Football Shorts

It’s beyond funny now at QPR.

We chuckled, chirped and chortled earlier in the season about how a team of expensive 31-year-olds were floundering due to a lack of fitness, squad disharmony and percieved laziness. They were everything that was wrong with football. But now, the tables are turning – while many would like top see the arrogant sense of entitlement of so-called ‘bigger’ clubs like Aston Villa and Sunderland punished with relegation, many have sympathy for QPR and the dreams of their likeable squillionaire Tony Fernandes. A desperate bid to rifle away their problems with cash now looks to have failed, and the O’s will more than likely be preparing for life in the Championship next season.

The Daily Mirror seems particularly excited about this, and lists no fewer than TEN high-earners who the club will want rid of this summer. Among the names are Julio Cesar (linked with AC Milan), Adel Taarabt (he seems to think Barca are after him) and Loic Remy (Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham have all been linked). Strangely, Clint Hill was not one of those named.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Remember last week when I told you to put your mortgage on Benteke leaving Villa, yeah? Well hold fire. The Brummies still have a card up their rather tight sleeve, as Benteke earns a paltry £20,000-per-week (poor lamb) giving Villa scope to offer him a much-improved deal this summer, should they avoid relegation. According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with the big Belgian but he apparently wants to stay at Villa, where he is guaranteed to start every Premier League game when fit. Benteke will see his wages wise from £20,000 a week to £40,000.

One upshot of the European fiscal crisis is that clubs on the continent are now suffering financial problems – and Premier League clubs look ready to swoop.

Sporting Lisbon, once a giant of the European game are currently strapped for cash, and Spanish international Diego Capel is available for about £10m – Liverpool are interested.

Arsenal and Tottenham are ready to pounce for Gonzalo Higuain after he hinted he might be set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season. (Daily Express)

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Arsenal, Fulham and Sunderland are all in the hunt for 18-year-old Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Ayo Obileye. (Daily Star)

Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld says he would like to join Liverpool this summer, but has ruled out signing for a “club in mid-table” like Newcastle. (Times)

Related topics: