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QPR have completed the signing of Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton on a four-year deal.

The 28-year-old was in the final year of his contract at St James’ Park and made available on a free transfer recently after criticising Newcastle’s recruitment policy via his Twitter account.

Barton passed a medical at QPR’s training ground in Harlington on Thursday but left without penning a deal, tweeting that he needed “some thinking time and space” before making a decision.

Having mulled over the move overnight, Barton has now penned a deal with the west London club.

Barton’s QPR debut could come against his former club on September 12.

“It’s been quite a whirlwind, so to get things finally sorted and draw a line under it all is a great relief,” he told the club’s official website.

“The ambition of the club really impressed me.

“There’s obviously a great set of lads here already and that’s why they had such a great season in the Championship.

“The gaffer is talking about adding two or three more bodies and that, combined with the potential of the club and the new owners’ ambitions, bodes really well for the future.”

Barton becomes the first signing at QPR since AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes completed his takeover of the club last week.

Rangers boss Neil Warnock has since had little time to make his mark on the transfer market but is delighted to get the first of the five new faces he hopes to bring to Loftus Road before Wednesday’s deadline.

“We’ve got a very, very good player on our hands,” he said of Barton, who will wear the number 17 jersey.

“He’s coming here to show people what he can do. He wants to get back into the England team.

“He’s very enthusiastic. People will say one or two things about him, but they’ve said stuff about me in the past too, so I won’t worry about that.”

He added: “He’s a winner. Even without the armband on, he’s a captain every week.

“He’s a lot better player than people give him credit for. Hopefully we can harness all his positive characteristics and get the best out of him.

“I think with Tony’s backing and (vice-chairman) Amit [Bhatia] coming back on board this is a really positive step for the Football Club.”

Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias said: “On behalf of everyone at Newcastle, we wish to thank Joey for his on-field contributions to the team and we wish him every success for his future at Queens Park Rangers.”

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7126783/Barton-secures-QPR-transfer

 
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Chelsea have completed the signing of Valencia and Spain winger Juan Mata on a five-year deal for a fee in excess of £25million.

The 23-year-old becomes Andre Villas-Boas’ fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Oriol Romeu, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

Mata could make his debut in Saturday’s clash with Norwich and moves to Stamford Bridge for a reported fee of £23.5million.

“Right from the first moment there have been good feelings all around me,” Mata told the club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com.

“Training has been great and the players are a great group to train with.

“Valencia was a big club anyway but I have left to join a bigger club and it is all about the opportunity to win trophies and I have that here.”

Mata becomes the third Spaniard at the Blues, linking up with the aforementioned Romeu and fellow Spain international Fernando Torres.

“Fernando got me excited about the thought of coming here,” Mata said.

“He said it would be good for me here and that me and him together could be good.

“I also talked to my family and friends about it as well.”

The former Real Madrid winger’s father, also named Juan Mata, played professionally for Burgos and Salamanca, leading the player to add: “This is obviously a big thing for me, to have a father who knows football.

“He has always given me good advice and I never had a problem because he was there to help.

“Despite there being football in my family, I always wanted to have skills other than football so I studied while I was in Madrid.

“It wasn’t easy but I wanted to do it, and I learned about marketing and sports science.”

While Torres and his father had an influence on his move to west London, Mata admits it was manager Villas-Boas that ultimately made him decide to end his four-year spell at the Mestalla.

“He said he wanted Chelsea this season to play more attacking football, and that I would be a big part of that,” he added.

“Villas-Boas is someone who won almost everything last year and we are both here with the idea of winning lots this season.

“The plan is that I can play on either flank or even in the middle playing in between the lines of midfield and attack.

“I like to keep the ball and use it well, I am an attacking player and above all I like to set up goals and score them also.

“I want to adapt as quickly as possible to my new surroundings, my colleagues and this league, and I would love to win a trophy in my first season.

“If it can be the Premier League then great.”

The move brings a quick conclusion to the transfer after Valencia accepted an offer on Sunday evening. Mata trained with his new team-mates for at Cobham earlier today and could feature for Villas-Boas’ side this weekend.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7122093/Chelsea-seal-Mata-signing

 
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Danny Welbeck, Anderson and Wayne Rooney scored after half-time as Manchester United beat Tottenham 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

It had been a frustrating night for Sir Alex Ferguson’s young troops until 20-year-old Welbeck, raised just a couple of miles away in Longsight, rose to guide home Tom Cleverley’s cross in the 61st minute.

