timesonline wrote:Exit Reyes as Arsenal close in on Baptista
By Oliver Kay and Gary Jacob
Argentina stars lead South American influx ON A transfer deadline day that promises to leave managers, chairmen, agents and football supporters in a daze, the most frenzied activity may take place at Arsenal, who were close to agreeing a deal to sign Júlio Baptista last night on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, with José Antonio Reyes returning to Spain for a year.
However, that deal could be overshadowed by developments that may end with two of Argentina’s World Cup stars moving to one of the Barclays Premiership backwaters.
A meeting in London yesterday between the powerbrokers at Corinthians, the Brazilian club, ended with the likelihood of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tévez, the finest young players in South America, joining an English club on loan. The club in question was unclear last night but, rather than Chelsea or Manchester United, who have monitored both players obsessively over the past 18 months, their destination was understood to be either Arsenal or an ambitious smaller club with more money to spend, such as Portsmouth.
Such news may prompt despondency among United supporters, given Sir Alex Ferguson’s obvious need for a top-class midfield general and centre forward, but it is understood that Corinthians’ masterplan is to loan the players to a Premiership club this season in the hope of attracting a mammoth bid from either United or Chelsea next summer.
Ferguson, the United manager, having cooled his enthusiasm about bidding for Mascherano this summer because of concerns about whether the Argentinian would settle in England, is understood to have been informed and welcomed the initiative. Belief that Tévez is no longer in Corinthians’ plans was strengthened last night when they signed Marcio Amoroso from AC Milan on a one-year deal.With clubs having until midnight to register any new signings, there will be no shortage of activity elsewhere. Even though the proposed deal has been described as “dead”, there remains the possibility that Ashley Cole’s acrimonious move from Arsenal to Chelsea may be revived.
Chelsea maintain that they will not increase their offer, but they believe that the Arsenal board may be finally panicked into accepting their £17 million offer for a player who has made clear his displeasure with life in North London.
With or without a deal for Cole, though, Arsenal promise to be the biggest movers and shakers of the day, with Reyes hoping to complete a “dream” move to Real, albeit initially on a season-long loan, and Baptista potentially moving in the opposite direction.
That deal is not yet certain, with Atlético Madrid offering Reyes the option of a permanent £13 million transfer, but all parties were last night encouraged by a breakthrough in talks. Baptista, the Brazil forward, hopes to secure a Spanish passport today in order to overcome work- permit complications.
Should Reyes join Atlético rather than their Madrid rivals, there would be a knock-on effect for Tottenham Hotspur, who would be hopeful of signing Martin Petrov, the Bulgaria winger, on loan. Such a deal would end Tottenham’s long search for a top-class left winger, but other options were being explored, including Harry Kewell. Liverpool, who are said to have rejected an initial loan bid from Spurs, are also in talks with Blackburn Rovers about signing Lucas Neill, the Australia defender.
An exception to the frenzied last-minute activity may be Old Trafford, but the departure last night of Giuseppe Rossi on loan to Newcastle United until January 1 increased the likelihood of Ferguson bringing in a striker to replace the departed Ruud van Nistelrooy.