Headlines 10/07/2011

 

Roy Hodgson is hoping Nicky Shorey will stick with West Brom and claims he has no intention of making a move for Jonathan Woodgate. 

The Baggies continue to see a number of players linked with arrivals and exits at the Hawthorns, with the transfer window now in full swing.

Among those reported to be contemplating a move elsewhere is full-back Shorey, with Nottingham Forest believed to have reignited their interest in a player who took in a successful loan spell at the club in 2009/10.

Hodgson,though, has sought to assure the England international that he has a future with the Baggies, providing he is willing to fight for his place.

He hopes that will be enough to prevent the 30-year-old from making a return to the City Ground.


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Theo Walcott believes bolstering Arsenal's strength in depth is the key to ending the club's unwanted six-year trophy drought.

The Gunners have not won silverware since lifting the 2005 FA Cup, a period that has incensed their success-thirsty fans.

Arsenal play some attractive football along with winning over neutrals, however, it has not brought success in recent seasons.

Walcott insists he will be watching the club's transfer activity this summer, especially to see if they can retain their star players.

The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have been linked with moves and Walcott believes it is imperative their key man remain.


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Manchester City have dismissed Bayern Munich's claims that contact has not been maintained regarding the proposed transfer of Jerome Boateng.

Bayern want to take former Hamburg defender Boateng back to the Bundesliga and have already agreed a four-year contract with the Germany international.

However, a deal has yet to be agreed between the two clubs after Bayern offered £12million in contrast to City's reported £17million valuation.

The German giants' chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had accused City of not responding to their attempts to make contact regarding the chance to discuss a deal.

City, though, insist there have been plenty of conversations with Bayern and reiterated that the two clubs' valuations of Boateng 'vary wildly'.

A club spokesperson told the Sunday Mirror: "Mr Rummenigge's claims are something of a puzzle to us as not one call from Bayern Munich has been left unanswered and indeed a face-to-face meeting and several conversations have taken place on the topic.


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Steve Bruce believes the decision to sell Jordan Henderson has helped to make Sunderland stronger.

The Black Cats offloaded the England U21 midfielder to Liverpool, bringing in around £16million.

The funds generated from that deal, added to the £24million sale of Darren Bent to Aston Villa in January, has handed Bruce a healthy summer transfer kitty.

He has set about putting that money to good use, with Sunderland having drafted in nine fresh faces during the current transfer window.

Bruce admits he would rather not have had to part with his prized assets, but feels his squad is in better shape now than it was at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.