European Football Focus

Aug 11, 2011

Bamba close to joining Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean confirmed that they have made a bid for Leicester defender Sol Bamba and are close to agreeing a deal for the Ivorian.

Kean is looking to strengthen his defensive options following the sale of versatile Phil Jones to Manchester United.

With their ranks now depleted, Rovers are all the more determined to reject any interest in the highly-rated Chris Samba.

Centre-half Bamba has had a wonderful time since arriving at Leicester from Clydesdale Bank Premier League club Hibernian in January, and Kean is confident a deal can be done to bring the 26-year-old to Ewood Park.

"We are quite close," Kean told Sky Sports News. "An offer has been put in and we are trying to progress that although it is slow. The good news is it hasn't been rejected so we are moving forward."

Kean added: "Even if Chris Samba had been playing and fit we have always been searching for a centre-back because we haven't replaced Phil Jones yet and we want to make sure we have good competition for places.

"We certainly need another centre-back."

Torres could the opener agianst Stoke

12:02 PM English Premier League 0 comments

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres could miss the opening game of the season after suffering a head injury.

The striker played just 14 minutes of international friendly against Italy in Bari before leaving the field with suspected concussion.

Chelsea begin their bid to recapture the Premier League crown with a testing trip to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

But it remains to be seen if Torres will be fit to feature with the forward due to undergo further examinations from the Spain medical staff, who have insisted his departure from the field was purely precautionary.

The former Liverpool star has endured a dejected time at Stamford Bridge following his £50million arrival in the January transfer window.

The previously prolific frontman managed just a single Premier League goal during the remainder of the campaign and often looked badly out of sorts.

With new boss Andre Villas-Boas at the helm of the Blues following his arrival from Portugal side Porto, Torres will have been eager to make an early impression.

However, he could now be forced to miss the clash with the Potters after an ill-timed injury in a round of friendlies which have already raised eyebrows from many club managers.

John O'Shea to miss Liverpool clash

11:59 AM English Premier League 0 comments

Sunderland expects new captain John O'Shea to miss this Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener against Liverpool.

The versatile Republic of Ireland international was signed from Manchester United this summer but has made only one appearance in his new club's pre-season campaign, injuring a hamstring on his debut against German side Arminia Bielefeld.

Manager Steve Bruce told "We don't think (he will feature) and it would be unwise of me to rush him back.

"He's close, but he's got a hamstring strain so we have to make sure he's right.

"When he is right and plays we'll be all the better for it because John O'Shea is a big acquisition for this football club."

Gunners eye Shinji Kagawa swoop

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has turned his attention to Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa.

The 22-year-old Japan international has been one of the top performing Asian players in Europe last season, helping Dortmund to their first German Bundesliga title in nearly a decade.

And Kagawa once again impressed by scoring a brace in Japan's 3-0 win over Korea Republic in a friendly on Wednesday.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Wenger is a huge follower of the former Cerezo Osaka man, who has not ruled out a move to the England.

"If I get a formal offer, I'll be strongly interested in listening to what they have to say," Kagawa told Nikkan Sports.

"The Premiership is one of the leagues I want to challenge. If it is Man United, I'll be still more eager to go and try how much I can do there."

Wenger is known to have a liking for Japanese players, having previously signed Junichi Inamoto and youngster Ryo Miyaichi, who has recently received his work permit to play for the Gunners.