Welbeck’s impudent back-heel set up Anderson for the second in the 76th minute and Tottenham had given up hope by the time Rooney netted from close range with three minutes remaining.

It leaves United trailing City by the narrowest of goal difference margins at the top of the Premier League.

With Ferguson sticking to his pledge of naming Phil Jones and Jonny Evans as the replacements for injured duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, United’s major surprise came on the bench, where Javier Hernandez was included two weeks earlier than expected after a bout of concussion.

Without Luka Modric, Tottenham began with a hesitancy which United came close to exposing through Cleverley.

However, as the half wore on, United’s attacks reduced in potency, their approach play lacked direction and Spurs grew in confidence.

Rafael van der Vaart and Niko Kranjcar started to get hold of the ball in areas of some concern so, after a difficult start to his time in England, David de Gea picked the perfect time to show off the ability that persuaded Ferguson to pay £18million to sign him from Atletico Madrid.

There was a kamikaze element to his first intervention, as he tried to skip past Van der Vaart inside his own area.

In giving the home fans a heart scare, the 20-year-old was also showing off footwork of which the watching Edwin van der Sar would be proud.

De Gea made decent stops from Van der Vaart look routine rather than spectacular and with Tottenham opting against peppering him with high balls, as was the case at West Brom last week, De Gea was able to perform with an assurity so obvious in his opposite number Brad Friedel.

Now 40, the American was handed a contract by Harry Redknapp in the summer and was promptly allowed to extend his record for consecutive Premier League appearances to 276 matches.

Either side of half-time, Friedel denied former Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young with smart stops as United, who dropped just two points on home soil throughout last season, struggled to impose themselves.

Part of the problem was that the most experienced member of their back four, Patrice Evra, has never found Aaron Lennon an easy opponent to subdue.

Unfortunately for Spurs, Lennon did not have a great evening.

After skipping clear of a stumbling Evra, Lennon could have rolled a pass to an unmarked Van der Vaart, who was screaming on his inside.

Instead, he attempted to drill a cross through a crowded penalty area to Gareth Bale and succeeded only in blasting straight at Evans.

It was one of those times when a manager must feel like screaming. Another came moments later when Van der Vaart went for goal from 35 yards without ever looking like getting anywhere near it.

After the frustration came that familiar sinking feeling for Spurs.

Appearing to run down a blind alley, Cleverley rescued the situation by whipping over a superb cross for Welbeck, who rose majestically between Michael Dawson and Younes Kaboul to glance a fine header into the corner.

Tottenham had Friedel to thank for not being blown away.

Twice the veteran denied Welbeck, the second occasion following a Nani shot he had also saved, and then Evans, who had launched a fizzing volley from his far post station.

United were worthy of their second though, which came thanks to a brilliant piece of skill from Welbeck, who returned Anderson’s pass with an impudent back heel that the Brazilian coolly finished into the bottom corner.

It wasn’t quite plain sailing as De Gea’s struggles under the high ball returned to present Jermain Defoe with a chance that he smacked against the post.

But with Friedel saving from Nani and Rooney scooping over from three yards, United remained on top. Rooney’s late header merely emphasised their superiority.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7118622/Welbeck-stars-to-sink-Spurs

 
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Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, while Newcastle won on derby day and QPR and Aston Villa also recorded victories.

Kenny Dalglish’s Reds recorded their first away win over Arsenal since 2000 to heap more misery on the Gunners – who saw Emmanuel Frimpong sent off and lost injured centre-back Laurent Koscielny in a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

In one of the day’s two early kick-offs, Samir Nasri impressed for the home side, despite being expected to join Manchester City, but Arsenal’s luck was out after Aaron Ramsey’s own goal and a last-minute strike from substitute Luis Suarez handed the visitors victory.

Elsewhere early on, Ryan Taylor wrote his name into Geordie folklore by firing Newcastle to a 1-0 derby victory at Sunderland.

The full-back curled home a superb 62nd-minute free-kick to win a hard-fought contest which the home side ended with 10 men after Phil Bardsley’s late red card.

Elsewhere, QPR recorded their first win back in the Premier League as they came away from Everton with a 1-0 victory.

Neil Warnock’s men, who were thrashed 4-0 at home to Bolton last weekend, came away from Goodison Park with maximum points thanks to Tommy Smith’s 31st-minute goal.

The forward took in Akos Buzsaky’s pass to leave Tim Howard with no chance, while at the other end, his side survived Leighton Baines hitting the bar and penalty appeals from Jack Rodwell and Tim Cahill.

