Good morning folks. It’s the middle of the week but this isn’t your ordinary Wednesday. With the Euros wrapping up their final group stage matchday, World Cup qualifying continuing and MLS featuring two matches, there will be plenty to discuss today and tonight.
For now, here are some stories from this morning and last night to get your day going:
EPL considers blocking Jo transfer
Manchester City’s potential $32 million transfer bid for Brazilian striker Jo could be shelved if the English Premier League decides to block the move out of concerns about Jo having a third-party owner. Long considered one of the bigger moves of the summer, the Jo to City talks have been going on for some time but the EPL’s desire to avoid another Carlos Tevez transfer debacle could force the transfer on the shelf.
Uruguay trounces Peru
Diego Forlan netted a hat-trick to help Uruguay thrash Peru, 6-0, in World Cup qualifying action on Tuesday in Montevideo. Peru was already trailing 2-0 in the 39th minute when Paulo Guerrero was sent off, leaving an already overmatched Peruvian squad to try and play short-handed. That didn’t exactly work out. The win helped Uruguay move into the fourth and final automatic qualifying berth in CONMEBOL, a spot ahead of Brazil.
As you might expect, Peru’s ugly loss will likely mean the firing of head coach Jose Del Solar. My question is whether the Peruvian FA really believed Peru would have a chance in qualifying after suspending Jefferson Farfan, Claudio Pizarro, Andres Mendoza and Santiago Acasiete?
Cuba wins World Cup qualifier
It wasn’t easy as expected but Cuba needed four goals to hold off Antiqua & Barbuda, 4-3, in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday in Antigua. The second leg is set for Sunday in Cuba, with the series winner set to be placed in the same four-team World Cup qualifying group as the United States in the next round of qualifying.
Benfica bid for Buonanotte rejected
Benfica had an $18 million bid for River Plate playmaker Diego Buonanotte rejected after Buonanotte decided he doesn’t want to move to Europe yet. So why is this non-transfer of interest? Well, the fact that Benfica was ready to splash big bucks to land a 20-year-old playmaker when it still has Freddy Adu on the books makes you wonder where Adu stands in his clubs plans.
Sidwell Villa move complete
Chelsea has sold midfielder Steve Sidwell to Aston Villa for a reported fee of $10.7 million, a move that could help pave the way for Gareth Barry’s departure from Villa to Liverpool. The former Reading standout played in just 15 matches for Chelsea, never finding his footing in Chelsea’s loaded midfield.
Riise in talks with Roma
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise is in talks with Roma after being given permission by Liverpool to talk to the Italian club. No word yet on whether Chelsea would make a bid for Riise out of gratitude for his Champions League gift of an own goal.
Share your thoughts on any of these news stories, as well as any other stories that emerge this morning, in the comments section below.