squad. Pennant, 25, has spent two seasons at Anfield, struggling to nail down a first team spot. He has made over 50 appearances for the Merseyside club, scoring three times in the process.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if this move does indeed go through. Pennant has only been a part player at Liverpool and I feel it would be in the best interests of himself and Liverpool if they were to part company. It is thought that Rovers will have to pay as much as £6 million to secure the former Birmingham winger's signature.

First For Football is a new football blog which sees two eager football fans express their opinions on the latest football news and gossip. Myself and Frankie have come together to create what we hope will be a very successful blog in the long run, which will strive to give you the readers up to date news on all footballing matters.

First For Football will look to become even more successful, than my previous blog Football Corner, which I sold very recently. We hope during our time you will continue to come back and read our insightful articles as well as expressing your opinions in the process.