At Villa Park, Gabriel Agbonlahor scored his 50th Premier League goal for Aston Villa as they beat Blackburn 3-1.

With Alex McLeish taking charge of a home match for the first time, Agbonlahor gave him the perfect start when he drifted in off the left with 12 minutes gone and gave Paul Robinson no chance from 18 yards.

Emile Heskey made it two from the edge of the box with 25 minute gone and, although Morten Gamst Pedersen’s header pulled one back (52), Darren Bent wrapped up the win with 23 minutes left, slotting home after Stiliyan Petrov’s shot was blocked by Ryan Nelsen and fell kindly too him.

The first Premier League game to be played in Wales ended goalless as Swansea took on Wigan.

Michael Vorm, who was impressive on his debut in Swansea’s goal at Manchester City on Monday, was the hero for the home side, saving Ben Watson’s 73rd-minute penalty after Ashley Williams had felled Jordi Gomez.

Victor Moses and Ben Watson also hit the woodwork for the visitors, who have drawn their first two games, while the point is Swansea’s first in the top flight.

In the day’s late kick-off, Andre Villas-Boas registered his first win as Chelsea manager as the Blues came from behind to beat West Brom 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Shane Long’s second goal in as many games gave the Baggies a fourth-minute lead, but second-half goals from Nicolas Anelka (53) and fellow Frenchman Florent Malouda (83) turned things around.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7114359/Gunners-grief-joy-for-Geordies

 
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Tony Fernandes has vowed to help QPR reach their “limitless” potential, while Neil Warnock says everyone at the club should be “very excited”.

The Malaysian business tycoon completed his takeover of the west London club on Thursday after buying out previous majority shareholders Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.

Fernandes’ company Tune Group has bought a 66% stake and his business partners will work alongside the Mittal family, who have retained their 33% stake in the club.

The 47-year-old, who has previously attempted to buy boyhood heroes West Ham, believes QPR have huge potential and has vowed to utilise it.

“You are in London, which is fantastic,” he told Press Association Sport.

“The potential of developing this ground at some stage or to another ground nearby is there.

“There is the potential to develop an academy and good training facilities.

“The potential to take QPR to other parts of the world is also there, with Amit [Bhatia]‘s relationships and my relationships in Asia.

“[The potential is] limitless and it is a fantastic diamond, which just needs a bit of polishing.”

Fernandes’ personal fortune was estimated at £200million in 2010 when he was ranked Malaysia’s 19th richest person.

The AirAsia founder’s deal sees vice-chairman Amit Bhatia return to the board after resigning in May following a disagreement with the board over ticket price increases.

Bhatia joined the board as a representative of father-in-law Lakshmi Mittal in 2007 and Fernandes is relieved to have completed the deal.

“I got this big grin on my face as I was driving down because I have walked past this ground so many times,” said Fernandes, who lived on nearby Uxbridge Road for several years.

“To think that I am chairman of this club now is kind of unbelievable.

“I’m relieved to have completed the deal.

“It has been up down, up down and obviously with the last couple of experiences of English football clubs it would have been a terrible blow to have invested all this time for nothing to have happened.”

Fernandes, who is also the team principal of Formula One’s Team Lotus, has promised to bring in new faces to the Barclays Premier League club before the transfer window closes in a couple of weeks.

QPR’s start to life back in the top flight after a 15-year absence got off to the worst possible start last weekend with a 4-0 home defeat to Bolton.

Fernandes was at the game and has promised to support Neil Warnock’s bid to strengthen the team, but was keen to temper short-term expectations.

“I think my major issue is dampening down everybody’s enthusiasm that tomorrow everything is going to change,” he added.

“This will take time. The next couple of weeks will be hectic and I think Neil is released from the cage so to speak and is bouncing up and down because he can speak to other people and stuff.

“It is not that the previous owners were wrong, it is just they knew they were going to sell so they had a different investment paradigm.

“Having said that, they picked up some great players.

“The one great thing out of the Bolton game was our strike force looked as good as anybody’s.

“DJ Campbell looked fantastic, Jay Bothroyd looked great and up to about 40 minutes I actually think we outplayed Bolton.

“I think the previous owners did good on a lot of things and I am just hear to strengthen it.”

Warnock believes Fernandes’ arrival marks “a momentous day” in the club’s history.

The Hoops manager is now preparing to splash out on new recruits, and he said: “I am as excited as I was when I arrived at the club.

