News

Gallas and Baptista are Gunners, But Tevez and Mascherano are Hammers!

 Both the official Chelsea and Real Madrid sites have confirmed what has been suspected by Gooners for a while.

The Official Chelsea FC website www.chelseafc.com states " Cole to Chelsea, Gallas to Arsenal The following is a joint statement by Chelsea Football Club and Arsenal Football Club on Ashley Cole/William Gallas:- Chelsea FC and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas. Chelsea will also pay Arsenal 5m pounds. Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals. "

On the Reyes- Baptista deal, The Times says " Reyes fulfils dream move with loan deal at Real

IT IS the perfect birthday present for José Antonio Reyes: the move back to his native Spain that he had pined for almost since he arrived in London.

The winger, 23 today, told Spanish radio last night that Arsenal had agreed a swap deal with Real Madrid that will see Júlio Baptista travel the other way, both on season-long loans with options to make the moves permanent. Real later confirmed that the deal was sealed.

The Spain international was clearly relieved. “Now that I have signed, I feel like the happiest man in the world,” Reyes said. “However, until I had signed, I was not calm. On Wednesday evening I was told everything had been done. Arsenal gave the OK and Baptista was travelling to London — then I began to believe.” "

Tevez and Mascherano

In the biggest news related to EPL transfers overnight, West Ham are the undisputed Headliners. The Official WHU site www.whufc.com released details of the dual-signings of Argentinian World Cups Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, both 22. Below are details from the site on the players.

Tevez, 22, is widely regarded as one of the most talented young strikers in the world. Labelled by many as 'the new Diego Maradona', he began his career with Boca Juniors, making his debut at the age of 17 and going on to become a cult hero at the Bombonera Stadium.

The Argentine football writers voted him Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004, and also Sportsman of the Year in 2004, after he had led Boca to the Argentine championship and the Copa Libertadores.

In December 2004, Tevez moved to Corinthians in a $22.6million deal - the biggest ever in South American football. Initially, he wasn't well received in the country of Argentina's greatest rivals, but soon won the supporters over and became captain as the club secured the Brazilian championship in 2005.

He appeared in every one of Argentina's five games at the World Cup finals in June, scoring a goal in the memorable 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro, and winning the man of the match award in the 0-0 draw with Holland. He currently has 25 full international caps to his name, and has scored four goals for his country.

Javier Mascherano, also 22, is a highly-rated defensive midfielder who earned rave reviews for his performances at the World Cup finals in the summer, when he provided the steely backbone behind Argentina's attacking style of play.

Like his good friend Tevez, Mascherano left an Argentinian club - River Plate, the great rivals of Boca Juniors - to join Corinthians in 2004, for a fee of $15million, and helped to play a key role in their title success last year.

With 20 caps for the national team, he is considered one of the county's hottest properties, and has also been linked with a number of top European clubs recently.

Both Carlos and Javier are currently in London preparing for Argentina's showcase friendly match against South American rivals Brazil at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday and will be available for selection when Hammers return to Premiership action against Aston Villa next week.