Soccer – Transfer news:Blackpool quickly turned down a transfer request from midfielder Charlie Adam, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes to sign Southampton's highly-rated Alex Chamberlain before the transfer window closes.
The Blackpool captain made the transfer request earlier today with his agent Kenny Moyes saying, "Charlie has handed in a transfer request", but Blackpool boss Ian Holloway later revealed chairman Karl Oyston had rejected it.
"The decision to reject the transfer request was the chairman's decision," said Holloway.
The news comes after the manager revealed that three clubs had made unsuccessful bids for the player - Aston Villa, Birmingham and latterly Liverpool, whose €4.6 million offer was rebuffed on Friday. All bids have been rejected with Holloway insisting he will not move unless their valuation is met.
Adam arrived at Bloomfield Road in January 2009 initially on loan from Rangers. He sealed a permanent move that summer after Blackpool paid €585,000 for his services.
Adam responded with 19 goals as the club sealed a remarkable promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs. He was back on target for the fourth time this season on Saturday when he scored from the penalty spot in the 2-1 defeat by Sunderland.
Wenger, meanwhile, has his eyes on Chamberlain. The 17-year-old is regarded as one of England's brightest talents and he has already turned heads with a series of impressive displays for the League One outfit.
Chamberlain already has six league goals to his name from just 24 league appearances. Although Manchester United and Liverpool are both keeping tabs on the teenager's services, it seems that Arsenal are the front-runners for his signature.
"We will try now," Wenger said. "We need an agreement with Southampton. "We need an agreement with the player, and we are not the only ones on the case. But we try as hard as we can as I like him as a player."
Alex's father Mark, who played for England between 1982-84, believes Arsenal are his son's ideal destination due to their ability in nurturing talent.
Wenger is known for his ability to snap up footballing talent and moulding them into first-team regulars, such as Cesc Fabregas, Walcott and Jack Wilshere.
"Arsenal, with the manager there, the way they play and how they develop players I think they are the ideal choice," he said. "I am his dad. I've worked with both. They have both got different attributes. Theo has already played 100 Premier League games for Arsenal, played for England and has scored a hat-trick. He's a really good player.
"Alexander is a little different. He's a bit better technically. He's more of a central midfielder player than a wide player. He's coping very well. It's all speculation. It's the time of the year when things do happen. I think if anything is happening the club will keep us notified."
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins acknowledges it will be a challenge for the youngster to focus his efforts on his game despite the intense speculation surrounding his future.
"It must be challenging for any young man and we've tried to deal with it as best as we can and be concentrated on the job in hand," said Adkins said. "He's getting fitter and stronger and that's the important thing."
Joey Bartonis ready to commit his future to Newcastleafter opening talks over a new deal. The 28-year-old midfielder, who is currently playing some of the best football of his career, is hoping to extend his stay at St James' Park beyond the confines of the five-year contract he signed in June 2007.
He told the Evening Chronicle: "I have started discussions with the club, and everything seems to be going in the right direction. Hopefully we will get that sorted as soon as possible, and I can just concentrate on doing my utmost for Newcastle United.
"I want to stay here."
If Barton does put pen to paper, he will be the latest in a series of men to buy into Newcastle's brave new world with Andy Carroll, Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson and promising youngsters Nile Ranger and Haris Vuckic among those to have agreed new long-term contracts.
Earlier today Liverpoolmanager Kenny Dalglish said striker Ryan Babelis staying with the Anfield outfit, for the time being. Babel looked as though he was heading for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim after the clubs agreed a fee.
However, the proposed move has broken down, with Babel earlier indicating he would prefer to join Ajax. There is speculation the Dutch side’s €24 million-rated striker Luis Suarez could be heading for Liverpool but whether Babel might be part of the deal remains to be seen.
When asked about the player’s situation, Dalglish said: “He is staying here.”
