Transfer news and speculation, 12 August
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Your support makes all the difference.Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar is poised to become Aston Villa's latest summer signing after the two clubs agreed a £7.8m fee. Villa last night had a bid accepted which invoked the release clause in the Spaniard's contract. with the SPL outfit
Villa will now discuss terms with the 26-year-old, but Rangers last night went a step further to claim the move was as good as complete, subject to a medical. Cuellar, who was outstanding for Rangers after joining the Ibrox club from Osasuna last season, expressed a desire to leave Ibrox last weekend.
Cuellar was instrumental in Rangers' run to the Uefa Cup final last season and was named Scottish Football Writers player of the year.
Rangers revealed they offered the player a substantially improved contract but it was declined due to his desire to move to the Premier League.
Cuellar said: "My ambition has always been to play for my national team and I believe that playing in the biggest league in the world for Aston Villa will help me realise that."
Cuellar is set to become Villa's seventh signing of the summer following Curtis Davies, Steve Sidwell, Luke Young, Nicky Shorey, Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.
Kaboul seeks new start at Pompey
The FA Cup holders Portsmouth yesterday completed the signing of defender Younes Kaboul from Tottenham. Harry Redknapp beat off competition from Sunderland and Aston Villa to bring the centre-back to Fratton Park for an undisclosed fee, just a year after the France Under-21 captain signed for the North London side from Auxerre. Kaboul found first-team chances limited after former manager Martin Jol was replaced by Juande Ramos half-way through last season.
"It wasn't a difficult choice to make coming here," Kaboul said of his move to the south coast. "Everyone in the newspapers was saying I was going to Sunderland or Aston Villa but I only ever wanted to come here. As soon as I knew they were interested I said 'I want to come'. I came here because the manager has wanted me for two years. I met him when I was at Auxerre and I like the man because he gives you confidence."
Campo seals Portman Road switch
Ipswich Town yesterday completed the signing of former Bolton and Real Madrid midfielder Ivan Campo. The 34-year-old agreed the move last week and has signed a two-year contract at Portman Road after passing a medical. Campo is unlikely to make his debut in tonight's Carling Cup first round visit of Leyton Orient but should be available for the trip to Burnley on Saturday. "Ivan has a wealth of experience having played at the highest level for many years and he can be a great asset for us," manager Jim Magilton said of the Spaniard. "The young players at this club will really benefit from having him around the place." Campo spent five years at the Reebok Stadium, making 194 appearances.
Tigers target 'expensive option' Pizarro
Hull City manager Phil Brown has identified Chelsea forward Claudio Pizarro as the latest target to bolster their strike force. The Premier League newcomers have made enquiries about 29-year-old Pizarro, who scored only twice in 31 appearances for the Blues last season. "We've made contact with Chelsea with regards to Claudio," manager Phil Brown said. "It's a very expensive option, but again, it would be an option if we were allowed to speak to the lad."
What the fans are saying
No community spirit
Crouch and Defoe between them had the ball for about three seconds in total for the whole match. Not a real shot at goal. What were our tactics? Adetheheat – BBC 606
Spurs nowhere near
I'm all for optimism but you have to be realistic, the top four are a country mile ahead. We are improving, no doubt, but anyone who thinks we will be top four is deluded. jimmy – spurs.vital-football.co.uk
Robinho move off?
Things have gone quiet on the Robinho front; I feel Madrid have quoted a ridiculous fee, signalling their intention to keep him and we've walked away. Mehrino – cfcnet.co.uk
Yesterday's completed moves:
Chris Barker (Queen's Park Rangers) to Plymouth Argyle; Undisclosed
Younes Kaboul (Tottenham Hotspur) to Portsmouth; Undisclosed
Hameur Bouazza (Fulham) to Charlton Athletic; Loan
Aaron Brown (Reading) to Yeovil; Free
Leandre Griffit (IF Elfsborg) to Crystal Palace; Free
Ivan Campo (unattached) to Ipswich Town; Signed
John Oster (unattached) to Crystal Palace; Signed
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