Footie thread

[3.1415926]

Crouch poised for Pompey switch


Crouch is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield


Peter Crouch is poised to complete his switch from Liverpool to Portsmouth in a deal that could be worth up to £11m.
BBC Sport understands the two clubs moved towards an agreement over the weekend and the 27-year-old will complete the formalities within days.
England striker Crouch has set his heart on linking up with Pompey boss Harry Redknapp again after leaving the club six years ago.
He will team up with Jermain Defoe in a new-look Portsmouth attack next season.
Liverpool are expected to initially receive in the region of £9m for Crouch, who joined the club from Southampton in July 2005 but only started nine Premier League games last term.
Anfield boss Rafael Benitez initially said he would consider offers for Crouch in the region of £15m, but has been forced to scale back his demands for a player with only a year left on his current contract.


The England international has scored 40 goals in 135 appearances for the Anfield side but has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place in recent times.
Crouch was relegated behind Fernando Torres, who scored 33 goals for the Reds after signing from Atletico Madrid last summer. But he was a popular figure with Liverpool fans and still managed to net 11 goals as he was mainly used as a substitute by Benitez. Crouch started his career as a trainee at Tottenham before moves to QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich- where he had a spell on loan - Southampton and Liverpool.

[3.1415926]

Inter begin Lampard negotiations


Midfielder Lampard has yet to commit his future to Chelsea

Inter Milan have opened negotiations to sign Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard, BBC Sport understands.
The Serie A club are believed to have sent a fax to Chelsea to begin the process of reuniting the 30-year-old with former Blues coach Jose Mourinho.
Earlier this month, Mourinho, who became Inter boss in June, said he did not expect to sign Lampard this summer.
The ex-West Ham star is into the final year of his Chelsea contract and is yet to commit his future to the club.
Reports on Monday suggested that the opening offer from Inter was £6.5m for Lampard, who is set to leave for free next summer.

The recent arrival at Stamford Bridge of Portugal central midfielder Deco, who was also courted by Mourinho and who has joined the Blues on a two-year deal from Barcelona, may hasten Lampard's exit.
There are also reports circulating that Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could be set for a reunion with Mourinho.
The Portuguese boss indicated in June that he would like to work with the Ivory Coast international again.
"I cannot forget Deco, Lampard and Drogba. These are players who I could never say no to," stated Mourinho.
"I would love to work with them again in the future but I am not too obsessed with this idea."
He added: "I don't know which of these three will leave their clubs but we will see."
If Mourinho bids for Drogba then he may face a fight for his signature from local rivals AC Milan, whose technical director Leonardo told BBC Sport that they are also keen on the forward.

[Spaghetti Incident]

*Yawn*

[3.1415926]

"I cannot forget Deco, Lampard and Drogba. These are players who I could never say no to," stated Mourinho.

aye aye...makes you wonder about the showers

[Spaghetti Incident]

He so chases them around with a wet towel

[3.1415926]

I was more thinking moist and sticky - ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[Spaghetti Incident]

Well i knew you were thinking that