“To get Tony on board and listen to his ideas and plans for the club, not just for the first team but for the whole club, means that everyone associated with QPR should be very excited.

“We have got to the Promised Land, but we want to stay there and build a club for the future and that doesn’t happen overnight.

“I think everything about this is positive and we have some days left before the transfer window ends to bring targets to the club to take us where we want to be.”

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7109689/Fernandes-sees-potential-at-QPR

 
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Arsenal striker Gervinho has had his three-game ban for violent conduct upheld by the Football Association.

The FA dismissed a claim from the Gunners following his red card in Saturday’s Premier League game at Newcastle.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast forward was sent off in the second half of the goalless draw at St James’ Park for striking Magpies midfielder Joey Barton following what the home side claimed was a dive in the penalty area.

On Monday, the Gunners lodged a claim that the standard three-game ban was “clearly excessive”, but an FA regulatory commission heard the case on Tuesday and ruled that the punishment should stand.

“Arsenal’s Gervinho has had his three-match suspension for violent conduct confirmed today,” read an FA statement.

“The player was sent off during Arsenal’s fixture against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday.

“Arsenal subsequently lodged a claim that the standard punishment of three matches was clearly excessive.

“A commission heard the claim today and dismissed it, meaning the player must serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect.”

On Monday, the FA charged both clubs with failing to control their players following the ill-tempered opening fixture on Tyneside.

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song faces a separate charge of violent conduct after his stamp on Barton, which had inflamed the situation, was missed by referee Peter Walton.

Gervinho will miss the games against Liverpool, Manchester United and Swansea – and Song could also be hit by the same retrospective punishment.

Barton, meanwhile, received a yellow card for his part in the melee, and as such has already been sanctioned.

The controversial midfielder admitted on Twitter that he “went down easily” following Gervinho’s slap.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7106158/FA-upholds-Gervinho-suspension

 
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Cesc Fabregas can finally complete his return to Barcelona after they agreed a deal with Arsenal for the Spanish midfielder on Sunday night.

While the Gunners were always determined to keep Fabregas, who joined them from the Spanish club in 2003 as a raw teenager, it became clear this summer the player was no longer committed to the Arsenal cause.

The European champions had seen a £27million offer rebuffed earlier in the summer as Arsenal remained steadfast in their demands over a £40million fee for their midfielder.

However, with Barcelona not willing to significantly up their cash bid, and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger admitting the player was unsettled, Arsenal reluctantly have allowed a cut-price deal to go through.

The package is widely reported to include a down payment of 30million euros (£27million), with an additional 6m euros (£5.2m) in performance-based add-ons at a later stage.

There are also suggestions Fabregas is prepared to waive the £4million compensation he would be entitled to for the remainder of his long-term Arsenal contract, as technically the player never asked for a transfer.

In a statement on Arsenal’s club’s official website, Wenger expressed his disappointment at Fabregas’ departure.

“We have been clear that we didn’t want Cesc to leave and that remains the case,” he said.

“However, we understand Cesc’s desire to move to his home town club and have now accepted an offer from Barcelona.

“We thank Cesc for his contribution at Arsenal and wish him future success.”

Fabregas had, officially at least, been struggling for match fitness because of a hamstring injury which saw him miss the club’s Asia Tour and other pre-season games.

Wenger consciously omitted his captain from the Emirates Cup and the World Cup winner was not selected for Saturday’s opening Premier League fixture at Newcastle, which ended goalless and saw summer signing Gervinho sent off.

Fabregas joined Arsenal for nothing from Barcelona in 2003, and has made more than 300 appearances, scoring 57 goals.

However, despite winning both the European Championships and World Cup with Spain, club success has not followed for the midfielder, who missed the Gunners’ shock Carling Cup final defeat at Wembley through injury.

Fabregas is now set to agree personal terms and undergo a medical on Monday before sealing his return to the Nou Camp.

Wenger, meanwhile, will face the media tomorrow ahead of Arsenal’s crunch Champions League play-off against Udinese, which were Fabregas to have played would have made him ineligible for any other club later in the competition.

The Gunners boss will now be under more pressure to spend the proceeds of Fabregas sale – and indeed the Emirates Stadium coffers could yet be swelled further should contract rebel Samir Nasri also move on before the transfer window closes, with Manchester City said to be ready to bid £22million for the France midfielder.

Wenger, though, has already ruled out a swoop for Juan Mata from Valencia, but could yet look to push through a £15million deal for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Jadson.

