Transfer Talk: Neill 'surprise' at Galatasaray move
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Your support makes all the difference.Everton have confirmed the sale of Australian defender Lucas Neill to Galatasaray, for a fee believed to be £750,000. The deal with the Turkish side will see Neill earn more than £2.5m over an 18-month deal.
The 31-year-old, only signed for Everton in September, but will join Galatasaray following tomorrow's visit of Manchester City to Goodison Park. "The move has come as a surprise to me," the versatile defender said. "I'll be joining a massive European club with great ambitions. It'll be a wonderful new challenge and I'm absolutely delighted a club like Galatasaray will be my next team. I'm looking forward to joining my new team-mates on Sunday."
The full-back has played just 15 games in his four-month stay at Goodison, and will link with up with former Liver-pool midfielder, and Australian colleague, Harry Kewell, who signed for the Turkish side in July 2008.
Rodallega is staying put, Martinez tells fans
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has assured supporters the club will do everything it can to keep much-admired striker Hugo Rodallega at the club. The Colombian forward has drawn interest after scoring seven goals in 19 starts this season. Former Latics manager Steve Bruce is keen to take the player to Sunderland, but Martinez claims there have been no offers: "None at all. We always welcome admiration and interest in our players because it means they are doing something well."
Long shots
Arsenal are continuing to look at increasing their attacking options and will offer Lazio £17m for the Argentine striker Mauro Zarate, who has said he needs to be playing regularly ahead of the World Cup.
Following the calamitous FA Cup exit against Reading, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is preparing to make an offer for the Royals goalkeeper Adam Federici, while Internazionale manager Jose Mourinho is set to make a £40m bid for Steven Gerrard.
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is continuing to pursue his interest in the Liverpool striker Ryan Babel and is also monitoring the situation of wantaway Tottenham forward Roman Pavlyuchenko. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is interested in West Ham's Scott Parker and Slovakia international goalkeeper Jan Mucha, but will have to offload players from the White Hart Lane payroll first.
Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan and Hull could all make bids for Aston Villa's out-of-favour midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who could leave the Midlands club for £5m. Everton and West Ham are both chasing Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy, while Hull are lining up a £1.25m bid for Derby County's Kris Commons.
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