Premier League Transfer Talk

With Euro 2012 grabbing most of the headlines, it’s not surprising that the transfer gossip columns have dried up a little, although the current tournament in Poland and Ukraine is almost certain to be a advertising window for many of Europe’s stars to showcase their talent. Premier League managers and club scouts will no doubt be glued to the European Championships too, hoping their targets deliver on a competitive stage. The lastest transfer talk hitting the media this week includes Arsenal, West Ham and several other clubs. Here’s what we’re hearing:

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are close to securing a deal with Montpellier for forward Olivier Giroud. Giroud was in outstanding form for Montpellier last season, helping them win Ligue 1 for the first time in the clubs history, scoring 21 goals in 36 games along the way. The deal is expected to cost the Gunners around £13million. Montpellier’s manager Rene Girard has hinted that Wenger is close to signing the France striker, who is currently at Euro 2012 with the rest of the squad. Girard told French radio station RMC:

“Arsenal are very  interested and Giroud wants to play in England….If Arsene agrees with the president [of Montpellier], he will sign for  them.”

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce looks set to increase their current £3.5m offer for Norwich City’s Grant Holt to £4million in a bid to land the Canaries hitman. Holt, 31, impressed during his first Premier League season last term.

Free agent Robert Green looks on course to accept wages of £50,000 per week to join QPR. West Ham released the England goalkeeper at the end of last season after failing to agree personal terms.

Crewe’s 18-year-old midfielder Nick Powell will not return to the club on loan next season, if a deal with Manchester United, or any other Premier League club goes through. A deal is expected to completed soon and is just a matter of clubs speaking to Powell’s agent. But Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis has stated that he will be seeking a replacement for Powell when a deal is confirmed, not looking to bring his star midfielder back on loan. The Daily Mail quotes the Crewe boss as saying:

“One thing I can confirm is that he won’t be coming back here on loan. That wouldn’t be part of it because we want to bring in a replacement of our own and give our own players, such as Max Clayton, a chance”.

Borussia Dortmund are refusing to link Robert Lewandowski with a move to Manchester United. They have stated that the Poland striker, rated at £40million, will return to training with the rest of the Dortmund squad after Euro 2012 and will not be joining Shinji Kagawa at Old Trafford.