Nasri will not be available for the first leg of the Udinese tie because of UEFA disciplinary sanctions, which also mean Wenger must serve a touch-line ban following the fall-out from their Champions League exit in Barcelona last season.

Striker Robin van Persie, likely to be the new permanent Arsenal captain, will also be suspended after his red card in the Nou Camp.

Midfielder Alex Song, meanwhile, could yet find himself on a charge from the Football Association for appearing to stamp on Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, an incident which was missed by referee Peter Walton during Saturday’s ill-tempered game at St James’ Park.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7101986/Gunners-finally-let-Fabregas-go

 
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Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell from Deportivo Saprissa.

Campbell was in his country’s squad for the recent Copa America and the Under-20 World Cup.

The Gunners revealed on Friday night that the transfer is subject to the completion of “formal agreements and processes”.

Arsene Wenger told his club’s official website: “Joel Campbell has already shown that he is a player with great ability, and has also performed well on the international stage at a young age.

“We look forward to the formalities of the transfer being completed and working with Joel when he joins us at Arsenal.”

Campbell is predominantly left-footed and has made six full international appearances, scoring twice.

The 20-year-old scored on his debut in a 5-0 win over Cuba at this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping his side to the competition’s quarter-finals.

Campbell has had two seasons in his native Primera Division, where he played for Deportivo Saprissa and on loan at Puntarenas, making a total of eight league appearances.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7096125/Campbell-set-for-Gunners-move

 
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Chelsea striker Fernando Torres could miss the opening game of the new Premier League season after suffering a head injury with Spain.

The Blues frontman lasted just 14 minutes of Wednesday night’s international friendly against Italy in Bari before leaving the field with suspected concussion.

Chelsea begin their bid to regain the Premier League crown with a testing trip to Stoke on Sunday.

But it remains to be seen if Torres will be fit to feature with the forward due to undergo further examinations from the Spain medical staff, who have insisted his departure from the field was purely precautionary.

The former Liverpool striker has endured a miserable time at Stamford Bridge following his £50million arrival in the January transfer window.

The previously prolific frontman managed just a solitary Premier League goal during the remainder of the campaign and often looked badly out of sorts.

With new manager Andre Villas-Boas at the helm of the Blues following his arrival from Porto, Torres will have been keen to make an early impression.

However, he could now be forced to miss the clash with the Potters after an untimely injury in a round of friendlies which have already raised eyebrows from many club managers.

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7092537/Torres-suffers-head-injury

 
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Arsenal have completed the signing of Southampton winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a deal which could reportedly rise to £15million.

Arsenal confirmed the signing on their official website but did not release details of the fee, while the 17-year-old’s contract was simply said to be a “long-term” one.

Southampton did not not confirm the fee either, although they revealed it was a club-record sale. It is understood Arsenal will pay £12million up front plus a potential further £3million in add-ons.

Arsene Wenger hailed Oxlade-Chamberlain, who turns 18 next Monday, as a player of rich potential.

“We are delighted that Alex has decided to join us,” Wenger said.

“He is an exciting young player who will provide us with creativity and offensive quality.

“Alex is a versatile player who can play in a number of positions.

“He can play as an attacking centre midfielder, or wide left and right.

“Alex is a perceptive passer of the ball and has a great understanding of the game and looks to be a very good team player.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to compete at a higher level than League One but his signing will still be viewed as a coup for Arsenal, despite the size of the transfer fee.

Manchester United and Liverpool also expressed interest in the Southampton academy product, but the Gunners edged their rivals on this occasion.

“Alex agreed personal terms and passed a medical this afternoon,” read a statement on Southampton’s official website.

“It is one of the biggest deals in Championship history, which sees Saints’ previous transfer records blown out of the water.

“The deal for the midfielder, who had made it clear he saw his future away from Southampton, was done with Saints in the driving seat for the duration of the protracted negotiations and the transfer was completed on our terms.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was contracted at Southampton until 2013, is regarded as one of England’s most promising young footballers.

He played a key role in helping Southampton secure promotion to the Championship last season, firing nine goals in 34 appearances.

His style has invited comparisons with Theo Walcott, who also left Saints for Arsenal, though Oxlade-Chamberlain is considered to better defensively.

“Arsenal have a great manager in Arsene Wenger, top-quality players and an attractive style of play,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“These were all important factors in me choosing to sign for Arsenal.”

Article source: http://www.teamtalk.com/premier-league/7088257/Arsenal-wrap-up-Chamberlain-deal